Top 10 recommendations for YA series

Top 10 recommendations for YA book series

(DISCLAIMER: This is based on my own opinion and recommendations only. The books specified are not ranked in any order.)

  1. The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole

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Books in the series: Poison Princess (#1), Endless Knight (#2), Dead of Winter (#3), Day Zero (#3.5), Arcana Rising (#4), The Dark Calling (#5)

My rating: 5/5

Genres: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopian

The arcana chronicles

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Poison Princess)

She could save the world-or destroy it.
Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future-and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Derveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.
With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?
As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side…

(Recommendation)

I absolutely adored the series and I’m team Death/Aric all the way 😀

While binge reading the first 3 books, I was so paranoid that at any moment the book would come true. The Arcana chronicles is a fantastic mash-up between Hunger games and the Tarot cards, the characters are lovable and compelling and the amount of plot twists in this series makes my jaw drop in EVERY book! I also recommended this book to my best friend and she loved it as well!

Some precautions before you decide to read this series, it is very dark and grotesque as its set in a dystopian world with zombies (known as bagman, if I remember correctly), but the romance here is to die for as you ultimately start choosing a side once you get absorbed into the Arcana Chronicles’s excellent world building.

I heard that there will be a TV adaptation of this series and I’m so excited!!

  1. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

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Books in the series: Cinder (#1), Scarlet (#2), Cress (#3), Fairest (#3.5), Winter (#4), Stars Above (#4.5), The Lunar Chronicles Colouring Book

My rating: 5/5

Genres: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction

The lunar chronicles

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Cinder)

Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder’s brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it “a matter of national security,” but Cinder suspects it’s more serious than he’s letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder’s intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that’s been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter’s illness, Cinder’s stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an “honor” that no one has survived.

But it doesn’t take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

(Recommendation)

Okay, I love love love this series like how a kid loves candy. Cinder was the first book that brought me back to reading and this whole series was so awesome due to how Marissa Meyer brought the entire world to life with compelling characters and the settings. I would definitely recommend this to those who love sci-fi, retellings, romance and OMG, just read this series XD

I heard that this series is getting a movie adaptation but there hasn’t been much news yet.

Did I mention I have all the books to the series? XD I haven’t gotten my hands on Wires and Nerves though, this epic chronicles continues on with Iko as the main character in the graphic novels!

  1. Shatter me series by Tahereh Mafi

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Books in the series: Shatter Me (#1), Destroy ME (#1.5), Unravel Me (#2), Fracture ME (#2.5), Ignite Me (#3) and (the author has announced 3 more books, YES, 3 MORE BOOKS!)

My rating: 5/5

Genres: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopian

Shatter me series

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Shatter Me)
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

(Recommendation)

I would definitely recommend this to readers who prefer more darker fantasy stories. The romance between Juliet and the boys are really interesting. The characters are unique and have great redemption & character arcs. Each book is more interesting than the previous one and I binged read the entire series, even the novellas, which I normally don’t read at all.

I was so excited when I heard that The Shatter Me series is getting a TV series adaptation (IMDB states that its supposed to come out this year), I hope they adapt this book well since it was really hyped up.

  1. Firelight Series by Sophie Jordan

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Books in the series: Firelight (#1), Vanish (#2), Hidden (#3)

My rating: 4/5

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Firelight series

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Firelight)

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

(Recommendation)

I would recommend this series to those who love dragons and great plot twists. The characters’ character arcs might not be as strong, but the plot and setting for this book is great. The plot twists are unpredictable yet with every one that is revealed, the story becomes more conflicting for the different characters.

Online sources have mentioned that this series has been optioned for a movie adaptation in 2012, but nothing else has been heard since then. I felt that this series is one of the more under-rated series that didn’t have much hype around it despite this series being really good, so do give this series a try!

  1. The Cage series by Megan Shepherd

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Books in the series: The Cage (#1), The Hunt (#2), The Gauntlet (#3)

My rating: 4/5

Genres: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance

The cage series

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – The Cage)

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn’t know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn’t alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora’s past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren’t from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

(Recommendation)

I finished the last book today, after waiting 2 long years, and to be honest I was really disappointed with the ending of the book, however, it was a really great series and its one I would definitely recommend to people who enjoy The Lunar Chronicles as well.

I also have all the books in the series as well, now excuse me while I hide in a corner to cry about the ending of this series, if you’re interested, go have a read! To me, this series is one of the most under-rated books that totally deserved a hype.

