Top Ten Tuesday: Satisfying Book Series

Helloooo everyone! Happy Tuesday! It’s been awhile since I’ve participated in Top Ten Tuesday – there’s been a lot going on lately, outside of the blog – so I’ve been a bit iffy with my posts for the past few weeks. But I decided it’s been way too long since the last time I properly engaged with this post, so here I am again!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. This week’s topic is Satisfying Book Series. This one was surprisingly a bit difficult for me, as I haven’t really read – or at the very least finished – too many series in the last several years. So most of this list is gonna be YA, both because I still read it pretty often even as an adult, and also because I read about half of these series that I’m about to list as a teenager.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get started! In no particular order, here are some of my favorite book series (when I read them, at least – some of them might not hold up for adult me, lol)!

  1. The Seven Realms by Cinda Williams Chima: Definitely one of my favorite high fantasy series – absolutely of the best I’ve ever read. I also think it’s Chima’s best work personally, considering I ended up DNF-ing her other series before I could finish them, haha.
  2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: And for this one, I mean the original trilogy – I haven’t gotten around to the standalone prequel novels yet! (It doesn’t help that I also see the prequel books as supplemental and sort of an ancillary part of the series, especially considering both came out over a decade later.) But I think that the original trilogy is a super solid set of three books; they’re some of the best written books I’ve ever read period.
  3. Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness: I’m always gonna adore this trilogy. No crappy movie adaptation – of which I will never ever see but am unfortunately very aware of – can ruin it.
  4. Emily Wilde Series by Heather Fawsett: This trilogy is just fantastic. It’s so well written and is such a wonderful and refreshing take on faerie stuff.
  5. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: I love fairytale retellings and this series is the pinnacle of that, and with a bit of a sci-fi twist to boot. Admittedly, I haven’t gotten around to reading the prequel novella nor the book of short stories, but again, I see them as supplemental and ancillary to the original series. And the original quadrilogy is solid.
  6. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: What can I say – I adored these books as a teenager. Technically, this series is ongoing again, but since these five books have their own overarching-but-self-contained story and the three new books that Riordan is writing have their own overarching-but-self-contained story, I kind of consider them to be two separate things, and supplementary and companion novels to the original five books. Even if they’re technically considered part of the same series. The new books have been solid so far, though – for once I’ve actually read them, lol.
  7. Fablehaven by Brandon Mill: I loved this when I read it like fifteen years ago, and I loved its sequel series Dragonwatch when I read it over the last few years. This is a very engaging and well-written middle grade fantasy series.
  8. The Summoner Series by Taran Matharu: Very solidly written trilogy. It’s not super unique in regards to high fantasy, but I still enjoyed it, and it does stand out a little compared to a lot of the stuff I usually see in the YA section. It’s also one of the few series I’ve actually read and finished in the last decade, so there’s that too. Once again, I have not yet read the prequel companion book, but we all know how I feel about those by now, so I’m not gonna repeat myself. I’m thinking about re-reading this trilogy, honestly, it’s coming up on the tenth anniversary for when I read the first book and I’m feeling nostalgic.
  9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: For what it is, it’s fine. Is it the most well-written fantasy ever? No. Did it start a writing trend and genre that I hate but love making fun of? Yes. But I ate this entire series up when I read it (which was over several years, but I did read the first two books in the original years they first came out). And the original trilogy is decently solid, which is what I’m basing this list on. The novella and the Nesta book are technically supplemental.
  10. The Darkest Powers by Kelley Armstrong: Some of her earlier work, and the only novels of hers that I’ve ever read. I liked these a lot as a teenager, even to the point of re-reading them once or twice. They’re very fast-paced, but the plot and characters aren’t sacrificed in order for the books to be that way, which is also great. I know that technically there’s another trilogy of Armstrong’s that falls under the Darkest Powers umbrella, but the two trilogies are still considered separate to a degree, so I’m going to consider them separate as well.

What are your favorite and most satisfying books series? Do you like or want to re-read them?

As always, thanks so much for reading, and I hope that you have an amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Books from Ten Favorite Series

Hey everybody! Happy Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. This week’s topic is actually Books Featuring Travel, but I’m not feeling it this week. So I decided to do last week’s topic – 10 Favorite Books from 10 Favorite Series – since I missed last week.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

(Important Note: This list isn’t in order of my favorites, ironically enough. This list is in order of which book I thought of first. I just felt everyone should know that.)

#1

A Court of Mist and Fury: My mixed feelings about the ACOTAR series aside (aside from the fact that it’s one of my guilty pleasures), I loved A Court of Mist and Fury. Like, so much and so immediately, despite its flaws. I definitely think this is the best ACOTAR book.

#2

The Last Olympian: Not only is it the best PJO book, but I’d hazard to say that this book in particular is one of the greatest middle grade/young adult novels ever written. It’s just an amazing novel in general, and is such a satisfying conclusion to the original series. And since it’s so hard to stick the landing sometimes for authors, especially for a five book series, I’d say it’s a great accomplishment. (BTW, The Battle of the Labyrinth (book four) is also amazing – I honestly have trouble choosing which one I like more.)

