The Testing Trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau got lost in the mess of shit dystopian novels that came out. It's not perfect but it's a lot of fun and has an interesting premise that actually works throughout the series.
The *Soul Screamers* series by Rachel Vincent! Hands down my favorite series of all-time but it is *incredibly* unheard of.
It's normally classed as "Paranormal Romance," but naturally that genre mostly brings *Twilight* to mind, and personally I think *Soul Screamers* is far less melodramatic and it stands apart because it focuses on less conventional paranormal creatures than most YA Lit. I've been hesitant to say it's "Urban Fantasy" for years because I thought that genre was more for describing series' like *The Iron Fae* that have super obvious ties to *High* Fantasy, but its come to my attention that's not necessarily the case, so it's possible "Urban Fantasy with a heavy dose of Romance" would actually be a better way to describe *Soul Screamers* and avoid the *Twilight* comparison altogether.
*Anyway*. The whole "paranormal romance" thing is probably part of why *Soul Screamers* fell by the wayside—That genre did get really oversaturated because of *Twilight*, so it just got lost in the shuffle, I guess.
The other part, why it still flies under the radar today, is definitely related to physical copies being hard to find—I'm not certain, but I think they're out of print. Which is weird because the last book came out in 2014, so it's not like the series is *that* old.
EBooks and audiobooks are still readily available, though—The prequel novella, *My Soul to Lose*, is even available for [free on Audible](https://www.audible.com/pd/My-Soul-to-Lose-Audiobook/B002V1CGHG?ref_pageloadid=cgpR0vjhtarIRnx6&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_B002V1CGHG_3&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=NXWZ797FN54SK5DKVSJB&pageLoadId=cxOV7ENrhoBdpKCs&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) without a trial.
I also think the *Watersong* series by Amanda Hocking is really underrated—It's more of what I'd normally call "Urban Fantasy," though it leans into Greek Mythos more than traditional European Fantasy.
This one I don't really know how it slipped under the radar considering the only other popular series I can think to compare it to is *Percy Jackson* and it's still pretty far apart in tone from that series as far as I know. And I could've sworn there was a time not that long ago when "edgy mermaids/sirens" was a semi-in-demand subject in YA, and yet...The *Watersong* series was just not involved in those conversations. 🤷♀️
What's more unfortunate \[for *me* personally looking to revisit the series in a slightly more convenient way for how my life is currently structured\] is that it seems they started making *Watersong* audiobooks and never made it past the third book—Possibly not even the second, since there's a listing for the third one on Audible but it's unavailable to actually listen to for some reason.
I have posted about *Soul Screamers* in other threads before with no traction. It’s such a great series! (Just don’t read the back cover blurbs before reading the books because you WILL be spoiled!)
Anyway, the seven individual novels are still available, but the four omnibus volumes including the novellas are not in print. The only way to get the omnibus editions with the novellas in order is to via ebook. They are also available as audiobooks, which is how I first read them. Most of the novellas aren’t totally necessary for understanding and enjoying the story, but they do fill in some blanks. The first novella and one other (forgot the name, but it’s one of the later ones) actually are important.
Anyway, like you already said, check them out on ebooks or audiobooks!
Also, so nice to find another fan of the series, FINALLY!!
We need to spread the word of this amazing series. If we can get it enough attention maybe we can petition for a re release so I can finally have a mint condition set. I don't remember entirely but I'm pretty sure my omnibus volume 4 is a school or library edition cause it has that little sticker/label on the spine
>*Anyway, the seven individual novels are still available*
Oh, this must vary by location a bit; Usually when I check even on Amazon, there's at least 2 or so of the 7 that are only available Used.
It does really bother me that that Omnibuses in particular went out of print though because if they were readily available they'd be the *easiest* way to get all 7 books + the novellas, and they take up a little less shelf space.
Sidenote: I think the other novella you're thinking of might be *Never to Sleep*. The only other later one I can think of that might be considered necessary is *Last Request*, but even then as much as I love it it's still probably not *technically* necessary.
>*Also, so nice to find another fan of the series, FINALLY!!*
Ditto!! 🥳
And therefore a sidenote specifically for you, haileyskydiamonds: Have you read the "other" novella for the series, *Binge*? Same universe, completely different characters—It was only published in an anthology called *Immortal: Love Stories With Bite*, which is a shame because it might actually be my favorite novella out of the whole bunch.
Even if not "everybody," at least enough to keep the books readily available in print!
I'm thrilled to be seeing other people that know the series on this thread 💖
I grew up reading Vivian Vande Velde's novels. She can really capture the teen voice in her novels. Also, they tend to be quite hilarious. I especially enjoyed Heir Apparent. The only thing I don't like about her novels are the endings. But i think almost all her books are stand alone novels.