  1. Fire & Flood Series by Victoria Scott

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Books in the series: Fire & Flood (#1), Salt and Stone (#2)

My rating: 5/5

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Action

Fire & Flood series

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Fire & Flood)

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can’t determine what’s wrong, her parents decide to move to the middle of nowhere for the fresh air. She’s lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying–and she’s helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It’s an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother’s illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there’s no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can’t trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

(Recommendation)

Being quite similar to the Hunger games, but different, but this series is so good, it was so sad that there were only 2 books. The thrill in this book was great, definitely recommended to fans of dystopian novels with the protagonist playing a ‘game’ of sorts. It was definitely one of the more under-rated series that I would recommend.

  1. Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard

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Books in the series: Red Queen (#1), Glass Sword (#2), King’s Cage (#3)

My rating: 4/5

Genres: Fantasy, YA, Dystopian, Romance

Red queen series

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Red Queen)

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

(Recommendation)

I definitely loved the first book, Red Queen, but subsequently, everything felt like it was getting way too dragged out. I am Team Cal all the way! Well, this series is recommended to fans of A court of thorns and roses, Snow like ashes and anyone who loves a thrilling action-packed YA fantasy novel.

  1. The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks

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Books in the series: Of Poseidon (#1), Of Triton (#2), Of Neptune (#3)

My rating: 5/5

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Mythology (Mermaids), Romance

The syrena legacy

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Of Poseidon)

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom…

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

(Recommendation)

Definitely another one of those under-rated series that have no hype, but this series was really good, especially the romance between Galen and Emma. The entire story was compelling and interesting and recommended to fans of mermaid stories with a nice twist.

  1. The Stars never rise Duology by Rachel Vincent

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Books in the series: The stars never rise (#1) & The flame never dies (#2)

My rating: 4/5

Genres: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Dystopian

The stars never rise duology

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – The stars never rise)

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she’s too busy trying to actually survive. Her town’s population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she’ll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie’s sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can’t survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

(Recommendation)

I really loved the first book in this series, but I felt that the 2nd book didn’t live up to the first book’s standard. However, the story had great developments and character arcs, whenever you think that it wouldn’t get worse, it does. The plot twists in series were the most shocking I’ve seen in my entire life.

  1. The Styclar Saga by Nikki Kelly

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Books in the series: Lailah (#1), Gabriel (#2), Jonah (#3)

My rating: 4/5

Genres: YA, Paranormal (Vampires & Angels), Fantasy, Romance

The styclar saga

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

(The first book – Lailah)

The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.

(Recommendation)

I haven’t read the last book, Jonah yet, but I have a feeling this series would be good. This story had an interesting concept and I definitely preferred Jonah over Gabriel as Gabriel seemed too perfect.

 

Have you read these series? What are your thoughts and opinions? Leave a comment down below! 🙂

 

The Gauntlet (The Cage #3) By Megan Shepherd

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Title: The Gauntlet (The cage #3)

Author: Megan Shepherd

The gauntlet by Megan Shepherd

Recommended to fans of: Romeo and Juliet, Hunger games, Divergent, Arcana chronicles, Lunar Chronicles, Maze Runner

Series: The Cage

Publisher: HarperColins

Publication date: 23 May 2017 

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Romance, YA

Pages: 393

Rating: 4/5 (Would have given a 5 if the ending was better)

[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds.

With the whole universe at stake, Cora will do whatever it takes, including pushing her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. Not knowing who to trust, Cora must rely on her own instincts to win the competition, which could change the world—though it might destroy her in the process. 

(Review)(DISCLAIMER:This is my opinion only, may contain spoilers for the book, may contain coarse language)

  • Maybe its because i’m reading this last book 1 yr later, but I forgot that Lucky died
  • In the first few chapters, or the entire series, I could see a rebellion coming along
  • main problem Cora faces in this book is that she currently is a slave but she needs to run in the gauntlet and she needs to save Cassian
  • the story actually also addresses the theme of slavery with a more subtle attempt, humans being the slaves while the other aliens are the masters
  • Holy shit, that moment when Nok pushed Ellis into the burning pit, omg you go girl
  • Mali and Leon reminded me of Thorne and Cress, which is really cute
  • The gauntlet is some crazy game of 12 levels, and you would have to lose something of importance, that leaves you scarred for life
  • It was such a sad scene where they buried Lucky
  • I think Dane had his redemption when he decided to sacrifice himself to let Willa board the ship, he knew that Cora needed Willa to win the gauntlet
  • After Nok killed Ellis, she now is the new sheriff, but they still suspect Dane
  • I think the doubt that Cora has about whether she and Cassian can have a future together is really interesting as well
  • The gauntlet feels like an exam, and all those who helped coach Cora are like the teachers who teach us all they know before they send us to the examination hall, from there, we’re on our own
  • OMG, when Cora and Cassian were finally united, she was shoved into the gauntlet, omg I was so annoyed at the fake Fian
  • Holy shit, the plot twist of Humans and Kindred being the same species, omg i immediately closed the book and started clapping at that plot twist
  • So Serassi decided to temporarily help Cora as they want to stop the Axion race, they inject the different blood of all the other 5 humans who were with Cora (Lucky,Mali,Leon, Nok, Rolf), hoping that it will help Cora win the gauntlet
  • The 6 of them actually completing the challenges together was really cool, it brought tears to my eyes knowing that the story was going to end T.T
  • The third round of the gauntlet was that your sponsor would enter it with you, and now Cassian became Cora’s sponsor, he was going to enter the gauntlet with her. (I am praying to God that both of them won’t die)
  • OMG, the last test was awesome, luckily Cassian already devised a plan to help cheat the system
  • Okay, wait. Cora and Cassian don’t end up together in the end. WHAT? WHY?
  • I felt so betrayed by the end of the book since I’ve been following the series since the first book

