As I mentioned in July’s Reads and Reviews, I wanted to read just YA books in August and that is just what I did! I think I’ll be sticking with them for awhile but we’ll see. Please let me know if you have any good YA recs in the comments!
For the third month in a row, I started off the with what would become my favorite book of the month! After that, it was a mix of 3.5-4.5 star reads which I mostly really enjoyed! This month, I plan on doing half continuations of books I read in August and half new series.
August Reads + Reviews
#1. Red Rising – Started a little slow and took me a second to get used to the way the characters talk but once it gets going, it is GOING & Does. Not. Stop. Wonderful dystopian world building and backstory; very impressive in-depth characterizations – the lead is complex and his motivations well defined, the supporting characters are also strong, unique, endearing and the villain is menacing (and SUPER creepy) and feels like a true threat; oh and there’s ACTUAL shocking twists and turns. You can tell the author has so much planned and this is just the beginning of a much bigger story but wow, what an incredible start! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#2. The Elite – I was hoping this book would up the character development, world building & stakes of the plot. There was some but it all still felt very lacking. Even with the number of girls whittled down, I still feel like I know very little about them and the world, and I really wanted to CARE about it all more. Several parts felt repetitive or didn’t add much to the story and the love triangle is unrealistically drawn out with the characters involved making frustratingly dumb choices (especially when it’s so clear who is endgame). Despite my many criticisms 😅, it’s still a nice light fluffy and enjoyable read. I just had such HIGH hopes for this book/series ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#3. Sea of Monsters – Not quite as good as the first book but still super entertaining, fast paced and fun! I loved the character development, world expansion, numerous battles, Greek mythological monsters and the healthy doses of humor and heart. It’s so easy to see why this series is so beloved! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#4. Scarlet – Just like the first book, I found the beginning a bit slow but oh boy, once again, the second half/later parts really amp up like crazy and before I know it, I’m hooked on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen to these characters! There were some twists and turns throughout the story and I liked how they seamlessly intertwined the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale. I initially was a bit annoyed with the new character of Scarlet but ended up loving her as well as the other new additions of Carswell and Wolf by the end. I’m so wrapped up in this big story and just want everything to work out for these characters! I’m excited to see what’s going to happen with the addition of Rapunzel/Cress in the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#5. Unwind – Such a creepy premise! In this world, the fight over reproductive rights has resulted in that parents can choose to “unwind” their children between the ages of 13-18 where their organs are transplanted into others so that their life doesn’t technically end. It follows three teens running for the lives to escape the system. It’s very implausible and despite the horrifying premise, I found it pretty tame with the exception of one traumatic scene. I honestly really didn’t connect with the characters all that much and while I’m intrigued by the idea of the second book (it follows a “futuristic Frankenstein” teen made completely of unwind parts), I wasn’t hooked enough to want to continue with the series (at least for awhile). ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
#6. Throne of Glass – I’d heard soooo much HYPE about this series, I was so excited to give it a read while I waited for my copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses (by the same author) to arrive. I’m left scratching my head a bit. The setup (the land’s deadliest assassin must compete in a tournament with other deadly thieves and assassins to win back her freedom all the while someone is killing the competitors mysteriously one by one) sounded so epic, intriguing and promising but ended up being very predictable and even boring. The competition and competitors end up seeming like afterthoughts? I liked the two male leads, Dorian and Chaol, well enough (they were probably the highlight for me as well as the friendship with Nehemia) that I would be on board for the love triangle if the main character, Celaena, was just a bit more…likable? Less perfect in everything except for being arrogant? She (and the story) felt a bit immature… I know I’m being super critical. Despite everything, I did enjoy the book, it’s very easy to read so even with my critiques, it was still painless to get through. Once again, I think this is a case of high expectations. I do plan on reading the next book and from reviews, it sounds like it’s much better! ⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
What are some good YA series I should read?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliates links – if you purchase something from these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you for your support!
