I’ve been trying to space out these posts as there aren’t that many series I’ve either finished or read enough of to talk about in them. I also read a lot of series when I was younger that I don’t think are very good now.
The Last Hours by Cassandra Clare
I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this series. It’s tied first, with The Dark Artifices (controversial, I know) as my favourite of Cassandra Clare’s. The Infernal Device is second, so don’t worry about that. I think everyone agrees that The Mortal Instruments, while good, isn’t her best.
There are many elements of this series that I adore: the time period, the characters, the relationships. I don’t want to spoil too much in case you haven’t read this, but Cordelia and James are two of my all time favourite characters. Cordelia is my favourite female character ever, with Inej from Six of Crows (also mentioned in this post) in a very close second. Basically I love a woman with a sharp weapon and wit.
Synopsis: An inheritance of shadows. A love in chains. An unconquerable foe.
Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.
But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia’s friends discover that a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Everyone has read this by now and I’d say the majority of people would agree with it being one of the best series (technically a duology) of all time. I’m getting the itch to read this again, but I know I don’t really have the time for it.
There are also so many elements of this series that I love: the characters, found family, heists and the wonderful world of the Grisha. This series is much grittier than Shadow and Bone though, and much better in my opinion.
I challenge anyone who hasn’t read this series yet to not fall in love with every single one of the crows. I love them all for very different reasons and that’s because they are so fleshed out and complex.
Synopsis: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…
A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: Games That Should Have Adaptations #6