By the time I was a first grader at Zimmerman Elementary, I was a bookworm. It started in kindergarten was I was almost six years old. I sat at the kitchen table reading a picture book to my mother, only I was actually paying attention to the words and not the pictures. Since then I've read a steadily growing number of books (by now it's probably close to 1,000). If reading that enticed you, then read on--here is a list of four books/series that I recommend.
The House of Night: For fans of Twilight, and maybe even those who weren't fans, this is a series for you. Over the span of twelve books, authors P.C. & Kristin Cast developed a beautifully modern account of a teenager named Zoey Redbird, who at the age of sixteen becomes Marked and thrown into the world of vampyres. Throughout the novels Zoey learns more and more about the world she is entering and the powers she is gifted with by her Goddess Nyx. The Cast's weave a beautiful tale of magick, love, and good and evil with a high dose of teenage wit.
A Court of Thorns and Roses: Go to Google and search Sarah J. Maas ASAP. She is the phenomenal author of this gripping young adult work of fiction that not only explores a very detailed new realm, but incorporates a well done twist on the Beauty and the Beast. Nineteen year old Feyre is a huntress who has been forced to provide for her family for years. When she kills a wolf in the woods, she learns that it isn't just a wolf, but one of the Fae, as a beast-like creature is sent to kill her for her mistake. Instead, High Lord Tamlin, whose power of shapeshifting turns him into the beast, drags her off to his magical land that Feyre herself has only heard of through legends. The longer she stays in Tamlin's world, the more her feelings towards him and the land she now inhabits grows. As the lies slowly begin to fall away, Feyre learns of the terrible curse that is threatening to overtake this world. It's up to her to stop it, or doom Tamlin forever.
Rush (Warning! This is a BDSM novel. If you're still interested, please read on). For fans of Fifty Shades, I highly suggest you look into Maya Banks. Rush is the first book in the Breathless trilogy of highly erotic and sexy BDSM novels. Mia Crestwell is the twenty-four year old kid sister of Jace Crestwell, one of the most wealthy and powerful men in the country. Gabe Hamilton is Jace's best friend, and the man who has starred in Mia's fantasies since she was a teenager--although he's fourteen years older. Yet now she's an adult, and after attending Gabe's grand opening for his new hotel, she finds out that she's not the only one with hidden desires. The further Mia delves into Gabe's provocative world, the more she begins to realize about him and his highly demanding ways. As they begin to cross the line from a secret sexual relationship to something more, they face the risk of exposure--and a betrayal that will tear them both apart.
Red Queen: Victoria Aveyard weaves the telling story of Mare Barrow, a Red blooded seventeen year old thief who lives in a run-down neighborhood called the Stilts. When she is brought to the kingdom of the Silver bloods, who wield powers of strength, water, fire, and many more, she finds out that she is special--a Red gifted with electrokinetic powers. In order to hide her from the Silvers, she is taken in by King Tiberius and disguised as Mareena Titanos, the long lost daughter of a Silver general who was adopted by the Reds in the war zone. She is then betrothed to Maven, Tiberius' second son. After finding out that her favorite brother, Shade, was killed after being conscripted into the war, she joins the Scarlet Guard, a group of Reds determined to take down Silvers. Maven surprisingly joins up with her and his own older brother, Cal, who he is deeply jealous of. Maven is eventually learned to be manipulating Mare, and tricks his brother into killing their father so that he can rule. This sends Cal and Mare on the run with the Scarlet Guard.
