Spring/Summer Reading (1)

As the school year is drawing to a close (at least the Canadian university one), I have had some of my friends asking me for book recommendations for the spring/summer. As a result I thought I would offer up some recommendations here on the blog as well. Originally I was only going to have one post, but while compiling the list, I realized I have a lot more recommendations. So for the next 4 weeks, I will be having a recommendation post featuring a different genre of YA. First up this week is paranormal.

(Links go to the Goodreads page of the first book in the series)

- The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare - The Mortal Instruments series will take you to the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders, following the stories of the Shadowhunters of the New York Institute as they fight to protect the city from downworlders. The writing is incredible and the world is just as fantastic. And despite their length, any book written by Cassandra Clare just feels like it flies by. 

- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - This series is a different take on vampires. Here, there are three kinds of vampires: Moroi and Dhampirs who are alive and the Strigoi who are undead. The story follows Rose, a teenage dhampir and her friends at St. Vladimir academy. And let me tell you it is a crazy ride. Even if you are tired of vampires, I suggest picking this series up because it won’t even feel like you’re reading a vampire story.

- Raised by Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - This series tells you the story of a 15-year-old girl who has literally been raised by wolves. Bryn’s parents were killed by a rabid werewolf when she was young but she hid and was later found by the leader of the local werewolf pack, who took her in. Both the characters and the story in these books are fantastic and will often leave you laughing out loud. It’s a great series and the third book is coming out in May, and I’m really looking forward to it. 

- Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - This is a paranormal series that has a very different feel from other ones I’ve read. I love about this series that it’s dark and packed with twists and turns. The best part of it is that it’s told from a boy’s point of view. I have to admit that I still have to read the third book, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to doing this summer.

- Curse Workers series by Holly Black - I have so much love for this series. There’s nothing quite like it in YA and I love it for that reason. This story is definitely dark and kind of gritty. And if nothing else, the story messes with your mind by always seeming to be something it’s not. All three books are now out, so if you wish you can even read them all back to back.

- The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - This series is very recent but I love it all the same. It’s a new take on the whole mythology and the idea of demi-gods. The story is fast-paced and really engrossing. The second book, Pure, just came out this week and it was just as good as the first. Just be sure to have plenty of time in front of you when you start reading.

- Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - When I read the first two books in this series, I fell completely in love. This story approaches mythology in a whole new way, combining all the different warrior mythologies. If you pick up these books be prepared for a fast-paced story filled with all kinds of action. The fact that there are some dreamy boys in here doesn’t hurt either. To make things even better, the third book is coming out at the end of May, so I’m really looking forward to that.

Others worth mentioning:

- The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

- Wondrous Strange series by Lesley Livingston

- Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer

- Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater

- Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent

So these are my paranormal recommendations. Be sure to check back next week for some dystopian book recommendations!