The Best Book Series of 2023 So Far

You’ve probably noticed that your FYP (For You Page) is currently flooded with people obsessing over book series this year, and it’s not without reason! 2023 so far has seen a plethora of popular authors launching new epic fantasies, morally ambiguous romances, and spine-chilling horrors. It’s like everyone has found their perfect literary match! So if you’re on the hunt for your next thrilling read, here are five outstanding book series from 2023 so far that might just steal your heart too!

The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing, the first book in the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros is an enthralling fantasy epic that has gained immense popularity on BookTok. It follows Violet Sorrengail, a bookish twenty-year-old, who is forced to join Basgiath War College to become a dragon rider in the perilous kingdom of Navarre. Despite the odds stacked against her, Violet must prove herself worthy of bonding with a dragon, facing both deadly dragon trials and dangerous rivalries among the cadets. In this brutal world, alliances and betrayals will shape destinies, and survival is the ultimate goal for every dragon rider candidate.

Books in the series: Fourth Wing and Iron Flame (Expected publication: November 2023).

Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper, a pioneering queer graphic novel series by Oseman, has become a modern classic in YA literature and is now a hit Netflix show (The second season came out on the 3rd of August!). The first volume introduces Nick and Charlie, a beautifully portrayed couple on a journey of love and self-discovery. Shortlisted for awards, the series captures LGBTQ+ themes and explores life, love, and everything in between. Charlie and Nick, who meet at school, form a deep friendship, with Charlie falling for Nick despite doubting his chances. Love works its magic, revealing surprising feelings between them. Heartstopper beautifully touches on love, friendship, loyalty, and mental illness, making it relatable to all readers.

Books in the series: Heartstopper: Volume 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Expected publication: December 2023). (Volume 6 recently confirmed!).

Once Upon a Broken Heart Series by Stephanie Garber

From the bestselling author of Caraval, Evangeline Fox strikes a perilous deal with the manipulative Prince of Hearts to win the heart of her beloved. Raised on mythical tales, she knows the prince’s powers are legendary; his kiss is worth dying for, and deals with him rarely end well. When her true love’s marriage approaches, desperation drives Evangeline to offer the prince anything to stop it. He asks for three kisses, but his intentions are darker than she imagined. In this tale of love, curses, and sacrifice, Evangeline’s fate hangs between a grand happily ever after or an exquisite tragedy.

Books in the series: Once Upon a Broken Heart, The Ballad of Never After and A Curse for True Love (Expected publication: October 2023).

Alex Stern Series by Leigh Barbugo

Leigh Bardugo, known for Six of Crows and the Shadow and Bone series, effortlessly transitions to dark adult horror with Ninth House. Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, an unlikely Yale freshman, is tasked with monitoring the secret societies harbouring the rich and powerful. As the sole survivor of an unsolved crime, she seeks a fresh start but is drawn into a disturbing world of occult practices. When a dead girl is found on campus, Alex refuses to accept the official explanation and delves deeper into the sinister and extraordinary secrets of the secret societies. The novel weaves a spine-chilling spell with an ominous sense of foreboding, revealing forbidden magic, raising the dead and dark predation on the living.

(Please read content and trigger warnings before picking up!)

Books in the series: Ninth House and Hell Bent.

Knockemout Series by Lucy Score

In Lucy Score’s love story, a runaway bride finds herself in Knockemout, Virginia, with her estranged twin’s 11-year-old niece and an unexpected crush on the grumpy local barber, Knox. Naomi’s perfect wedding escape leads to a complicated situation as she takes on new responsibilities and faces financial struggles. Knox, who avoids romantic entanglements, decides to help her out. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, steamy encounters and sizzling chemistry spark between them. Filled with tension and bust-ups, the story follows Naomi and Knox as they navigate their unexpected connection and discover love in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Books in the series: Things We Never Got Over, Things We Hide from the Light and Things We Left Behind (Expected publication: September 2023).