YA Novels from Around the World: Europe

There are a lot of YA novels set in dystopian futures, in new lands and in mystical worlds. However, there are a good few that are set in your average, everyday world. Many of these are set in the USA since the authors are from there, however there are some in Europe, Asia and South America. So here are a couple of novels set in Europe.

1) France: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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This novel has taken the world by storm in the past year. The first in a trilogy, the story follows Anna, a 17 year old from Atlanta. She's loving her life and thinks it's a disaster when she is shipped off to boarding school in Paris. This is a great read and really highlights the Parisian life.

2) Czech Republic: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

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An underrated novel, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a fantastic novel and doesn't seem to be as well known. Our main protagonist is Karou, your not so average girl who can speak non-human languages and grows blue hair naturally. Set specifically in Prague, this features a nice change of setting.

3) Germany: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

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Having been made into a film last year, this novel has become more well known in the last few months. The first time I read this, I was intrigued by the way the story was written and who the narrator was - Death himself. Nazi Germany is our setting and Zusak creates a great atmosphere in the novel.

4) Ireland: Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

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Of course I had to include one set in Ireland. Fergus and his Uncle are digging for peat and they come across what appears to be the body of a murdered girl. It is also set in the time of the Troubles so it is a very tense time in Fergus' life.

5) Austria: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

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Scott Westerfeld has written other YA novels, notably the Uglies series, set in a dystopian future of sorts. This series however, is set in Austria during World War One. It follows Prince Alexsander, the would-be and should-be heir of the Austro-Hungarian Throne and Deryn Sharp, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Airforce. This makes for an interesting plot line and background.

Next time I'll do novels from South America and Oceania!

- Grace