The finalists for the 2025 Andre Norton Nebula Award have been announced. The award recognizes the best of science fiction and fantasy for middle grade and young adult fiction. Here are the finalists:
Gemini Rising by Jonathan Brazee
Goblin Girl by K. A. Mielke
Into the Wild Magic by Michelle Knudsen
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The Tower by David Anaxagoras
Wishing Well, Wishing Well by Jubilee Cho
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
Demelza is the daughter of a veritas swan and an evil sorcerer. Her sisters are all veritas swans themselves, able to transform and whose beautiful voices force the truth from others. Demelza though takes after her father more. She doesn’t have wings and her voice is hurtful to the ears. Across the land, Prince Arris has put out a call for eligible girls to apply to be his bride. Arris lives under a family curse where he is doomed to likely be killed by his bride for power over the throne. Demelza heads to the prince’s realm to try to help, also escaping death by her father’s hand. Can these two find the way through the magic and curses that bind them?
This YA novel is a delight. Both of the lead characters are a joy to spend time with. From Arris who is trying to make the most of his short life by clinging to every beautiful experience he can to Demelza who is trying to figure out who she is outside of her mother and father’s needs. The two stumble together through the book, their connection growing beautifully across the story in a genuine way. Even better, the secondary characters are also rendered completely. Both sets of parents have complex love stories of their own, the contestants for Arris’ hand are marvelous, and Arris’ sister steals every scene she enters.
One of the best teen romatasies, this one is worth losing your heart to. Appropriate for ages 12+.
Waking Brain Cells 