We read a lot here at Pages Unbound and we try to keep up with many of the new releases. Even so, there are plenty of popular YA series I haven’t read. Here’s why.
Caraval
This one was simply the victim of too much hype. Sometimes, when I see a book around too much, I kind of feel like I don’t even need to read it anymore because it’s already everywhere in my life.
Chaos Walking
I was never too interested in this series because the dystopian trend made me tired of the genre in general. Then I watched the 2021 movie, which strengthened my resolved not to pick up the series. Even if the book is better, the general premise seems overdone and frankly not too interesting or innovative.
The Folk of the Air
This series just seems too dark for me. I guess there’s no real way to know if I haven’t read it, though!
Graceling
I actually have no idea why I never picked up this series.
I Am Number Four
I understand this series to be about aliens, but I am not fond of alien stories or sci-fi, in general.
Legend Series
Another dystopian series? Yawn.
The Mortal Instruments
There are demons or vampires involved here, I think? Paranormal books do not usually interest me, so I passed this one up.
The Selection
Another dystopian world. Also, it’s kind of like The Bachelor? The premise of the show kind of disturbs me, so I imagine this series would disturb me, too.
Shatter Me
Even though I saw this around everywhere, I never quite understood what the plot was. And some of the Goodreads reviews say the prose does not work. I tried and failed to read another book by Mafi–because of the prose– so I suspect I may not be the best audience for this one.
The Star-Touched Queen
I just never got around to it and now, because I have seen it hyped so much, I rather feel as if I don’t have to. It’s almost like seeing the book everywhere makes me think I must have already read it. Or at least invested too much of my time into it.
Throne of Glass
Assassin books now feel overdone, and Maas seems to have a very controversial reputation–readers either love or hate her writing. I’m a little afraid I might not love it.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance in general.
Twilight
I’m just not into paranormal romance!
Uglies
I’ve said it before–I’m just burnt out on dystopias.
The Young Elites
I could never tell if this was dystopia or a general sci-fi or what. So I didn’t read it.
What do you think? Am I missing out by not reading any of these series?
Pages Unbound | Book Reviews & Discussions 
I’m halfway through the Graceling and I am Number Four series, and they’re pretty good! I loved The Mortal Instruments too! I am right now collecting the Throne of Glass series!
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I was at the library the other day and I watched someone walk out with the entire series of I Am Number Four so maybe I’m missing out? Clearly that person was so invested they didn’t want to wait at all between books!
I’ve also heard great things about Graceling. I saw the new graphic novel came out, so now’s maybe a good time to read the original series!
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If it makes you feel any better.. I haven’t read eight of them either. 😅
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Yay! I’m not alone! XD
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You’re definite not! I’m so behind on a lot of the more popular series that it’s almost embarrassing. 😅
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It’s really hard to keep up! I feel like more books are published every day.
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Lol, ain’t that the truth! We may never keep up or catch up.. but we’ll also never give up trying to!
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I enjoyed Folk of the Air, mortal instruments, and star touched Queen. They were interesting and I recommend you try at least folk of the Air. I have To All The Boys on the shelf that I plan to read soon and I want to get Sarah J Maas books.
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I know everyone’s been raving about Folk of the Air! Maybe I will get to it one day. Better late than never, right?
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The only one of these that I have read is Chaos Walking. I enjoyed it but then I like dystopian fiction. I haven’t even heard of some of these😃
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I know that there are some very enthusiastic fans of the Chaos Walking series! But…that movie. I don’t know if I will ever recover! XD
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I never saw the movie. It didn’t appeal for some reason
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Caraval – Read the first book, forgot to continue.
Chaos Walking – there was a brutal animal death and I haven’t continued since but also it’s really boring?
Folk Of The Air – Same as Caraval 😅
I Am Number Four – didn’t continue after the major drama surrounding Pittacus Lore being a fake person
The Selection – only read if you’re in the mood for an utter trash read, it’s so fun if you don’t take it seriously.
Throne Of Glass – read the first, it was terrible.
Twilight – read them all. Trash, but fun.
Uglies – see Caraval 😂. This is becoming a TV series so I better get a move on.
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Huh. I assumed Pittacus Lore was a pseudonym because, well, it sounds like one. But I didn’t realize the pen name was for several writers. That never really bothers me because I don’t think it’s that uncommon–I’m thinking of Nancy Drew and the Warrior Cats series–but I understand some people are a bit shocked when they realize books are being ghostwritten.
Also, yeah, sometimes I realize that a book is essentially trash, but…it’s so bad it’s good? Or at least really entertaining?
Mostly, I am impressed that you at least tried out most of these series!
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I’ve read nearly all of them, or at least some of the books in the series if not the whole thing. So what does that say about me? :p
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You…read more books than I do? I don’t know! Haha!
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Don’t like Twilight- dislike vampires
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Yeah, I don’t really care for vampire stories, either!
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Oh wow you have made some really good life choices skipping things like the selection, twilight, mortal instruments and caraval 😅 it’s not that I hated all of those- I enjoyed some of them at times- but they’re all so flawed and I ended up hating myself for having read them 😂 I did however hate chaos walking!! I also liked throne of glass but went off it. Don’t know what to say about folk of the air and young elites (it’s fantasy) cos I don’t know how dark you can take, but I did like those ones.
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It feels hard to judge with hyped books sometimes. So often I feel like the hype wasn’t really warranted.
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I get what you mean!
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Oooh, I /have/ read a book on this list! Haha, the first one of The Folk of the Air, early this year iirc. But I won’t be reading any more of that series. Graceling is my sister’s favourite series, which I may still try one day…
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Yeah, a lot of these I think, “Maybe one day.” But maybe not. I guess it depends what’s available at the library at any given time, really.
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We haven’t read some of these too! Though we do love The Moral Instruments, the original Selection trilogy and To All The Boys.
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Good to know!
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This is so existing because you are in for a treat!! The folk of the Air series is my favourite series ever and I am easily spooked so I can guarantee that it is not as dark as you think! The main character is cunning but in a delightful and clever way, rather than a dark, malevolent way. I hope you still give it a try! 🥰 I finished Caraval last year and I honestly don’t understand the hype. I really enjoyed the books but it wasn’t groundbreaking in my opinion.
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Hm, you might just have convinced me to give Folk of the Air a chance!
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I understand what you mean about overhyped books! I think the only one I’ve read was Uglies (and this was probably more than a decade ago!) and I remember liking it. I don’t know if it’s a must-read though.
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He’s now writing a companion series set in the world of Uglies and I’ve been wondering how many people are reading it.
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He is? I didn’t even hear about it haha. I think it’s lost its momentum (from a marketing viewpoint, from a writing viewpoint, he should write whatever he wants!)
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Sometimes I feel like authors who aren’t selling as well try to go back to what worked before. But…it doesn’t always work again. I haven’t seen a single person mention the new Westerfeld series.
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