(These are in no particular order)
1. Tithe by Holly Black
Instead of vampires, we’ve got faeries in Holly Black’s Tithe, a gripping tale of sixteen-year-old Kaye, whose journey into the fey world begins when she rescues knight Roiben. As she explores the Seelie and Unseelie faerie courts, she finds out more than she ever bargained for. I know, I know, there will be cliffhangers galore in this post. Don’t want to ruin any of the fun for you guys.
Tithe also has a sequel, Ironside. For more info, check out Holly Black’s website.
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
This one isn’t out until August 1st, but fans of Twilight will definitely appreciate this bittersweet romance between a girl and a werewolf. Grace was bitten by a wolf at a young age and has always been fascinated by the pack that dwells in the woods behind her house. She even has a wolf she likes to call her own. Little does she know that he is actually wolf by winter and human by summer.
Looks like this one will also have a sequel titled Linger. See a book trailer, listen to a Q&A with Stiefvater, and more at her Shiver page.
3. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
This one’s an oldie but a goodie (it came out in 1997). And it’s even been made into a movie. Blood and Chocolate takes the conventions of the genre and flips ‘em on their heads. In this book, the girl is the hunter and the boy is the prey – Vivian is a werewolf who falls for “meat boy” Aiden. She struggles over revealing her true nature to him. Meanwhile, Gabriel, the self-appointed new leader of her pack, is pursuing Vivian with serious intent. I’d recommend reading the book over watching the movie.
4. Geektastic , edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Which one doesn’t match the others? Though Geektastic may seem like an unusual choice in that 1) it’s a short story collection and 2) said short stories take place decidedly in the real world, I think it’ll still appeal to fans of Twilight. Why? Because the stories within deal with teens who yearn for the fantastical. So if you want a break from all the vampires and werewolves and what have you, this is it. Plus, it’s got some great stories by David Levithan, Libba Bray, and Scott Westerfeld (latter two’s books are coming right up in the list). Not out until August 1st but I’ve seen some copies in my local B&N so you might want to check your bookstore.
5. Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
It’s pretty hard for me to talk objectively about this book at all. And why should I? This is my top 7, after all. I’ve loved this book ever since I first read it a decade ago. Ten years. Wow. In that time, I’ve met Sherwood Smith, breakfasted with her, and re-read this book about a million times.
In any case, this book comes highly recommended from me. Again, it doesn’t seem like a natural fit but reading about Mel (Countess Meliara) and her struggle to fulfill her promise to her dying father and how this promise takes her from battlefield to ballroom is one of the best things you’ll ever do, I promise. Especially when she meets Vidanric, a man who is more than he seems.
Smith also wrote a post for us about vampires which raised some interesting questions – so go check it out, if you are so inclined.
6. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Love this dark Victorian fantasy – sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle is sent off to boarding school in England after the mysterious death of her mother in India. Homesick and lonely, she is startled to discover that her visions are coming true and that she’s being followed by a young Indian man. What does it all mean? The first in an excellent trilogy (Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing follow).
In a funny coincidence, I ran into Bray at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store the other week and gushed like a true fan. She was funny and so nice. That only adds to the numerous reasons you should read her books!
7. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Now, I’m not a big sci-fi fan, but give me some teenagers, throw in a mysterious procedure that beautifies everyone when they turn sixteen plus hoverboards and I’m sold! I’d always been intrigued by this series thanks to the gorgeous cover photographs and when I finally picked it up, I wasn’t sorry one bit. Westerfeld’s books are fast paced and full of action.
Tally Youngblood can’t wait to be a Pretty but when her friend Shay disappears to join a rebel settlement of Uglies, she’s forced to follow by the department of Special Circumstances, who want to know the location of the rebels.
First in a trilogy (though Extras is set in the same universe).
Honorable mentions:
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan – I haven’t actually read this one, but have heard many good things about it. Worth a try.
Evernight by Claudia Gray – I did read this one – about an academy where everyone seems too perfect, too sleek and there are, of course, vampires – but ultimately, it didn’t stick to me like these others did.
What do you think? Anything else you think should be on this list?
Just found an awesome new series, Cursed by Tara Brown. Might become something