Hi all!
So I love reading book series. Adore them to death. But recently, I’ve found it very difficult to get into a series when I know there’s more than two books in the series, and I’ve found it even more difficult to actually finish a damn series. The only ones I’ve been able to stay on top of is my beloved Shadowhunter books, because I’ve been obsessed with them since high school.
I don’t know if it’s just that I have no time at the moment, no motivation or if I’m just really enjoying standalones, but I’m finding it difficult to get into a series.
Here’s six YA series that I really, really want to read but can’t be fucked right now. If you’ve read them and enjoyed them, let me know because your excitement might be the kick up the ass I need to get onto them!
1. Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalo
I find murder mysteries such a fun romp, so I feel like I’d enjoy Stalking Jack the Ripper. Many of my Goodreads mutuals adore this series and they’ve never lead me astray before. The only things that’s really stopping me — hence why I cbf reading this series — is that I’m not the biggest fan of alternative history novels: you know, the books where everything is the same except one minor detail — in this case, a young woman hunting Jack the Ripper and (presumably) bringing him down. On the other hand, the covers look so pretty and it’s calling out to me. Please tell me if you like this series or not and maybe one weekend I have free, I’ll just binge all three books.
2. Penryn & the End of Days trilogy by Susan Ee
Angels were really big about five years ago and I think thats around the same time that I bought the first novel in this series. Originally, this series started as an online original book and then the author was given a publishing deal — which is amazing! But it’s definitely a hyped series and I’m worried my expectations won’t live to the hype. Also three reviewers I trust have such polarising views on this series: one rated it two stars, another three stars, and the last rated it five stars. Who do I trust? I guess I’ll eventually have to dive into the first book and frigate it out myself.
3. The Gold Seer trilogy by Rae Carson
I adore historical books, especially when they’re YA. I have also never read a book about the gold rush before or a ‘western’, so I’m pretty excited for this one. I’ve also really want to read more historical fiction set in America. The only problem is it’s another kind of “alternative history” — it’s a western historical set in our world but it features magic. I’ve read historical fantasies that were set in England or America before, and for the most part I like them but I’m always hesitant to read them because one little incorrect or unbelievable thing is enough for me to turn off the book. That being said, a reviewer I really trust gave the first book 4 stars which is a win for me. If you like this series, tell me!
4. The Great Library series by Rachel Caine
I actually read the first 60 or so pages of the first novel in this series and sort of DNF’d it (more like had to return it to my library because someone else wanted to borrow it and I couldn’t re-borrow it and then forgot about it) and I quite like the main character, but didn’t enjoy the writing. It was very dry and a lot of “this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened”. Like a list being recited. However, I am really intrigued by this series because it just seems so interesting! I also love Rachel Caine’s other series, Morganville Vampires, so I kind of want to give this one another shot. Plus I know quite a few mutuals who love these books.
5. Ren Crown series by Anne Zoelle
I’ve heard really good things about this series, mainly the protagonist and her romance plot. The covers look absolutely gorgeous, but I did read the first chapter of the first book and didn’t enjoy it that much. That being said, you can’t always base your first impressions of a book on one chapter alone so I’ll definitely be giving this series a proper chance sometime — especially because all the books have a really high rating on Goodreads. Only problem is: five books! I can’t be bothered to deal with five books!
6. The Queen of the Tearling trilogy by Erika Johansen
Ever since Emma Watson said she wanted to make this series a movie trilogy, I’ve really wanted to read the books. I’m pretty sure I own the first one but have never gotten around to reading it. Unfortunately, all my Goodreads mutuals, who I trust, have rated this book 2-3 stars, so it seems pretty average. Who knows, I might have a different experience and I definitely want to give it a shot, but I don’t know when. If you’ve read this and loved it, let me know!
So that’s 6 YA series I really want to read but also … can’t be bothered.
If you’ve read any of these books and loved them or hated them, let me know so I can finally get off my ass and read them, or scratch them off my TBR for good!
I love the Stalking Jack series. It’s one of my favorites.
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That’s good to hear!! I’ve seen many people recently reading it, so they’re getting me excited!
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I hope you love them!
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I have been wanting to read the Penryn and the End of Days trilogy for ages, but I agree about the reviews. They are all so different that I worry that I am going to buy them and not like them. Because sometimes I am just in the mood for angels and romance haha. I also heard the same about the Queen of Tearling series as well. I was going to buy it but didn’t because reviews were a bit meh.
I have a few that I want to read but don’t have the time…I would actually really love to read the Percy Jackson series one day. I’d also love to read the Young Elites series by Marie Lu and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.
Great post xx
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Yeah, there are so many book series I want to spend a weekend just bingeing but im scared im not going to like them based on reviews from trusted friends! I have the first book in both the Penryn and Queen of the Tearling series already, so I may just try them when I have time!