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts and opinions? Leave a comment down below! 🙂

Top 5 recommendations for Beauty and the Beast YA re-tellings

Top 5 Beauty and the Beast YA retellings

(DISCLAIMER: This is based on my own opinion and recommendations only. The books specified are not ranked in any order.)

As a kid, Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie, and it still is. I mean, Belle reads (talk about relatable?) and the story is more unique and intriguing than the others. I especially love the message that it carries and how the entire movie also portrays courage as one of their themes.

  1. Beastly by Alex Flinn

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My rating: 5/5

Beastly by Alex Flinn

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

I am a beast.

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

(Recommendation)

This version of beauty and the beast tells the story from the point of the Beast. In this beautifully retold story, beauty and the beast is set in the modern day world of New York.

The book was better than the movie (Yes, it was adapted into a movie), and for this particular book I actually watched the movie first. Usually when I watch movies I can’t seem to read the book, but I managed to get through this book and personally felt that it was better than the movie adaptation. The story was more well developed, the emotions behind the characters were great and the lastly, the character arc for Kyle was really strong.

This book is part of the series, The Kendra Chronicles, but this book can be read as a stand-alone book.

  1. Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

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My rating: 5/5

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret…

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

(Recommendation)

This version of Beauty and the Beast is set in a YA dystopian world of Yuan, definitely for fans of dystopian and sci-fi. This version feels like a mash-up of Cinder by Marissa Meyer and the original Beauty and the Beast, which makes it uniquely one of it kind.

This book is a stand-alone and I wished that this book had been made into a movie.

3. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 

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My Rating: 5/5

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she’s ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex’s secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

(Recommendation)

This version of beauty and beast is more on the darker side, but is also one of my favorites. The vibe of the entire story is really similar to the Vocaloid song – Cendrillon. The unique thing about this version of beauty and the beast is that the author; Rosamund Hodge has successfully blended in a Greek mythology story between Cupid and Psyche. This book can be read as a stand-alone.

4. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

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My rating: 3/5

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them.

So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.

Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast?

(Recommendation)

Out of these recommendations, this book has to be the one closest to the original. However, this story did lack good plot twists but it was really nice how this version tied the entire story to the Prince (Read to find out more :D)

The author actually included pages of the Beast’s journal, which was really a nice touch, but for me I had trouble reading the cursive font.

  1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas

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My rating: -/5 (I didn’t finish the book, please don’t kill me)

A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas

(Synopsis – Taken from goodreads)

Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price …

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

(Recommendation)

This book’s hype has been crazy especially now that the series has ended. This version of beauty and the beast takes place within the faerie area of fantasy (I’m sorry, I’m not a big fan) and it definitely deserves a place on the list as even though I may dislike it, a million others have loved this series, so do take a read and you may find yourself in a new fandom 😉

 

 

Have you read any of these books? What do you think? Leave a comment below! 🙂

Gifted by H. A. Swain

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Title: Gifted

Author: H. A. Swain

Gifted by H. A. Swain

Recommended to fans of: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles), Flashfall by Jenny Moyer, Spare and found parts by Sarah Maria Griffin, Shadow run by AdriAnne Strickland, Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram, Romeo and Juliet

Series: N.A.

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication date: 14 June 2016

Format: Hardcover

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Pages: 336

Rating: 3/5

[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)

In Orpheus Chanson’s world, geniuses and prodigies are no longer born or honed through hard work. Instead, procedures to induce Acquired Savant Abilities (ASAs) are now purchased by the privileged. And Orpheus’s father holds the copyright to the ASA procedure.

Zimri Robinson, a natural musical prodigy, is a “plebe”–a worker at the enormous warehouse that supplies an on-line marketplace that has supplanted all commerce. Her grueling schedule and her grandmother’s illness can’t keep her from making music–even if it is illegal.

Orpheus and Zimri are not supposed to meet. He is meant for greatness; she is not. But sometimes, rules are meant to be broken. Here is a thriller, love story, and social experiment that readers will find gripping–and terrifying.

