Top 7 Young Adult Series/Trilogies

 Hello guys, today we decided to do something different. Our top 7 young adult series/trilogies! The list is composed of both Sara [▲] and I (An [✧]), so our favorites have been mixed together and put on this list. Hope you enjoy!
Question of the Blogpost: 'What is your favorite series/trilogy?'

7. The Testing trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau

▲ I was looking for a great YA dystopian novel, and after a long time, I found The Testing. The Testing is a really amazing trilogy and I read it when it came out. I had to wait so long for the other two books, but it was worth my time. I was completely in love with the trilogy and Cia (the main character) has become one of my favorite YA female characters. I recommend the Testing to everyone who loves a dystopian novel and is a fan of The Hunger Games or Divergent. 

To read the full review, Click here

6. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth

▲ It's been a while since I've read this trilogy so maybe I should reread it when I have time for it. I loved the first two books so much, especially Divergent. I remember that this book was my Christmas present.
The characters in this book were so incredible, I love them with all my heart. Like is said before, I loved the first two books, but I was a little bit disappointed of the last one, Allegiant. I liked it but I didn't love it. I think it's because I expected more of it. Besides that I recommend this trilogy to everyone who is, just like me, crazy about YA dystopia. 

5. Benedict series by Joss Stirling

✧ I love this series! I stumbled upon this when I was at the library looking for something to read for school. When I first started reading it, I did not know it was part of a series and it was in fact the third book. After reading Seeking Crystal, I was in desperate need of more so I went to the inter webs and found out that there were two more installments that take place before SC. Being the person I am, I could not wait another day to go to the store/order it, hence why I bought the e-books. I read Finding Sky and Stealing Phoenix in 2 days. I even stayed up until 4 AM once because I wanted to know what happened next! The plot intrigued me immensely! And as a person who’s a sucker for sappy romances, soulmates are definitely my type of guilty pleasures.
I have yet to read Misty Falls and the newest book that is coming out soon (I think).
This series has brought back my love for books that I lost the year before. Honestly, I love it so much and I was so obsessed with everything and everyone. Zed, Yves, Xavier, Sky, Phoenix and Crystal are very dear to my heart. They take up a special place and hopefully I'll read Misty Falls soon so that I can fangirl about those characters too.

4. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

✧ The Hunger Games trilogy ahh. The emotions are coming back. I remember crying, laughing and every emotion in between. I first read the Hunger Games in 2012, during the festive time of the year. I remember crying because of Rue's dead *sheds tear*. Anyways, everyone has probably already read this series. HECK, maybe you've even reread it a couple times so you all can share my love for this series (or not). And if you haven't read them, HOW?! I really recommend you to read them.
I adore the first two books, the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, but I didn't love Mockingjay as much. I love the empowering Katniss Everdeen, as I love all the other characters.
Yes, I love everything about this series and yes, you should too.

3. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

▲ How could the Mortal Instruments by the great Cassandra Clare not be on our list? I was really obsessed with these books. When I read the first one, I went to the store for the second one and then the third and so on. I went to the book store every 2 days until I was done reading the series. Unfortunately I had to wait for the last book like a year or maybe more, but when I went to the store to buy  the last one with one of my friends, who was also obsessed with The Mortal Instruments, we were freaking out. Like: OH MY GOD FINALLY! My friend even screamed.
If you haven't read this series yet, you should go to the book store and buy the 6 fantastic books. This is an order :p.

2. Touching Juliette trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

✧ I have just recently read this trilogy and I absolutely love it! After reading contemporary after contemporary I decided it was time for a dystopian novel. Sara actually recommended it to me and I was hesitant at first but damn! It is SO good. If you didn't like the first book, read the second! I assure you that it'll get better. I read them fairly quickly because it was one of those books that you just couldn't put down (in my opinion). Especially the last one *faints*.
The writing style was a bit strange at first and I had to get used to it. Some people might not like the writing style at all, but luckily I got to appreciate it.
Also, I was not expecting the plot at all! I thought that it might be about Juliette who is trying to find a cure or something, but it was definitely not.
I got easily attached to the characters, but mostly Juliette, Kenji and Warner.  

AND FINALLY. 

DRUM ROLL. 

