Let’s just say I have some reservations about young-adult (YA) novels despite having read quite a number of books from that genre. Not that I feel juvenile or childish reading about teenagers (I consider myself a ten-year-old at heart so what the heck, right?) but I guess I have this stubborn preconceived notion that YA novels are kinda shallow compared to other fiction novels with older characters. Which is kinda stupid and a paradox since I read and loved the Hunger Games, Harry Potter and Twilight (but I’m no die-hard fan of any, mind you).
Anywho, I guess it’s just the influx of new YA authors and books and series which is for me kinda overwhelming. Seems everyone’s cashing in on the genre since Harry Potter and Twilight, you know? Lotsa paranormal characters. You name it: vampires, werewolves, wizards, fallen angels, the whole kit and caboodle. And not every book is as satisfying as I would have liked it to be based on their synopsis and teasers.
The first YA series I finished on my Kindle is The Hunger Games Trilogy (review here) which I loved. The next series I completed was The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy:
My rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
This I did not really enjoy reading. I found the two lead characters (Sam and Grace) too maudlin for my tastes and their parts of the story just really dragged on for me. The saving grace of the series (literally and otherwise) are the two badass secondary characters, Isabel and Cole. Were it not for those two, I think I would not have finished the three books. 😛
Anywho, sorta breaking my preference for “adult” fiction was Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
My rating: ♥ ♥
I was so psyched when I started to read it since there was so much hype, but as I read I started questioning what all the hype was about. In fact I slogged through the book not because I was interested but because I was curious and wanted to know what it was that got all those rave reviews. All the good bits with the action happened near the end of the book. The rest was just blah-blah-blah for all the meager interest it piqued in me. So yeah, I did not continue on with The Girl who Played with Fire just yet. My next book was a paranormal YA novel by Kendare Blake, Anna Dressed in Blood.
My rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I dunno, I just really enjoyed reading this. In fact, I finished it in less than a day (remarkable considering I can only read during my daughter’s downtime). The pacing is fast, the characters relate-able (yes, even Anna the killer ghost) and there’s a balance between action and character introspection. Oh, and yeah, there’s blood and gore galore to satisfy the morbid streak in me. 😀
After Anna, I was torn between two more YA reads: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Because I couldn’t decide which to read first, I let the BF do the choosing for me. 😛 He chose City of Bones, which is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series.
My rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Truth is I did not have high expectations for this book. Though the synopsis seemed interesting, I was prepared to be disappointed as with the Wolves of Mercy Falls. To my surprise, it was actually a pretty good read. I enjoyed going through the chapters and being surprised by the unexpected turn of events. And I like the characters too, especially that rogue-ish Shadowhunter Jace. 😉
Needless to say, I am now hooked on the Mortal Instruments series. As of now, I am well into the second book City of Ashes and still enjoying the story.
I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series, City of Glass and City of Fallen Angels. 😀
So yeah, my inhibitions regarding YA novels (paranormal or otherwise) are now gone, or at least mostly eradicated. They’re a hit or miss affair for me, and so far there have been more hits than misses. So I reckon they’re not so bad after all. 😉
How about you, do you like YA books? Which authors and what books/series would you recommend? 🙂
i LOVE the wolves of mercy falls trilogy. I read the first two books and have the last but im afraid to read it. They such amazing books, i dont want to be heartbroken.
You know i was like you.. had my issues with YA, thought many were shallow and stuck to reading chick lit. But now i got into some (like you said, the hunger games) ive really enjoyed them. and yes basically 90% of YA books nowadays are paranormal :P.
do you really recommend city of bones? many people say its basically a pile up of all other paranormal books and creatures.. wasn’t really encouraged to read it.
Oh, do read Forever (3rd book of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy). You’ll be heartbroken by a couple scenes, but I think you’ll like the ending. 😉
I’m almost on paranormal YA overload these days, that’s why I plan to read Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why after the Mortal Instruments series. Give myself a break from otherworldly creatures.
But yeah, I plan to read all 4 currently released books of the Mortal Instruments series. It’s actually good, you might want to give it a chance. True, the characters are a mish-mash of stereotypical paranormal creatures, but there’s something extra in the plot to keep things interesting and otherwise boring. 🙂
I love mortal instrument….! I’m glad that i gave it a try…. Good luck to your reading…!
