Since "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was released back in 2007, young adult (YA) novels have been all the rage. The genre has been dominating the book and movie industry for nearly a decade with series like "The Hunger Games," "Divergent" and the many novels of John Green. While I am growing older and moving away from the genre, many of the books listed below hold a very special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. However, these series do not get nearly enough attention, and I’m looking to give them some well-deserved publicity. So, whether you’re searching for new reading material for yourself or your kids, these books will not disappoint.
1. "Mistborn Trilogy" by Brandon Sanderson
Books released: 3 of 3
Hundreds of years ago, a prophesied hero rose up to defeat a growing evil set to destroy the world, and the hero lost. Now, Vin lives in the aftermath of the chaos, struggling to survive in the slums of the capital city. It is there she discovers a band of thieves looking to take matters into their own hands and take down the evil that has destroyed the country. I read this series about two years ago, and it remains as one of the best books I’ve read in that time span. The characters are unique, but insanely likable, and the story features romance without overwhelming the plot.
The best element of this story is the incredibly creative system of “magic,” called Allomancy. Certain people are able to “burn” different kinds of metal into certain abilities the same way we all “burn” different types of food into energy. Yes, I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it totally works. Such abilities include heightening senses, changing others’ emotions, and controlling the metal around them. For example, individuals called “coinshots” ingest steel and can push on the metal around them, causing small pieces of metal (usually coins) to shoot forward like bullets. The book features some graphic violence, but is relatively tame otherwise, and I’d recommend this book to any dystopian lover.
2. "The Books of Pellinor" by Alison Croggon
Books released: 4 of 4
Maerad is a young girl who has been living in slavery for as long as she can remember, but her world is turned upside down when she stumbles upon a thief she should have never caught. Soon, Maerad learns she has inherited both unbelievable power and a frightening destiny that will send her on adventures across the continent. Yes, this does sound like the stereotypical fantasy novel, but several elements set it apart from other series.
The sheer detail of the fantasy world Croggan has created is breathtaking, which includes it’s own language (with a pronunciation guide), maps and thousands of years of history. Furthermore, the method of magic is centered around the arts, and music plays a crucial element in the story. Finally, the writing is absolutely beautiful -- very detailed without being overwhelming. I definitely recommend this series for fans of "Lord of the Rings."
3. "The Gone Series" by Michael Grant
Books released: 6 of 6
One day, in the small town of Peridido Beach, California, every adult over the age of 15 disappears. The town is surrounded by an impenetrable bubble and some of the kids inside start developing strange, mutant powers. Add an otherworldly presence also trapped inside the dome, and chaos ensues. This series is basically "Lord of the Flies" meets "The X-Men," and while the books start off centered for a fairly young audience (around pre-teen age), the events quickly become increasingly mature as the situations become more desperate.
Cannibalism, torture, violent prejudice and flesh-eating bugs all make appearances throughout the series. Nevertheless, all of the elements are used to drive the plot and the characters, rather than being thrown into the story carelessly. Moreover, the chapters are told from various points of view (think "Game of Thrones") which helps highlight so many wonderful characters. If you’re looking for a story with horror and mystery that isn’t too over the top, look no further than this powerful series.
4. "The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" by Michael Scott
Books released: 6 or 6
At first glance, "TSotINF" seems like the stereotypical fantasy series; twins Sophie and Josh Newman find themselves caught up in a plot to protect an ancient book with secrets that could destroy the planet, before it is revealed that the siblings may be the prophesied key to saving the world. So what makes this series remarkable? It’s the incredibly unique cast of characters.
Michael Scott employs both characters from history and mythological figures to create his story, and it somehow works perfectly. Shakespeare, Billy the Kid, Joan of Arc and Machiavelli fight alongside (or against) the Egyptian goddesses Bastet and Isis, the Roman God Mars, and the Irish goddess Morrigan. It’s sheer, brilliant madness. The series also introduces readers to lesser known figures from religion and history such as Gilgamesh the King, Dr. John Dee and the namesake of the series, Nicholas Flamel. Moreover, none of these characters can be described as purely good or evil, which makes them more realistic and relatable, and adds intrigue to the series as a whole. I recommend this series for anyone who is a fan of mythology or fantasy in general.
5. "The Throne of Glass Series" by Sarah J. Maas
Books released: 4 of 6
Thief, Celaena Sardothien, is serving out her sentence of hard labor in a salt mine when she is suddenly whisked away from her grim fate to serve as the Crown Prince’s champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. She soon finds an intriguing cast of foes and friends, but the book really picks up once her fellow opponents start dying under mysterious circumstances and a sinister plot to take over the kingdom is revealed.
I first picked up this series at the request of one of my high school teachers and, I will admit, I didn’t love it at first. It felt very similar to "The Hunger Games;" however, the series really finds its own way in the second book and I soon became hooked. The plot unfolds into something massive and magnificent, spanning across multiple continents and story lines. Celaena is a fantastic female lead; she’s a major badass, but isn’t always likable and can be a major pain (she acts like an untouchable assassin). Nevertheless, the reader can really see her grow as a result, and I think it makes her much more interesting. Romance and politics are constants in the series, and the books should be fine for anyone 13 and over. I’d recommend this series for anyone who’s a fan of strong female leads like Katniss Everdeen and Tris Prior.
Happy reading!
