Since this is the last Friday in December, this is my last week of showcasing some of my Favorite Books of 2013. I have a hard time choosing, but my rules for these lists are that the books have to be published in 2013 and also read by me in 2013 -- that helps me keep it manageable! They also have to be memorable and well-executed, books that stay with me even if I read them six months ago, books that I'd happily re-read again.
There will be a giveaway at the end of the month -- the winner can choose any of my picks, or any book up to $15 on either Amazon or TBD. Open internationally, and you will have a new chance to enter each week!
Today I'm featuring six of my very favorite YA Series Books of 2013.
My first category is my Favorite 2013 Middle Books in YA Series. For me, reading the first book in a series can be like a first date. Everything is magical and I'm dreaming that the series and I will have a beautiful future together. Then comes that tricky second book...
Second books are where a series story can start to unravel, or really get revved up. And in all these four books below, there's a LOT of revving up -- heartbreak, fabulous new characters, shocking revelations, increased tension… if you aren't reading these four series, you should really try them!!
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Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo (Henry Holt)
Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi (Harper Teen)
Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi (Harper Teen)
Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer (Feiwel and Friends)
Now, onto our next category, my Favorite 2013 Final Books in YA Series. Ah, the tricky series ending. Love triangles must be resolved, breaking the heart of the odd person out and breaking the heart of those who rooted for him. Loose ends must be tied up, goals reached or abandoned, foes confronted. As a reader my main criteria for series ending is that the ending must be true to the story and its characters. Also, the ending must have some sort of resolution -- not necessarily a happily ever after, but something that feels like a sense of closure. I should sigh as I turn that last page and close the book, a sigh of satisfaction that can also have a little wistfulness mixed in.
I loved the way that the two books below wrapped things up. Both of these books featured endings that were slightly bittersweet, but that honored the characters I'd come to know and love.
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Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu (Putnam)
In the Age of Love and Chocolate (Birthright #3) by Gabrielle Zevin (FSG)
Tell me in comments about some of your favorite series books!
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I finished Champion :) Fantastic ending! I also finished The Delirium series which I was not a huge fan of the way it ended.
ReplyDeleteAshley @The Quiet Concert
Ooh -- thanks for reminding me about the Delirium series, as I'm keeping a list of series I finished in 2013. I agree, that series ending didn't have enough closure for me :)
DeleteThe COVENANT series by Jennifer L. Armentrout was an amazing series that I finished this year. I miss the characters! <3
ReplyDeleteAhhh--- she writes so many series and so quickly. I haven't finished any of them!! But great pick :)
DeleteI've read none of your list. but i'm planning to read Legend series next year.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, i'm more standalone reader than series reader. But this year, lucky me, i've discovered and completed reading The Giver series from Lois Lowry. I loved it.
I started the Legend series and the Throne of Glass series and love them both so far! Happy holidays and thanks for this amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSuz Reads
I got done with Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout! I sad their's only one more book after this :(
ReplyDeleteCan't say I have. I was suppose to read Prodigy and Champion but time flew by so fast and it seems I'm going to have to leave them for next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am always behind, so I am sure this series wasn't written in 2013 but I read the Starcrossed series and enjoyed it quite a bit. I also read the Hollow Series and while I enjoyed it, it's not one that I would revist or that I felt like I was living in, if that makes sense. I finally got caught up on the Mortal Instruments series this year too and just fell in love with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a series reader, I really prefer stand-alones. So, I'd have to say that I haven't had a favorite series of books for a while. In movies I enjoy series a little more and TV shows of course. Thanks and HNY!!
ReplyDeleteRichelle Mead's "The Fiery Heart", Uncle Rick's "House of Hades", Gayle Forman's whole damn "Just One Day" tearjerker series. Yup, lots of good readin' for this year, but never enough!
ReplyDeleteI've finished Divergent series by Veronica Roth this year! :)
ReplyDeleteEven though, it got a lot of heat I liked the Divergent ending, Allegient. But Champion was my favorite. The Legend series was entertaining start to finish.
ReplyDeleteI finished the Divergent series recently, but mostly I got "final" books at Christmas and am excited to get reading! Goddess by Josephine Angelini, Infinityglass by Myra McEntire, Boundless by Cynthia Hand... and am eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy of Evertrue by Brodi Ashton...
ReplyDeleteClockwork Princess was my favorite series ender this year! I also finished Lauren DeStefano's Wither series. Marie Lu's Legend series was my second favorite series ender =)
ReplyDeletei have difficulrty to get recent release so i'm largely behind in most case result: i can avoid last books in series for a longer time^^ so yes some of the series i've startedwere finished in 2013 but not i haven't read up to that book yet
ReplyDeletei started iron fey series by julie kagawa and the mortal instruments one
DeleteMy favorites are Bitterblue, third book in the Seven Kingdoms series by Kristin Cashore, whole series is amazing :) . And I loved second book in The Mortal Instruments series or Linger by Maggie Stiefvater too :)
ReplyDeleteI finished quite a lot of series this year, but my favourite one was the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa.
