5 YA novels I Didn't Hate
- Jan 18, 2021
- 9 min read
If you know me well you will know I'm not the biggest fan of YA. I have read way too many young adult novels last summer and I still won't stop reading them (yes, I know I have a problem). I personally don't enjoy YA because of the writing style, though mine is very similar (due to the repetitive descriptions of physical features and overblown metaphors), but I did enjoy some YA novels. I think a lot of YA novels are enjoyable because of the plot, so these are a list of books that I personally enjoyed because of the plot. Not writing necessarily. Also some of the reasons why I liked the book were kind of rushed, I couldn't think of enough books that I genuinely enjoyed. I sort of threw in books I thought were ok and wrote as much as I remember of them.
5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder is a very good option for a retelling if that is what you enjoy. From the title I'm sure you can already guess what fairytale it's based on. Though some parts can get predictable, the storyline wasn't entirely bad. Cinder is apart of a series called The Lunar Chronicles, which is a good series to start with if you're looking for new books to read. The series is full of amazing female protagonists who are able to carry themselves without their motivation being clouded. I personally loved Cress and Cinder because they were able to bring out the STEM in females, and show that females can dominate in science. The feminism in this series shines. Also, can we appreciate how there are no love triangles in this series? This is the only book on this list that I don't own, but eventually I will buy the entire series. Make sure you check out our podcast episode on The Lunar Chronicles!
Places to order:
4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I think that this book is cute. Not the best book I've ever read, very cliché in the romantic sense, but it was light-hearted and fast paced. I read the book because I would scroll on Pinterest looking at people's bookshelves and I would constantly see Fangirl on it. People tell you not to read a book because of it's cover, but that's exactly what I did for this book. I also bought the book because of the cover. Call me shallow, but that is what every reader does.
The main character, Cath, was sort of a questionable person. Her name origin just seems really stupid, because her name isn't actually Cath it's Cather. She is a talented writer, the whole story takes place at her college where she studies fiction writing. A lot of the time she just seemed overly stressed with finishing her fanfiction, and starts to forget the basics of writing (and life). Like the time that she forgets plagiarism is a thing. To eat meals rather than just protein bars. To jump onto every opportunity she can, but ends up turning them all down. Other than that, the book was quirky. The relationship of the story was very predictable and inevitable, but it's not a dramatic as it would seem in other romance novels. I don't have a very good explanation to why I liked it, I just did. I liked the simple concept of the story, how it was about a freshman in college who wrote a fanfiction. It just seemed like the experience I want in college. I remembered reading it all in one sitting this one Saturday night, and it was the worst experience ever because I was so hungry but I was hell-bent on finishing the book before I ate. The memories of reading this book was definitely not the reason why I like it.
I liked Cath's story, even though it's basically a Draco and Harry fanfiction in a different font, BUT it was fun. I did read the "fanfiction" that Cath wrote, which is called Carry On (it is a published book, it's not a fanfiction on Wattpad). People seem to really enjoy this book, and I think it would've been my favorite series ever if Harry Potter weren't a thing. The book probably has a negative reputation because people probably perceive it with the quality of a fanfiction when it's an actual published book. It's not terribly written, it has a decently structured plot (not like After by Anna Todd), and the relationship is so adorable.
Places to order:
3. Looking For Alaska by John Green
I have read many reviews on this book and I can conclude that not that many people enjoyed it. Yes, I know that Alaska is an annoying character and I know that the book seems like it has unnecessary plot points, but I will refuse to listen. Looking For Alaska is one of my favorite books of all time, at the moment. I really enjoyed the lightheartedness in the beginning and the carefree nature of the characters, just doing ridiculous things and getting away with it. My entire daisy obsession started because of this series. Also, my motivation to read classics started from this book as well!
Many will say that the plot doesn't start two-thirds into the book, but I disagree. The whole idea is that the main character, Miles Halter, is experiencing something new and idolizing what is inevitable to end. I didn't like Miles because he was love obsessed and mostly searching for his life purpose because of a quote. But, I really liked how he branches out of his comfort zone, and starts enjoying his life. The entire beginning (and some of the middle) he seems like this lost character who does things because it's trendy. Then he realizes what life is genuinely about and how a single event changes his perspective on everything.
There are many negatives and reasons why I shouldn't like this book, but I just really liked the ending. A lot of themes in the book seem lost or incomplete, but that adds to the mystery and acceptance of the story. And John Green is amazing at coming up with quotes, the quotes themselves are it's own fandom. I really liked the tv show and I loved the book even more, please don't judge me! I just have really great memories with this book and I will stand by my opinion of liking it. Make sure you check out our podcast episode about Looking For Alaska on Spotify (or check out the other links on my bio)!
Places to order:
2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
If you don't know, the only YA series that I am obsessed with is the Shadowhunter Chronicles. The Shadowhunter world is like my happy pill, my "safe haven" if you will. They are the distant family that I love keeping tabs on. I don't necessarily have an explanation to why I love it so much since I'm constantly hating on the series, but it's just the experience and memories I had while reading it.
