Original Stories . . . a Breath of Fresh Air
A list for fantasy and YA books that are different from the current popular ones.
8,489 books ·
10,293 voters ·
list created September 23rd, 2010
by Maddison Jay (votes) .
Comments Showing 1-50 of 118 (118 new)
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Jan 28, 2011 12:55PM
some of these books I'v never herd of :) so I think I'v found a couple of good series :) the "Newflesh" books look good I like zombies.
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Possibly I Am Number Four.
+The Lightning Thief .









Ok. Umm no need to get snotty. We r all friends. DON'T BEEK HARRY POTTER. THAT'S TOTALLY UNCOOL!!!! Those were amazing books. The hunger games. Please name one book that's remotely similar to it. Because I am confident that you won't find one. So to sum it up. You have either read too much or too little because you seriously need to chill. All books can have good qualities and bad.

That wasn't what Mira was saying. She was saying they weren't original, saying nothing about their quality. Also:
Payton wrote: "The hunger games. Please name one book that's remotely similar to it."
Mira did that. That was the whole point.



They are both great books in my opinion and I do not blame Suzanne Collins at all for using the idea. It wasn't original to Battle Royale anyway.

Last Sacrifice, Unearthly, Hush, Hush, Fallen, Shiver, on the grounds that they are prime examples of popular works of the two genres mentioned in the subtitle of this list (all right, so Shiver is werewolves--they're nearly as rampant anyway) as genres this list is steering away from; The Lightning Thief because it is a classic example of the Harry Potteresque hero's journey; and Romeo and Juliet, which was not original when Shakespeare created it (the plot is as old as story!) and has thoroughly influenced our literature since it was written. This is not necessarily a reflection of the books' literary worth--they just don't belong on this list.
original
adjective
2. new; fresh; inventive; novel:
3. arising or proceeding independently of anything else:
5. created, undertaken, or presented for the first time
(Definitions taken from dictionary.com)
Books on this list should have a theme not frequently used, or a truly unique twist on a more common theme, or an unusual and outstanding way of telling the story. There are plenty of lists on this site for favorite books. This list is for people to come to when they are looking for something out of the ordinary.
The Book Thief is listed twice, second one is 159.

The Hunger Games is too much like Battle Royale
Aly wrote: "Payton wrote: "Hunger games is too an original story. I have read a lot of books and never once has I come across a book remotely similar. I think Suzanne has a very original mind that will bring u..."
I agree Aly as my husband told me it is the same plot as some book he read years ago. I forget what book he said it was. There are very few original plots.
I agree Aly as my husband told me it is the same plot as some book he read years ago. I forget what book he said it was. There are very few original plots.

Also, Beastly by Alex Flinn is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed that book but I don't think a retold story should be classified as original.


Just because it's a movie doesn't mean anything. Have you read Twilight? That's not too original, yet it's a movie. I've seen so many Vampire/Paranormalish romances before it was released, but that didn't affect Hollywood into making a movie from it.
The Hunger Games is original to some extent, but there are similarites to lots of other books. Such as, gladiator-type fighting and love surfacing in even the most difficult situations. I liked the book overall, but it wasn't completely original.

I have created a new group called Goodreads All Sorts and I'd love for people to join it or just even just give it a look. It's a group that discusses anything and everything. There will be monthly group reads, movies, and music. There is a folder for everything you could think of. I'd really like if people could spread the word because I'd love for the group to be a success. Here is the link to the group:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/9...
Thanks very much,
Jack :-)


That paragraph right there summed up my experience almost perfectly. I am currently waiting for an undetermined ammount of time until the release of Tiger's Dream. Ah, how I wish to have an experience as wonderful as Kelsey's.



Not really....
But I say that Hunger Games is just a rip off of Running Man and Battle Royal, and yet I still think it's original in it's own way.

That's what I keep saying, but apparently no one's ever read the book or even seen the movie. It also reminds me of Running Man in ways too.

Not really....
But I say that Hunger Games is just a rip off of Running Man and Battle Royal, and yet I still..."
I've READ Divergent, but, come on. The cover is a rip off of The Hunger Games.


For me, that qualifies them as very similar. Also, she is a smaller girl compared to her training opponents (just like in the Hunger Games). But then shows through other skills she's "special". Just like in the Hunger Games. Oh, and the book ends on a train, just like what? The Hunger Games. Yes, the story turned out somewhat different, but to much is the same to truly qualify as original.

I don't think that a couple minor details would constitute a rip-off. Katniss was taught how to hunt by her father from a young age, so she had something going for her. Tris had no idea what she was doing, she was raised to be tame and selfless. Katniss was only special through her rebelliousness and strength, while Tris was special because she had a rare quality. If you're judging the book based on the fact that it ends on a train, then by that logic every book that ends on a train is copying the Hunger Games.

You make excellent points. What I suppose I should have made clearer earlier is, I think it really comes down to opinion. My opinion is it's a rip off, you're opinion is obviously different. I'm just trying to express things that I felt were similar, and see if anyone else feels the same. I realized the minute I posted I was the odd one out since everyone I know loves Divergent. For me personally, almost all books in the post--apocalyptic section seem to be very similar, and I'm starting to get sick of it. This was what made me irritated, and say Divergent is unoriginal. It's not just about The Hunger Games, it's about the book trend in general that I'm just sick of.
But, it perhaps isn't the fairest thing in the world to tell everyone that. You are a perfect example Chloe, I don't know anything about you! Maybe you like this genre, and you like the book in the genre. I'm personally sick of it and all the books are starting to sound the same to me.

I am surprised Elric saga isn't here. It's the kind of original I am looking for.
I have mixed feeling with hunger games. Battle to death where people is put into situation where they have to battle each other to death. well, to me it's common setting. Not in novel, but I read manga too and that idea is used often. So to me, hunger game isn't all that original.

Oh, I totally respect your opinion! And I DO think that they're similar, and I can see you getting tired of the genre. Honestly i'm not too into it myself, but I did enjoy both The Hunger Games and Divergent. I think I understand Tris a lot more than I understand Katniss as a person, and maybe that's why I am slightly overprotective of the series. I'm sorry if I came off hostile! I generally stick to realistic fiction (like John Green for example) so I understand what you mean!

I understand where you're coming from! If I read something that is similar to something I've already read, I still might like it better even if the plot isn't "original" to me anymore.
Hey, no sweat! I'm just glad you're a rational person I can have a conversation with, unlike so many other people on the internet. I read a lot of realistic fiction as well. Have to throw in I love John Green!



haha. me too!

Also, Beastly by Alex Flinn is a retelling of Beauty and the..."
I loved The Wolves of Mercy Falls! Sure the boy meets girl thing isn't original, but the way the werewolves are is different. I haven't read a book that portrays werewolves like that before, like the temperature thing and the whole 'scientific-ish' part when they're trying to figure out what's wrong with grace.
I understand where you're coming from though, but I personally think that some things are original. I could be wrong though,

Tell me why. I disagree and I have read all the books and seen the movie.
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