I’ve read Percy Jackson, Young Elites and Shatter me! Percy is definitely my favourite by far — it’s so funny! I read all of the books in like a month a few years back! hope you like them! 💕
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Ok I am totally going to start collecting the Percy books then!!! I just wish I had more time!!!!
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Percy is so much fun!! Hopefully you can get them in a pack or something?? I think I saw them at Robinsons in a box set for pretty cheap (or maybe Big W)
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Oooh I will have a look!!!!
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The Gold Seer trilogy has really good covers! I have seen it on sale and wanted to buy it for that only XD The Great Library series! I have heard really good things about those books! I hope you get to red them soon!
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I’ve only ever heard of the first two!!
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Really? I’ve seen the others everywhere and I want to read them but I don’t have tiiiiimee!!
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oh my god literally same on Stalking Jack the Ripper, or whatever that series is called. i’ve been swearing up and down i’d read them eventually and i just…haven’t. same with the gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue! have you read that one?
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Yes! I’ve seen so many people recently reading and loving the books and that’s getting me excited but I literally have no energy to start a new series? Even though it looks like fun 😦
Yes I’ve read the gentleman’s guide! I also got an ARC of the Lady’s guide and adore both of those books! If you do end up reading them, I hope you enjoy 💕
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I haven’t read any of them and some of them I didn’t even know about 😭 but I totally feel you on book series because I also don’t have time and/or too many standalones or ARCs to finish!
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Ughhhhhh I will never be free of these damn arcs so I feel you !
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awesome post! I totally feel you on this, haha. there’s so many books I see that are highly recommended and I’m like ‘yeah, they look kinda neat’ and then…nada. if only I didn’t have to work for a living, I would get through my TBR and then look at these ones again!
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If only work didn’t get in the way!! We’d get so much reading done 😭 Thanks for commenting 💕
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Queen of the Tearling is great until the last 100 pages of book three – most dissapointing ending EVER
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Oh no!! I think I had heard that before actually, which is why im a bit hesitant to read it! How upsetting 😦
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It wasn’t horrific just very annoying
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I struggle with series as well, and up until I started blogging I avoided reading them until they were FINISHED because I refused to be like my friend who’s been waiting a decade or some shit for Game of Thrones to end.
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I used to be so good at series but the wait between each book is exhausting! The only series I keep up with every year is Shadowhunters. Ughhhh don’t even get me started on Game of Thrones! I think the first book was published in the 90s? And he’s still not finished 😦
Thanks for commenting!
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Yea, I am not patient and I hate cliffhangers… so series and me don’t mix haha. I think netflix binge culture ruined everything because I can’t even watch tv shows weekly anymore!
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Yes! I’m going to blame it on Netflix too haha!!
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Simply focusing on the one series I read two books from and that’s Stalking Jack the Ripper. Honestly, I’m not much of a historical fiction fan – AT ALL. I’ve always loathed history and was so wary of picking up these books but I ended up loving them.
On top of that, Fall / Autumn is.. like.. the PERFECT time to read these since the first two [don’t know about the third one, but I’m quite sure that one as well] have such dark and eerie vibes and.. well.. that’s pretty much perfect for the season, right?!
I really do hope you give them a chance! 😀
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I actually love historical fiction, so I think I’ll really like Stalking Jack the Ripper!! I’ll be reading them soon, thank you 💕
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Awesoooome! 😀
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I have the same problem! I never finished the Rachel Caine or Rae Carson series you have on your list but I do really, really want to get to the Audrey Rose books especially since I think Escaping Houdini is the last one! Good luck!
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I also started reading another Rachel Caine series — Morganville vampires — and I never finished it!! 😭 Why are we like this ? haha
Everyone has been telling me really good things about Stalking Jack the Ripper, so I’m definitely going to be reading this series!
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I actually adore the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. I’m reading the third one now and it’s going fairly well. The second one, so far, is still holding out as the best of the three. But I can’t say for sure until the end. The series isn’t perfect but it’s definitely got some interesting characters and fun mystery elements! As for Penryn, I LOVED that series, mostly because Penryn was such an amazing female protagonist in my opinion. The first book was the strongest, the second one was really good with the exception to its lack of Raffe, and the third one was just okay. A good ending but not as good as it could have been. All in all, I think it’s a pretty good series! Not the best, but definitely worth a try if anything!
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That’s so good to hear!! Everyone has been telling me how much they love Stalking Jack the Ripper, so I’m definitely going to be reading this series!
I’ve heard good things about Penryn, so might give it a shot!
Thank you 💕
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I feel this so much, as I have a lot of Series that I want to read, but not the time – especially the Series that are pretty long 😅 I did read Stalking Jack the Ripper and really enjoyed it 🙂 buuut I also have not yet picked up any of the sequels
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I wish there was more time to read during the day!!! I’m glad to hear you liked Stalking Jack the Ripper! hopefully I can read that soon 💕
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