It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? YA Epics

Since my last reading update, I’ve been working my way through a couple of trilogies that I have enjoyed.

I know, I know.  Pretty much everything in YA these days is a trilogy.

But I don’t mind that when the trilogies are as good as these. Both of these trilogies are epics, one science fiction and the other fantasy.  Both of these trilogies offer insight into the sources and tragic outcomes of human conflict.  Both offer nuanced critiques of ambition, factions, and fear of the other.

First up, I finished Shades of Earth by Beth Revis.  This is the final book in her Across the Universe series, which I have mentioned in Giving Sci-Fi a Chance and Fantasy to Reality.

What I loved about this series is that Revis can surprise me. This is no small feat–to surprise a literature teacher. Just when I thought that I have my predictions all lined up, Revis throws another wrench in the plot.

Next, I finished the audiobook of Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor.

Laini Taylor is one of the best YA writers. No, let me revise that statement. Laini Taylor is one of the best writers publishing novels today. Her prose and her insight into human nature (although most of her characters aren’t human at all) frequently astonish me. In fact, I cannot read one of her books quickly; even if I’m eager to see how the plot resolves itself, I have to stop periodically and just think about what she’s saying. Or I stop because I think, “Wow. What a great mentor passage that would be for aspiring writers.”  In fact, one reason I love the audiobooks of Taylor’s work is just this–it’s much slower than if I were reading the story on the page.  Her writing demands to be read aloud; Taylor writes for the ear.

What are you reading this week?

(“It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It’s a great way to keep track of what you’re reading and see what others are reading each week.)