As the year comes to a close, we book lovers have to reflect on the best books we read in 2016. There have been so many exciting new releases this year from beloved authors and new debuts. The top seven best young adult books of 2016 was a tough list to narrow down, but it’s a wonderful list you definitely need to check out in 2017.

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Ever since the end of Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter fans of all ages have been eagerly awaiting a new release by J.K. Rowling. Finally, that exciting new book came in 2016. Cursed Child takes place nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts in which our beloved characters have become parents and their children are the main characters. The “eighth book” is actually a London play, co-written with Rowling herself. If you never quite found the time to jump back into the wizarding world this year, now’s the time.

2. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

This year, renowned urban fantasy writer Cassandra Clare released the first book in her new trilogy, The Dark Artifices. Fans of her Mortal Instruments series will know that this new book takes place five years later with a new set of characters on the west coast. Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs works to solve a supernatural murder mystery, in addition to protecting her family from danger in this funny, adventurous novel.

3. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Based on a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this is the second book in Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series. In a country divided between humans and Fae, young Feyre Archeron relies on risky hunting in order to provide for her poor family. However, one day, she accidentally kills a Fae and is forced to pay the price with her own life. Maas’s sequel surpasses her outstanding first book with her exquisite characters and action-packed story.

4. Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

In this imaginative spin on Alice in Wonderland, bestselling author Tahereh Mafi captures a magical story of adventure and friendship. After Alice Alexis Queensmeadow’s father has been missing for over three years, she decides to embark on a quest to Furthermore and do everything she can to find him. Mafi’s novels are brilliant reads with her remarkable writing and heartwarming characters that you will surely love.

5. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Famous YA author Alexandra Bracken creates an enthralling scavenger hunt through time in her latest release. Just when Etta Spencer’s life has spun out of her control, she finds herself part of a family legacy of time travel. With the help of new friend Nicholas Carter, Etta must carefully navigate the dangers of time travel and avoid a few enemies along the way. This fast-paced novel will captivate you until the very last page.

6. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

With her exciting writing and lovable characters, Sarah J. Maas surely deserves to have more than one new release on the bestseller list. Empire of Storms is the fifth book in her exceptional Throne of Glass series centered on an infamous female assassin. Celeana Sardothian is chosen by the Crown Prince to compete in a competition to be the King’s Champion. She must face countless obstacles, supernatural and adventurous, in order to fight for the people she cares for and the hope of a brighter future.

7. Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda

The past year, everyone has been raving about Broadway’s hit new musical that tells the story of the Founding Fathers through hip hop music. Whether you’ve only heard the soundtrack once, or you know every word, the Hamiltome is a must-read. In his book, Lin-Manuel Miranda compiles everything a fan could want from song lyrics to exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes stories.

Overall, 2016 was a fantastic year for new young adult book releases with a range from famous authors to pop culture favorites.