These are a few books I adore and can’t scream about enough. I have sorted these recommendation by genre so can skip to a section that appeals to you.
HORROR
• The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff – While many shelve this as fantasy or in some case paranormal I also shelve it as horror because of the amount of blood, gore and stab stab moments that make up the wonderful gut-wrenching stories that are Nevernight and Godsgrave and I eagerly await Darkdawn.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/nevernight-by-jay-kristoff-re-read/ https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/godsgrave-by-jay-kristoff/
• There’s someone inside your house by Stephanie Perkins – I haven’t read this one yet, but I have heard nothing but good things about it and I can’t wait to see how a contemporary romance author deals with the horror genre.
• Say her name by Juno Dawson – Say Her Name is James Dawson’s modern YA take on the infamous legend of Bloody Mary. This alone was enough to hook me and even though it is labelled as YA Horror, Say Her Name certainly made my heart race and look twice at shadows even though I am a horror person this still manages to gives me a few scares.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/say-her-name-by-james-dawson/
• Asylum by Madeleine Roux - Madeleine Roux’s Asylum is the story of three teens who attend a prep-school in New Hampshire and discover some strange happenings in the abandoned mental institution on campus. I was sceptical about Asylum but I have read other works by Madeleine Roux and was pleasantly surprisied by how much I enjoyed this book and I have manages to acquire the rest of the series and will be reading more very soon.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/asylum-by-madeleine-roux/
THRILLER
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin – I loved the Mara Dyer trilogy and I am planning to re-read this series in order to read the Noah Shaw series. I highly recommend this series for people looking for something creepy but without the over the top gore and scares that horror novels are known for.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/the-unbecoming-of-mara-dyer-by-michelle-hodkin-re-read/
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – We Were Liars is a book I have a love hate relationship with for one simple reason. I loved the story and where it went but at the same time I hated it because I was so attached to the characters and it just gave to story so much impact. If you haven’t read it I highly highly recommend it.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/05/23/we-were-liars-by-e-lockhart/
• Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart – Another entry from E. Lockhart here. While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I loved We Were Liars, it was very interesting and was very well written. Recommended if you are a fan of movies like the Usual Suspects or Memento where you are constantly trying to figure out what is going on.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/01/10/genuine-fraud-by-e-lockhart-review/
SCI-FI
• The Illuminae Series by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – Now I am not a fan of sci-fi normally but that changed with the Illuminae series, it is gripping fast paced and just utterly brilliant. Having already read books by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman separately I was blown away by what they created together. I haven’t finished Obsidio yet but can’t wait to see the finale of this series.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/illuminae-by-amy-kaufman-jay-kristoff-audiobook-re-read/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/11/09/gemina-by-amie-kaufman-jay-kristoff-audiobook-re-read/
• Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller – I read this as part of a challenge I believe it was the Biannual Bibliathon and absolutely loved it. Jason Segel was the last person I expected to write a sci-fi/gamer novel and was in love with the results and hope to see more from these authors soon.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/otherworld-by-jason-segel-kirsten-miller-review/
• The Program series by Suzanne Young – Now I haven’t read all these books, but I have read the Program (book 1) and the remedy (book 3 – although it is a prequel) and loved them. I loved the world, the characters and everything else. I can’t wait to continue the series as soon as I can.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/06/21/the-remedy-by-suzanne-young/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/06/25/the-program-by-suzanne-young/
• These Broken Stars trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner – Another collab work for Amie Kaufman and I read these before I read Illuminae and loved them. Very similar themes to Illuminae I felt but this focuses more on the romance and relationship side rather than the gritty side Illuminae focuses on. The only criticism for this series is that it is a companion series rather than story arcs that are directly linked although all the characters we love do pop up from time to time.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/07/17/these-broken-star-by-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/07/21/this-shattered-world-by-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/07/22/their-fractured-light-by-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner/
ROMANCE
This isn’t a genre I read much of unless it is something YA Fantasy with a romance or Sci-Fi with a romance.
• Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn – While I would also class this as contemporary the romantic elements play are far bigger part in the story than anything else. While it has quite a lot of sexual situations it is a journey of self-discovery for one teenage girl and I highly recommended it. If you read nothing else from this list read Firsts.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/firsts-by-laurie-elizabeth-flynn-review/
• Black Chuck by Regan McDonell – Again, while I would shelve this under Psychological thriller the romance itself makes the back bone of the story and can’t be ignored throughout.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/05/20/black-chuck-by-regan-mcdonell/
PARANORMAL
• Don’t Write it Down by C. E. Wilson – A more indie author but some amazing work came from this author and Don’t Write it Down is one of my favourites. I can’t say more than horror writer, ghosts and gore.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/dont-write-it-down-by-c-e-wilson-review/
• The Witch’s Kiss series by Katharine Corr & Elizabeth Corr – I have read the first two books in this series and will be reading the final entry soon when I am mentally and emotionally prepared for it.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/the-witchs-kiss-by-katharine-corr-elizabeth-corr-review/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/the-witchs-tears-by-katharine-corr-elizabeth-corr-review/
• Deadly Sweet by Lola Dodge – Witches, cults and baking. Can there be a more odd combination, but this works so well and I absolutely loved it. A definite 5* read for me.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/deadly-sweet-by-lola-dodge-review/
DYSTOPIAN
• The Voting Game by Peter Gulgowski – I participated in a blog tour for this novel and wow I am glad I did. This book is hard to describe but all I can say is if you have seen the movie In Time it’s like that but with ratings as the currency instead of time itself. Blew my mind and can’t wait to get hold of the sequel soon.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/the-voting-game-by-peter-gulgowski-blog-tour-review/
• Crimson Ash by Haley Sulich – Another blog tour entry here. Crimson Ash was an emotionally rollercoaster and there isn’t anything I can say about it without giving away the story but I highly recommend you check it out.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/crimson-ash-by-haley-sulich-spoiler-free-review/
• The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi – A brilliant dystopian series. I have only read the first two books but loved it and with the release of a new entry in the series I will definitely be reading them soon.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/shatter-me-by-tahereh-mafi-re-read/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/unravel-me-by-tahereh-mafi/
• Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa – Now books written by YouTubers is something I actively avoided until Children of Eden which surprised me so much and the sequel is highly anticipated for me. It is also the book that prompted me to read Zenith and while I haven’t got to it just it is definitely on my TBR.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/children-of-eden-by-joey-graceffa/
• The Diabolic duology by S. J. Kincaid – While this is also sci-fi there are so many dystopian elements and the romance is to die for as well.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/the-diabolic-by-s-j-kincaid/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/the-empress-by-s-j-kincaid-review/
HISTORICAL
Another genre that I don’t read a lot of.
