Tis the Season (Part 2 of Holiday Recommendations)

So, I am back with the holiday recommendations, this post will focus on recommendations for the young adult readers. Just like with the young readers anyone can read these books not just young adults, now let's get onto all these recommendations!!

I am going to be giving four great recommendations, and these are all series too, just like my first holiday post. I will make sure to include my progress in the series after each recommendation so you all can jump in with them me too.

1. Drowned Gods Trilogy by Pascalle Lacelle

   1. Now I have touched on this book series a bit already in my strength of the sequel post, but I will say it again I love this book series so far. The first book is a mix of fantasy with a little bit of dark academia mixed in with the second book taking more of a science fiction direction. The magic system is incredibly cool, and I immediately connected with the characters. I think I appreciated the second book more because it really elevated the importance of the other three main characters. I really hope that Lacelle can stick the landing in the final book as she has taken me on such an emotional ride, and I think you'll love it too.

      1. Series Progress: 2/3 books read, the 3rd book will be out in Spring of 2026

Showing off Book 2 in series, Book 3 Infinite Shores will be out in March 2026

1. Legendborn Series by Tracy Deonn

   1. So, I read this series to understand the hype and let me tell you it was so worth it! This is a King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table retelling, where we meet Bree as she stumbles into the secret society on her new college campus. We then follow Bree over the course of the year as she attempts to find out what happened to her mom and unravel the prophecy that has her at the center. This was such an exciting read, and I cannot wait to see what other adventures Bree will take on later on in the series.

      1. Series Progress: 1/4 books read, Books 2 and 3 are out but 3 is still only in Hardcover. Book 4 is still being worked on so keep an eye out for social media updates from the author

The current trilogy, Deonn announced a fourth book shortly after Oathbound released in March of this year

1. Above the Black Trilogy by Marc J Gregson

   1. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is big on action and constant adventure. This series follows Conrad, who driven by revenge takes on the deadly Gauntlet in order to claw his way back to the top after being banished to the Lowlands by his crime lord uncle. He and his newly formed crew will take on flying monstrosities in epic sky ship battles. I really enjoyed this as Conrad's vengeance comes from a place of understanding, and the whole crew stood out as their own characters. Everyone felt like they belonged, and I can't wait to see from the crew reappears in Book 2.

      1. Series Progress: 1/3 books read, Book 2 is already out, and Book 3 will be out late Spring of 2026

Book 1 in series showing off one of the many monsters Conrad takes on as a Hunter

1. Age of Darkness Trilogy by Katy Rose Pool

   1. Wow this trilogy was a really wild ride, I want to applaud the author first and foremost for balancing five main characters and making them all feel important and hold space in the series. I loved this series as it helped me get more into the high fantasy sort of books that have all this grand adventure and great sense of escapism. This series is perfect for fans of Armentrout, Maas, and Adeyemi as romance and fantasy are balanced with ease. Jude was probably my favorite character, especially seeing on the romantic journey he went on throughout all three books. Especially the end, when he finally got a happy ending. I definitely think everyone should check out this series, totally underrated too as I don't think I have ever seen it talked about on the book social communities like Booktok and Bookstagram.

      1. Series Progress: 3/3 books read series is complete

The complete series with the characters focused front and center with Beru at the center of it all.

Also I would totally recommend getting the B+N exclusive edition of the Legendborn series if you are into books matching and the aesthetic joys of that type of thing. The spines line up to form the sword that the main character Bree uses which is a super cool detail.

Thanks for stopping by the Nest, stay tuned for two more holiday recommendations, one post for Fiction picks and the other for Nonfiction picks so stay tuned and happy holidays!