Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Today we’re sharing Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype. And they are….
 (Chelsea’s Review) |
 (Chelsea’s Review) |
1. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Amazon * Goodreads
I just…I can’t… I mean…Elian!!!! I live for it! This book was everything a fantasy re-telling should be-original yet mixed with it’s roots without ruining the integrity of the namesake. And..Elian. I mean, come on.
2. From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
Amazon * Goodreads
I had NEVER heard of this author before Lukov, but when a friend rec’d this to me, I went immediately to The Wall of Winnipeg, fell in love there, then tried this beauty…and a beauty it was. Like nothing I’d ever read before, this book-and author-stole my heart.
 (Chelsea’s Choice) |
 (Cassie’s Choice) |
3. The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black
Amazon * Goodreads
Okay okay okay…this feels cliche. And a week ago I would have said ‘yeah it’s good, but it’s not as amazing as people say,’ and frankly it still is a very hyped book…but I just re-read it and, with all the twists and turns I knew ahead of time, it totally enhanced every little bit of the story and I AM DYING WITH OBSESSION for Cardan and the badass that is Jude. Can I PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HAVE THE WICKED KING.
4. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Amazon * Goodreads
I always get nervous about hyped up thrillers, as they can often be so disappointing if the ‘twist’ isn’t twisty enough. Safe to say I wasn’t disappointed by this book. I loved all the major characters and I never really saw the major twist coming. A brilliant YA mystery/thriller.
(Cassie’s Choice) |
 (Cassie’s Choice) |
5. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Amazon * Goodreads
I heard so many good things about this book that I did what I normally don’t–I bought it without reading it first, which I usually only reserve for books in a series. But I’m so glad I did because this book was amazing. It took the Little Mermaid and covered her in the blood of innocent princes. It had everything I wanted and more and I can’t recommend it enough.
6. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Amazon * Goodreads
So this one is kind of polarizing, as I realize some people hated this book. I get it-the format is funky and it’s kind of all over the place. But I honestly didn’t care. I literally couldn’t put it down and read it over the course of a few hours. Even though one of my least favorite thing happens, I still can’t get over the ending and how the entire book was written.
 (Arielle’s Choice) |
 (Arielle’s Choice) |
7. Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Amazon * Goodreads
Not only is this book extraordinary in the sense that the story is told in a series of e-mails, IMs, interviews, and pages of graphics; the plot in itself is so addicting and fast paced. Reading it in this format was something new and exciting and I am so glad the other two books in the series follow suit.
8. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
Amazon * Goodreads
This entire series is in my top favorites of all time. Blue, and her Raven Boys go on a quest to find a mythical historical figure. Every time you think they have things figured out..THINK AGAIN. Honestly this book could be read solely for Gansey.
 (Arielle’s Choice) |
 (Jen’s Review) |
9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Amazon * Goodreads
This booooook. This book is unique in the sense that it is narrated by Death. Even though you know from the beginning who dies, when you get to that point it still feels like a punch to the stomach. Such a great approach to a story set in a time period that has been writing about time and time again.
10. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins
Amazon * Goodreads
I was sooooo late to the game with this series, and also so nervous to pick it up. Everyone seemed to love this trilogy and I thought for sure I’d be the odd ball out. 7 years later Chelsea bought me this trilogy for Christmas. I devoured it in no time at all and loved each book in the series with my whole heart and soul!
 (Jen’s Review) |
 (Jen’s Review) |
11. Darkfever (Fever #1) by Karen Marie Moning
Amazon * Goodreads
Here’s another series that I was so many years late to the game. I was unsure yet again if I would truly love it, so Chelsea bought me this book for Christmas. See a theme here?! LOL! This series snagged me right from the start and I was completely consumed by The Fever Series!
12. Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Amazon * Goodreads
Two years after Obsidian released, I still kept seeing it everywhere online. Especially on Facebook. I’d never read a JLA book before, so I picked it up and became obsessed with the characters and story line. In the four years since I have read this book, I’ve read 30+ JLA books. I’m so thankful I gave into the hype since she easily became an auto-buy author for me!
So these are the Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype. Have you read any of these or do you have them on your tbr? If not, then what’s a popular book you read that lived up to the hype?
Ooh so many good ones! Love Illuminae – and Gemina – still need to read the third book. The Raven Cycle!!! I really loved We Were Liars too. And I NEED to read One of Us Is Lying.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…A Picture Book Review: Go to Sleep, Little Creep
The third book is definitely a great conclusion! If you loved the first two, there’s no doubt you’ll love the last one 😀 And yes the Raven Cycle..I think I need to reread that again ASAP. The Raven King left me with a book hangover like none other.
TKAK is one of my favorite releases of the year so far! ♥ So good. I also loved The Cruel Prince, and The Illuminae Files, The Raven Cycle, and The Hunger Games are all some of my fave series! 🙂 I just bought Darkfever a few days ago on my kindle and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Did you see that Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff announced another series set in space?!?!? It sounds SO GOOD. Someone commented and said they thought it could be a Six of Crows, on crack, in space lolol.
Yessss, I am so freaking excited! LMAO that sounds like the best synopsis ever!
This is a great list! I haven’t read The Cruel Prince, To Kill A Kingdom, and The Fever Series but they’re on my TBR list. I totally agree with Illuminae, Obsidian and One of Us is lying. I loved these books. The Raven Boys didn’t work out for me, but I’m planning to give it another chance.
Raven recently posted…The Gods of Men (The Gods of Men#1) By Barbara Kloss [Review]
You’re way ahead of me! I still need to read The Cruel Prince, To Kill A Kingdom, Illuminae lol!
I really need to read the Dark Fever series!
Samantha recently posted…Popular books that lived up to the hype…#TopTenTuesday
Oh my goodness, I thought you had already! I hope you enjoy it when you pick it up!
We Were Liars made my list too. It’s beautifully written and the ending left me in shock!
Right? I couldn’t put it down, so I read it in one sitting. When I finished, I remember just sitting there and not knowing what to do next. I didn’t see that ending coming at all!
Oh my gosh The Cruel Prince I NEED. I’ve seen all the hype and I want to try Holly Black, so I’m going to take the plunge with this one. Plus it just looks awesome. I was the same way with The Hunger games- I just read them LAST year. Loved ’em.
We Were Liars and One Of Us Is Lying- totally agree on both. Loved both of them.
Greg recently posted…Top Ten Books That Lived Up To The Hype
I am NOT alone lol! I just read The Hunger Games two years ago, Chelsea here on the blog bought me the trilogy for Christmas therefore forcing me to pick it up lol! I thought I wouldn’t like them, I was sooooo wrong, I loved them too! Looks like we need to pick up The Cruel Prince then! 🙂
Same! A blogger sent me extra copies of THG they had lying around so I HAD to read them- and the rest was history! Ha ha enjoy Cruel Prince!!
Greg recently posted…Contagion
Yeeeees! So many good books on here! And the ones that I haven’t read are on my TBR hehehe. Great post!
Flavia @ Flavia the Bibliophile recently posted…What The Flower Says of Death by Danielle Koste (Cover Reveal & Giveaway)
Thank you so much!!
The Raven Cycle is one of my all time favorites as well. Great list!
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Thanks! The Raven Cycle will always hold a special place in my heart…especially where Gansey boy is concerned 🙂
The Book Thief and The Hunger Games made my list, too. The Cruel Prince is on all the lists this week. I guess I should read it.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…July Wrap-Up
I need to read The Cruel Prince too! And YAY for The Hunger Games making your list also! 🙂