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

✧ Three words. Best series ever. I grew up with this series and I'm sure many of you did too. Anyone who's read this can confirm that The Harry Potter series are one of the greatest, if not the best, series of all time. The way J. K. Rowling brought us to a whole new world of wizards and magic is just amazing. She allowed us to escape of planet earth and reside in Hogwarts for the time being. My favorite 2 books of the series are 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. If you have not yet read this series or even watched the films) then what are you doing?! Go pick up the books at your local libraries, read them and love them just like millions of others in this world we live in, and then we can discuss them. Harry, Hermione and Ron will always have a special place in my heart. Especially as a Gryffindor.  

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Published: April 24th 2012 by Harper Teen

Genres: Ya Dystopia Romance

Pages: 336

Goodreads

The selection is a dystopia romance written by Kiera Cass.

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The selection is a fun read. It's one of the books you can read in one day. The selection definitely made me smile a lot, although I was really irritated at the same time (mostly because of the love-triangle in this book). When I read the Selection, I thought a lot that this is just 'the Hunger Games' glossed over to a fairy-tale story, (a group of 35 girls competing for the heart of a guy is like 24 tributes who are fighting to death in an arena) but luckily it did not bothered me. Probably because I love 'the Hunger Games' and I like to read a similar story.

Characters: The main character is America Singer, one of the lucky girls who is selected for the selection. I loved and hated her, she's a nice and caring girl, but sometimes so so irritating. She hesitated like all the time. It looks like I say often that I love and hate the main character, but you have to know that that's not always the case. There are a lot of books where I don't found the main character irritating. Back to America. Well, I liked that she was a fighter. She wanted people to know (especially rich people) how it was to live in one of the lowest social classes, and how hard they had to work for a little wage. America stood up for herself and her family and that is why I love her. The other characters in this book were fine, especially prince Maxon. He is a little bit shy, which is cute, and I really liked him. But my favorite character in the whole series was Celeste, yes I know that's weird because she's like the bad guy in the series. I just really liked her.

I have read the whole trilogy and I found the first book the best one. I also liked the second one named: The Elite, although I was really irritated most of the time because America's behavior was really stupid in this book. The last book named: The One was better than the second one. There was also more action than in the other two books, which I really like.

I recommend 'The Selection' to people who are patient and like a dystopia romance.

All by all I give this book 3,5 stars.

“It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome.”

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

                                                

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Published June 4th by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Genres: Speculative Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult

Pages: 336

Goodreads

Summary: 
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one and the same?”


The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.


Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.


But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.


- The Hunger Games meets Divergent in this astringent novel. It's not that The Testing was a wannabe Hunger Games book, totally not. The Testing completely distinguishes itself from that. I loved/enjoyed reading The Testing, which is the first book of a great trilogy.


I can never get enough of this genre. I completely get lost in dystopian novels. Like I said before: I really love this genre, but they're most likely not all too good for my liking (maybe this is because dystopian is an incredibly difficult genre to write). But let me tell you this: The Testing is one of the good books. It's a book with a lot of action and of course a love story. How can their not be a love story? Luckily there wasn't a love triangle, because I hate love triangles. The Testing was actually a realistic story (except for the last test, but the plot of the story: being chosen as a Testing candidate to prove your worthiness as a University student is actually something that could happen.)


Characters: I normally find the main characters in dystopian novels, sometimes, annoying and bitchy. Thankfully that wasn't the case here. I loved the narrator, Cia. Cia is a kind and caring person, but she knows how to survive and takes care of herself. She never does something without thinking it through. Cia is not a girly character, probably because she grew up with four brothers. You see how she grew and became stronger during the story. And after every page I loved her more and more. Cia has absolutely become one of my favorite YA female characters. In the story you also get to know Tomas really well. Tomas is the main love interest and he grew up with her in Five Lakes Colony. They weren't really close when they were little, but they became very close after Cia told him about her father's warnings. I liked Tomas, he cared for Cia and made sure nothing happened to her, although he also has a dark side. (Everybody has, in this story.) I loved Joelle's characters. They were genuine and I got attached to them really quick. She has a wonderful writing style and I just love this trilogy.


The Testing is a book that you can not put down. So do not read it when you want to go to bed the next hour. If you're looking for a great and beautiful YA dystopian novel, look no further: The Testing awaits.


All by all I give this book 5 stars.



“Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.”