(Review)(DISCLAIMER:This is my opinion only, may contain spoilers for the book, may contain coarse language)

  • The concept of buying ‘talent’ was interesting
  • The male protagonist, Orpheus is like prince charming, in a different league of his own while the female protagonist Zimri is like cinderella
  • The sci-fi language is a bit difficult to understand as the author does not explain it much (but this is the first chapter so,,,)
  • Orpheus’s father created the whole ASA (Aquired Savant Ability) surgery and instantly became famous and he plays a big part in the music industry in this dystopian world
  • In this dystopian world, the plutes (rich people) believe that art is for them, that the poor (plebes) are not allowed to make it in the art industries, this sets up a very interesting dystopian world and concept
  • Orpheus decides to run away from home to escape the ASA, and ends up as a worker at the warehouse and his mentor is Zimri whom he is intrigued by
  • I googled the symbolism of the dragonfly as it is mentioned and appears various times throughout the entire book, it means a perspective change in self-realisation and a change in mentality, emotional maturity and deeper understanding of life (and this actually is what the book is centred upon and its a cool thing to notice when you make that link to the book)
  • Orpheus, apart from wanting to live a normal life, he wants his parents to not argue so much
  • Orpheus almost runs over Zimri’s grandma and actually pays for her hospital bill
  • To be honest I was really torn between Dorian and Orpheus, both of them were actually decent guys
  • I think the book plays well on the disparity between those famous music artists and them having a ton of people listening to their music and yet for those local or less popular musicians, they lack the audience and are most often the underdogs and under appreciated in the industry despite having music that is just as good.

Merrow by Ananda Braxton Smith

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Title: Merrow

Author: Ananda Braxton Smith

Merrow by Ananda Braxton Smith

Recommended to fans of: The little mermaid, Fins by Ashley L. Knight, Mermaid Park by Beth Mayall, Forgive my fins by Tera Lynn Childs, The siren by Kiera Cass, The mermaid’s mirror by L.K. Madigan

Series: Secrets of Carrick #1

Publisher: Black Dog books

Publication date: 2010

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Fiction, Paranormal – mermaids

Pages: 197

Rating:-/5 (If I had finished the book i would have given it 1)

[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)

The people of Carrick have been whispering behind Neen’s back for most of her life; ever since her father drowned and her mother disappeared.

The townspeople say her mother was a merrow who has returned to her real home in the ocean. Neen wonders if perhaps the villagers are right. But if her mother is a merrow then what does this make Neen?

This pitiless summer all the talk will end in trouble.

All Neen wants is the truth

(Review)(DISCLAIMER:This is my opinion only, may contain spoilers for the book, may contain coarse language)

  • I didn’t give a rating as I didn’t finish the book, it would not be fair to give a rating if I didn’t finish
  • The entire book is just focused on Neen trying to find out what happened to her parents despite all the weird rumoured stories that the town has came up with
  • The story was slow and quite difficult to get through
  • I could not get past 6 chapters before i decided that the book was really boring
  • The characters lacked depth and well, ‘character’
  • The story lacked other subplots to keep the story interesting

Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

“And they lived happily ever after”

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Title: Cinder & Ella

Author: Kelly Oram

Cinder & Ella

Recommended to fans of: Cinderella related books, Beauty and the beast, Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles),13 reasons why

Recommended movies/TV Shows: A cinderella story, 13 reasons why, Famous in love, Starstruck

Series: Cinder & Ella (Book #1)

Publisher: Bluefields

Publication date: 1st October 2014

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Romance, YA, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Retellings

Pages: –

Rating: 5/5

[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder. 

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

(Review)(DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion only, may contain spoilers for the book, might contain coarse language)

I listened to an audiobook as I was out of the country for a day on bus, but I have motion sickness and can’t read, so this was the 2nd best option, and I didn’t regret it 😀

  • I was never a fan of contemporary romance, but this book was awesome for me
  • Ella’s mother sounds awesome 😊(And that was the good set up until we find out the truth in the end of the book)
  • The words in the book are quite simple, good for early readers
  • Storyline was simple, predictable but cute
  • The prologue was so exciting already, it changed everything so quickly with the pace of things as it happened
  • Anastasia is such a bitch, at least Juliet was TRYING to be nice
  • Jennifer was trying to be nice, but really came off as b*tchy, initially
  • Brian breaking up with Kaylee was awesome
  • When everything seemed to be better, it just becomes worst, the storyline plotting was really good, the problems the protagonist faced were strong and got worse every time
  • Juliet’s redemption arc was awesome within just one chapter and subsequent chapters
  • I felt really frustrated that Ella and Brian didn’t meet and end up together already😂
  • Kaylee is such a b*tch, too bad she didn’t have a redemption arc like the rest of the characters
  • This is one of the deepest and best retelling of cinderella that i’ve ever heard/read
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