I used to LOVE to read, even dense allegorical epics. My favorite book is Anna Karenina. Some time after college, reading and I had a falling out. Recently, we’ve started seeing each other again, but I’ve been taking it slow by starting with The Books of Ember, then The Hunger Games, and I just finished The Inheritance Games. I loved each series and, unexpectedly, enjoyed the love triangles. But, some of the plot lines, writing, and dialogue were lacking. I know I need to suspend disbelief with these types of books, but I want something with a little bit more complex characters and great writing. I prefer it not be too sad because I’m a few months post partum and can have big feelings.
I prefer book series because I like to stay with characters for a while and I have this unsubstantiated belief that it’s for my ADHD. But don’t let that stop you from suggesting a standalone book if you think it matches what I’m looking for. Thanks!
by zack_pizazz
8 Comments
I think Maggie Stiefvater, Laini Taylor, and V.E. Schwab are writing some of the best-of-the-best YA that holds up for adults:
* “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater – first in a 4-book completed series, urban fantasy; there’s a follow-up trilogy if you get super into it.
* “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor – first in a 3-book completed series, urban fantasy but also fantasy-fantasy (parallel worlds!), and if you like these, definitely read her (unrelated but mayyyyybe a couple clues they’re in the same universe) fantasy duology that starts with “Strange the Dreamer.”
* “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab, first in a 3-book completed series, parallel worlds historical fantasy, and if you like this, the first book in a follow-up series just came out last year (“The Fragile Threads of Power”).
I’m currently reading through Carry On by Rainbow Rowell after being gifted it by a friend and I didn’t realize until looking it up that it’s a YA series lol. It’s fantastic and checks many of your boxes. And is also the first of a series. I tore through the first 250 pages in two sittings. Highly recommended.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Fable by Adrienne Young
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
anything by Courtney Summers, Maggie Stiefvater, Shea Ernshaw, VE Schwab, Leigh Bardugo
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda
You could try searching for “New Adult” books, which is similar to Young Adult but more college aged. The only caveat I’ve noticed is New Adult tends to go crazy with sex scenes or “spiciness” , which can be annoying. Not all of them in the genre are like that, though.
The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody
Red Rising
Anything by Naomi Novik
Arc of a Scythe series by Shusterman
Escape from Furnace series by Smith
The Enemy series by Higson