• The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee – Now, I wasn’t interested in this book until I saw everyone ranting and raving about it especially on BookTube. So on a whim I read it and OMG it is the sweetest most adorable thing I have ever read.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/the-gentlemans-guide-to-vice-and-virtue-by-mackenzi-lee/
FYI I also wrote a fanfiction for this series called After the End https://archiveofourown.org/works/15287775/chapters/35465376
• Wojtek: War Hero Bear by Jenny Robertson (Author), Tim Archbold (Illustrator) – This book was adorable, fluffy and heartbreaking read all at the same time. If you are looking for an interested WW2 story I’d recommend Wojtek over novels like Code Name Verity any day.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/06/09/wojtek-war-hero-bear-by-jenny-robertson-author-tim-archbold-illustrator/
• Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco – Now, I am self-confessed nerd when it comes to all things Jack the Ripper and have many theories about the Whitechapel Murders that I am considering doing a blog series discussing the validity of each theory. Stalking Jack the Ripper was dark, gritty, humorous and sweet while diving deep into London’s underbelly in one of the darkest moments in London’s history that is still talking about to this day. I can’t wait to read Hunting Prince Dracula and Escaping from Houdini as soon as I can. And despite common opinion I actually really loved the ending of SJTR.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/stalking-jack-the-ripper-by-kerri-maniscalco-review/
CLASSIC
Now I will be the first person to say I hate classics, but I recently found I format I can read them in. So, I am recommending another published by Udon Entertainment who create manga version of classic novels my favourite include A Scarlet Letter, Jane Eyre and Stories from Edgar Allen Poe.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/the-stories-of-edgar-allen-poe-manga-classics-by-stacey-king-edgar-allen-poe-virginia-nitouhei-art-the-tell-tale-heart-chagen-art-the-cask-of-amontillado-uka-nagao-art-the-masque/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/the-scarlet-letter-manga-classics-by-crystal-s-chan-sunneko-lee-w-t-francis-nathaniel-hawthorne-review/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/jane-eyre-manga-classics-review/
CONTEMPORARY
• She Was Born a Good Girl: An All-Girls Boarding School Story by Garfield Whyte – Another indie author but this was a great coming of age story about a group of girls in a Jamaican boarding school.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/she-was-born-a-good-girl-by-garfield-whyte-review/
• Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson – A brilliant, fluffy and romantic journey of self-discovery and finding your own way in the world.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/11/22/not-now-not-ever-by-lily-anderson-review/
• No Virgin by Anne Cassidy – While not your typical fluffy contemporary this is a hard hitting, dark and gritty story about rape and I found it to be a book that really changed my life.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/no-virgin-by-anne-cassidy/
FANTASY
• The Dragon School series by Sarah K. L. Wilson – A series of books I have been reading lately, we are currently waiting for book 16 and while this may sound off putting the books are quite short but the content is astounding. There’s also some disability rep in this story coupled with the fantasy and action elements makes for some addictive reading.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/dragon-school-pipe-of-wings-by-sarah-k-l-wilson/
• Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf – This just wasn’t what I was expecting and even the synopsis didn’t prepare me for what went down in the book and I hope there is more to come very soon.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/07/02/bring-me-their-hearts-by-sara-wolf/
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – Now, if you have heard of COBAB yet you have been living under a rock and need to read it right now, like right now! That’s all.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/children-of-blood-and-bone-by-tomi-adeyemi-review-now-we-rise-blog-tour/
• Zodiac by Romina Russell – I have only read the first book in this series, but it was immense. The world, the characters, the way the zodiac is used within the context of the story is beautiful. I will be reading more of this series and you should too.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/01/29/zodiac-by-romina-russell-review/
LGBT
• Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire – So two types of rep here; there is ace rep in Every Heart a Doorway and there is the most beautiful lesbian romance in Sticks and Bones. Despite the length of these books I adored them and can’t wait to read book 4.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/11/24/down-among-the-sticks-and-bones-by-seanan-mcguire-review/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/every-heart-a-doorway-by-seanan-mcguire-re-read/
• More Happy than Not and They Both Die at End by Adam Silvera – Anything by Adam Silvera seems to have a ton of rep but I have only read these two. I am hoping to get to History is All You Left Me very soon and while I didn’t love More Happy than Not I still recommend it but I loved TBDATE and everyone needs to read it and despite what the title says you will never EVER be prepared for the ending.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/more-happy-than-not-by-adam-silvera/
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/they-both-die-at-the-end-by-adam-silvera/
• Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee – More Ace rep here and I can’t recommend this book enough, it is amazing and highlights the common struggles teens face when they rise to fame over the internet as well as having to deal with everyday teenage problems.
https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/09/12/tash-hearts-tolstoy-by-kathryn-ormsbee/
VERSE
I only have one entry for this genre.
• One by Sarah Crossan – A heartbreaking tale of conjoined twins and their journey to separation. https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/one-by-sarah-crossan/
Comments