7 YA Book Series To Read In 2016

If you're an avid reader like myself, you've probably (at some point) delved into the world of young adult literature. How could you not? With movie adaptations of Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Divergent, and TV adaptations of The Vampire Diaries and The Mortal Instruments (Shadowhunters), the world of YA lit is growing ever more popular. So in case you're not sure which series you're going to dive into next, I've compiled a list of the 7 best series, most of which I've recently read. Note: my opinion does not reflect that of the Buzzfeed community or anyone else; these book series are my personal preferences, ones I've thoroughly enjoyed. So let's have at it!

1. Villains? Check. Secret societies? Check.

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THE YOUNG ELITES SERIES BY MARIE LU.

The main character, Adelina Amouteru, is our protagonist, but also our antagonist. In other words, she's on a mission to become a villain. I found these books highly entertaining because there really doesn't seem to be many books or shows from the villain's point of view, especially not a villain-in-the-making. A bit heartbreaking, this series, but definitely worth the read for such a unique perspective.

[Books in the series so far: The Young Elites, The Rose Society.]

2. Magical lands and sexy characters abound!

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A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES SERIES BY SARAH J. MAAS.

Maas is apparently a very popular YA fantasy author, known for her series Throne of Glass, but this is the first book of hers I've read, and WOW! Amazing. Totally captivating. Wonderful world-building and intense relationships. All the characters are interesting and oh-so-sexy. Really. This book has got to be one of the steamiest ones I've read, and not just in the YA genre. Plus, of course, the cool names - Tamlin, Feyre, Rhysand, Lucien, Alis.

[Books in the series so far: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury (to be released May 3rd, 2016).]

3. Epic dystopian world.

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THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY BY SUZANNE COLLINS

Obviously I'd have to include The Hunger Games, not because the series is so popular (though after all, they're popular FOR A REASON) but because of the writing and content. The characters, the politics, the combination of reality-TV-and-survival-of-the-fittest, the quotes, the relationships, all the intense FEELS about literally all of these aspects - this series is one you do not want to miss out on. The movies aren't too shabby, either.

[Books in the series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay.]

4. Supernatural abilities and mysterious pasts are ALWAYS major intrigues!

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CHASING YESTERDAY TRILOGY BY ROBIN WASSERMAN

This series came out in the mid-2000s, and it's not very popular (over the years, I've seen and/or heard maybe two people mention the books) but I really quite like them. Essentially, the books follow a girl who wakes up with seemingly permanent amnesia after a building collapse. She doesn't knew her name or those of her family and friends. She's labeled a Jane Doe, and the series unfolds as J. D. discovers who she is - and what she can do. Very quick reads, and definitely interesting for us as the reader to find out information as our protagonist does.

[Books in the series: Awakening, Betrayal, Truth.]

5. Fantasy, fantasy, and more fantasy!

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THE GRISHA TRILOGY BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Alina Starkov. The Darkling. Two of my favorite characters. Magic. Good vs. evil, and the grey area in-between. Love, lust, and obsession. Dark creatures that live in a total wasteland called The Fold. I loved everything about this series; the writing was PHENOMENAL. Even the secondary characters were fleshed out well. Leigh Bardugo: another master world-builder. Parts of this series were absolutely heart-breaking (I cried...a lot.) but that's what made them so outstanding!

[Books in the series: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising.]

6. Possible dream school? St. Vladimir's Academy.

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VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES BY RICHELLE MEAD

Rose Hathaway - badass extraordinaire. One of my all-time favorite characters. She can fight. She has powers. She's a half-vampire, half-human who engages in an elicit love affair with her mentor and instructor, Dimitri Belikov. Friendship is a huge focus in this series; seriously, Rose and Lissa are BFF goals. Actually, the whole cast of characters is #squadgoals.

[Books in the series: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice.]

7. I realize this series is not actually considered YA, but.....

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THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING TRILOGY BY ERIKA JOHANSEN

Definitely my (current) favorite series. Each book took me about a day, despite their being well over a combined 1000 pages. The writing is so simple and straightforward, yet so captivating and just plain eloquent.

Queen Kelsea Glynn is also another badass I fervently admire. She's no-nonsense, logical but appreciative of beauty, quick-thinking, short-tempered, often blunt, and unflinchingly funny. She's definitely a hero, Kelsea, but she never aspired to be, despite knowing from birth that she would grow up and become queen of an entire kingdom on her 19th birthday. I could enthuse about these books for weeks. Maybe months. The series is actually considered Adult Fiction, but it seems to me that the majority of the audience is young adult. Either way, if you love to read (especially fantasy, YA, or even historical fiction and sci-fi) please consider picking up these wonderful books!

[Books in the series: The Queen of the Tearling, The Invasion of the Tearling, The Fate of the Tearling (final book to be released November 29th, 2016).]