Finally a blog and not a book review!! It’s time to break down my favourite genre: Young Adult aka YA. Me at age 15 turning 16, currently at the pinnacle of my teenage years, this is my go to. The funny thing about YA is the amount of genres it covers. You can have YA Fantasy but in case of most books in the YA category the genre will end up as YA Historical Fantasy Romance.
In this post I’ll be talking about my favourite YA authors, series, fandoms & of course, BOOKS!! Some of these you’ve probably seen or heard of too many times and some you may have never heard of. Anyways hope you enjoy.
SARAH J MAAS
If you have not read any of SJM’s books…first of all we’re gonna have a problem (🤣) and second of all, do it now! In case by the slim chance that you don’t know, Sarah J Maas wrote the A Court of Thorns and Roses series as well as the Throne of Glass series. This year she also came out with her first ‘adult’ novel Crescent City which I would probably consider YA as well. Her books have strong badass female main characters as well as being steamy romance driven. If you’re looking for a way out of a reading slump, go get your hands on her books.
A Court of Thorns and Roses: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16096824-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses
Throne of Glass: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass
Crescent City: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44778083-house-of-earth-and-blood
Lynette Noni
Aussie author spotlight time! Lynette wrote the Medoran Chronicles as well as the Whisper Duology and she is currently working on a new project called the Prison Healer!! The Medoran Chronicles is for younger readers in the YA age group and is a perfect action adventure series while the Whisper Duology targets older readers and is more paranormal fantasy. The Medoran Chronicles holds a special place in my heart as this was the series that brought me back into reading last year.
The Medoran Chronicles: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23569787-akarnae
Whisper: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34020950-whisper
Kaufman & Kristoff
In my opinion, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are the best duo when it comes to sci-fi. Although I am not a fan of the genre itself, many of my fellow friends and bookstagrammers absolutely adore their series: The Aurora Cycle and The Illuminae Files.
Aurora Rising: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075662-aurora-rising
Illuminae: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23395680-illuminae
Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner wrote the Starbound trilogy, which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. This trilogy is very romance driven.
These Broken Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13138635-these-broken-stars
Holly Black
Holly Black is well known for her fantasy books about faeries and other mythical creatures. My favourites include the Folk of the Air trilogy and the Darkest Part of the Forest. Many of her other books are still on my TBR but do check her out if you want some action adventure as well as steamy romance.
The Cruel Prince: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince
The Darkest Part of the Forest: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20958632-the-darkest-part-of-the-forest
Holly Black: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25422.Holly_Black
Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer is the author of the Lunar Chronicles and the Renegades trilogy. I have read the first book in both series and the rest of them are on my immediate TBR. The Lunar Chronicles are definitely for younger readers and is a fairytale retelling with a sci-fi twist. Renegades on the other hand, explores a utopian world of superheroes…but of course there cannot be a utopia.
Cinder: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36381037-cinder
Renegades: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28421168-renegades
Tricia Levenseller
I only just recently discovered Tricia Levenseller through Daughter of the Pirate King (which I reviewed – go check that out). She loves writing about morally grey characters and her books are full of action and adventure.
Daughter of the Pirate King: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33643994-daughter-of-the-pirate-king
The Shadows Between Us: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35702241-the-shadows-between-us
Warrior of the Wild: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43446574-warrior-of-the-wild
Best of Historical Fiction
So I haven’t come across a lot of ‘historical fiction’. Many books are based historically but lean more towards fantasy. So here are my recommendations.
Stalking Jack the Ripper: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40727470-stalking-jack-the-ripper
Murder mystery with a touch of romance set in past.
Lady Helen: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15993203-the-dark-days-club
Think of this as Pride and Prejudice meets dark fantasy. If you like Shadowhunters, you’ll probably like this.
The Book Thief: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief
<no explanation needed> Set in WWII, it’s extremely emotional and pulls on the heartstrings.
