If you thought The School for Good and Evil was the last you'd hear from Soman Chainani, think again. The New York Times bestselling author is back with a bold new thriller that trades fairy-tale kingdoms for a fractured America on the brink. Titled Young World, the novel arrives May 5, and we've got an exclusive first-listen excerpt that dives straight into the chaos.
A Revolution Sparked by a Crush
Chainani's latest centers on Benton Young, a high school senior who isn't exactly planning to change the world—he's just trying to impress a girl. But when he posts an online video jokingly asking people to write him in for President, the clip goes viral. Before he knows it, Benton is sitting in the Oval Office, and his accidental campaign ignites a global movement. Teens everywhere start overthrowing their governments, building a new world based on their own ideals.
But utopia doesn't last long. At the first international youth summit in Sweden, one of the young leaders is murdered—and all evidence points to Benton. Suddenly, the boy who wanted to win a girl's heart is fighting to clear his name and save the revolution he started.
An Exclusive 20-Minute Sneak Peek
Our exclusive audio excerpt opens at the very beginning of Young World. We meet Benton as he writes in a journal for his AP government teacher, Miss Escobedo. He confesses his crush on a classmate he calls “The One,” but also paints a grim picture of the world around him—political decay, environmental collapse, and a generation that has given up on its leaders. The journal entry reveals the video that started it all and how it spiraled out of control. The 20-minute listen is a perfect teaser, leaving you hungry for the full story.
Chainani's shift from fantasy to political thriller is a bold move, but it's one that feels timely. In an era where young voices are reshaping politics, Young World asks: What happens when the kids take over? And what happens when their dream turns into a nightmare?
For fans of Chainani's earlier work, this isn't a complete departure. His signature blend of moral complexity and sharp character work is still front and center. But instead of princesses and wizards, we get campaign strategists and conspiracy theories. It's a thriller that feels ripped from tomorrow's headlines.
If you're hungry for more political intrigue, check out our list of the best 90s thriller shows for a dose of classic suspense. Or dive into the best supernatural thriller endings for twists that will keep you guessing.
Young World hits shelves on May 5. Pre-order your copy now, and listen to our exclusive first-listen excerpt above. This is one revolution you won't want to miss.
