Both series are extremely well-written, and "young adult" only by the virtue of having YA protagonists and themes that are appropriate.
The Harry Potter books just are a bit twee and, well, silly for me. It almost seems like Rowling is trapped by the first book- the goofy elements and terminology work against the seriousness of the themes she's trying to introduce. And there's a rote formulaic feel to the whole thing sometimes...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0689829833/qid=1121289939/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-1355238-7989704
"Over Sea, Under Stone" is actually the first book in the series, but "The Dark Is Rising" is the one that hooked me.
And I was also really happy with Garth Nix's "Abhorsen" trilogy:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0064471837/qid=1121290121/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/102-1355238-7989704?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Both series are extremely well-written, and "young adult" only by the virtue of having YA protagonists and themes that are appropriate.
The Harry Potter books just are a bit twee and, well, silly for me. It almost seems like Rowling is trapped by the first book- the goofy elements and terminology work against the seriousness of the themes she's trying to introduce. And there's a rote formulaic feel to the whole thing sometimes...
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