YA/Fantasy books

[Alvedansen]

found this nice chart on how to chose the right fantasy/SciFi book, thought i'd share it with you guys

box.net

 

[kokobombon]

^that´s really interesting, thanks a lot

 

[jml2]

that chart is good, I find the ocean of books out there so overwhelming sometimes.
I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor recently, I didn't like it much, too weird.
I'm now waiting on a library copy of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

 

[ATM1985]

Anything by Tamora Pierce is fabulous, but I recommend starting with her The Song of the Lionness Quartet.

I'd recommend in this order:
The Song of the Lionness Quartet
The Immortals Quartet
Protector of the Small Quartet

^These are all set in the same realm, but each follows a different strong, female character.

Then there's the Beka Cooper series, which is also set in the same realm, but earlier in time than the others. It involves an ancestor of one of the main characters in Song of the Lionness. Really good, but this series is still in progress.

Then there's the Trickster's series, also set in the same realm with a character related to a Song of the Lionness character. It's the one I've never been able to get into. The female lead really rubs me the wrong way.

Then there's the Circle of Magic/The Circle Opens/Will of the Empress books, which originally were geared towards younger audiences, but by Empress, they grew into YA. They're a little young, but I still think they're good, if a bit simplistic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamora_Pierce

 

[sobriquet87]

^The Fiery Cross a transitional book in a lot of ways. It doesn't have as much action as some of the previous installments. It's still a good read, and there are some important revelations. But it's laregly about bringing the characters to a time and place where they need to be for the events of A Breathe of Snow and Ashes.

The only thing that annoys me at times is that it takes soooo long for each new book to come out! I've heard rumor that the 8th book will close the series but I don't know if that's true or not. But what's nice about the series is that there are a lot of little "extras" to keep you busy. For example, Gabaldon recently wrote a graphic novel called The Exile which covers roughly a third of the first book in the series. It's told from the perspective of Murtough (Jamie's godfather) and lets us in on things that happened while the events of the first novel were going on, that Claire wasn't involved in.

Have you ever read the Lord John Grey mysteries? They feature Lord John as the main character (though Jamie makes a few appearences as well). They're not as compulsively readable as the Outlander books but they're a nice spin-off series.

Just noticed this reply. lol. I've finally finished the series now, and I agree The Fiery Cross was definitely a transitional book.
It's the one I liked the least and it took me the longest to finish.

I haven't read the John Grey series, but Diana has a new book coming out called "The Scottish Prisoner," which is entirely from Jamie's POV and it takes place during that 20 year period that Claire is gone.

I was on Diana's site recently and she actually said that book 8 won't be the last one, so that's something to look forward to.

 

[jml2]

forget Hunger Games, read this

Angelfall by Susan Ee


Self-published but better than most traditionally published books I've read this year.

 

[YoninahAliza]

So I thought I would try and bring back this thread...mainly because I have a question for everyone... has anyone read Divergent by Veronica Roth? I've been hearing a lot about it lately and was wondering if it's any good. Some people have compared the book to The Hunger Games (which I loved) but I wonder if this is just because it's a sort of dystopian future with a strong female lead? Anyways... here's a few YA books that I always love recommending....

The Hunger Games- I'm recommending this though I'm sure most people commenting on this thread have read it already. Katniss is such a great character, I love the complexity of her.

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy- It's really different then most YA books, a great series with complex characters and themes of feminism all mixed into a historical/fantasy plot.

The Giver- I will always love this book. The first time I herd this story was when my fourth grade teacher read it to my class, which in hindsight was probably a little too young, but I just loved the story. Such a powerful message.

The Perks of Being A Wallflower- Beautifully written and one of those books that deals with powerful issues.

Ella Enchanted- This is probably on the younger end of the YA genre but still a good (and quick) read. It's a retelling of the classic Cinderella story, definitely way better then that crappy movie with Anne Hathaway. And probably one of the first books aimed at young girls that I read which wrote a "Cinderella story" with a strong, intelligent female character.

 

[lostgirl]

So I thought I would try and bring back this thread...mainly because I have a question for everyone... has anyone read Divergent by Veronica Roth? I've been hearing a lot about it lately and was wondering if it's any good. Some people have compared the book to The Hunger Games (which I loved) but I wonder if this is just because it's a sort of dystopian future with a strong female lead? Anyways... here's a few YA books that I always love recommending....

