The Grimm Legacy, by Polly Shulman

Charming and absorbing young fantasy, set in the special collections are of the New York Public Library. The magical objects mentioned in the Grimm fairy tales are kept in the Grimm Collection, but evildoers are out to steal them. Elizabeth Lew, a student in a nearby high school, is one of a handful of workers allowed access to the special collections. The exceedingly far-fetched plot is one of the reasons I think this was more of a children's book than YA, but Shulman's special brand of clean and delightful characters made this a great read. She is an author I often recommend to young readers who are reading above their age level, but aren't ready for some of the darker actual YA out there.  

The False Princess, by Eilis O'Neal

Ok but predictable YA fantasy. Female protagonist, but lots of dialogue that clunked or was out of place in the fantasy setting ("breaking and entering" was one egregious example) and a plot that could be guessed a mile away.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns, by Rae Carson

Excellent YA fantasy with an unusual heroine and vividly imagined, vaguely Spanish/South American setting. I couldn't put this down.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor

This was WONDERFUL. It was a fully realized fantasy, and I mean that in every way. The world building was impeccable, from Prague to a planet with two moons, and the characters were better developed than in almost anything I've read this year. 17 year old art student Karou has blue hair, a marionette-making best friend called Zuzanna, and a very complicated home life.   I know this is published as YA, but I think it might truly be more of an adult book. I wonder a bit if some authors are allowing themselves to be steered towards publishing in YA because it is a more accepting realm? Either way, this is one of the best books I've read this year.

Ruby Red, by Kersten Gier

This was good, and I suppose the closest I've ccome to reading steampunk- which still isn't very close then lol.
Gwyneth Shepard is more than surprised when it turns out that she, rather than her perfectly prepared cousin Charlotte, carries the family time-travel gene. Lots of confusing plot business, and it was translated from German, and seems to have lost a lot on the way, but at the same time, strangely enjoyable.
My main issue was that Gwyneth kept being remarkably, startlingly stupid, and that got really annoying.