ReplyDeleteI've finished Possession series by Elana Johnson and The Infernal Devices. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI started and finished the Divergent and Faeriewalker series this year. Otherwise, I have mostly read sequels and standalones.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a second book, but it's the final book in a trilogy and my most anticipated. I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about Clockwork Princess. It had everything that I wanted and more, then broke my feels so badly I had to stitch them back together. Also, I said goodbye to my very favorite YA paranormal series, The Morganville Vampires, which I really enjoyed the book and getting to see the whole gang back together for one last time.
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of series that i havent finished yet..I dont think i have finished a series this year though... A lot of the books that i need so i can finish a series came out in 2013 and some in 2014..
ReplyDeleteI started my super sweet sixteenth century :)
ReplyDeleteI've read Under the never sky, Divergent series, Crash series by Williams
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning The Beauchamp Family series because I loved Witches of East End so much.
ReplyDeleteI started and finished the Legend series this year; Prodigy was my favorite out of the series. I also read Through the Ever Night this year and it was probably one of my favorite books I read this year!
ReplyDeleteChristina R. in the rafflecopter
ReplyDeleteCynthia Hand's Unearthly series - it was awesome:)
The Angel series by L.A. Weatherly and of course the Divergent series.:D
ReplyDeleteI haven't started Through the Ever Night yet, but the rest in that first category I TOTALLY agree with! In the 2nd category I have only read the first books in the trilogy but I'm really glad to hear they have good endings. Third books in trilogies terrify me!
ReplyDeleteI discovered The Darkest Minds series this year, by Alexandra Bracken. The second book was even more amazing! The final book only comes out next year - I can't wait! I bought the Legend Box set at the BD so it should be coming early next year.
ReplyDeleteI also read Champion by Marie Lu (final book in the Legend series) recently. I really liked how it ended.
ReplyDeleteIt terms of YA series enders. I really liked Sever by Lauren DeStefano, If I Should Die by Amy Plum, Angel Fever by LA Weatherly, Boundless by Cynthia Hand and Shades of Earth by Beth Revis.
Books in the middle of a series that I loved: Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, The Elite by Kiera Cass.
I finished the Eden series by Janelle Stalder which I adored. And also I finished the Riftwar Cycle by Raymonds E. Feist (over 30 books) with Magician's End, this is my favourite epic fantasy series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I loved Cinder and Scarlet this year and I finished The Infernal Devices series and the Die for Me Series by Amy Plum. <3
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty good list. I've either read the books or want to get my hands on them one day...
ReplyDeleteSiege and Storm and Scarlet are definitely on my favourite ongoing series list, as well as The Dream Thieves, Days of Blood and Starlight, The Eternity Cure, and Crown of Midnight. The Lunar Chronicles is one I started this year that I loved, The Darkest Minds and Penryn & the End of Days too.
Series I finished this year: The Infernal Devices, Soul Screamers to name a few. There's a lot of final/latest books in series I'm putting of because I am scared to read them (United We Spy, Champion, The Fiery Heart, etc)
I started The Raven Boys this year! I love the series so much and its definitely on the top of my list! I also started and finished the Unearthly series by Cynthia hand. I just really liked the ending on this one but I think a lot of people didn't (not entirely sure).
ReplyDeleteI discovered the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness and DEVOURED them on audio during my work commute. I started The Testing and The Archived, which have sequels coming in 2014 which I am super excited about.
ReplyDeleteYes,Lords of the Underworld - Gena Showalter,Dark Hunters - Sherrilyn Kenyon,Deadly - Cynthia Eden :)
ReplyDeleteThis year I read really amazing series :)
This was mostly a year for stand alones for me. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater this year. It was a second book that I enjoyed more than the first.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I loved Allegiant.
I started the Legend series, which I'm enjoying, and read Shatter Me and Unravel Me. I also finished the Divergent series, which was a bit of a let down. It was a pretty good year for series overall though.
ReplyDeleteGreat picks Jen! And did I ever! I started and finished The Iron Fey series by Julie Kawaga. I started the Lux series, Cinder, Blue Bloods (read like the first three), and my favorite book that started a series is a tie between Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea and The Beautiful & the Cursed! So many amazing series it's unbelievable I have to read them all haha!
ReplyDeleteYES! Chaos Walking Trilogy. AH-MA-ZING.
ReplyDeleteFor me Prodigy, Scarlet and Everbound were two great second books I read this year so of course I'm excited for their conclusions-still haven't gotten Champion at my library yet :( And you know I loved In the Age of Love and Chocolate-such a great series that I really want to push on loads of people if they'll just let me :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the Bloodlines series and the Heroes of Olympus series!
ReplyDeleteI finished Champion a couple days ago! And I also finished the Covenant series this year, which I loved. I am looking forward to reading Into the Still Blue! I loved the first two in the series.
ReplyDeleteIm on the last book of the Artemis Fowl series! I plan on finishing it before the end of 2013!
