[If You Like This…You’ll Like This] Popular and Underrated Releases

Did you ask for some book recs? No, probably not, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make. I wanted to do a sort of Monthly Recommendation feature because who isn’t looking for more books to read (even if we already have 1000 books on our TBR and, like, 10 ARCs to read, but WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THAT)? And this month’s theme is recommending lesser known books/series that are similar to some super popular YA books/series we’ve probably already read (or tried to read).

Feel free to click on the links below the pictures of the suggested books if they interest you to learn more about them from Goodreads!

…if you like BAMF as female characters.

Poison Study

…if you like assassins.

 Grave Mercy

You want some more female badassery and assassins in a fantasy world? Meet Yelena and Ismae! I haven’t read either of these books, to be honest, but I’ve heard fantastic things about both, and who doesn’t want more kick-ass leading ladies in YA fiction?

…if you like the Beauty and the Beast/hate-to-love romance.

Cruel Beauty

…if you like the more mature YA fantasy with the magic and the sex (what, you can like both).

Uprooted

You want some more push-and-pull romance set in a rich world with magic? Look no further than these two. Cruel Beauty is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, while Uprooted is told as if it’s a fairy tale (and has some ~steamy scenes~, I’ve heard). Again, I haven’t read either, but I’ve heard pretty positive things.

(Look at how certified I am.)

…if you like a YA dystopian novel that actually makes you think.

Unwind

 The Program

You want a YA dystopian novel that actually explores a terrifying world and instead of being a cliche? These two are some of my favorite dystopians ever. Unwind explores a world in which pro-life and pro-choice advocates have decided that the solution is to send their kids off to be unwound, a process where people take apart their bodies and give their parts to someone else who needs them. The Program takes place in a world where suicide has gotten out of control, and the government will take you away if you become depressed and take away your memories. Read them and weep (literally).

…if you like a diverse gang of anti-heroes and heists.

The Young Elites

…if you want a mature YA/Adult fantasy with assholes as main characters.

 Prince of Thorns

You want to read a fantasy book about a gang of anti-heroes or villains? Both of these books have anti-heroes/villains in the main role in their books. I’ve only read The Young Elites (and I love it), but I’ve heard good things about Prince of Thorns (I will say that if you’re sensitive to violence and rape, that you probably shouldn’t read it, since this is a bit heavier)!

…if you like romance and interweaving sci-fi stories in space.

The Starbound Trilogy

You want a YA sci-fi series with gorgeous covers, awesome main ladies, and a different story in each book that ends up coming together in the end? Here we have the Starbound trilogy, which is one that I haven’t finished yet (oops), but the first book was brilliant, and I don’t doubt that the sequels will be just as terrific.

…if you like the romance and the fluff with angels.

Unearthly

…if you like the grey area the Shadowhunters vs Downworlders conflict exposes and like dystopian and forbidden romance.

Angelfall

…if you want a read-alike.

The Girl at Midnight

You want a YA PNR/fantasy series surrounding angels and/or various magical creatures?Unearthly and Angelfall are two of my favorite trilogies dealing with angels (which are one of my favorite PNR creatures), and The Girl at Midnight has literally been pitched as the next Mortal Instruments, so, that’s a pretty easy target.

…if you like a fluffier, less serious dystopian with some pretty okay plot twists, an addictive quality, and a smart main character.

The Testing

You want a lighter YA dystopian with a realistic female lead and no love triangle? The Testing is definitely for you! I know that I said this was one of my least favorite series, but all bookworms don’t share the same opinion, so I know that this might become a favorite series for some!

…if you like magic schools and a magical fantasy world.

The Seven Realms Series

You want a complex YA fantasy series with a magic school? Here’s the Seven Realms series! I actually thought the first book was meh, but I’ve heard that the next three books are better, PLUS, there’s a magic school in Book 2, and I love magical schools. They’re one of my weaknesses. I will say, this is heavier and deals with court stuff, like kings and queens, but there’s thieves! And Han (who’s always a plus)!

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy

You want a complex, creative, weird YA PNR series with chaos and beautiful writing and an awesome author to boot? You may have heard of a little series called Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It deals with angels and demons and a main character with blue hair and everything is weird, and you might not know what the heck is going on about 90% of the time, but that’s what makes it so great!

(Image from Playbuzz)

…if you like a quirky cast of characters.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story

…if you like the character development and/or the weird situations Green’s characters get caught up in.

Before I Fall

…if you like the dark humor/being sad in general.

 Falling into Place

You want a YA contemporary with great characters, weird premises, and a little bit of dark humor? Before I Fall and Falling into Place are some of my favorite contemporary reads, and I’ve yet to read It’s Kind of a Funny Story (SHAME), but, again, I’ve heard fantastic things about it.

…if you like a main character who’s not what she seems.

The Stranger Game

…if you like a story that keeps you on the edge of your toes.

This is Our Story

…if you like a mature YA thriller/horror with a smart main character.

Ten

You want a twisty YA thriller that isn’t cliche or juvenile? Here are three of my favorite YA thrillers who have fantastic premises and deliver them and don’t treat its readers like kids that need to be told every little thing. Go on, be thrilled!

And that’s it for the first ever edition of “If You Like This…You’ll Like This”! I hope you enjoyed it, especially since I worked so hard on it, and it took a while for me to think up some good recommendations.

Have you read any of these books? What do you think about my choices? Are there any books you’ve read that are similar to these super popular YA series/books?

Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Twitter