Underrated YA Books (less than 1000 ratings on Goodreads)

The other day I saw a blog post about the number of ratings books have on Goodreads and I was inmediately curious about the number of ratings that the books I have read have on Goodreads and I was suprised because some books I really enjoyed have less than a 1000 ratings. After realizing this, I felt like it was a good idea to promote these amazing books that a lot of people may have not read.

I didn’t choose books released in 2018, because I feel like they haven’t been out for very long and that may have to do with why they don’t have that many ratings. So, this is a list of backlist books with less than a 1000 ratings on Goodreads that I think deserve more attention and love from the reading community:

Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh (2016)  – 863 ratings on Goodreads

Witch’s apprentice Bridey Corkill has hated the ocean ever since she watched her granddad dive in and drown with a smile on his face. So when a dead girl rolls in with the tide in the summer of 1913, sixteen-year-old Bridey suspects that whatever compelled her granddad to leap into the sea has made its return to the Isle of Man.

Soon, villagers are vanishing in the night, but no one shares Bridey’s suspicions about the sea. No one but the island’s witch, who isn’t as frightening as she first appears, and the handsome dark-haired lad Bridey rescues from a grim and watery fate. The cause of the deep gashes in Fynn’s stomach and his lost memories are, like the recent disappearances, a mystery well-guarded by the sea. In exchange for saving his life, Fynn teaches Bridey to master her fear of the water — stealing her heart in the process.

Now, Bridey must work with the Isle’s eccentric witch and the boy she isn’t sure she can trust — because if she can’t uncover the truth about the ancient evil in the water, everyone she loves will walk into the sea, never to return.

Goodreads| Amazon

If you like very atmospheric books, that are eerie and spooky,  that include fascinating mythology and that manage to mantain a mysterious tone until the end, this book is for you!  Those are defenitely the main strengths of this and they make it feel unique and interesting. If you want to know more , here’s my full review.

When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez (2015) – 832 ratings on Goodreads

A Goth girl with an attitude problem, Elizabeth Davis must learn to control her anger before it destroys her. Emily Delgado appears to be a smart, sweet girl, with a normal life, but as depression clutches at her, she struggles to feel normal. Both girls are in Ms. Diaz’s English class, where they connect to the words of Emily Dickinson. Both are hovering on the edge of an emotional precipice. One of them will attempt suicide. And with Dickinson’s poetry as their guide, both girls must conquer their personal demons to ever be happy.

In an emotionally taut novel with a richly diverse cast of characters, readers will relish in the poetry of Emily Dickinson and be completely swept up in the turmoil of two girls grappling with demons beyond their control.

Goodreads | Amazon

The contrast this book portraits between the ways the two main characters live depression is what makes this book unique, as well as incredibly important. If you are looking for a very nuance representation of depresion, this book may be for you! Additionally, this book has #ownvoices latinx rep and its done so well! If you want to know more , here’s my full review. 

God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems by Ishara Deen (2017) – 45 ratings on Goodreads

LIKE NANCY DREW, BUT NOT…

Craving a taste of teenage life, Asiya Haque defies her parents to go for a walk (really, it was just a walk!) in the woods with Michael, her kind-of-friend/crush/the guy with the sweetest smile she’s ever seen. Her tiny transgression goes completely off track when they stumble on a dead body. Michael covers for Asiya, then goes missing himself.

Despite what the police say, Asiya is almost sure Michael is innocent. But how will she, the sheltered girl with the strictest parents ever, prove anything? With Michael gone, a rabid police officer in desperate need of some sensitivity training, and the murderer out there, how much will Asiya risk to do what she believes is right?

Goodreads | Amazon 

The main character in this book has a unique voice that shines throughout the book and it helps keep it funny and charming. This book has amazing #ownvoices muslim rep and the way it talks about muslim problems is insightful and it can be uncomfortable in its truths. If you are looking for a good mystery full of humour and diverse characters, you’ll probably like this! If you want to know more , here’s my full review.

Future Leaders of Nowhere by Emily O’Beirne (2017) – 278 ratings on Goodreads

“Finn’s solid. Not in body, but in being. She’s gravity and kindness and all those good things that anchor.”

“Willa’s confusing. Sometimes she’s this sweet, sensitive soul. Other times she’s like a flaming arrow you hope isn’t coming for you.”

Finn and Willa have been picked as team leaders in the future leader camp game. The usually confident Finn doesn’t know what’s throwing her more, the fact she’s leading a team of highly unenthusiastic overachievers or coming up against fierce, competitive Willa. And Willa doesn’t know which is harder, leaving her responsibilities behind to pursue her goals or opening up to someone.

Soon they both realise that the hardest thing of all is balancing their clashing ideals with their unexpected connection. And finding a way to win, of course.

Goodreads | Amazon

If you are looking for a book with an interesting setting and premise, with lots of diversity and great characters, this is for you! This book has two main characters, a bisexual girl and an Indian-Australian lesbian girl, that participate in a competition that its a mix between a summer camp and a Model UN. It’s an interesting book that adresses important subject thorughout.

Do you want to read any of these books? Have you read any of these books? Did you like them?

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