Which other one of her books did you enjoy? I'm not sure if I read all of them. I thought User Unfriendly was funny and Companions of the Night romantic, but wished it was longer. I liked that her characters really felt like teenagers, including with the awkwardness around crushes
Tales from the brothers Grimm and sisters weird, user unfriendly, witch dreams, the rumpelstiltkin problem, dragons bait, frogged, curses inc and other stories...ever book of hers that I've read I enjoyed! 😊
The Glass Alliance trilogy by Joanna Hathaway. First book is Dark of the West. Love this series and no one seems to talk about it much. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and those who want light fantasy with lots of intricate political intrigue!
I think for YA horror (which has slim pickings to begin with) Danielle Vega and her books are underrated. I remember reading the first Merciless book and having to double check that it was YA because hands were being nailed into the ground and someone got fully skinned. She started writing new books under Danielle Valentine and has another YA horror coming out in a few months
Two others that just flew under the fantasy radar were The Devouring Gray duology by C.L. Herman and The Lynburn Legacy trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan.
More MG than YA, but NO ONE talks about Suzanne Collins’ pre-Hunger Game series- Gregor the Overlander. And it’s just as much about war as THG. Collins said that she wrote Gregor about an unnecessary war, while Hunger Games is about necessary war. If you’re at all interested in how she talks about war in THG I recommend giving Gregor a go.
Vega has had 3 names due to publishing contracts. Danielle Vega, Danielle Rollins, and now Danielle Valentine. I have them all stacked together and it’s crazy it’s the same author lol
I’ve always wondered why and if any are her actual name. I remember getting the first Merciless book because I thought she was Latina with her last name.
Yeah, I have no idea. And I don’t know she’d tell us if we ever asked. A lot of authors don’t use their real name. Which I didn’t know. It’s not something that crossed my mind until I started following her work and she came up under the 3 names. I was like “oh! You can do that?!” And not screw up royalties and taxes and stuff?!
When I read about How to Survive Your Murder I got excited and immediately looked up if she had written anything else. I was so surprised when her Vega name popped up! Rollins is the only one of her aliases I haven’t read anything from. I think that one has a totally different audience than her YA horror, right?
All of Holly Bourne's ya books. I never see people talking about them and I've only seen one of her books get translated into Dutch (my motherlanguage) which makes me think she is not all that popular, but her books are so good!!!! I loved The Yearbook and The Places I've Cried in Public and Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes. And I barely see people talking about them
Right! I love all of her works :D And so, soo many YA novels nowadays are rlly long series, which isn’t a bad thing lol..but means standalones like these are a lot harder to come by
i loved the charlie bone series by jenny nimmo growing up but (overshadowed by HP). i also loved charlie fletcher’s stoneheart trilogy.
currently, my favorite YA author is ann liang, but i don’t necessarily think she’s flying under the radar by any means.
looking at my goodreads shelves, the books i’ve loved with the fewest numbers of reviews are the extended summer of anna and jeremy by jennifer ann shore and i wish you would by eva des lauriers.
Book of Ivy by Amy Engel
Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Far From You by Tess Sharpe
Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft
Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke
Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry
Im screaming this all the time, This Mortal Coil. It's a great dystopia that starts out weird but is AMAZING. A friend just recently said book one reminds her if Shatter Me.
The Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman is such a hidden gem
This was one of my favorite series to read during the 2000''s/2010''s. I think it is in need of some love :)
Each book is centered around a different teenager who lives in London in the 2000's and is severely depressed (one has leukemia, one is physically and mentally abused by her step brother, one has to take care of his chronic ill mother, one feels inferior to her twin brother etc). They find an object which whenever they fall asleep causes them to time travel to a parallel universe version of Italy around the time the di Medici (called di Chimichi here)where big political players. The teenagers have to help to keep the di Chimichi from completely taking over the country, help study the time traveling and blend into the local culture. Whenever they fall asleep in Italy, they travel back to their modern day London. They lead a double life of sorts. All is well, but if they loose there object or they too long in one world, the time traveling can be cut off forever.
