TOP FIVE: First Book in Series

Hey guys!

Every week I plan to post 'Top Five' post where I give you five of my favourites. As today is the launch of my blog, I am going to post this today (Friday), however I will normally post these on a Tuesday!

In this weeks Top Five Post, I'm going to talk about my five favourite first books in a series. I'm going to limit my selections by only choosing ones where the books that followed I didn't enjoy as much, so lets crack on!

1) Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book! Tris was a strong, kick-ass woman and Four just made my heart swoon. Considering I hadn't read many dystopian books when I picked this up all them years ago, it really shocked me how much I enjoyed it! We won't mention the movies though...

2) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

Again - I was drawn into this book because of the strong young woman that Katniss was. The book itself was so action packed and it was just incredible! 

3) If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.

I sit up as much as I can.

And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

Oh my God... this book... I love this book with all of my heart! This book had me in a complete and utter emotional state and I loved it. I spent about two years recommending this book to everyone I saw, no matter who they were or what they liked, they got me gushing to them about this beautiful book. Seriously, if you haven't read it already, do it!

4) Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton 

London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches.

Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine.

I never see anything about this book anywhere! But I absolutely adored this book! I loved reading in about Witches in a historic setting and just adored the style of writing. Also, the covers for this series are absolutely gorgeous!!

5) The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

This is the only book on this list where I, unfortunately,  absolutely detested the rest of the series. The writing style just wasn't for me and the rest of the series fell flat in my opinion. But, I did love the intense first book where it was full of suspense and mystery and I am gutted I didn't like the rest of the series. 

And that's my Top Five for this week! Let me know what your Top Five first books in a series are! 

-K