Best of YA Fantasy Series 2019

I have a love hate relationship with series. I am more of a binge reader/watcher so although one series ended in 2019, for the other two series, I just read the first one or two books in the series, but I am going by potential and hoping that they don't fizzle and die by book 3.

1.  Throne of Glass series

Book 1: Throne of Glass (Linked above)

Book 2: Crown of Midnight

Book 3: Heir of Fire

Book 4: Queen of Shadows

Book 5: Empire of Storms

Book 6: Tower of Dawn

Book 7: Kingdom of Ash

Why:  The author, Ms. Maas uses enough novels and enough time in between to sell a full saga that includes more than just the main character, Aelin. The last book was disappointing, but the six that came before were too juicy to miss. 

2.  The Skybound Saga

Why

What makes this book one interesting is the concept of the raptor birds who almost take the place of "dragons" in this genre in that they are elusive, they are the key to winning and the best trainer is best because of some ancient and as yet untapped ability to connect and communicate with the animal (in this case, birds).

I also enjoyed the complicated relationship between the twins, mostly because I have twin grandkids. The dynamic between twins is always unique even over mere siblings and this book captured it well. Add to that adventure, love interests, betrayal and just the first leg in the journey (the hunt for the ghost eagle) and London has done a great job of reeling in and engaging the reader. 

Book 2 Red Skies Falling came out in 2019, just that I did not get a chance to access it. 

3.  Folk of the Air series

Why:

For book 1: Jude is a flawed protagonist who is both clever, stubborn, brave and unsure of herself. She watches her parents get murdered by her half sister's father (fey), is taken in by him (along with her half sister and her twin). This is enough to cause teen angst and rage. And yet Jude is complicated. She feels more comfortable in this world than the mortal world. She both hates her step father and craves his acceptance. Love, sisterhood, romance, familial love, friendship. . . everything is so juicily complicated. 

For book 2: The Wicked King  I think what makes this book so binge worthy is that it is so complicated. I know I said that in the first review, but as someone who reads a lot of this genre, I was still surprised at what happens in the story. The characters do not do what I think they will do. They also do not react the way I think they do. I am left questioning motives, emotions, schemes. . .all the best things. 

The last book Queen of Nothing also came out in 2019 but I still did not have a chance to read it.