What are some YA novels that are original and 'weird/quirky' (kind of like manga), WITHOUT YA cliches in them?

[Rix]

I'm looking for YA stories with 'kinda weird but unique' concepts - like in a manga or light novel (e.g. Attack on Titan - a boy who joins the army to kill giant naked cannibals by using parkour and acrobatics. Yes - a very basic version of the plot :P)

I tend to think I've found an original concept, such as 'A Daughter of Smoke and Bone' by Laini Taylor - a girl who collects teeth for Chimeras and gets paid via wishes, but as usual I end up picking up on YA tropes and cliches pretty quickly (e.g. quirky best friend, love triangle, hot love interest and ex who are jerks (and creeps), perfect yet bratty MC, etc.)

Any recommendations? I prefer the fantasy genre (and preferably little to no romance, but I don't mind too much if the romance is written well and can avoid romance tropes like those mentioned above), but any genre will do at this point really.

Thanks! :)

[✨Skye✨]

Try The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan Maguire, The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson. Just a few from the top of mt head! All fantasy, all quirky and none of them are romance focused (may have a small side plot in them).

[Bayli]

Strange the Dreamer

[Avid]

try looking on wattpad, they do loads of YA stories on there :)

[mar]

Bayli wrote: "Strange the Dreamer" i agree it's rly unique... although i have yet to pick it up again and read from the start bc i didn't have the time to finish it when i first read it

also, try reading six of crows if you haven't yet. although it does kind of fall under the "group of outcasts" trope, the plot is pretty unique in my opinion and is full of action :-)

[Bayli]

Mare wrote: "Bayli wrote: "Strange the Dreamer" i agree it's rly unique... although i have yet to pick it up again and read from the start bc i didn't have the time to finish it when i first read it

also, try ..."
six of crows is the best!!!

[dolly]

Just Kill Me
Illusionarium
In the Skin of a Monster
Gil's All Fright Diner (not ya but one of my favorite books and definitely a fun concept)

these are the weirdest/most original ones i could think of, hope at least one is interesting!!

[Beckymay]

currently reading

The Octunnumi by Trevor Alan Foris

seems to fit the bill and the design is amazing. Will update when I have finished but def' worth a look

[Aditi]

did you try 'Caraval' by Stephanie Garber?

[Dr. Andy]

[Anne]

This may be inappropriate, but...I wrote a book called "The Road to Long Beach and the Witch's House". It is a ya, paranormal mystery book without the typical tropes.

You can review the back cover copy here: amzn.to/2FYjSgj. If it looks like something that fits what you're looking for, I would be willing to give you an ARC as a PDF or MOBI file in exchange for an honest review.

You can also check out my profile to see the other books I've read in the paranormal mystery genre that, for the most part, do not have any glaring tropes.

[Đồ gỗ 365]

did you try "Tokyo Ghoul"?

[✨Gayatri ✨]

six of crows?

[[deleted user]]

Not weird per say but its uniqe in that it has few bad chcliches. There is a prophecy but no love triangle or conveluted plots. Interesting twist as well.

[[deleted user]]

The past and other things that should stay buried by Shane David Hutchinson. They deal with zombies and such in a normal life setting, it’s super fun

[Allison]

Wax by Gina Damico is very odd but wonderful.