The Infernal Devices is one of Cassandra Clare's better series, which I think is disappointing because it's not her most popular series. But first, it is based on A Tale of Two Cities. And second, it takes place in the Victorian Era. What's there not to love? It is the one series that didn't necessarily make me uncomfortable with the relationship. I LOVED the bromance and parabatai love that Will and Jem had. The love they had for each other is unreal and the countless sacrifices they would constantly make for each other is admirable. They make me sometimes want a parabatai (but I don't because I don't like relying on other people, that's just a personal opinion).
I also loved the female representation within the series. I know that my friends don't really like Tessa, but I've been growing to love her more. She was sort of naïve and annoying at the beginning, but she has gone through so much and has been betrayed by the ones closest to her. I think that it takes a lot of courage and strength to come back from that, and it's amazing to see that in a female character. (It sounds very broad, but I'd rather not spoil too much about it!) I know that Clare ruined Tessa in certain moments because she was so indecisive about who she loved, but who couldn't love Tessa? This isn't a Bella Swan situation where Bella is practically helpless in every possible situation. Tessa is able to fight on her own and isn't whiny about the things that happen to her. I absolutely hate love triangles, so there are some negatives about this series. I think that a lot of the male characters in the series are overrated (yeah I said it). I know that the male characters are easy to love and have gone through so much themselves, and I do love Jem. I don't love Will, but I can see how people like him (but not really).
There are amazing other characters that I could ramble on about, but these are just a few of my thoughts. If you want to listen about the other characters, make sure you check out our podcast episode about The Infernal Devices on Spotify (or check out the other links on my bio)!
Places to order:
1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows is the best duology (maybe trilogy soon) I have ever read. The characters were just amazing, the plot wasn't that boring, and it isn't crowded with young love. Truthfully, I thought that the beginning was incredibly boring and that the world was hard to get into. I read The Grisha Trilogy before I read Six of Crows, and let me tell you, you do not need to read that series before Six of Crows to understand the world! Admittedly, I still don't understand the world that much. It's sort of a Sarah J Maas situation where there were so many words that I could not understand for the life of me, but the plot of Six of Crows is so much better. The whole storyline and fantasy world are just more likable in my opinion. I could follow the storyline without the extra Grisha plot points getting in the way.
I love how the series is in the third person, first-person books make me want to gouge my eyes out. And the changing perspective made me want to read about the other characters. For certain changing perspective novels I've read before, like any of Cassandra Clare's novels, I would get sick of a certain character's chapter and I would end up skimming their chapter and move on to the better drama.
The feminism in this series is unreal. The way Inej was carrying the entire crew, the way Nina was able to shine as a hero (sort of) is so admirable. The crow crew just has a very friendly and likable aura. Even though they are a group of criminals and are very capable of mass murder, their story is so much more interesting to read about instead of...faeries (yeah I said it x2). I know that the whole anti-hero trope is overdone, but I think that most of the time the anti-hero stereotype is for confused teenagers who think they can be edgy. The crow crew is so much better than that, and I stand by this opinion. Can we also appreciate the name choice? It's fitting to the world and not the type that is obnoxiously long and stupid sounding. The characters are also not clouded by romance. There are barely any romantic interactions within the characters, it's mostly playful friendship and restless action. I get tired of fantasy book characters constantly thinking about love and how they missed any possible chance they had. What is entertaining to read about is a group of teenagers going on suicidal missions for a crap ton of cash.
Moving onto a singular character, Kaz Brekker. I love Kaz the most because he is an amazing leader, he's super cunning and determined. I admire leadership in a person more than their physical capabilities. The fact that he can be quick-witted and ambitious is better than him being about to fight well. I also like Kaz for his savagery and tactics, it just adds to the story and keeps you on edge. His PTSD also adds to his character. He has a tragic past, just like every other YA character, but the author doesn't forget this fact. Bardugo can build in character development for Kaz and show the unpredictability of mental health depletion. Most authors tend to mention all these terrible events that happen to characters, yet forget to build off of or throw away the events as if they were just there to give the character a "tragic past" (which it doesn't, it just makes the entire story seem redundant). A character, or anyone, shouldn't have to hide the fact that they're not ok, or that they're strong enough to fight against what they're feeling. Fictional characters should be able to break down or feel hopeless because it's realistic. I think that these types of factors should be normalized in books because it's realistic for someone to feel like they are having a crisis. It could build more confidence in readers who could feel the same way, and explain how someone would seek help or cope with their mental health. I also loved how Bardugo added a disability for Kaz. It adds to his range of capabilities, and how his limp shouldn't hold him back. He is a criminal mastermind, and his limp doesn't stop him from working towards what he wants. I loved how the author doesn't end up healing Kaz at the end because I have read that before in a book, how a disabled character was healed from so-called magic. Also his limp just reminds me of Newt from Maze Runner! It was bold of the author to add mental health conditions and disabilities into one character, and possibly trauma-based asexuality. It shows the readers what type of author Leigh Bardugo is, the type of person willing to show the world what it is, rather than hiding behind a false reality.
I am very biased about this series and I think that you should read this if you haven't. Make sure you check out our podcast episode where we talk about the rest of the characters in Six of Crows and go more in-depth on the books!
*It's getting turned into a Netflix show in April 2021! (can't wait to hate it!)
No mourners, no funerals baby.
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