I’ve been reading a lot of books that don’t meet even the smallest of my expectations.
I like romance novels, I like romcoms, I love fantasy if they are well written. I loved the Twilight series too because it was a mix of romance and vampires which I loved.
I don’t really think The Court of Thorns & Roses did anything for me, even though it’s so popular. I’m sad that I can’t find any fiction books that make me excited again since Hunger Games..
by CommonGuard6102
18 Comments
I like the Red Rising series quite a bit.
I liked Fourth Wing. I’d say the writing was on par with Twilight. It was a very fun read.
If you like Hunger Games I’d suggest The Uglies by Scott Westerfield. Also Maze Runner by James Dashner
If you like Harry Potter then Percy Jackson if you haven’t read them already.
Do you read Sci Fi? I liked Amie Kaufman’s Illuminae series.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
The Locked Tomb series has been that for me. I hadn’t been THIS invested in a series since the Hunger games books when I was a kid. That was mainly because I was like 12 and my taste has improved since then.
I’m less into post apocalyptic tomboy hero and love triangles that are actually a love chevrons and more into queer Sci-Fi and horror and girls getting away with murder.
It’s ok if you’re tastes and interests change. Use it as motivation to explore new things.
Tasha Suri – The Books of Ambha ( Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash). They have romance in them.
Howl’s Moving Castle, the series by Diana Wynne Jones
The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle
The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
When I picked up the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab I got a similar feeling to reading the harry potter books for the first time. Maybe try that?
Note-northing *really* hits like those childhood/teenhood books, and I think that more has to do with the intensity of emotion those times vs the books themselves, where we settle or brains a bit as adults but every now and then you get a little taste of magic-
For the Hogwarts Vibe, Try Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books, starting the Lioness quartet. It’s a slightly younger reading age to start but matures as the series(s) goes on. Great world building, magic, knights, monsters, gods etc. same with the Dark Materials by Pullman. If you liked the “kid against the world” aspect- Artemis Fowl (Fairies and Crime) and Alex Rider (reluctant teen 007) series are great adventure books.
For the Twilight Vibe I would try The Immortals
By Jordanna Max Brodsky for romance/adventure or the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire or the Cruel Prince by Holly Black, or the Throne in the Dark by Caggino, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Taylor. Or for mature Vampires- Sookie stackhouse books and Anita Blake, but the quality of the plot in these dropped off after a while. Lots of Brooding love interests in these.
For the Hunger Games Vibe- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Scott Westerfield’s Uglies series, Unwind by Neal Suhusterman, Ender’s Game.
Red Rising was okay, but I was really turned off by the cavalier (if off screen) rape/sexual assault of women in the first book that doesn’t really concern the MMC, that I couldn’t finish the series.
Codex Alera Series, “Pokemon x Roman Legion” two subjects Jim Butcher bet he could write a story about (better explanations on Google somewhere I’m sure). He definitely won and it deserves more love from people.Espionage, Sword fighting, magical creatures, monstrous villains, strange allies, it’s great so great.
The Host by Stephenie meyer!!!
The Fifth Wave. Though I admit i just started book 2
The three body problem by Cixin Liu trilogy.
It’s a sci-fi fantasy and it left me lost after reading it. Not knowing what to read next. Truly an amazing read
Trevor Noah’s born a crime. Incredible writing.
Claudia Gray Star Wars series. Fun fleshed out characters.
Agatha Christie Who done it?/murder mystery. If you enjoy clue finding; others airing out dirty laundry; and the greatest detective to ever exist! 😂 You’ll enjoy her books.
I really liked the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones series. It’s fantasy with some romance in it.
Take a look at The Passage, by Justin Cronin
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens. It’s a (gay) fantasy romance.