Rehabilitating YA: 20 Trope-Free Standalones/Series to Read if You've Given Up on It (Pt.2)

Hello sweeties!

I've been wanting to write a post like this for a while. Every now and then, I hear someone say they've given up on YA (or are reading much less of it lately) because they got fed up with the tropes that come with the "genre". Now, while of course it's not mandatory to read YA at any age, and while I'm not denying the existence of such tropes (though really, any literary genre/age range has got its share of them...), I made it my reader's life mission to discover YA books that stand out for any reason and employ as little of those overused plot devices as it's humanly possible (hence, of course, my blog's name). So I thought I'd put together a list of YA novels blissfully devoid of tropes (or employing them in minimal doses), hoping to prove those reluctant/jaded readers that there's so much more to YA than meets the eye. And I ultimately decided to make this post into a series, because my list was too long for a single one. Here goes Part 2 (broken down by genres/my blog's Reading Rooms)...

(Note: these are not necessarily my favourite books - though some of them are. I only choose them for their lack/minimal amount of tropes. Also, there are a few mature YA/NA/adult friendly books in this list).

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SUPERNATURAL/PARANORMAL/URBAN FANTASY

Mad World series by Erin Callahan & Troy H. Gardner - in progress (6 books)

(see my reviews for Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3)

 

• Strong blend of contemporary and paranormal/magical elements with interesting (and fresh) character dynamics. If I have to find a fault in this series, it's that the first two installment are a bit slow, with real action crammed in the last pages - but at least we get world-building.
• Male/female friendship is real. There's a hint of romance, but NOT between the two main characters, and the plot goes on happily without needing it as a third leg.
• The magic is entirely its own thing, which isn't an easy feat when there are so many books around that hinge on it.

Please note: the first three installments of Mad World have been out for a while, but before publishing the last three, the authors decided to give the series a make-over, which to date only includes Book 1 (Wakefield); that's why you'll see different covers around for Book 2 and 3, and that's why I only posted the Wakefield one. The revamped - and edited - version of Book 2 (Tunnelville) is scheduled for this year.

The Time of the Ghost by Diana Wynne Jones

(see my review)

• Well-woven blend of supernatural and ordinary (well, so to speak) peppered with humour and mystery, and sporting an unusual ghost. The downside is, this is a slow book that's probably better suited for a patient reader (or a rereader, as it's my case).
• (Dysfunctional) family story with focus on the relationship among four sisters. They may not always be pleasant, but they're painted in vivid, sometimes ironic, sometimes tragically funny strokes that make them feel real even in the midst of their apparent nonsense.
• There's a bad boy who sets part of the plot in motion, but not the kind you're used to (also because the book was published in 1981, and the story feels even more vintage). And he's balanced out by a dog who'll make you smile and even laugh, besides having an (unwilling) paw in the final resolution

Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire - in progress (8? books)

(see my reviews of Book 1 | Book 2)

• An imaginative look-in-reverse at one of the most common fantasy tropes - kids who find a hidden/secret/invisible door that transports them to a magical land where they live wild adventures. But what happens when they're whisked back home?
• The series explores themes of gender issues and roles, and validates all the different shades in which femininity comes (even when they apparently clash with each other in the same character). On the other hand, the single installments are quite short, so don't expect them to go in-deep about that.
• Romance is NOT a key point, though there's a same sex relationship in Book 2 that comes a bit fast and has repercussions on the ending - but not of the kind you usually see around.

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SCI-FI

Eva by Peter Dickinson

(see my review)

• The premise is far-fetched, I'll admit that - but completely unique, as far as I know. In an unknown future, Eva, a 13 y.o. girl whose body got mangled in an incident, has her brain replicated into a chimpanzee's one, and of course takes over the ape's body in the process. But the chimpanzee's memories - even the ancestral ones - are now embedded in her replicated human mind: Kelly (that's the chimp's name) isn't letting go.
• The execution is unique as well - Eva tries to go on with her human life (despite most people treating her like a freak), but Kelly's hold on her is strong, and Eva herself questions her right to Kelly's body and, ultimately, life.
• The book raises awareness about our exploitation of the world and animal species, and makes a strong case against science making progress regardless of ethics.

Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman

(see my review)

• Unconventional, funny friendship without romantic undertones between a girl and an alien who doesn't identify as male or female. Joss is a snarky rebel, Mavkel (Mav) a sweet, telepathic creature who doesn't have a clue about most Earth social conventions. They get paired at time-travel academy. Humour ensues.
• The story tackles themes of identity and gender/sexuality without making them "issues". The gender theme would probably play out in a widely different manner nowadays (the book came out in 1998), with Mav referred to as "they" and not "it" or "he" (the pronoun that "he" chooses for "his" interactions with Joss). On the other hand, alternate sexualities are regarded with respect, if not addressed the way we're used to now.
• STDB is mainly a story about overcoming our differences and forming a bond, which requires a small or less small sacrifice on our part, but will repay us in unexpected manners, and might even change our lives. Specifically, the pair goes on a time-travel adventure in order to save Mav, who's wasting away without his dead telepathic twin, and gets tangled in a couple of mysteries. I enjoyed the time travel (though a certain event can't really be explained), but the message even more - so, even if you're not a sci-fi fan, this one might work for you.

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Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series, where I'll recommend you a few Multiverse/Thriller-Mystery/Contemporary books!