Cinder

Cinderella comes to life in this unique retelling of the well-known fairytale that generations have come to love over the past seven decades. With a unique twist comes a story very different from the original fairytale. Cyborgs, androids and hovercrafts take over everybody’s daily lives in this futuristic world. The book starts off with a 16-year-old girl named Cinder who is part cyborg and part human after a traumatic fire from her childhood that she can’t remember. She lives in Eastern Commonwealth, New Beijing with her stepmother Adri and two stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella, where she is constantly bombarded with chores at home as well as verbally abusive insults. Eventually, Cinder meets the future leader of Eastern Commonwealth, Prince Kai, at a market in the city, who slowly grows a relationship with her. New Beijing, however, is distraught with increasing cases of letumosis, a fatal disease given to Cinder’s world by Lunars, a race that lives on the moon and is rumored to have mind-controlling powers. As Prince Kai attempts to avoid a war with the Lunars, Cinder realizes that she might be the key to saving New Beijing and the rest of her world.

Cinder is a must-read for those who love fantasy and retellings written to perfection. The well-known wicked stepsisters, enchanted dress and a missing shoe create the perfect amount of original characteristics from Cinderella with the additional twists from author Marissa Meyer. The use of drones, androids and cyborgs create an outlook on what our world could possibly look like in the future. Every character that is introduced has a unique personality where, even if you dislike them, will appreciate their character development and personality traits that bring the book as a whole.

The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House follows a researcher by the name of Dr. Montague who conducts a research study on the mysterious Hill House and all of its supernatural happenings. He enlists the help of three guests: Eleanor, Theodora and Luke. As they record their experiences within the infamous house, they begin to experience odd events such as loud knockings on the doors at night, a dog-like creature running through the halls, mysterious messages and even a room found covered in blood. The guests start to wonder if they really are going insane or if Hill House has a demented mind of its own.

The Haunting of Hill House is a classic ghost story, and the novel introduced a new genre in the literary horror world: the haunted house story. For the time period, it was an entirely original concept that shocked readers in the 1960s. That shock factor still stands with readers today. The setting is dark and eerie and the description of the house itself is enough to send shivers up your spine. The characters, specifically Eleanor, are very complex and detailed; they become familiar and comforting against the dark backdrop of the plot. Having Eleanor as an unreliable narrator was a great choice by Jackson because it added that edge to the already unnerving story. The ending of the story is shocking, and it leaves the reader with very little resolution, therefore making The Haunting of Hill House a story that is sure to haunt your mind.

Six of Crows

Six of Crows transports readers to the fantasy realm of Ketterdam, a London-esque society crawling with shady characters. The story follows the infamous Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind known for the cruel tactics he utilizes to rise up in society. When proposed with an opportunity that could make him rich for life, Kaz enlists the help of five other teenage outcasts in the hopes of completing an impossible heist. They plan on breaching the Ice Court, a military compound in the neighboring country of Fjerda. The Ice Court, crawling with soldiers, magical creatures named Grisha, and terrifying memories of the past proves to be a troubling task. As enemy clans and the entire Fjerdan army attack the six protagonists, it becomes highly unlikely that they will be leaving the Ice Court alive, let alone with the riches they desperately need.

Six of Crows is an imaginative, fast-paced fantasy well worth your time. The world-building is unparalleled compared to many other popular fantasy novels; the realm of Ketterdam, full of dark magic and crime, comes to life with every turn of the page. You can practically imagine the grimy buildings and shady figures framing the dark alleyways. The characters are also multi-dimensional and meticulously fleshed out. Throughout the book, the reader begins to understand the real intentions of these so-called criminals, and they gain sympathy that elevates the reading experience, specifically concerning the main character Kaz Brekker whom the reader will come to love despite his rough exterior. The plot is fast-moving and includes twists that keep the action exciting and new. It reads so quickly that it is hard to put down; I read it over the span of one day. Six of Crows is an immersive fantasy with expert writing that is perfect for new adult readers looking for some thrill.