T5W: Series to Start in 2016

It’s been about a month since I’ve done Top 5 Wednesday. The reason being I don’t know when it is Wednesday honestly. Either way, I happened across Sam’s video for this week and I decided to do one myself.

Before I get started, allow me to give my definition of series. To me, a series consists of at least three books. Duologies not considered series to me and such will be left out of this list. Whether the series is completed or not, as long as there are at least three books it is fair game for this list.

After completing my list I realised that I own at least the first book of each series selected, either in print or Kindle edition. So without further ado, here are five series I want to start in 2016:

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world– and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever…

This series comes highly recommended by one of my best friends and I just haven’t gotten around to reading it. It was one of the series I had planned to start and finish in 2015 but I just never did. At first it was because I didn’t have the second book. But then I had access to the second book and still didn’t read it! Now I’m hoping to get around to it in 2016 so I can finally talk about it with her.

 

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars of Jodan College, with her daemon familiar always by her side. But the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible struggle—a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold far North, Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: she alone is destined to win, or to lose, this more-than-mortal battle.

A series that was on my list to start and finish in 2015. This is one of those staple series that fans of fantasy should read. I have the first book, The Golden Compass/ Northern Lights, on my Kindle but I want print books. I want to order the editions that I’ve used above from Book Depository but they’re Scholastic paperbacks. Scholastic does terrible paperbacks…

And fun fact: His Dark Materials is being made into a tv show by the BBC. This should be the motivation I need to finally get on it.

 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

People have been raving about this series since it debuted and apparently, it just keeps getting better. Now I’ve never been one to join in on hype but the development of the character on the book covers (and the designs themselves) have me sold.

I did have access to these books while I was in Maryland the past few months, but my problem was a personal one: do I buy them in paperback for maximum readability and ease of transport back home or in hardcover for maximum aesthetics?

It truly is a life of vanity if you ask me.

 

Mistborn (Part II) by Brandon Sanderson

Centuries after the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is on the verge of modernity – railroads, electric street lights, and skyscrapers. Waxillium Ladrian can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After 20 years in the dusty Roughs, in the city of Elendel, the new head of a noble house may need to keep his guns.

I haven’t heard much about the sequel to the initiail Mistborn trilogy. Does it live up to it’s legacy? Does it fall flat? Initially planned as another trilogy, Sanderson accidentally wrote four books instead (I know, right? Who accidentally writes an extra book???). I’m hoping that means there’s a lot more to love in this new flintlock fantasy adventure.

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed… and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It’s the eve of war…. Choose your side.

More YA fantasy! I just love fantasy, YA or not. And this one just looks great. Like TOG the evolution of the characters featured on the covers has me more than intrigued. Also like TOG, I’m torn between paperbacks for readability or hardcover for aesthetics. It’s almost Christmas, can someone buy them for me?

And now, the red tape.

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