5 YA Books About Dangerous Games

Caraval, by Stephanie Garber
In Garber’s wonderfully magical debut, we meet teen sisters Scarlett and Tella Dragna. They’ve never left the island where they live, but have grown up dreaming of one day going to Caraval, a magical performance that only happens once a year. Despite the odds that seem stacked against them—namely, an abusive, controlling father and Scarlett’s impending arranged marriage—they’re finally able to get two tickets to the traveling show.
But not everything is as fun and glamorous as they were promised. In fact, they’re not spectators so much as participants, trapped in the heart of a deadly game (or is it?). This year’s performance has everything to do with Tella, who’s kidnapped before Scarlett even arrives at the game. Now she must track down her sister, discovering along the way that the magic of Caraval is anything but nice…and can even be deadly.

The Gauntlet, by Karuna Riazi
Though The Gauntlet is middle grade, it has major crossover appeal, as with The Night Circus. In Riazi’s debut, three friends find themselves trapped inside a board game they have to take apart, to get themselves, and everyone else who has been trapped inside, out. If this sounds a bit like Jumanji, well, you’re spot on. Because it’s very much like that, with a steampunk/Middle Eastern twist. It’s a diverse read that’s exciting and full of thrills, with wildly imaginative monsters and magic.

A Crown of Wishes, by Roshani Chokshi
Did you know you can read Chokshi’s second novel in her duology without reading the first? It’s true! It’s a duology featuring two standalone books (though we in NO way condone skipping the gorgeous The Star-Touched Queen). Crown is the story of a princess, Gauri, who is kidnapped by a neighboring kingdom. She’s promised her freedom by the prince of this place, a land full of her sworn enemies, in exchange for helping him win the Tournament of Wishes, a competition full of danger and magic. There’s mystery and gorgeous world-building in Chokshi’s lush fantasy, a story of family, love, and danger.
But please pick up the first book, too. It’s so good.

Panic, by Lauren Oliver
Still reeling after seeing the Before I Fall movie, and eager for some more Lauren Oliver in your life? Why not start with this excellent standalone? Panic isn’t just the title of the book, it’s the name of the game played by seniors in Heather’s graduating high school class. All seniors do it. It’s tradition. I mean, who wouldn’t want to play, especially when the reward is over $60,000, enough money to escape their small town once and for all? But this game isn’t like a spelling bee or a school debate. The risks are dangerous and could be deadly, and the competition quickly becomes about more than just money and escape for Heather. It’s a story of secrets, friendships, and first love, with stakes that are incredibly high. After all, the reward at the end of this game is freedom.

Genius: The Game, by Leopoldo Gout
Told in shifting points of view with a cast of wonderfully diverse characters, Gout’s surprising debut is one of the most underrated books of 2016. If you slept on this one…well, I’d like to fix that. The youngest and wealthiest tech CEO in the world invites geniuses from all over the planet to compete in a massive competition, and Rex (a Mexican American hacker), Tunde (an prodigal inventor from Nigeria), and Painted Wolf (a high-profile activist from China, a la Anonymous), team up to win the biggest prize: a way out of their current lives, and access to the most advanced technology that exists. But the game is far more complicated than any of them can imagine. This book is loaded with sharp wit, major thrills, and twists and betrayals at every turn. If you missed out, be sure to pick it up.