A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is an enriching fantasy that follows Feyre Archeron, a mortal human drawn into the fae world after she kills a wolf. The book emphasizes character development, highlighting Ferye’s transformation into a strong and superior figure. With the combination of its rich world-building and confusing romance between Feyre and Tamlin, the story is both thrilling and emotional, making it a must-read for fantasy and romance lovers.
Alexis has been studying for this test for over a year, since a good score will secure her a spot in the most prestigious college in the post-apocalyptic world of gods and titans in which she resides. Her goal is to make a better life for her and her adopted younger brother, Charlie, the two of whom have been homeless since their abusive parents died when they were young. After the longest test of her life, Alexis is required to drip her blood on the page. Instead of only staining the page red, the paper begins to disintegrate, revealing her blood is not what she thought.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a great book about a boy named Percy Jackson, who discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon. Set in modern-day America, the story takes Percy on a quest to prevent a war among the gods. With his friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy embarks on a journey that combines mythology with modern-day.
The Poppy War follows war orphan Fang Runin, who is known as Rin by her friends, as she studies for the most difficult exam in the Nikara Empire: The Keju, which qualifies students for the top academies in the nation. When she is accepted, there is widespread shock and disbelief as a person of her situation has never qualified before. As Rin prepares for Sinegard, the most elite military academy, the euphoria wears off quickly.
Defy the Nightby Brigid Kemmerer is a YA fantasy novel that has a lot of political intrigue with a side of romance. Tessa is a young woman who is appalled by the sickness spreading throughout her kingdom and works with her friend Wes to help distribute a healing elixir. Wes, however, has a secret identity that would make it so Tessa would never want to see him again.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a modern fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It follows Harper, who lives in Washington D.C., and how she gets sucked into the fantastical world of Emberfall, where Prince Rhen resides. Prince Rhen turns into a beast every night, and unconsciously and unwillingly hurts his own people. If he can get a girl to fall in love with him, then the curse will be broken.
A Court of Mist and Fury is the second installment in the ACOTAR series by Sarah J Maas. It is one of the best books I have ever read and is my favorite in the entire series. The adventures the characters experience are so intriguing and forces you to keep turning the page. The plot twists are exciting, and you don’t even see them coming. The dialogue is also well written and fun.
Two Twisted Crowns, by Rachel Gillig, is the sequel to One Dark Window, in which Elspeth and Ravyn’s journey to unite the deck of Providence Cards continues. However, in addition to these two perspectives, Gillig introduces Elm’s point of view, allowing the reader a glimpse at both sides of the story.
One Dark Window, by Rachel Gillig, is a young adult gothic fantasy set in Blunder, an ancient world cursed by magic. Elspeth Spindle has her own magic, in the form of a spirit trapped in her head whom she calls the Nightmare. However, all magic comes with a cost, and Elsepth must find the twelve Providence Cards to cure Blunder and banish the Nightmare from her mind before it is too late. Luckily, she stumbles upon the Captain of the King’s guard, who just might be able to offer her the help she needs.
Grendel, by John Gardner, is a mythological retelling of the classic epic Beowulf through the perspective of Beowulf’s antagonist, Grendel. As the novel progresses, the reader, for the most part, follows the chronological events of Grendel’s life, and how he came to be the unforgivable and widely feared monster in Beowulf’s tale.