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 
Published by Simon & Schuster on February 21st 2012
Genres: contemporary, romance, coming-of-age, LGBT
Pages: 386
Goodreads

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a coming-of-age, contemporary novel written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. It follows the Mexican Aristotle Mendoza, who prefers to be called ‘Ari’. Ari is a 15 year old boy who does not have friends, cannot swim and likes to use a little violence every now and then. The only people he actually talks to are his parents, until he meets Dante. Dante is the opposite. He can swim, he doesn't like violence one bit, but he doesn't have friends either. Or so I believe. When they first met at the pool, Dante offered to teach Ari how to swim, which Ari gladly accepted. From there on, the two became friends and maybe something more between the two best friends will establish...


Characters: 

I can't just explain to you how much I enjoyed reading about these characters. Every single one of them had something unique that I can't quite put to words. It is ineffable.

Aristotle / Ari: I loved reading about Ari. In fact I loved reading about everyone, as I stated above. He was so magnificent, kind of mature for his age and not afraid of many things. He also seems like/is a loner most of the times. Before he met Dante, he only talked to his parents even though he has one brother, who's in jail, and two twin sisters who are a lot older than Ari. His life hasn't always been the easiest and still isn't. Ari's dad is really closed off since he got back from fighting in Vietnam. Ari tries to act tough all the time, or most of the times, but he's actually a sweet boy who was in desperate need of a friend. Also, Legs, his dog, kept him good company when Dante was gone. I love Legs.
At the end of the book, I think he found out who he truly was.

Dante: Dante Quintana, a boy with Mexican roots at his mother's side and has a teacher as his dad. Dante is so innocent and so Dante. He loves nature and he hates his tennis shoes with a passion. Dante doesn't like being Mexican, he told Ari. His mother's family doesn't like Dante that much because he looks too not-Mexican in their eyes. Dante is so sweet and cares about people. He risks his and Ari's life to save a bird, I still don't know if the bird made it or not. He doesn't run away when he gets beaten by people. I don't know how to describe him that well, but he is a sweetheart.
I also liked both of their parents.


Plot:
And once again, just like any other contemporary book, I did not know what to expect except that everyone was raving about it. I was now expecting something marvelous, something wonderful and exceptionally beautiful. Reading the first 30 or something pages, I didn't really get that feeling. But slowly I was just mesmerized by the writing and the beautiful storyline that I couldn't put it down. It is absolutely one of my favorite books ever and I can't wait for my friends to read it so they can enjoy and cry about Ari and Dante.
Another thing that I loved about this book was how this was focusing on a different culture: the Mexican culture. It was refreshing to read about something else, other than your typical American characters. It also deals with LGBT issues. One book that concentrates on more than just one subject that everyone needs to learn/read more about (different cultures and LGBT issues) is just fantastic.

So back to Ari and Dante. You see in the beginning of the book that offering someone help, can mean making new friends.
Friendship is something important and something that needs to be cherished because not everyone can have great friends or even friends at all. Friendship is also something special. It's a bond between two people that will accept each other no matter their differences.
When Dante left for a year to Chicago for his father's job, they promised each other that they'd stay friends, and real friends keep their promises and that is what they did. Their bond might have not been as strong as it had been before Dante left, but they were still friends.
I don't think Ari realized how much he actually cares about Dante seeing that he pushed Dante away when he was about to get hit (Ari almost died in the process) and he beat up the person who beat up Dante for kissing a boy. I still hate that scumbag Daniel for being such a coward and running away without taking Dante with him.

My copy was missing 4 chapters and I found that so stupid because I wanted to read about his school experience and how he met Gina, Ilona and that other girl I forgot the name of. But oh well, nothing seriously wrong I guess.

This book won so many awards and definitely deserves all of them. I can't describe to you just how much I love everything about ‘Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe’. It was so beautiful, in so, so many ways. The writing style, the characters, the storyline, everything. Benjamin Alire Sàenz did such a great job creating 2 of my favorite fictional characters and writing one of my favorite books. I cried of happiness at the end because I was just emotionally unstable at the time. THEY ARE MY OTP. (I have a lot of OTP's okay. I know I say this every time, but they are my OTP and will forever be my OTP.) I'm still speechless...even thinking about it makes me smile. And oh my god don't get me started about the cover. It's so pretty! I could stare at it for days (okay, maybe not days but you know what I mean). To end this review I want to say one more thing: READ THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. Read it. Just do. I recommend it to every single person in the whole wide world because it is just that great in my opinion. Read it.

“I got to thinking that poems were like people. Some people you got straight off the bat. Some people you just didn't get--and never woul get.”