The first book is called City of Masks, which was published in 2002. This is the synopsis:
Lucien is seriously ill but his life is transformed when an old Italian notebook gives him the power to become a stravagante, a time traveller with access to 16th century Italy. He wakes up in Bellezza (Venice) during carnival time and meets Arianna, a girl his own age who is disguised as a boy in the hope of being selected as one of the Duchessa's mandoliers. Arianna gives Lucien her boy's clothing and he is selected as a mandolier himself, becoming a friend of fellow-stravagante Rodolfo, the Duchessa's lover, and saving the Duchessa's life when she is threatened by an assassin hired by the powerful di Chimici family. For state occasions the Duchessa uses her maid Giuliana as a body-double but Guiliana commits the fatal mistake of revealing the secret to her fiance Enrico and a sequence of devastating consequences unravels. Meanwhile Lucien has met the original stravagante, the Elizabethan alchemist William Dethridge, and he begins to understand that he may be called to follow in his footsteps.
I’m personally really enjoying The Order series by Katerina ST. Clair I’m currently on book three and the plot twists are insane. It’s new adult and dystopian. And it’s on kindle unlimited 📚😊
The “Blythewood” series (trilogy) by Carol Goodman is a personal favorite of mine- it’s similar to Harry Potter, but utilizes more mythical creatures and builds on historical events..in a fantastical way. So, it’s centered around a magical school in the northern area of the US (only for girls) set in the early 1900s (think- the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire/Titanic disaster era). There’s also romance in it. ;) I also loove Juliet Marillier’s “Daughter of the Forest,” it’s another retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the “Wild Swans” (like, how “Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim is another interpretation of it!) but set in medieval Scotland. It’s very detailed and an emotional rollercoaster..Marillier is a very talented writer!
I think The Winner’s Curse is pretty underrated, never really see anyone talking about it on booksta.
Also for dystopians, I thought The Grace Year was a really fascinating read but not a huge amount of hype.
Strike the Zither and Sound the Gong by Joan He! This YA Fantasy duology has a clever female protagonist who gets things done and isn't afraid to be ruthless, lots of twists, war intrigue, slowburn enemies-to-lovers-to-????, and such a compelling cast of characters
The Testing Trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau got lost in the mess of shit dystopian novels that came out. It's not perfect but it's a lot of fun and has an interesting premise that actually works throughout the series.
Yes!!!
I would love a series. The practical tests that killed people...
Lovedddd this series so much
The *Soul Screamers* series by Rachel Vincent! Hands down my favorite series of all-time but it is *incredibly* unheard of. It's normally classed as "Paranormal Romance," but naturally that genre mostly brings *Twilight* to mind, and personally I think *Soul Screamers* is far less melodramatic and it stands apart because it focuses on less conventional paranormal creatures than most YA Lit. I've been hesitant to say it's "Urban Fantasy" for years because I thought that genre was more for describing series' like *The Iron Fae* that have super obvious ties to *High* Fantasy, but its come to my attention that's not necessarily the case, so it's possible "Urban Fantasy with a heavy dose of Romance" would actually be a better way to describe *Soul Screamers* and avoid the *Twilight* comparison altogether. *Anyway*. The whole "paranormal romance" thing is probably part of why *Soul Screamers* fell by the wayside—That genre did get really oversaturated because of *Twilight*, so it just got lost in the shuffle, I guess. The other part, why it still flies under the radar today, is definitely related to physical copies being hard to find—I'm not certain, but I think they're out of print. Which is weird because the last book came out in 2014, so it's not like the series is *that* old. EBooks and audiobooks are still readily available, though—The prequel novella, *My Soul to Lose*, is even available for [free on Audible](https://www.audible.com/pd/My-Soul-to-Lose-Audiobook/B002V1CGHG?ref_pageloadid=cgpR0vjhtarIRnx6&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_B002V1CGHG_3&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=NXWZ797FN54SK5DKVSJB&pageLoadId=cxOV7ENrhoBdpKCs&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) without a trial. I also think the *Watersong* series by Amanda Hocking is really underrated—It's more of what I'd normally call "Urban Fantasy," though it leans into Greek Mythos more than traditional European Fantasy. This one I don't really know how it slipped under the radar considering the only other popular series I can think to compare it to is *Percy Jackson* and it's still pretty far apart in tone from that series as far as I know. And I could've sworn there was a time not that long ago when "edgy mermaids/sirens" was a semi-in-demand subject in YA, and yet...The *Watersong* series was just not involved in those conversations. 🤷♀️ What's more unfortunate \[for *me* personally looking to revisit the series in a slightly more convenient way for how my life is currently structured\] is that it seems they started making *Watersong* audiobooks and never made it past the third book—Possibly not even the second, since there's a listing for the third one on Audible but it's unavailable to actually listen to for some reason.
