When it comes to book series’s you either love them or you don’t, and usually I love them. However often when reading a series you may notice that some books don’t reach the same standard you hold for the others which can be off-putting when reading a series, especially a lengthy one.
When it came to lock-down I loved reading series’s it was like a form of escapism, so I am going to compile a few of my favourite book series’s (which I read in lock-down) here in no particular order (you may notice again YA fiction is prevalent in this.)
The first series I am going to include is one I have read recently which is the ‘Shatter Me’ series by Tahereh Mafi, the series is made up of two trilogies, continuing the same story, the first starting with ‘Shatter Me’ and the second beginning with ‘Restore Me’.
The series begins with Juliette, a girl who’s touch is lethal and had been locked up for an (accidental) murder by the Reestablishment, no one knows why her touch is lethal but they don’t care as long as she hurts no one. The world around her is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17 year old girl. Now so many are dead and the survivors as whispering war, the Reestablishment have changed their mind, Juliette has a choice… be a weapon or a warrior.
I really enjoyed the ‘Shatter Me’ series and actually found the second trilogy even more enjoyable because of it’s intensity. I can’t really say much without spoiling but if you like dystopias and action stories with a good mix of romance and secrets then this series is for you!
Now, as you read my second suggestion you will probably roll your eyes at me, to be honest, I would’ve done the same a year ago. But in the first lock-down I discovered ‘The Twilight Saga’ and I do not regret it. Although there are flaws within the saga I did find the story to be enjoyable to read, which is what I look for in a book! I don’t think I really need to explain the plot summary but here it is summarised: Bella Swan moved to rainy Forks to live with her dad but she discovers someone ~mysterious~ at school (you know where this is going) who she finds out is actually a vampire!
Jokes aside I really enjoy the series as well as the films, I think they’re entertaining with a good story-line and love triangle. I was a little bit disappointed with the end of ‘Breaking Dawn’ which may be because I had watched the film first but if you want a lighter, enjoyable romance then ‘The Twilight Saga’ is for you!
(ps. I haven’t read ‘Midnight Sun’ yet but you’ll hear about it when I do)
Next is ‘The Selection Series’ by Kiera Cass which starts with the trilogy focusing on America’s time in the selection, and the others being spin-off’s about her child Eadlyn.
For thirty-five girls the Selection is the chance of a lifetime, giving them a chance to escape the life they’ve had laid out for them since birth. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being selected is a nightmare, it means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t even want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then she meets Prince Maxon, gradually she begins to question all the plans shes made for herself…
The first three books in the series pan out across the selection making you want to get through them all speedily (I actually read each book in the series in about a day) so if you decide to read them I recommend buying the whole series together rather than one at a time because they can really grab your attention!
The series has also been picked up by Netflix and is currently being adapted into a film so if you prefer to read the books first then here is your chance!
Finally, this one is a bit of a throwback, but I decided to re-read ‘The Divergent Trilogy’ over lock-down as it was my absolute favourite book when I was younger, and also the series which introduced me to dystopian fiction! The books are based in a dystopian Chicago world in which society is divided into five separate factions: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful) and Erudite (the intelligent. On an appointed day each year all sixteen year olds must select the faction they will devote the rest of their lives to. Beatrice has the choice, to stay with her family and to be who she really is – and she can’t have both.
Throughout the series the story-line becomes more intense as Beatrice discovers who she is and as the world around them begins to crumble.
I loved this trilogy and my re-read proves I still do and I will recommend this to everyone always! Especially since it was the first book I remember really falling in love with!
I hope you find some comfort reading this books through such a difficult time; these are only a few of my favourite but are the ones I read last year. I may end up posting a few more of my favourite series’s in the future but here are four to start you off (as well as the books suggested in my previous blog post ’12 Books for 12 Months’).
Let me know if you enjoy any! Or have read and enjoyed these previously, I love to discuss books!
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