Kristie Choi

Maybe because these times are so horrifying but for YA, I’m really craving an atmospheric, layered horror mystery with the beautiful and lush but creepy vibes of Midsommar or The Honeys, even better if it’s romantic & queer #mswl

Some specific #MSWL cravings I’ve had these days for my YA list:

-high-concept post apocalyptic
-a romantic gothic/horror mystery
-beautiful, voicey trans/genderqueer anything
-yearning/longing vibes
-enemies/rivals to lovers
-twisted romance
-dark academia in a non-European setting

My bookshelf is 50% character-driven sff/speculative/spooky, 50% realistic contemporary/historical (coming-of-age romance, mystery/thriller, action-adventure, and verse novels), mostly by BIPOC, queer, or traditionally underrepresented folks, & my taste very much reflects that.

#MSWL Agents, I've been seeing some fantastic YA sff subs. I'll never say no to sff that captures my heart, but I'm also on the lookout for gorgeously written verse/prose, layered coming-of-age (historical or contemp) esp if it weaves in queer romance and/or mystery/suspense.

YA: coming of age romance like Last Night at the Telegraph Club or Ari & Dante w/gorgeous prose; coming of gender; atmospheric gothic (like The Handmaiden); historical/nf; mystery/thrillers like Firekeeper's Daughter or Patron Saints of Nothing; character-driven speculative. 4/6

GN #MSWL : If any creators/agents have a project w/a similar vibe as this, I'd love to see it! I'm also on the lookout for coming-of-gender stories; queer romance; contemporary like Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up.., This One Summer, Go with the Flow; absurdly funny MG/early readers

Things I love in YA romances: queer love; sex-positivity; steaminess & tension; opposites attract (💜 stoic softies at heart); complex characters; discovering first love & lust; enemies or rivals to lovers; attraction (or battle) of minds; funny romantasy; dark gothic (2/)