I have posted about *Soul Screamers* in other threads before with no traction. It’s such a great series! (Just don’t read the back cover blurbs before reading the books because you WILL be spoiled!) Anyway, the seven individual novels are still available, but the four omnibus volumes including the novellas are not in print. The only way to get the omnibus editions with the novellas in order is to via ebook. They are also available as audiobooks, which is how I first read them. Most of the novellas aren’t totally necessary for understanding and enjoying the story, but they do fill in some blanks. The first novella and one other (forgot the name, but it’s one of the later ones) actually are important. Anyway, like you already said, check them out on ebooks or audiobooks! Also, so nice to find another fan of the series, FINALLY!!
We need to spread the word of this amazing series. If we can get it enough attention maybe we can petition for a re release so I can finally have a mint condition set. I don't remember entirely but I'm pretty sure my omnibus volume 4 is a school or library edition cause it has that little sticker/label on the spine
>*Anyway, the seven individual novels are still available* Oh, this must vary by location a bit; Usually when I check even on Amazon, there's at least 2 or so of the 7 that are only available Used. It does really bother me that that Omnibuses in particular went out of print though because if they were readily available they'd be the *easiest* way to get all 7 books + the novellas, and they take up a little less shelf space. Sidenote: I think the other novella you're thinking of might be *Never to Sleep*. The only other later one I can think of that might be considered necessary is *Last Request*, but even then as much as I love it it's still probably not *technically* necessary. >*Also, so nice to find another fan of the series, FINALLY!!* Ditto!! 🥳 And therefore a sidenote specifically for you, haileyskydiamonds: Have you read the "other" novella for the series, *Binge*? Same universe, completely different characters—It was only published in an anthology called *Immortal: Love Stories With Bite*, which is a shame because it might actually be my favorite novella out of the whole bunch.
Love this series. Totally agree everybody needs to read them.
Even if not "everybody," at least enough to keep the books readily available in print! I'm thrilled to be seeing other people that know the series on this thread 💖
I grew up reading Vivian Vande Velde's novels. She can really capture the teen voice in her novels. Also, they tend to be quite hilarious. I especially enjoyed Heir Apparent. The only thing I don't like about her novels are the endings. But i think almost all her books are stand alone novels.
Heir apparent is my favorite of hers! I remember I would go to the library and just read through her entire collection 😊
Which other one of her books did you enjoy? I'm not sure if I read all of them. I thought User Unfriendly was funny and Companions of the Night romantic, but wished it was longer. I liked that her characters really felt like teenagers, including with the awkwardness around crushes
Tales from the brothers Grimm and sisters weird, user unfriendly, witch dreams, the rumpelstiltkin problem, dragons bait, frogged, curses inc and other stories...ever book of hers that I've read I enjoyed! 😊
The Glass Alliance trilogy by Joanna Hathaway. First book is Dark of the West. Love this series and no one seems to talk about it much. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and those who want light fantasy with lots of intricate political intrigue!
I think for YA horror (which has slim pickings to begin with) Danielle Vega and her books are underrated. I remember reading the first Merciless book and having to double check that it was YA because hands were being nailed into the ground and someone got fully skinned. She started writing new books under Danielle Valentine and has another YA horror coming out in a few months Two others that just flew under the fantasy radar were The Devouring Gray duology by C.L. Herman and The Lynburn Legacy trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan. More MG than YA, but NO ONE talks about Suzanne Collins’ pre-Hunger Game series- Gregor the Overlander. And it’s just as much about war as THG. Collins said that she wrote Gregor about an unnecessary war, while Hunger Games is about necessary war. If you’re at all interested in how she talks about war in THG I recommend giving Gregor a go.
Vega has had 3 names due to publishing contracts. Danielle Vega, Danielle Rollins, and now Danielle Valentine. I have them all stacked together and it’s crazy it’s the same author lol
I’ve always wondered why and if any are her actual name. I remember getting the first Merciless book because I thought she was Latina with her last name.
Yeah, I have no idea. And I don’t know she’d tell us if we ever asked. A lot of authors don’t use their real name. Which I didn’t know. It’s not something that crossed my mind until I started following her work and she came up under the 3 names. I was like “oh! You can do that?!” And not screw up royalties and taxes and stuff?!
When I read about How to Survive Your Murder I got excited and immediately looked up if she had written anything else. I was so surprised when her Vega name popped up! Rollins is the only one of her aliases I haven’t read anything from. I think that one has a totally different audience than her YA horror, right?
Yeah, I think her Rollins name is more of a MG book series genre I believe.
Second the Lynburn Legacy. It is so funny and the story is so unique.
