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Thriller Books for Teens

There's nothing like a book you just can't put down. These suspenseful, thrilling stories for young adults will grab your teens' attention until the final pages. They might even keep your kids up past their bedtime trying to finish one more chapter. From dystopian novels to mysteries to "suburban noir," there's sure to be something your thrill-seeking teen will love on this list. And many of these novels have a twist at the end, so fight off spoilers and start reading one today. For other exciting reads, check out our Science Fiction Books and Thrilling Fantasy Books for Teens.

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Two Degrees book cover
BOOK

Two Degrees

age 9+

Teens battle to survive in gripping climate change thriller.

By: Alan Gratz (2022)
Eyes of the Forest Book Jacket
BOOK

Eyes of the Forest

age 12+

Suspenseful kidnapping tale that fantasy fans will love.

By: April Henry (2021)
I Am Still Alive Poster Image
BOOK

I Am Still Alive

age 12+

Teen survives alone in the wilderness in gripping thriller.

By: Kate Alice Marshall (2018)
Legend, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Legend, Book 1

age 12+

Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles.

By: Marie Lu (2011)
NEED Poster Image
BOOK

NEED

age 12+

Fresh cyberthriller explores dark side of social media.

By: Joelle Charbonneau (2015)
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BOOK

The Oracle Code

age 12+

Commissioner Gordon's daughter rebels in twisty origin tale.

By: Marieke Nijkamp (2020)
Origin Poster Image
BOOK

Origin

age 12+

Self-contained sci-fi thriller adds emotion to immortality.

By: Jessica Khoury (2012)
Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles, Book 1

age 12+

Kids use psychic powers in exciting, X-Men-like thriller.

By: Neal Shusterman (2013)
Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1

age 12+

Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.

By: Neal Shusterman (2016)
This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein Poster Image
BOOK

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

age 12+

Gripping, fascinating story of one soon-to-be-mad scientist.

By: Kenneth Oppel (2011)
Time Zero Poster Image
BOOK

Time Zero

age 12+

Girls struggle against extremism in taut sci-fi thriller.

By: Carolyn Cohagan (2016)
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BOOK

Unison Spark

age 12+

Sci-fi thriller puts a futuristic spin on social networking.

By: Andy Marino (2011)
All of This Is True Poster Image
BOOK

All of This Is True

age 13+

Writer uses teens' secrets for stories in riveting thriller.

By: Lygia Day Peñaflor (2018)
City of Saints & Thieves Poster Image
BOOK

City of Saints & Thieves

age 13+

Captivating trio fuels thought-provoking Africa thriller.

By: Natalie C. Anderson (2017)
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BOOK

Defy the Stars

age 13+

Sci-fi space thriller is a thought-provoking page-turner.

By: Claudia Gray (2017)
Divergent, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Divergent, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, violent dystopian thriller is original, addictive.

By: Veronica Roth (2011)
Don't Turn Around Poster Image
BOOK

Don't Turn Around

age 13+

Exciting, nonstop techno-thriller raises big issues.

By: Michelle Gagnon (2012)
Family of Liars cover
BOOK

Family of Liars

age 13+

Murder, addiction, and ghosts mix in satisfying prequel.

By: E. Lockhart (2022)
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Book 1

age 13+

Teen detective "unsolves" murder in riveting thriller.

By: Holly Jackson (2020)
Getaway cover
BOOK

The Getaway

age 13+

Teens are trapped in amusement park in intense thriller.

By: Lamar Giles (2022)