1. Divergent Trilogy, Veronica Roth
Why: I can sum it up in one word: Tris. Tris, or Beatrice, is the protagonist of the Divergent Series. She is probably, like, the coolest chick ever. She's so real, not because she's super relatable (she's more badass than most people), but because she is so unique and so complex. The concept is also fun. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic society where teenagers join a "faction," a group of people that stress the importance of a specific trait: kindness, intelligence, bravery, selflessness, or honesty. My favourite part is that they have to go pass intense initiations to keep their spot in the faction they choose.
Critiques: The second book stared off a bit too slowly for my liking, but other than that I can't think of any. I haven't finished the third book yet, though, so maybe I won't like the ending.
2. The Underland Chronicles, Suzanne Collins
Why: I read the books for the first time in elementary school, and then re-read the series about a year and a half ago. They are aimed at a tween audience, but anyone who loves a good fantasy series should enjoy The Underland Chronicles. The stories are imaginative, crazy fun, and jam-packed with adventure! I mean there are giant roaches and rats for crying out loud! The series is filled with really good life lessons that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Critiques: Suzanne Collins cannot write endings. The last book in Underland Chronicles, like Mockingjay of the Hunger Games trilogy, left me feeling a tad empty. Maybe it's some literary choice Collins is making––I don't know––but it didn't really work for me.
3. The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare
Why: I am a huge fan of the supernatural and this book series is stuffed with them (fairies, vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and of course... Shadowhunters <3). The main characters in this series are all very vibrant. The plots are really fun and gripping. There are some pretty funny lines that make me chuckle to myself.
Critiques: The books can be a little cheesy at times.
4. Matched, Ally Condie
Why: I really liked the writing style in these books. They were very pretty books. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say, but that's the best way I can describe them. Condie really brings the reader into the main characters heads... I loved that. The dynamics are quite realistic: not all the "good" people always get along. The best part of the series though has got the be how everything comes together at the end. I guessed a big part of the ending about half-way through the second book, and I am still really proud of myself... thinking about putting that on the old resume haha
Critiques: I don't really have any critiques. This was a solid all-around series. The reason it's not number one on my list is just while I enjoyed reading the books, I didn't have the desire to re-read the series.
5. Harry Potter, JK Rowling
Why: I mean it's Harry Potter. It's iconic. The plot of this series blows my mind. Wow. Rowling set up stuff in the first few books that is brought up again way later on. There are so many pieces that tie together it's nuts! A school of magic is such and intriguing concept. Love that romance is in the series, but that it plays a very minor role.
Critiques: The first three books were not very good. The stories were still good, but I didn't dig the writing in them. In my opinion, Rowling didn't figure out her style until the fourth book. From there on out she was golden though.
Why: I can sum it up in one word: Tris. Tris, or Beatrice, is the protagonist of the Divergent Series. She is probably, like, the coolest chick ever. She's so real, not because she's super relatable (she's more badass than most people), but because she is so unique and so complex. The concept is also fun. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic society where teenagers join a "faction," a group of people that stress the importance of a specific trait: kindness, intelligence, bravery, selflessness, or honesty. My favourite part is that they have to go pass intense initiations to keep their spot in the faction they choose.
Critiques: The second book stared off a bit too slowly for my liking, but other than that I can't think of any. I haven't finished the third book yet, though, so maybe I won't like the ending.
2. The Underland Chronicles, Suzanne Collins
Why: I read the books for the first time in elementary school, and then re-read the series about a year and a half ago. They are aimed at a tween audience, but anyone who loves a good fantasy series should enjoy The Underland Chronicles. The stories are imaginative, crazy fun, and jam-packed with adventure! I mean there are giant roaches and rats for crying out loud! The series is filled with really good life lessons that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Critiques: Suzanne Collins cannot write endings. The last book in Underland Chronicles, like Mockingjay of the Hunger Games trilogy, left me feeling a tad empty. Maybe it's some literary choice Collins is making––I don't know––but it didn't really work for me.
3. The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare
Why: I am a huge fan of the supernatural and this book series is stuffed with them (fairies, vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and of course... Shadowhunters <3). The main characters in this series are all very vibrant. The plots are really fun and gripping. There are some pretty funny lines that make me chuckle to myself.
Critiques: The books can be a little cheesy at times.
4. Matched, Ally Condie
Why: I really liked the writing style in these books. They were very pretty books. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say, but that's the best way I can describe them. Condie really brings the reader into the main characters heads... I loved that. The dynamics are quite realistic: not all the "good" people always get along. The best part of the series though has got the be how everything comes together at the end. I guessed a big part of the ending about half-way through the second book, and I am still really proud of myself... thinking about putting that on the old resume haha
Critiques: I don't really have any critiques. This was a solid all-around series. The reason it's not number one on my list is just while I enjoyed reading the books, I didn't have the desire to re-read the series.
5. Harry Potter, JK Rowling
Why: I mean it's Harry Potter. It's iconic. The plot of this series blows my mind. Wow. Rowling set up stuff in the first few books that is brought up again way later on. There are so many pieces that tie together it's nuts! A school of magic is such and intriguing concept. Love that romance is in the series, but that it plays a very minor role.
Critiques: The first three books were not very good. The stories were still good, but I didn't dig the writing in them. In my opinion, Rowling didn't figure out her style until the fourth book. From there on out she was golden though.
No comments:
Post a Comment