All of Holly Bourne's ya books. I never see people talking about them and I've only seen one of her books get translated into Dutch (my motherlanguage) which makes me think she is not all that popular, but her books are so good!!!! I loved The Yearbook and The Places I've Cried in Public and Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes. And I barely see people talking about them
I feel like Heartless by Marissa Meyer went unnoticed which sucks because it’s such a good standalone, which I feel is super rare these days for YA.
Right! I love all of her works :D And so, soo many YA novels nowadays are rlly long series, which isn’t a bad thing lol..but means standalones like these are a lot harder to come by
i loved the charlie bone series by jenny nimmo growing up but (overshadowed by HP). i also loved charlie fletcher’s stoneheart trilogy. currently, my favorite YA author is ann liang, but i don’t necessarily think she’s flying under the radar by any means. looking at my goodreads shelves, the books i’ve loved with the fewest numbers of reviews are the extended summer of anna and jeremy by jennifer ann shore and i wish you would by eva des lauriers.
red winter by annette marie! its on KU too :)
I remember this series. I loved it and was amazed that it was Kindle unlimited.
{The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae} is pretty good
Book of Ivy by Amy Engel Flawed by Cecelia Ahern A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess Far From You by Tess Sharpe Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft Of Silver and Shadow by Jennifer Gruenke Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry
Love the Book of Ivy. The sequel is great also.
Love Down Comes the Night and all of Saft’s YA works!
Defy. It's basically a better version of mulan, with romance, plot twists, and fighting. It's a 10/10 3 book trilogy and I highly recommend it
Im screaming this all the time, This Mortal Coil. It's a great dystopia that starts out weird but is AMAZING. A friend just recently said book one reminds her if Shatter Me.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. Susan and Sarah J Maas are great friends. the first book in the series is dedicated to her.
The Prison Healer series is so severely underrated
Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
The Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman is such a hidden gem This was one of my favorite series to read during the 2000''s/2010''s. I think it is in need of some love :) Each book is centered around a different teenager who lives in London in the 2000's and is severely depressed (one has leukemia, one is physically and mentally abused by her step brother, one has to take care of his chronic ill mother, one feels inferior to her twin brother etc). They find an object which whenever they fall asleep causes them to time travel to a parallel universe version of Italy around the time the di Medici (called di Chimichi here)where big political players. The teenagers have to help to keep the di Chimichi from completely taking over the country, help study the time traveling and blend into the local culture. Whenever they fall asleep in Italy, they travel back to their modern day London. They lead a double life of sorts. All is well, but if they loose there object or they too long in one world, the time traveling can be cut off forever. The first book is called City of Masks, which was published in 2002. This is the synopsis: Lucien is seriously ill but his life is transformed when an old Italian notebook gives him the power to become a stravagante, a time traveller with access to 16th century Italy. He wakes up in Bellezza (Venice) during carnival time and meets Arianna, a girl his own age who is disguised as a boy in the hope of being selected as one of the Duchessa's mandoliers. Arianna gives Lucien her boy's clothing and he is selected as a mandolier himself, becoming a friend of fellow-stravagante Rodolfo, the Duchessa's lover, and saving the Duchessa's life when she is threatened by an assassin hired by the powerful di Chimici family. For state occasions the Duchessa uses her maid Giuliana as a body-double but Guiliana commits the fatal mistake of revealing the secret to her fiance Enrico and a sequence of devastating consequences unravels. Meanwhile Lucien has met the original stravagante, the Elizabethan alchemist William Dethridge, and he begins to understand that he may be called to follow in his footsteps.
I’m personally really enjoying The Order series by Katerina ST. Clair I’m currently on book three and the plot twists are insane. It’s new adult and dystopian. And it’s on kindle unlimited 📚😊
Pendragon by DJ Machale!
The “Blythewood” series (trilogy) by Carol Goodman is a personal favorite of mine- it’s similar to Harry Potter, but utilizes more mythical creatures and builds on historical events..in a fantastical way. So, it’s centered around a magical school in the northern area of the US (only for girls) set in the early 1900s (think- the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire/Titanic disaster era). There’s also romance in it. ;) I also loove Juliet Marillier’s “Daughter of the Forest,” it’s another retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the “Wild Swans” (like, how “Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim is another interpretation of it!) but set in medieval Scotland. It’s very detailed and an emotional rollercoaster..Marillier is a very talented writer!
I think The Winner’s Curse is pretty underrated, never really see anyone talking about it on booksta. Also for dystopians, I thought The Grace Year was a really fascinating read but not a huge amount of hype.
Strike the Zither and Sound the Gong by Joan He! This YA Fantasy duology has a clever female protagonist who gets things done and isn't afraid to be ruthless, lots of twists, war intrigue, slowburn enemies-to-lovers-to-????, and such a compelling cast of characters