five series worth the hype
i never used to be a series reader but then i found worlds i just couldn’t get enough of, couldn’t put down and needed to know more about. these are those worlds & i hope you enjoy!!
a court of thorns and roses by sarah j. maas
books in series: 5 (& counting!)
synopsis: young feyre is swept into a world of mystery and intrigue when she’s forced to live beyond the wall in a land called prythian. the faerie that captures her is a cruel beast (he who shall not be named, iykyk) but soon she begins to see him in a different light. when a magical shadow starts to threaten this new world, and potentially her old home, feyre starts to work with him to combat the evil. over the course of five novels (& still more to come), feyre and her band of faeries battle friend & foe to protect their land.
my thoughts: i think that was the blandest review i could’ve written but i just couldn’t give anything away. you need to read this for the first time going in blind like i did. this series is captivating!!! i wish i knew more words in the english language to accurately describe how much i loved this series. i cried, laughed, GASPED. you don’t even need to like fantasy to enjoy this. if you’re a romance reader, i HIGHLY recommend and this is a hill i’m willing and ready to die on. there’s mystery and betrayal and deceit and such a sweeping romance, i still have not recovered. it is the standard by which i judge all romances. read this!!!!
favorite in the series: a court of mist and fury followed very closely by a court of silver flames.
magnolia parks universe by jessa hastings
books in series: 5 (& counting!)
synopsis: london’s elite live in style within magnolia parks’ social circle. they’re wealthy, hot and have private jets & yachts at their disposal. the only thing magnolia parks’ life revolves around, however, is her on-again, off-again boyfriend bj ballentine. they love each other but drive one another up a wall. they cheat, lie, scream, yell and hopelessly fall back into bed together. will they ever learn?
my thoughts: this series evokes such a visceral reaction to characters that aren’t even real. why do i still think about magnolia and bj to this day? i rolled my eyes, threw the books, felt my temper rise at their childishness but i ate. it. up. it’s an addicting read, i couldn’t put it down.
favorite in the series: into the dark
chestnut springs by elsie silver
books in series: 5
synopsis: the chestnut springs series can be read as standalone but is so much sweeter when you know the backstories of each character. it’s centered around the eaton brothers (+ a “brother” by proxy) and the small canadian town they call home. did i also mention it’s cowboy romance?
my thoughts: okay i don’t claim to be a literary reader, sometimes you just want a juicy, spicy novel that’s not complicated and makes you squeal with delight. this is that. elsie silver makes characters that are so easy to fall in love with.
favorite in the series: heartless
the simple wild by k.a. tucker
books in series: 4
synopsis: to calla, alaska is the last frontier and the last place she wants to be. her “father” —a term she uses loosely since she hasn’t seen him in decades— is sick and his neighbor contacted calla to spend some time with him before it’s too late. calla decides she’ll spend a week in the wilderness and promises her mother that she will not fall in love with a bush pilot. the first one she meets anyways is a total yeti of a man and just as brusque. between a strained relationship with her father and a rude pilot, she hopes to just get through the week and back home to toronto, until she starts to warm up to the idea of the cold alaskan wild.
my thoughts: this is perhaps one of my favorite romances because of how mature calla and jonah are. there’s no miscommunication, they work through their emotions and truly, truly care for one another. it’s the kick-your-feet giddy feeling i yearn for in any romance. you also get a found family aspect that brings you to tears. the way the bangor community takes care of one another & protects their way of life is incredible. i love love love love love this book. that being said, i think you could stop the series after the third book, the fourth is fine, just wasn’t my favorite.
favorite in the series: the simple wild
crowns of nyaxia by carissa broadbent
books in series: 8 (six core books and two standalones)
synopsis: ruthless, killer vampires and skilled (but mortal) humans meet every century for a hunger games style battle where the winner gets a wish granted by a goddess. oraya exists in a world that’s meant to do her harm - a mortal who lives amongst vampires. even though she was adopted by the nightborn king, she still must fend for herself. she’s determined to make a life for herself and enters the kejari. unfortunately, she quickly learns she may need some help if she’s going to make it to the end. enter deadly (but handsome) vampire, raihn. she doesn’t think she can trust him, but he may be her only hope.
my thoughts: …..this rivals acotar for me!!! whew, oraya and raihn make enemies to lovers my favorite trope! i was as obsessed with the world building as i was with the slow burn romance. it’s incredibly crafted and keep you wanting more. so far, we have the a new favorite fantasy for sure! i had to do a bit of research to find how many book there will be but it will consist of three duologies with two standalones (1 novella and 1 full length) according to broadbent’s website. the first duology + the novella are currently out.
favorite in the series: the serpent and the wings of night
