*Yet. There’s a good possibility some of these will be read this year!
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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke & the Bookish. Check out more Top Ten features on their site.
Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about the importance of the first book you read of the year, so I felt like I needed to pick a really, really good one. So much pressure!
Originally, I pulled out The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult to start last weekend – I got it back in the fall and have had it on my to-read list ever since. But, when I finally did pick it up, I just couldn’t get interested in it. That feeling of forcing yourself to read something when you can’t stay interested is the worst, and that’s exactly what I was going through. So, I put it down, thinking that I would try it again after a few days. Then, fate stepped in.
I was cleaning out my Nook shelves and realized I had Made For You by Melissa Marr that I had totally forgotten about. I’m one of those readers that needs to read the first few pages of a book before I know for sure if I’ll actually like it or not, and oh boy did I love this. It took me less than a chapter and I was already distracted from everything else, and got nothing done for the rest of the day.
Let me tell you, this book is GOOD. Better than good even. It’s for sure one of my new favorites. Right up there with all of the books Gillian Flynn has written actually, and that says something!
Made For You is about a girl named Eva Tilling who lives in a small town in North Carolina. She gets hit by a car on her way home one night, and it completely changes the course of her life as well as those around her. A few days after she is hit, another girl that she goes to school with is killed in a car accident as well. That’s when everyone starts connecting the dots and a pattern begins to form, and the realization hits that her accident? Well, it wasn’t really an accident.
The book is written so well! The entire story goes back and forth between Eva and the attacker’s points of view, and sometimes even adding in a chapter or two from the p.o.v. of Grace, Eva’s best friend. After Eva’s “accident,” she discovers that when people touch her, she has the ability to see their death. She uses that to try and catch her attacker. I loved that aspect, because it’s not something you see in a lot of books (I’ve actually never read a book with this type of story line). Melissa Marr writes absolutely wonderfully. I honestly felt like I was there, in the house with Eva and Grace, I could feel the terror they felt and the emotions they were going through. It was also really interesting the way that Marr wrote the attacker’s chapters, and how you can totally guess who it is but only when she is ready for you to. So amazing.
All in all, I definitely recommend this book. I rated it 5/5 on Goodreads and it’s one I can see myself reading again and again. I’m very happy with my choice for first book of 2015!
Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king’s army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince’s guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can’t prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.
I bought Defy for two simple reasons: I follow Sara Larson on Instagram and enjoy her posts, and it has a sword on the cover. Shallow and blind, but true. I didn’t even read the summary.
So I plunged forward, wincing when I realized it was another girl-posing-as-a-boy-soldier-oh-no-nobody-knows story. I paid cold hard Amazon cash for it, 
though, so I continued, comparisons and memories of my favorite series as a kid, the Protector of the Small, racing through my head.
That nonsense stopped at Chapter Four, at which point I was completely absorbed, all traces of Alanna and regret gone from my mind. Alexa was nothing like Alanna, and her story was no different. The only similarity was the whole posing at a boy shtick. I read Defy and its sequel, Ignite, in less than two days. I literally sat on the couch Sunday afternoon and started (and finished) Ignite in one sitting.
It’s no secret: I love fantasy. My favorite kind of fantasy books are the ones that sweep you up and off into their world, a trait that these books certainly possess. Though several “twists” were very predictable (and the instalove was a little bit nauseating at times), I truly enjoyed these books and can’t wait for the third to be released.
For starters, the characters were fantastic. Though some (IE, Alexa and Damian) were more complex than others (IE, Jealous Rylan), I enjoyed getting to know their strengths and weaknesses. The worldbuilding was fantastic as well, and I could clearly picture the palace set in the middle of a dark jungle. The magic concept was also good, though I hope it’s fleshed out a little more in the third book.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy fantasy read that will keep you turning the page, look no further! I rated both books 5/5 on Goodreads.
After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea’s king by taking one of the man’s beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter’s battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother’s death, rages on.
Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father’s palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig’s icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion. – Goodreads
Growing up (and to this day), my Oma always keeps a “smut” book in her bathroom. Throne reading. For as long as I can remember, there has always been some paperback novel depicting a shirtless, ripped man and some girl falling out of her dress. With swirly letters. And pastels. My mom would only read them on vacation.
One time, I tried to read one. I was horrified and immediately cast it aside, wondering why anyone would ever read something so terribly written, boring, and awkwardly “steamy”.
After reading Alyssa’s review of The Winter King, I was hesitant to buy this. After all—the cover definitely features pastels, swirly font, and awkwardly intimate people (though clothed—I figured even the Winter King would have to draw the line at freezing temperatures). But she said it was a fantastic high fantasy read, so what could I say? I wanted to try it out.
It was awesome. Though my husband made fun of me mercilessly for reading “booknerd porn”, it was much more than the several pages of passion that kept me hooked.
First of all, I loved Wilson’s writing style. She flipped between characters flawlessly (though it was jarring at first, as there were no chapter breaks or lines…just one paragraph to another and boom). The story flowed, the dialogue was fantastic, and I truly felt like I knew the characters.
I was concerned that it would be a Stockholm Syndrome story, though Alyssa’s review said otherwise—so I wasn’t too worried. It wasn’t. It took Kham and Wynter a while to get to know one another, which was nice.
The magic structure and worldbuilding was fabulous. I could definitely tell the cultural and physical differences between the people and land of Summerlea and Wintercraig.
My only gripe: I hated Wynter’s name. The Winter King is named Wynter? For real?
