Book Series to Binge Read This School Holidays
Book series aren’t for everyone. As a young adult, you’ve got homework to finish, chores to do, exams to study for… the list goes on. With only 24 hours a day, reading for pleasure might not be high on your to-do list. But with the school vacation well into its fourth week, why not take a break from bingeing on TV and games, and take your imagination for a spin?
Whether or not the books in these series feature interwoven plots to be read chronologically, or standalone plots that can be read in any order, getting into them (or any series) is a rewarding way to spend your time, because:
1. You Know What to Expect After the First Book
2. Characters, Relationships and Plots are Richer and More Complex
3. Themes Are Explored in Greater Depth
4. Resolutions are More Rewarding
Whichever genre you enjoy, we’ve got you. These completed series won’t leave you victim of author procrastination, so don’t worry about waiting years between books and having to re-read previous books to get back into the story.
For the Dystopian Fan
Unwind Dystology by Neal Shusterman
In a dystopian future where parents can choose to “unwind” their unwanted children, aka euthanise and donate their body parts to others, Connor, Risa and Lev are left fighting for their right to live over their parents’ choice to have them unwound.
The series follows the journey of the trio — a delinquent, an orphan, and a tithe (a child raised to believe it’s his duty to be unwound as an act of charity) as they navigate a society that condemns its troublesome children, teenagers and young adults.
From left to right:
Book 1: Unwind | Physical Copy, eBook
Book 2: UnWholly | Physical Copy, eBook
Book 3: UnSouled | Physical Copy, eBook
Book 4: UnDivided | Physical Copy, eBook
Check out A Librarian’s World: Sci-Fi Books You Don’t Have to be a Nerd to Enjoy where we discussed Shusterman’s Unwind too!
The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry
Set in another dystopian future but featuring different main characters and societies in each book, events in The Giver Quartet are loosely connected, yet extremely satisfying when you do connect the dots. Don’t let the deceptively simple language fool you. From a rigidly controlled society where everything — even feelings of love — is regulated, to an altruistic community slowly becoming corrupt, the tightly-woven narrative brings a level of depth that’ll leave you pondering over the rights and wrongs of each of the dystopian societies featured in the four books.
From left to right:
Book 1: The Giver | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Book 2: Gathering Blue | eBook, Audiobook
Book 3: Messenger | Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
For the Fantasy Fan
Penryn & the End of Days Trilogy by Susan Ee
Hostile avenging angels have descended on Earth. Penryn, her wheelchair-bound sister Paige, and her mother are fleeing the city when they witness a violent dispute between the angels that leaves one wingless. After her sister is taken by an angel and her mother is separated in the confusion, Penryn decides to tend to the wounded angel, Raffe, in exchange for information. Through the series, Penryn learns about the angels’ plans and motivations, and of Raffe’s past, and must make a decision between saving humanity, or Raffe.
From left to right:
Book 1: Angelfall | Physical Copy
Book 2: World After | Physical Copy
Book 3: End of Days | Physical Copy
The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
Set in London in a parallel universe with alternate history, fantasy and magic, the series tells the story of Bartimaeus, a sarcastic djinni summoned by Nathaniel, a magician’s young apprentice. After commanding him to steal a powerful amulet, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel become caught up in a roller-coaster ride of intrigue, rebellion and… murder.
From left to right:
Book 1: The Amulet of Samarkand | eBook, Audiobook
For the Romance Fan
Poison Study Series by Maria V. Snyder
After a year awaiting execution in a dungeon, 22-year-old Yelena is given a choice: to die, or to become a food taster for the Commander of Ixia. She chooses the latter, and begins her training with Valek, the assassin in charge of Ixia’s spy network. Slowly, she develops feelings for him, and a talent for magic, and has to find ways to secretly train and use her ability in a country that forbids its use.
From left to right:
Book 1: Poison Study | eBook
Book 2: Magic Study | eBook
Book 3: Fire Study | eBook
The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
17-year-old Kestrel is the daughter of a general from an empire that revels in war and enslaves the people it conquers. While wandering through a slave market one day, she buys Arin, a slave, on impulse. Despite their different backgrounds, they fall in love and must soon choose between their loyalty to each other, or to their countries. Fraught with secrets, alliances and danger, can their romance survive such impossible odds?
From left to right:
Book 1: The Winner’s Curse | Physical Copy, eBook
Book 2: The Winner’s Crime | Physical Copy, eBook
Book 3: The Winner’s Kiss | Physical Copy, eBook