**intermission break**: I have realised this post will go on for a while…sorry not sorry 🙂
Shadowhunter Universe
Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter universe is one to be reckoned with. Trust me you’ll love it. The fantasy, the magic, the friendship, the villains, the love, there is truly a piece of this universe for everyone. If you are new to this universe and want to start reading it you should probably read them in the order according to the link, otherwise it will get really confusing. https://rivetedlit.com/2020/03/04/cassandra-clare-books-in-order/
Yes there is a movie and a tv series but don’t watch them…they completely ruin the fandom.
(linked below are the first books in every series, there are more…)
The Mortal Instruments: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256683.City_of_Bones
The Infernal Devices: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7171637-clockwork-angel
The Dark Artifices: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25494343-lady-midnight
The Last Hours: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17699853-chain-of-gold
The Eldest Curse: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30295312-the-red-scrolls-of-magic
Grishaverse
Leigh Bardugo is an actual goddess for creating this universe. So the Grisha are people who have supernatural powers and there are currently twoish main storylines. This universe is currently being adapted into a Netflix series and I cannot wait!!
Six of Crows: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23437156-six-of-crows
Band of criminals on a heist. Perfect for murder, mystery lovers.
Shadow and Bone: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194157-shadow-and-bone
You should read this trilogy first if you want a nice introduction into the universe.
King of Scars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36307634-king-of-scars
This book is a continuation of both of the above series and follows the stories of Nikolai, Zoya & Nina.
Best of YA Contemporary (obviously I can’t put EVERYTHING DOWN, so this is me thinking off the top of my head and on the spot)
I’ll Give You the Sun: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20820994-i-ll-give-you-the-sun
Looking for Alaska: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99561.Looking_for_Alaska
Red White & Royal Blue: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41150487-red-white-royal-blue
The Fault in Our Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars
Eleanor and Park: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15745753-eleanor-park
Carry On: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32768522-carry-on
Yes No Maybe So: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43615530-yes-no-maybe-so
Tweet Cute: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45045129-tweet-cute
**another intermission break before I go on to book series**
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Some people really hated this book but I really loved this because I am a sucker for YA Fantasy. If you loved Sarah J Maas’ writing, you’ll love this. If you love the trope of enemies to lovers, this is the book for you. I cannot emphasise how predictable this book is but, I loved Reid Diggory, you should go check it out 🙂
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Red Queen was also one of the books that made me realise how much I love reading. If you love paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance this one is for you.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22328546-red-queen
The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff
Godsgrave (book no.2) is the one to look forward to. I mean if you loved Celaena from Throne of Glass you will most certainly love Mia Corvere.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114463-nevernight
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Caraval is fantasy romance to the core and I promise that you’ll love it!!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval
Best of YA Dystopia (Again me thinking on the spot and panicking)
Arc of Scythe: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28954189-scythe
Divergent: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8306857-divergent
The Hunger Games: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052-the-hunger-games
The Giver: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3636.The_Giver
Replica: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28448287-replica
Delirium: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11614718-delirium
Shatter Me: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429045-shatter-me
Best of YA Murder Mystery (guys this is the last section)
One of Us is Lying: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32571395-one-of-us-is-lying
People Like Us: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35356380-people-like-us
Two Can Keep a Secret: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38225791-two-can-keep-a-secret
All Your Twisted Secrets: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41443369-all-your-twisted-secrets
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40916679-a-good-girl-s-guide-to-murder
Loveboat, Taipei: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23559994-loveboat-taipei
AND THAT’S IT FOR NOW…I’ll probably think of more but I’ll save it for part 2. Let me know what you guys think! I love to hear feedback!!
xoxo, Steph
Steph's Court of Books 
THANK YOU FOR THIS POST I LOVE IT!! Please do a Part 2!! 🙌🙌🙌
Have you read any of Holly Jackson’s books? (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Good Girl, Bad Blood) They are soo good! Definitely recommend her! 💗💗💗
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Her books are most certainly on my never-ending TBR!!
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