If you're a fan of The Hunger Games and The Giver, then Divergent is worth a read. It's definitely a dystopian future but I found it a touch more formulaic than the best the genre has to offer. I didn't think the heroine was that strong but that could be due to the fact that it's the first in a trilogy and she develops into a strong heroine as the series progresses. Just don't be looking for a butt-kicking Katniss type heroine! It's enjoyable, with some intersting parts though. Definitely a quick, absorbing read.

Yay for being a Gemma Doyle trilogy fan by the way I love Libba Bray!

Editing to add a few reccomendations:

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi- I suppose you could call it dystopian but it goes in a different direction than most dystopian novels
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan- Along the lines of Across the Universe by Beth Revis, but I acutally liked this book a little better.
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan- A (non-dystopian) futuristic rendering of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale with some intersting twists
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester- Not technically YA (I suppose it's geared for older children rather than teens) but a very fun read.

 

[ChristyLeReveur]

What's YA books, guys?

I've read the comments and I love Anna and The French Kiss by Perkins and The Perks Of being a wallflower
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[lostgirl]

^ YA= Young Adult- books geared to readers in their teens, though lately authors have been writing books that are technically YA but appeal to adults as well

 

[ChristyLeReveur]

^ ah thanks
then Lola and The Boy Next Door by Perkins is also a good one

 

[YoninahAliza]

If you're a fan of The Hunger Games and The Giver, then Divergent is worth a read. It's definitely a dystopian future but I found it a touch more formulaic than the best the genre has to offer. I didn't think the heroine was that strong but that could be due to the fact that it's the first in a trilogy and she develops into a strong heroine as the series progresses. Just don't be looking for a butt-kicking Katniss type heroine! It's enjoyable, with some intersting parts though. Definitely a quick, absorbing read.

Yay for being a Gemma Doyle trilogy fan by the way I love Libba Bray!

I'm a little more then halfway through Divergent and so far I'm really enjoying it. I find that parts of the story are a bit obvious, like the romance storyline or information about Four, but overall it's a good read. I can also see some the similarities that people have made about Divergent and The Hunger Games but personally I don't see why both of them can't exist and be popular. The world needs more strong, multifaceted characters like Tris and Katniss!

And as for the Gemma Doyle trilogy... they are so, so good! I know some people won't agree with me, but I think that they could make for an amazing movie or mini-series. They would just have to find the right cast and director for it though. They are so different from a lot of YA books I think, with some rather intriguing story-lines.

 

[lostgirl]

I can also see some the similarities that people have made about Divergent and The Hunger Games but personally I don't see why both of them can't exist and be popular. The world needs more strong, multifaceted characters like Tris and Katniss!

I agree. Personally I found Katniss to be a bit stronger and more complex then Tris. But I think a part of that is because Divergent is essentially about Tris questioning and trying to discover who she is. It takes a certain level of strength just to do that, I suppose, but it's hard to establish her as character when she's not sure who she is and what she wants. I haven't read the sequel but I would imagine/hope she begins to emerge more as a person in her own right (away from factions) as the story continues. Katniss on the other hand was more of a strong character from book one. She knows who she is, and what she wants and is willing to do anything to protect her family. That stays the same through all three books.

And as for the Gemma Doyle trilogy... they are so, so good! I know some people won't agree with me, but I think that they could make for an amazing movie or mini-series. They would just have to find the right cast and director for it though. They are so different from a lot of YA books I think, with some rather intriguing story-lines.

That's one thing I love about them. Not only are all 4 characters three dimentional human beings with flaws, and strengths, and weaknesses and goals, and dreams; but the way they develop doesn't follow the predictible, generic mold.

I actually read that the first book had be optioned for a film, but the deal fell through. Too bad. If it's done well (always a big "if"!) it could a great film or series of films. Maybe someday. Libba Bray is beginning a new series called The Diviners and has already sold the film rights for that. The first book comes out this summer.