#3

A Darker Shade of Magic: Despite being the first book in the Shades of Magic series, it’s still my favorite. Just, the way it’s written, the way it gives you just a taste of what’s coming, the characters, the setting(s) – it’s all just so, so good. I just love this book so much.

#4

The Gray Wolf Throne: I know that book three is a weird choice to pick, but out of the four Seven Realms books, The Gray Wolf Throne is my favorite for some reason. I like the final book, The Crimson Crown, a lot too, but book three is the one I like best.

#5

Once Upon a Broken Heart: I don’t think the OUABH books are the best written – in fact I think that these books have a TON of problems. But I enjoyed Once Upon a Broken Heart when I first read it a few years ago, and I like it more than the others in this trilogy, so it’s here.

#6

Exit Strategy: I love the first four novellas in the Murderbot Diaries pretty much equally, but there’s just something about Exit Strategy, what with everything coming together, that I love.

#7

Beautiful Creatures: Nearly every year in high school, I had this thing where every October, I’d get in the mood to read this book. Sometimes I’d read the second book in this series too (Beautiful Darkness), but there was something about Beautiful Creatures that made me want to come back and read it for years.

#8

Death Masks: Out of the seven Dresden Files books I’ve read, this one is by far my favorite. The pacing, the plot, the characters, the dialogue – the sass – it was all so perfect.

#9

Cress: When I first tried to read this like, six and a half years ago, I wasn’t vibing with it (I had a lot going on in my personal life at the time and it had a bit of a slow start), but reading it again last year… I dunno, it suddenly really clicked with me. Now I like it just about as much I love Scarlet – this was another one where I had trouble picking my favorite book out of two. It’s weird that they were both the two middle books – this series didn’t suffer from Middle Book Syndrome at all!

#10

The Inquisition: Out of the three books in the Summoner Trilogy, book two is the one I like the most. This is another case of a series where I liked the middle book(s) best. Once again, no Middle Book Syndrome here.

Birthstone Book Covers: July 2024

This is earlier than last month – thank goodness – and almost a year to the day of July 2023’s Birthstone Book Covers post. Wow. I didn’t even intend to do that.

Anyway, Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

July has one birthstone – Ruby.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson
The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
The Battlemage by Taran Matharu
The Battlemage by Taran Matharu
The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima
The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull

Majestic Monday #7: Fire, The Gray Wolf Throne, The Wife Upstairs

It’s that time of the week again. (Er, technically it’s past that time of the week again. Whoops.) Yes, that time of the week where I pick out three pretty book covers to admire. Majestic Monday! (Or Tuesday, in today’s case. What can I say? I got really busy yesterday.)

This week, the three book covers I’m highlighting are Fire by Kristin Cashore, The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima, and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins.

Fire (Graceling Realms #2) by Kristin Cashore

A breathtaking, marvelous Graceling Realm book from New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cashore.

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don’t need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven’t, you’ll be dying to read it next.

Out of all five Graceling books, my favorite cover is Fire’s, though they’re all very beautiful. I really like how Fire’s hair simultaneously looks like hair and fire, and how the golden arrows cross behind the book’s title.

Honestly, I really just like how all the colors look together in general, and how the reds of Fire’s hair contrast with the blue, white, and gold of the town at the bottom.

Cover Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 • 5 / 5 flames

The Gray Wolf Throne (Seven Realms #3) by Cinda Williams Chima

An epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family as good as killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen.

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it-he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive-and even that might not be enough.

Much like the Graceling Realms, I like all of the covers from the Seven Realms series, but this one is my favorite. If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know how much I like purple hues on my cover. And that’s the main reason why I like it best out of the four.

But I also really like the design of the Gray Wolf Crown. I like the shade of silver-gray, the triangular spaces within the points of the crown, and the wolf on the bottom. (I like wolves.) But I also like the way the mountains and mist look beneath the crown, as well as how the overcast sky appears. So pretty.

Cover Rating: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 • 4 adult gray wolves and 1 gray wolf cub (aka: a 4.5 / 5 rating)

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

Finally! A non-SFF novel makes its way onto my semiweekly pretty book covers list! Because contemporary books can have gorgeous covers too, and this one shows that.

This modern retelling of Jane Eyre has a very nice cover, as I’ve mentioned. I love the blue wallpaper with pink flowers, and how starkly the white banister stands out against it. And the black text of the title really stands out. I love how “innocent” it all looks, contrasted with the insidious sounding title. It’s such a good cover, especially if you’ve read the original Jane Eyre.

Cover Rating: 💍💍💍💍 • 4 / 5 engagement rings (uh oh, looks like someone’s hiding something…)


Have any of you guys read any of these books? What did you think of them, if you did? I’ve read the first Graceling Realms book, but not Fire or any of the others, and I’ve read and loved the whole of the Seven Realms series. I DNF-ed The Wife Upstairs a couple years ago, though.

Anyway, as always, thanks to everyone who joined me for a (very late) Majestic Monday! Tune in next time for more bookish things! Oh, and have a fantastic day/night!

~ Mar ~