ReplyDeleteMary G Loki
Wow! I adore the Shatter Series.. they're amazing but urban fantasy isn't my thing
ReplyDeleteI read two amazing series this year: Honor Student by Teresa Mummert and Monster in the Dark Series by Pepper Winters
I finished an indie series and LOVED It!!! It will truly go down as my fave series EVER!!! The Red Sector Chronicles by Krystle Jones!! If you love Dystopian, with Vampires, with A LOT of action and adventure, with hot sexy romance and swoony bad boys, an of course them couple hot good boys? Then this series is sure to please!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway, (As ALWAYS ;)
Rafflecopter name: Vannah Batista
I read and love The Heroes of Olympus, cant wait for the next book
ReplyDeleteAnd I love too the Tatiana and Alexander trilogy, is so lovely
Oh yes, I finished several series this year. Trilogies: Divergent, The Chemical Garden, Ruby Red, Girl of Fire and Thorns, Unearthly, Legend... (my favorites were the last 3 series!)
ReplyDeleteOthers: Morganville Vampires, KMM's original Fever series...
Very much excited for Ignite Me next year!
I'm in the middle of reading Champion right now. Also, I read the entire Covenant series and I loved it! I have no idea how JLA writes so many quality books but I'm glad she does.
ReplyDeleteI can think of a LOT of series that I started but very few that I actually finished! :/
ReplyDeleteThe Shatter Me series, Divergent, Pushing the Limits series, Pivot Point(Can't wait for Split Second!), The Raven Cycle and The Dust Lands series were pretty epic! :)
I have to agree with you that Unravel Me was the perfect second book. You have been recommending the Birthright series a lot so I'll be checking that one out soon too.
Significance series by Shelly Crane ^.^ I lost count of how many times I've re-read every book... the series continues next year! I'm so excited!!! >.<
ReplyDeleteI read these series finishers this year: Requiem, If I Should Die, Shades of Earth, Foretold, Champion, Bitterblue, Clockwork Princess, Perfect Fifths, Dead Ever After, This Is So Not Happening, The Lucky Ones, With All My Soul and Boundless.
ReplyDeleteLoved the way The Legend series came to a close. And the Divergent series was amazing too.
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ReplyDeleteI read the Divergent series and I thought it was really really good. I'm looking forward to completing the Ashes and Delirium series though next year.
ReplyDeleteDoughnutAndCo.blogspot.co.uk
- Annie
I haven't read many series published in 2013 except finishing The Infernal Devices, Clockwork Princess was amazing. I loved The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta and A Song of Ice and Fire (I read the 3 books this year). Scarlet was a pretty great read, I'm so excited for Cress! I've got the Legend series on my shelf waiting to be read so I can't wait to start that. Thank you for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteI finished a lot of series this year! Divergent, Delirium, Across the Universe, The Iron Fey, Shade... and some more! I loved them all!
ReplyDeleteAll of these are fantastic books! I'm currently reading Champion and loving it and also have Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout up soon. I'm behind on Siege and Storm & Unravel Me, but loved the first books in both. Great picks :)
ReplyDeleteI finished the Legend series this year. I loved it. It was unique and I always had my eyes glued to it.
ReplyDeleteI've finished several series just recently and was disappointed by all of them. Allegiant was unimpressive from beginning to end, Sever nearly ended up embedded into a wall from how hard I threw it, and Champion was okay, but didn't wow me at all. I've been thinking about my top books for 2013 and am having a hard time putting together a list. It seems I wasn't particularly wowed by many books this year. :(
ReplyDeleteI didn't get much reading done this year with entering college and what not. I did buy Allegiant when it came out, but stopped after I got half way through. I'm terrified of the Divergent series ending. :(
ReplyDeleteI finished the Slammed series by Colleen Hoover which I absolutely loved!!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much read anything by Jennifer Armentrout, Abbi Glines, and Katie McGarry that I could get my hands on this year. All great books and I really enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Legend trilogy, and am anticipating Ruin and Rising, Isla and the happy ever after, and a bunch of others really.
ReplyDeleteI haven't I am almost done with both Divergent and Starcrossed series, but I can't quite bring myself to read the second book! And I started The Raven Boys series! Which is so amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have finished a couple of amazing series this year. This first one is one of my all time favorites. I adored all three of the books. The Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke. Beware of language and sexual content!! Sooo good, though. And the second was my first good experience with time-travel and I loved every second of it. The Ruby Red trilogy by Kerstin Geir. Very, very good!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Legend trilogy definitely makes my list! And so does With All My Soul- the last book in the Soul Screamers series! :) I read so many other great conclusions to my favorite series- Unbreakable, If I Should Die, Shades of Earth, etc- I can't keep track anymore!
ReplyDeleteI finished Kane Chronicles series this year.And i'm planning to read Legend series :D
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying Eon and The Infernal Devices!
ReplyDeleteSoul screamers, Infernal devices, Covenant, Delirium, Morganville vampires, Unearthly, Love me with lies...
ReplyDeleteI read all 3 of the published books in Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits series and they were AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI read the Infernal Devices~!
ReplyDeleteI definitely started more series this year than I finished. The one final book I really remember finishing was Delirium. Wasn't really enthralled with it.
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