1. The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
A lush fairy tale featuring a Witch that grants wishes, a modern teenager whose life begins to bleed into the otherworldly, and at the heart of the story is a beautiful fantasy tale as the Witch and Rhea’s lives become intwined. The book offers adventure, mystery, and a touch of romance. The writing is stunning and rare to find in a YA novel. The Waking Forest is a magical dream that you won’t want to wake up from!
2. The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Tierney lives in a world where women go through a grace year at the age of sixteen. During this grace year, girls are sent into the wild to release the magic they come into so that they may return to their patriarchal society. This book was amazing. Strong feminist themes and metaphors throughout.I was thinking of what books I could compare it too but honestly, this is its own thing and another book can’t compare. Wilder Girls could never.
3. Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
One of many retellings of 12 Dancing Princesses but in my opinion, this one is the best. This reads more like a historical than fantasy but there is definitely a lot of magic involved! The action is minimum and I personally loved that about this book. It’s a slow and sweet read you’ll want to savor!
4. The Wicked King by Holly Black
I flew through this cause I didn’t want to put it down. The second book in this series is full of tricks and schemes as the plot creeps towards something dangerous and surprising. Every character keeps you guessing and just like Jude, you’ll find yourself questioning every motive. The book concludes with a cliffhanger that will leave you yearning for the next book to come out as soon as possible.
5. Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
A satisfying conclusion to a great series! My only complaint is that it was too short!
6. The Toll by Neal Shusterman
I don’t think anyone could have predicted how this would end. Shusterman has such a way of creating characters. Many are introduced but all are distinct from each other. Greyson x Thunderhead forever
7. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
The tv series is one of my all time favorites and the book lived up to it. This is truly unique work of art. It’s a book you shouldn’t feel a connection with but every woman can. From a young age we are taught to take care of others. To tend to them. But what happens when that’s all we become? And how often in society are broken, hurting women portrayed as not only tragic but beautiful? women in pain are loved, and more importantly, taken care of. Sharp Objects highlights just how fucked up this mindset is in a haunting and thought provoking way. If you haven’t seen or read it, please do, It’s something you’ll think about for a long time after.
8. Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke
An illustrated novelization of the fantastic film of the same name. The pictures are gorgeous and the added content really fleshes out the movie.
9. The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in this One by Amanda Lovelace
I love Amanda Lovelace’s poetry and this was a great addition to the collection.
10. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Casiopeia, a young woman living in Mexcio during the Jazz Age, finds herself linked to a Mayan God of Death. Now it’s a race against time to help him restore his God status or he’ll remain human forever. This was a beautiful read that will leave you heartbroken in many ways. It was fun and adventurous but also rich with Mayan mythology and romance.
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