Glad you liked it sis, thanks! 🙂
oh and for recommendation.. i see you read more paranormal? so i dont know what your intake is on contemporary, but for paranormal try reading hush hush by becca fitzpatrick? as for contemporary there is: Anna and the french kiss by stephanie perkins, If I Stay by Gayle Forman (such a heartbreaking story), Shout down the moon by Lisa Tucker (one of the best YA i ever read and every friend i recommended it to LOVED it), The Host by Stephenie Meyer – this is paranormal, but none of the usual paranormal creatures (i know its the same author as twilight, but this book blew me away, glad its not turned into a movie or series cuz its special for me and dont want to share it with millions of crazy fans). I have so much more to recommend but ill shut up cuz ill never be able to stop 😛
Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂 Yeah, without meaning to, I seem to be reading an awful lot of paranormal stories these days. 😛 I have read The Host, and I liked it too. Not your typical teen sci-fi story. In some ways much better than the Twilight series.
yea, sometimes i do feel the host is better than twilight. It was just so gripping and i couldn’t put it down. and jay asher’s 13 reasons why.. my younger sister read it and she said it was sad but good. I might try it out, but yesturday my eyes were so puffed from if i stay.. i think ill give the sad contemp books a break for a while to recover 😛
Yeah, do be kind to your heart and eyes and give them some time to breathe before plunging into another sad book. 😉
I second the recommendation of Anna and the French Kiss! 🙂 I’m waiting for Stephanie Perkins’ second book, Lola and the Boy Next Door.
Lotsa recos for that book, eh? But I’m still not quite convinced to read it. 😛 Never was one for romance stories. But will put it in my TBR list anyway. 😉
pick up Anna and the french kiss right now and read it! im telling you, ive NEVER loved a contemporary book like this. EVER. I don’t like how people make such hype on books but when i picked up Anna i was so out of the blogging community and i was just looking for a book to pass by my time so i literally had ZERO expectations. boy oh boy. I think you enjoy books more when your expectations are like low. But just give Anna a try, stephanie perkin’s way of writing is so addictive. just wow. read it already! P
I’m reading it, I’m reading it! *raises hands in surrender* 😛 Haha.
i don’t have any problem with YA just as long as they are not about paranormal creatures. after twilight, i don’t want to read about werewolves, beautiful vampires, or fallen angels anymore. i just feel that authors of these books lacks originality. and really, i already had enough of those love stories between mythological characters.
anyway, i’ve read another good review about that city of bones book. i’m in a desperate lookout for a good book series and maybe if it’s that good then i can give it a try. is it really ok?
by the way, 13 reasons why by jay asher is a nice book, too. the writing is very simple but i was totally hooked. one of my favorites so far in the YA genre. 🙂
Seems most YA novels are either about paranormal happenings or pretty and spoiled rich little girls. Thirteen Reasons Why seems to be an exception. 😛 I will definitely be reading it after the Mortal Instruments series. Yeah, the series hasn’t disappointed me so far sis. You could give it a whirl. You just might fall in love with Jace too. 😉
I am so jealous of you right now. I wish I’ll have the time to read soon. I have several books on my reading list though we’re still conducting our thesis, haaay. Hahaha. Anyways, thanks for the great reviews, I might look for Anna Dressed in Blood when I have the time 🙂
I recommend Anna Dressed in Blood sis, it’s really good. 🙂 Good luck on your thesis!
sis….try mo din yun iron fey series… and Allie Beckstrom by devon monk…. PM me if you need ebook copy…..i have tons of others…..
Thanks…. wonderful blog….. really!
Thanks sis! Dami ko pa TBR books on queue, will email you for copies of those books sometime. 🙂
*takes notes*
Been looking for Hunger Games for, like, forever. Still in vain. 🙁
Anna dressed in Blood sounds intriguing. 🙂
Anna Dressed in Blood is good sis. 🙂 If you want a copy of the Hunger Games, I could send them to you. Mine are in .mobi format btw.
I love the books that you have read and recommended. All are actually on my TBR list. Wish I can start with Anna dressed in blood soon.
BTW,mentioned you in my blog sis. Hope you don’t mind.
http://360degreespinaymom.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunshine-award.html
I’m a sucker for YA books. They’re fast reads and less taxing on the brain than “adult” level books. So far I like The Hunger Games trilogy, Sarah Dessen books, time travel (Timeless, Hourglass, etc.), angels (Unearthly, Angelfire, etc.). Mortal Instruments is on my to-read list. 🙂
While I am not exactly a sucker for YA like you are, I do read quite a lot from the genre 😀 Yeah, I agree they are not as mentally taxing as “adult” books that’s why I like reading them too.
if you asked me a couple of months ago i’d tell you i mostly read chick lit. I only got into YA recently. Always had this idea that YA was childish but then i got into blogging and wow.
Books never fail to surprise, eh? 😉
youre finally reading anna! im about to read lola (finally released today!!!)