5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick RiordanThis series is written for a younger audience (or the young at heart). The premise is young Percy Jackson is sent to a camp for "special" kids where he learns that it is actually training ground for demigods, or kids who each have a Greek god as a parent. Percy finds that his father is the powerful god Poseidon and because of his serious powers that come from a seriously powerful father, all Hades breaks loose (quite literally) and Percy is called on several quests to save Olympus. Not only did I absolutely love the characters in this book, but I love how much I learned about Greek mythology. Nearly every Greek myth is somehow incorporated into this series and it's got an interesting twist in that it is all set in modern times.
Books in this series: 5 (Riordan is writing a parallel series to this one, The Heroes of Olympus, with one book out so far: The Lost Hero--also excellent)
Average book length: 450 pages
Appropriate for: All ages!
4. Mistborn by Brandon SandersonThese books are not for the faint of heart. Sanderson's series follows young Vin in her journey to become the most powerful Mistborn (one who has special powers granted to them by "burning" metals...it's really hard to explain, you just have to read it). Vin is recruited by the renowned Kelsier (also a Mistborn) to take down the leader, who calls himself god because he is immortal, of the dystopian society. The first book is fantastic in and of itself, but as you progress through the series, you see great character development and the finale of the series quite literally blew my mind...almost. Really, from how the first book starts out, you would never guess where the end of the third book take you. Incredible story.
Books in this series: 3
Average book length: 750 pages
Appropriate for: Late teens and young adults (there are some quite violent parts, so proceed with caution)
3. Austenland by Shannon HaleI read this one last summer and I fell in love. It's a standalone book and it's spectacular. If you love Jane Austen, you will love Austenland. This book is about 20-something Jane who is completely obsessed with Pride and Prejudice. Following the death of her aunt, Jane finds that she was left one thing: a trip to an all-inclusive Austenland. Visitors to Austenland dress, live, and act as if they were in one of Jane Austen's novels. Each visitor is promised to find adventure and love in their stay. What will Jane find for herself? Will it be real, or will it be just pretend, like everything else about the fantastical place?
Books in this series: No series, just one book
Average number of pages: 208 to be precise
Appropriate for: Any female, maybe some dudes as well.
2. The Maze Runner by James DashnerOh my gosh. These books are intense. There are only two books in this series out so far, but man, they are chair grippers (if you can grip your chair while you grip your book, that is). Thomas wakes up to find himself with no memories at all. He knows his name, but nothing else about himself and finds that he has been placed in a strange place called the Glade with other young boys (all teenagers) who suffer from the same problem. Each boy has his own job in the Glade to keep the place running and the boys alive. Most jobs are practical, like cooks or farmers, but few boys, who are brave and fast enough, have the job of being maze runners. The Glade is basically a box surrounded on all sides by a maze whose pattern changes every night once the gates of the Glade close. Maze runners spend every second that the gates are open running through the maze, looking for a way out. The gates close to keep the Gladers safe from the horrors that roam the maze at night, but what happens when the only thing these boys know (the Glade) changes and the gates stop closing at all? What will the flashes of memories Thomas is having tell us about the organization that is doing this cruel experiment? OH MAN. The second book, The Scorch Trials got so intense that I couldn't read it at night because I got scared. Don't worry, the third book comes out in October.
Books in this series: 2 so far
Average book length: 375
Appropriate for: Those who won't get scared easily.
and then there was
1. Fablehaven by Brandon MullI just love these books; they are probably my favorite series after Harry Potter. These are the first books by Brandon Mull, and so the first two books aren't blow-your-mind-best-read-I've-ever-had, they are still charming. Don't worry, these books pick up fast. Mull's series is about brother and sister, Seth and Kendra, who are sent to live with their grandparents for the summer, whom they find out are caretakers of a magical preserve. One of only a few in the world. Throughout the series, Kendra and Seth learn about the creatures and magic that exist of their grandparents' land, and also about the evil league, the Society of the Evening Star, that wants to destroy all of it. The main reason I love these books is because of Seth. He is the most annoying character on earth in the first couple of books, but Mull writes incredible character development for him and he grows up into a heroic young man who still struggles with his mischievous impulses. I love these books. Mull has also written The Candy Shop War and The Beyonders: A World Without Heroes, both of which are quite excellent.
Books in this series: 5
Average number of pages: 475
Appropriate for: Anyone. Enjoy.
Honorable mentions (I can't fully endorse some of these because I haven't read them, I've just heard excellent things about them and see them constantly on hold at the library): The Help, The Name of the Wind, The Way of Kings, Moon Over Manifest, and Princess Academy.
If you have any suggestions, share them in the comments!
