Jul 20

Jul 20 {Book Matchmaker} Unah Wants a Dash of Magic, Adventure and Romance

Today’s book matchmaker victim participant is Unah, who likes a bit of everything, but especially likes young adult fiction with adventure, romance and magic.

We’ve got a mix of suggestions from all the CEFS contributors, drawing on a bunch of different genres. But first, Unah’s responses to our very scientific questionaire.

YA or Adult: YA

Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery/Thriller, Magical Realism, Steampunk

Narrative Style: First Person, Multiple POV, Graphic Novel or Graphic Elements, Present Tense, Past Tense, Male POV, Main Character or Narrator, Female POV, Main Character or Narrator

Swoon Factor: 3

Gross Out Factor: 2

Fluff Factor: 2

Smut Factor: 4

Likes: The Lost Hero, Percy Jackson, Wild Magic, Sabriel, Lireal, Abhorsen, Keys to the Kingdom, Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, I am Number Four, Power of Six

Dislikes: Stories with no plot (not Twilight *cough*)

The Recommendations!

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

…somehow, even in the worst of times, the tiniest fragments of good survive. It was the grip in which one held those fragments that counted.

Laura recommends Melina Marchetta’s fantasy series as an outstanding mix of all the qualities Unah likes. And, because it’s Melina Marchetta, the character development is second to none.

{Amazon | Goodreads}

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

A little danger adds spice to life.

Rebeca aka Renegade suggests Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief series as a great choice. While it starts a bit slowly, the book is full of twists and turns that will definitely surprise.

{Amazon | Goodreads}

Partials by Dan Wells

The last to fall were the buildings, distant and solemn, the gravestones for an entire world.

Laura suggests Dan Wells’ post-apocalyptic novel, Partials, which has quite a few science fiction elements and is action-packed and full of twists and turns.

{Amazon | Goodreads}

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The first thing I notice is the sky, so full of blue and the kind of brilliant white clouds that make you ecstatic to have eyes. Nothing can go wrong under this sky…

I love this book. I know it’s generally categorized as “contemporary,” but I think it’s got overtones of magical realism. The Sky is Everywhere has a very swoonworthy romance, but it’s really about a personal journey following a loss. It’s an unusual story that people seem to adore or not like at all.

{Amazon | Goodreads}

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Sometimes…a person is up against more than they can handle. And sometimes a person loses, no matter what they’re fighting for.

I’ve been meaning to write a review of Jessi Kirby’s debut for awhile now, and just haven’t gotten to it. This is a beautiful little book about a girl who moves to the beach town her late mother grew up in. She explores family history and finds herself in this journey.

{Amazon | Goodreads}

What would you add to Unah’s recommendations? There are lots of great options for someone with her taste, I’m sure!