I’m going to use up the term “YA” in a broad sense here, and I’ve decided that it’s okay. Since I’ve been quite absent from this blog in the past couple months, I’ve given up on writing monthly wrap up posts — and I’ve been reading a lot too, so it would take forever. This format seemed more fun, so here comes a list of YA books I’ve read and loved in the past couple months!
#1 is a book I read back in August, and absolutely loved: So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
It follows a groupe of heroes who just succeeded on their quest. On of them becomes king, but in order to keep the throne (and his life) he must find his one and true love. In an attempt to succeed, he tries to woo his friends, voluntarily ignoring the fact that maybe, love has been right in front of him this whole time… This was such a fun, entertaining book. I read it back in August, and I absolutely loved it. After reading In Deeper Waters, I expected no less from F.T. Lukens. It was magical, sometimes dramatic, and absolutely hilarious, and everything I was hoping it would be.
#2 is a book I was highly anticipating, and read almost upon release: The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Seriously, this book was amazing. My only regret is that now I have to wait for the sequel. The plot is as follows: every ten years, ten demigods compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner will sacrifice the loser to the gods in order to keep the stability of the universe. Theo is a Jade demigod, and never expected to be selected for the trials. Except tat apparently, fate had other plans for hims, and soon he is selected for this deadly competition, and must prove his worth if he doesn’t want to be the sacrifice… This book has amazing mythology and great friendships. It’s my third Aiden Thomas book, and I have to say, they never disappoint.
#3 I also read a book that had been on my radar for a while, and I finally took the time to read — and I ended up really enjoying it: A cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey
I was loking for a light, rom-com sort of read, and I suddenly remembered that this one had been on my TBR for quite some time, so I decided to check it out. I have to admit that at first, I found the main character a bit too over-the top and annoying, but I pushed through and ended up really enjoying the book. (I really hope this doesn’t make me sound like a bitter old lady, but seriously, I almost gave up on the book because of it. But I really liked it in the end). It’s a lovely coming-of-age story, following a teenage girl who spends a summer in the UK after her grandmother passed away. Of course, she’s going to find herself, and her life will be changed forever. It’s a rom-com after all, but it was sweet and realistic, and I’m really glad that I gave it a try. And obviously, it made me crave sweets.
#4 is a trilogy I read super quickly, which had also been on my radar for a while since I’d heard great things about it: All for the Game aka The Foxhole Court and its sequels by Nora Sakavic
Seriously, I always see people on instagram raving about this series, and I vastly wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Actually, I think the catalyst was a thread of fanart I saw on twitter: after religiously looking at the illustrations I had stumbled upon, I decided that I must imperatively read these books, and I started listening to the first audiobook. One of the best decisions I’ve taken lately. I never thought that I’d enjoy about about sports so much. Basically the plot is about a group of really angsty college students who all compete in a fictional version of lacrosse. There’s also some sort of mafia, a general threat of death, and of course, some pining. I bloody loved it, and can safely say that now, I unerstand the hype.
#5 is Infinity Son and Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera
I went and bought The First o Die at the End on the week of its release, and instead of starting it immediatly, I somehow ended up reading other books, and eventually proceeded to pick up the audiobook for Infinity Son (and later, its sequel Infinity Reaper). In a world where Celestials have magical powers and are feared by most, twin brothers Brighton and Emil used to dream that they too, could have powers. Now on their eighteenth birthday, Brighton still dreams of fame and strives to achieve it through his YouTube channel, while Emil aspires to lead a quiet life and protect phenixes. When a fight breaks out in the subway, he discovers that he actually had powers all along, and both their lives are changed forever. I absolutely loved the universe that Adam Silvera crafted for this series, and I really would die for the main character Emil because he must be protected at all costs. However I feel very strongly against his twin brother Brighton who is an insufferable, conceited know-it-all, and quite frankly a hazard to society. I of course understand the point of his character, but I also have to admit that I can’t stand his POV. Eitherway, I’m looking forward to reading book 3!
and #6 is Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn
Fact: book five of the Rosewood Chronicles was just released in France, while simultaneously the publisher released a mass market paperback for the first book in the series. Other fact: a little over a week ago, one of my customers at work asked for my opinion on this series, because she wanted to know whether or not she would enjoy it. I told her I’d heard great things but hadn’t read it yet. Third fight: the ebook had actually been waiting on my kindle for over two years. And like a reasonable person, I decided to read the entire series as fast as I could, in order to give her my honest, unbiased opinion. As a result, I read the entire first book in a day, and I’m now on book four. Like any reasonable person. This is both more queer, and more dramatic than I thought, and I’m absolutely loving it.
*
As for what I’m reading at the moment, my reading list is a bit all over the place, but I’m rereading Little Black Bird by Anna Kirchner, which I’m loving just as much as the first time around, and I’m planning on finally picking up book two as soon as I finish it. It’s a story that’s infused with witches and polish folklore, with some amazing plot twists, and aroace questioning characters, and I love it to pieces. I also started the audiobook for The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani, because I watched the movie and am now craving for more content. I’m really enjoying it fo far.
On top of my TBR pile when it comes to the YA section of the bookstore I also have Afterlove by Tanya Byrne, and of course, The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera, which I got the week of the release, and am really looking forward to reading. I’m also hoping to read We Are Not Free by Traci Chee sooner than later. And maybe Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales. But you know what they say… So many books, so little time!