16. Tigers: I think there is only one book I can mention here, but that is exactly why I included tigers as one of my sub genres....If you don't know which book I am referring to by now, it means you need to head over to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse.
(Did I mention this is a series??? Tiger's Destiny comes out Sept 4, 2012)
Description (book 1): "Passion. Fate. Loyalty.
Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever."
Recommendation: When I read Tiger's Curse, I was instantly enamored with the relationship between Kelsey and Ren. He's this massive, dangerous creature, anyone would run away from if they ever came face to face with him. But not Kelsey. She's drawn to him instantly (moth to flame so to speak). At first I thought, "Maybe she's just being stupid. I mean, who sticks their hand in the cage of a Tiger?" Then I realized how daring Kelsey is. It is that gutsy nature that makes Kelsey such an interesting character. She seems normal in every way. She has her own baggage and oddities like every person in the world, but her bold tenacity is what makes her really shine.
I also loved all of the little nuances throughout the book, and consequentially throughout the series (To this day I love putting hair ribbons in my hair, I'm ever in search of the perfect peaches and creme fragrance, and I love chocolate and peanut butter even more than I used to).
There's something very memorable in the way Colleen writes her story. It has that (very popular) love triangle, but told from a fresh perspective. There's action and adventure, romance, and mystery galore (I'm still questioning things, and I'm waiting on book 4). Plus, the majority of Tiger's Curse takes place in India. Not many YA authors leave the United States behind in their stories and delve headlong into another culture as diverse and brightly engaging. When I finished Tiger's Curse, I felt a pull to go to India (that's never happened before).
At the end of Tiger's Curse, I couldn't believe what I just read. It definitely left me wanting more. Each book has kept me anxiously waiting for the next, and I'll be sad when it ends.
Want to read: Since I don't know of any other Tiger books in YA, I have to say I'm eagerly looking forward to September 4, 2012.
17. Time-travel: Next! Time-travel. How exciting. But.........I don't really have an example in which time-travel takes up the majority of the book/series. Another but...I do have a couple of series that have elements of time travel in them which I really enjoyed reading.
Firstly, are The Immortals series by Alyson Nöel.
Ever sees Damen and feels an
instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds
many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he
always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can
silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know
who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness,
and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies."
Recommendation: I remember when I first started reading Evermore. I can honestly say I was sucked into Ever's world right from the start. Her ability to see auras was an amazing concept after having read a lot of vampire and dragon books.
Despite the fact Ever is a seriously depressed and socially quiet individual, she is one of the most unique characters I've come across in a while (it's probably all the auras she can see and her ability to sense people's thoughts and lives through touch). Then there is Damen. He is also an unparalleled figure in the world of fictional leading men. He has some serious issues he's never dealt with; he's mysterious in an alluring way, and yet he is also scary at times. Every time you think you have him figured out, there is a new layer added to his enigma, and I always found myself wondering if I should keep trusting him or not.
The journey these two take together to find love and a sense of identity (on Ever's part) is exciting and adventurous. Nöel puts forth a lot of good questions. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet, but you find yourself asking whether or not you would take the same paths as Ever and Damon. Would you follow love no matter the consequences, and what would you risk in order to keep that love? What are the limits? And when do you give up on love?
As far as time travel goes, there are a few jumps back in time, but I don't think they take place until the second or third book.Despite the fact Ever is a seriously depressed and socially quiet individual, she is one of the most unique characters I've come across in a while (it's probably all the auras she can see and her ability to sense people's thoughts and lives through touch). Then there is Damen. He is also an unparalleled figure in the world of fictional leading men. He has some serious issues he's never dealt with; he's mysterious in an alluring way, and yet he is also scary at times. Every time you think you have him figured out, there is a new layer added to his enigma, and I always found myself wondering if I should keep trusting him or not.
The journey these two take together to find love and a sense of identity (on Ever's part) is exciting and adventurous. Nöel puts forth a lot of good questions. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet, but you find yourself asking whether or not you would take the same paths as Ever and Damon. Would you follow love no matter the consequences, and what would you risk in order to keep that love? What are the limits? And when do you give up on love?
Next, is the Fallen series by Lauren Kate.
I have already recommended this series, but it does have time travel in it, so I will recommend it twice. The time travel element doesn't take place until the third book. It actually encompasses the entirety of this book, but I couldn't recommend it alone. You must read the first two.
Want to read: I'm currently reading the Harry Potter series. On book two. I've seen all the movies. The third one is my favorite, and since my sister told me I sort of have to push through the first to books in order to really get into them, I'm looking forward to reading book 3; which has time travel!
18. Vampire: Let's get straight to it. No explanation needed here! The YA book (or rather set of series) I have to recommend, are the Vampire Academy series and the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. Since I've already recommended the former series (check it out here http://twitterslife.blogspot.com/2012/05/twitter-and-vampires.html), I'll just talk about the Bloodlines series.
(Book 1: Bloodlines, Book 2: The Golden Lily)
Description (book 1): "Blood doesn't lie...Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning..."
Recommendation: I loved the Vampire Academy series. When I was reading that series, I was able to invest my heart into the characters, really get to know them, enjoy all their adventures, and admire the strength, love, and determination they had to help one another along the way. Plus a lot of action, romance, and Dimitri (wink wink). Who could ask for more??? Everyone!
And so...Richelle has thankfully continued the series by taking a different look at the world she created; through the eyes of religious, smart, and dutiful Sydney Sage. She's very different from Vampire Academy's main protagonist Rose Hathaway. You could say they are the opposite of each other. But Sage (as Adrien calls her) is just as loveable of a character. I've grown to the love this world just that much more through Sydney's POV. I root for her, the (good) vampires, Adrien (who's made his way from VA into Bloodlines seamlessly), and the continued hope in finding a way when there seems like there isn't one. If you loved the Vampire Academy series, then you'll love this spinoff. And if you're not sure about vampires in general (I understand), this series will definitely change your mind. It has three different vampire races! That's unique...
Also, I would also recommend reading the Vampire Academy series first. It will help the main characters, little nuances, and world in general make more sense.
Want to read: I seriously can't wait till the third book The Indigo Spell (part of the Bloodlines series) comes out in February next year.
Description (book 1): "Blood doesn't lie...Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning..."
Recommendation: I loved the Vampire Academy series. When I was reading that series, I was able to invest my heart into the characters, really get to know them, enjoy all their adventures, and admire the strength, love, and determination they had to help one another along the way. Plus a lot of action, romance, and Dimitri (wink wink). Who could ask for more??? Everyone!
And so...Richelle has thankfully continued the series by taking a different look at the world she created; through the eyes of religious, smart, and dutiful Sydney Sage. She's very different from Vampire Academy's main protagonist Rose Hathaway. You could say they are the opposite of each other. But Sage (as Adrien calls her) is just as loveable of a character. I've grown to the love this world just that much more through Sydney's POV. I root for her, the (good) vampires, Adrien (who's made his way from VA into Bloodlines seamlessly), and the continued hope in finding a way when there seems like there isn't one. If you loved the Vampire Academy series, then you'll love this spinoff. And if you're not sure about vampires in general (I understand), this series will definitely change your mind. It has three different vampire races! That's unique...
Also, I would also recommend reading the Vampire Academy series first. It will help the main characters, little nuances, and world in general make more sense.
Want to read: I seriously can't wait till the third book The Indigo Spell (part of the Bloodlines series) comes out in February next year.
So that's it for this post. Up next (and the conclusion to this tag) is werewolves and zombies. But until then...
-Hope your day is bright
Olive juice
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