 

[lostgirl]

These aren't really YA Fantasy books, but they are YA and they're not exactly realistic so hopefully it's not too OT. Anyway, one of my major guilty pleasures is what I call the "historical trash" genre. These tend to be set in other time periods and feature lots of soapy goings on. Some of my faves include:

The Luxe Series by Anne Godberson
These books have been compared to Gossip Girl. If Gossip Girl were set in 1899. It opens at the funeral of Elizabeth Holland, on what was to have been her wedding day. A wealthy, beautiful socialite and the toast of New York City, Elizabeth was engaged to the handsome and equally wealthy Henry Schoonmaker. Of course as we learn as we flash back to the days before the funeral, she was secretly in love with William Keller, her family's coachman. Her supposedly best friend Penelope Hayes has had her eye on Henry because she thinks he will catapult her from the realms of the nouveau riche into high society for real. Meanwhile, Henry is secretly in love with Elizabeth's younger sister Diana, who may just return his feelings. And then there's Lina, Elizabeth's scheming maid. The series is made up of four books: The Luxe, Rumors, Envy, and Splendor.

(source: beautyandthebookshelf.blogspot)

Bright Young Things series by Anne Godberson
In Bright Young Things Godberson turns her focus on NYC and Long Island in the summer of 1929. It follows three girls: Letty Larkspur (not her real name) off to NYC to make it as a star on stage. She brings with her BFF Cordelia Grey, intent on finding the father she never knew- an infamous and wealthy bootlegger. They meet up with Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all- including a lot of secrets. We are told that by the end of the summer, one of these girls will be famous, one will be married, and one will be dead. I believe this is intended as a trilogy, with the final book being released later this month (the books in order are Bright Young Things, Beautiful Days, The Lucky Ones) In some ways these are a little more restrained, and less melodramatic than The Luxe series. But only a little! We'll soon see what the conclusion has to offer!

(source: alloyentertainment.com)

The Flappers
These books (also a trilogy) by Jillian Larkin are set in roughly the same time period as the Bright Young Things series. Once again we meet three girls in the roaring twenties. This series moves between Chicago and NYC. Gloria Carmody is attracted to the flapper lifestyle but engaged to the stuffy Sebastian Grey. One night, while sneaking out to a speakeasy she runs into the handsome, black piano player Jerome, who she knows won't be accepted by her conservative family. Meanwhile, Gloria's cousin Clara Knowles has been brought in from the farm to keep an eye on Gloria and make sure Gloria's wedding goes on as planned. But Clara isn't as goody two shoes as she seems: she's got secrets that she needs to keep hidden. Gloria's best friend Lorainne Dyer, meanwhile is desperately jealous of all the Gloria has, and her envy is about to take a turn for the worse. Once secrets are exposed, everything changes. This trilogy (Vixen, Ingenue, Diva) has all the melodramatic backstabbing of The Luxe books in a Bright Young Things setting.

(source: gossglossandglam.wordpress)

These books are like candy. I averaged about one a day. There's a lot of entertainment value but not a lot of brain power.

But a word of warning, they're not all good. Abby Grahame's Wentworth Hall for example, looked promising (the cover even compared it to Downton Abbey) but felt rushed and very predictable.

Still if anyone knows of anything good in this particular YA subgenre, I'd love to know!

 

[YoninahAliza]

I'm in the same boat as you lostgirl, I have a weakness for "historical trash," there is something about setting a book in a different era which doesn't make it automatically as trashy as if it were set nowadays. I think this is part of the reason I could never get into books like Gossip Girl because of the modern setting, the characters were insufferable. I've read The Luxe series and I rather liked the books, it was a quick read. And secretly, I think that they could be a really fun, soapy television series. But a lot of people would say it's a "wannabe Downton Abbey," so...

Another book which I'd recommend is I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith. It's never actually says what time period it set in- but most-likely the 1930's- and tells the story of Cassandra Mortmain and her family who live in an old castle in the English countryside. It's one of my all time favorite books because it's so well written, funny at times, and Cassandra is a really relatable character.

 

[wickedcrazyness]

I would recommend the Gemma Doyle trilogy, The Hunger Games trilogy and the Obernewtyn Chronicles. They are well written and stand out in this particular genre to me.

For a more adult book, I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. They are historial fiction with time travel. One of my absolute favorite book series!

It is interesting to hear that people liked Divergent by Veronica Roth. I have had it in my hand a couple of times at the bookstore, but changed my mind at the last minute. I think I will have to read it now.