You know that feeling when you pick up a book that (seemingly) everyone has been raving about, you dive into it with giddy feelings, and you close the book wondering ‘did we read the same book?’ because it just wasn’t as awesome as everyone said it would be.
It’s (maybe almost) the worst feeling in the world. I fall onto the people pleaser spectrum of the scale, and I hate having to go back to a friend and tell them I despised the book they love with a passion. (Even typing that was hard.)
It makes me so happy when I read a book and can tell friends that I love it too and gush about all the awesomeness with them. Following are ten books that lived up to the hype for me with links to my reviews (if I was able to put it down long enough to write one).
Young Adult
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
I’ve read and loved some of Holly Black’s other books in the past. I love how The Cruel Prince brings back dark, dangerous, treacherous fey. I love Jude’s strong, vengeful personality. And I love all the backstabbing that happens. I need book two in my life.
(Disclaimer: this is all made possible by the world that Holly Black has created. In no way, do I support or condone befriending darkly dangerous treacherous fey, taking an eye for an eye, or backstabbing people!)
If you like The Cruel Prince, you may also like my list of 33 books to read after TCP (while waiting for The Wicked King).
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
An Ember in the Ashes features the traits that I love in a good fantasy: complex characters, a believable world, and the promise of an epic adventure. This was a fast-paced read that I couldn’t put down!
(Fallen, Torment, Passion, Rapture, Fallen in Love)
I remember looking at the cover of Fallen and thinking that it looked dark and gloomy. While there are dark elements to this series, especially in the first novel with all the problems the students have, there is much to love in this series. This is one of the few paranormal romances that I really kept up with back when PR was huge in YA.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
(Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter)
I’m always up for a good fairytale retelling. What I appreciate about this series is the sci-fi twist on classic fairytales. I also love the girls, especially Cinder and Scarlet—and of course Iko.
I was hesitant to read this because, as much as I appreciate a good sci-fi, I got burned out on the dystopian craze that followed Divergent and The Hunger Games. However, this was worth the read. What I love most about this book is how it explores what it means to be human through a world in which humanity has control over life and death.
If you can’t die, where do you find meaning in life? If a group of humans needs to be set apart to kill people to prevent overpopulation, what’s the best way to set up this system? How does the responsibility of taking a human life affect different individuals?
Scythe explores these questions through multiple characters in addition to the two MCs.
Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce
I first read and fell in love with this series in middle school. I feel like this series has more of a niche than some of the other books on this list, but I had to add this to the list because it’s the series that really launched me into the fantasy genre. These books have a special place on my shelf for when I need a comfort read.
Middle Grade
This book is precious. While it is also a book about a boy with facial deformity, it has themes to which most every child can relate, such as the desire to belong, finding your place in society, and working through family issues. I felt so much for the different characters as I was reading this book. It’s a book to keep, to share, and to reread. I loved this so much that I used it for a class project in college. My professor ended up reading the book too and loved it so much that she started making it required reading for her children’s lit class!
Fantasy
This book is the reason that I began getting into Brandon Sanderson’s books. There are so many things to love about this book, but if I had to name one, it’s the thought-provoking questions it raises. I’ll stop here, or I’ll begin rambling about them 🙂
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I have so much love for this book. I was first hooked on this book by the synopsis, which promises a fantasy adventure on an epic scale. The storytelling itself is number one on this list. The only downside is that book three doesn’t have a pub date yet, so I’m hesitant to recommend it to people. (That said, if you don’t mind the wait, I would totally recommend reading it. It’s fantastic.)
Manga
I rarely share about my love of manga on the blog. Unlike books, these series can go on forever, and I don’t want to flood my blog with manga posts because there are so many other works out there to enjoy. However, this post came up in the middle of my Detective Conan marathon, so I wanted to share about this one. (Note: Detective Conan is the original Japanese title. It got changed to Case Closed in the English translation.)
When I first read this manga, I didn’t get past the first couple hundred chapters because it felt like each “episode” was the same old story: a mystery, often a murder one, pops up, and the MC solves it. After giving it another try, however, I grew an appreciation for the tricks used in the cases and how the author interweaves the larger plot centered on the Black Organization into the seemingly isolated episodes. Plus, it gets me to branch into a genre that I rarely read (mystery/crime).
Chat With Me
What are some books that lived up to the hype for you? Have you read and loved any of the books that I listed?
This post was made as a part of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Sam@WLABB says
Wonder made me list too. That is a beautiful and incredible story. Who can’t get behind the message of that book? I was a fan of the Fallen books. I think I was late to the party, so I don’t remember them being hyped, but I enjoyed them, and keep hoping to get access to the adaptation (I’m curious).
Crystal says
Wonder is a fantastic book. I was late to the first two or three Fallen books, but it still has its crowd. I’ve heard mixed things about the film adaptation, but I’d be curious to try it out as well!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I still need to read Cruel Prince. But good news! I just found my library finally got the ebook! 😀 I’m still kind of on the fence about reading Scythe, but if you kinda felt the same way and then ended up liking it, I may have to give it more consideration!
Crystal says
That’s so exciting, Kristen! I hope you enjoy TCP. If you end up reading Scythe, I hope it lives up to the hype for you!
Brooke Lorren says
I got halfway through An Ember in the Ashes, and realized that I had to get my hands on the other two immediately, so I could keep on reading without stopping. I read the three published books in three days.
I have a few of the other books on your list on my TBR.
Crystal says
Nice 🙂 I also bought the other two soon after getting into An Ember in the Ashes. I’m listening to the audiobook of A Torch against the Night, so it’s taking me a little longer to get through the books though. I do like how it adds depth to the voices.
I hope you enjoy the books you have on your TBR, Brooke!
Lorna says
I’ve not read any of these. Books that lived up the the hype for me?Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay comes to mind.. I have read and listened and loved it both ways. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough were major bestsellers in their day and worth every penny. I am sure there are many more-this is just what comes to mind.
Crystal says
I love Gone with the Wind. I’ll check out these other books as well!
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
I love that you took photos. I haven’t read most of these, but I did love Scythe. It’s one of my favorites of the year so far.
Crystal says
Thanks, AJ! Scythe is fantastic. I’m looking forward to reading Thunderhead!
CG @ Paper Fury says
Oh oh I’m totally with you on so many of these! I loved The Name of the Wind although tbh I haven’t read the sequel because I hate waiting for finales.😂So I’m kind of thinking I’ll wait? But the first was amazing!! And Wonder was SO GOOD too. So important afdjksald. I want to reread it now. And I also am a huge fan of The Cruel Prince. 😍It was so gorgeously vicious!!
Crystal says
Same here. I’m hyped for the sequel to The Name of the Wind, but I’m hesitant to read it before they have a pub date set for book three. Wonder is all sorts of amazing, and I’ve heard great things about the movie as well. And I can’t wait to read The Wicked King. TCP is fantastic!
Christy LoveOfBooks says
The Lunar Chronicles is the only one up I’ve read. I totally agree though! I loved those books. You actually have a lot up there that I still want to read, so I’m glad they lived up to the hype. 🙂
Crystal says
The Lunar Chronicles are fantastic. I’m glad to hear that, Christy. I hope they live up to the hype for you as well!
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
I have Cinder waiting for me on my shelf. Glad to know that it lived up to your expectations! Great post.
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy Cinder, Aleen! I’d love to hear your thoughts when you read it.
Mikky @ Nocturnal Predators Reviews says
I remember adoring the first two books in the Fallen Series By Lauren Kate, but somewhere through the third book, it lost me. I may have to pick it up again to figure out what made me not finish the series (which I remember as being good) 🙂
Crystal says
I wasn’t a fan of the third book either, though it helps us to get to know Luce and Daniel’s past. I see it more as a connecting book that sets things up for the final book. Rapture made the effort of reading Passion worthwhile, at least for me!
Jordan Rose says
The Song of the Lioness quartet is the only series I haven’t read by Tamora Pierce, so I’m thinking its time I maybe get around to them. I totally agree on Scythe, The Cruel Prince, and The Name of the Wind! Great list!
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy Song of the Lioness, Jordan. It features characters that appear in later Tortall books, which is one of the things that makes these series so much fun!
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog says
I totally agree with The Cruel Prince and The Lunar Chronicles. I loved them both and so happy they lived up to all the hype.
Crystal says
So glad to hear that, Grace! I’ve already read the first books of TLC a couple times, and I’m really looking forward to The Wicked King 🙂
Ethan says
I’ve got Wonder on my shelf, just waiting for the perfect moment to read it. One recent book that really lived up to the hype for me was The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor. Stephen King mentioned it as a fantastic thriller, and it certainly was just that!
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy Wonder, Ethan! I just checked out the synopsis of The Chalk Man, and it’s giving me chills. I’m really curious to see what will happen. Adding it to my TBR!
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies says
I just read Scythe last month, and loved it. It’s funny, I hadn’t heard of it before, but since reading it, I’m discovering just how much people raved about it. I’m so excited to see the Alanna books on your list! I read those ages ago, but just finished an audio re-read this past week, and was reminded all over again about what a great fantasy series it is. Great list!
Crystal says
Same here. I picked up Scythe because a friend recommended it to me. Since reading it, I’ve been hearing great things about Scythe and book two, which recently came out. I’m excited to hear that you also love the Alanna books. They’re a big part of my childhood, and I’ve loved the other Tortall books that Tamora Pierce has written since!