This read definitely for mature readers only. The sex scenes were somewhat poetic, but definitely a little graphic if that type of thing is not your cup of tea. If you’re looking for a great high fantasy romance read, this is the ticket. I’m excited for book two! I rated The Winter King a 5/5 on Goodreads.
I feel like I’ve been talking about starting this book for months now, and I finally did! I finished it last weekend and immediately wanted to read the rest of the series but figured I should space them out a little bit.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series and I can definitely say that I’m hooked! Clary (Clarissa) Fray is 15 years old when she encounters her first Shadowhunter, Jace, at the nightclub Pandemonium. She witnesses him murder what he says is a demon, and the body then vanishes into thin air. From then on, her life gets completely turned upside down and she finds out things about herself that she never had any idea of. There are angels, vampires, Shadowhunters, wizards and so many more elements to this story, but it never gets overwhelming or feels like too much. The way that Clare writes is so refreshing and vivid. I love the world that this series takes place in!
I don’t want to give away too much of the book (although it’s about 8 years old so it’s likely you’ve already read it) but let’s just say that A LOT happens. I’ve seen the movie already, and I really loved that some aspects of the book weren’t included in it. If I had read the book first, I would’ve hated the movie so it’s a good thing I read/watched them in the order I did.
I rated it 5/5 on Goodreads and I can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series. I really think I’ll love them all!
1. Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra | Goodreads describes this as a drama-packed, Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars novel and that hooked me. Gigi, Bette and June are three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school and they will do anything to be the prima there. This isn’t supposed to be released until May 26th, which is a bummer because I want to read it now. Instead, I’ll settle for a Pretty Little Liars marathon to get my drama fix.
2. Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle | I went on a little bit of a pre-ordering streak after Christmas and this was one of the books I ordered (along with The Way We Bared Our Souls and quite a few others…). After the supposed “Rapture” takes her parents, Vivian goes on a road trip across panic-stricken America looking for answers. It sounds super intriguing and I can’t wait to read it! It’s actual release date is today (January 6th) so keep your eye out for a review by the end of the month!
3. The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker | Elizabeth Grey is one of the king’s best witch hunters, until she’s accused of being a witch herself and sentenced to die at the stake. The most powerful wizard in the kingdom offers her a deal – he will save her if she can find the person who laid a deadly curse against him. This sounds SO GOOD. It comes out June 2nd, and I will definitely be pre-ordering it!
4. The Way We Bared Our Souls by Willa Strayhorn | “Five teenagers sit around a bonfire in the middle of the New Mexico desert. They don’t know it yet, but they are about to make the biggest sacrifice of their lives. When they trade totems as a symbol of shedding and adopting one another’s sorrows, they think it’s only an exercise. But in the morning, they wake to find their burdens gone…and replaced with someone else’s. ” – Goodreads. This is one of the other books I pre-ordered, and I’m so anxious to get my hands on it. It sounds unlike any other book I’ve ever read! It’s released January 22nd and I’ll have a review up shortly after that.
5. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon | I’m so sad that I have to wait until September for this one! Everything, Everything is about a girl who is literally allergic to the outside world. Everything changes when Olly moves in nextdoor and she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. It’s released on September 1st.
6. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard | The Reds are the commoners, who serve the Silvers, nobility with god-like powers. Mare, who is a Red, ends up working in the Silver palace, only to discover she has powers of her own. Red Queen is released on February 10th—can’t wait!
7. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir | Set in a brutal Rome-like world, Laia goes undercover as a slave when her brother is arrested for treason. Elias is the academy’s best soldier, but he’s ready to desert his post. Laia and Elias’s paths cross and their choices may change the empire forever. Sounds like an exciting love story to me! It will be released on April 28th.
8. The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey | Goodreads says readers who enjoyed City of Bones and Shadow and Bone will like this one…it has magic, people with feathers for hair, pickpockets, mythical entities…sounds like my cup of tea! The Girl at Midnight will be released on April 28th.
9. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley | Aza Ray has a mysterious disease that is slowly making it harder for her to breathe. She spots a ship in the sky, which everyone believes is a side effect of her medication—until she is swept onto a ship and in to another world–Magonia. The cover art is beautiful and the story sounds intriguing, so I’m excited for this one. Magonia will be released on April 28th.
10. A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas | A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A Wicked Thing tells the “true” side of the fairy tale—it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Aurora wakes up to find that her family is long dead, her prince is a total stranger, and her entire future has been planned out while she was sleeping. I love fairy tales, and this one is no exception. A Wicked Thing will be released on February 24th.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke & the Bookish. Check out more Top Ten features on their site.
About a year ago, I bought Cinder for a $1.99 and tried to read it. I didn’t get halfway through the first chapter before putting it down. The whole cyborg concept really threw me off and I just wasn’t into it.
If only I’d given it until Chapter Two—I would have been hooked. I gave Cinder a second chance last week and have since blown through Scarlet (book two) and Cress (book three). I cannot wait for the fourth book, Winter, to come out this year (can you believe this year is 2015?!).
The entire series is incredibly well-written and original. I’m not usually a science fiction fan, but this was superb. Told in multiple points-of-view, the storyline focuses on Cinder, a cyborg mechanic who discovers her mysterious past after a series of run-ins with Prince Kai, the plague, and an elderly royal doctor.
I love retold fairy tales, and this was no different. Meyer took classic fairy tales—Cinderella, Little Red
Riding Hood, and Rapunzel—and spun them into science fiction. Cinder’s story is based off of Cinderella, if her name didn’t imply that already—she’s an adopted cyborg, complete with two stepsisters, a nasty stepmom, and a dirty job. She doesn’t need mice helpers—she has Iko, a little robot with a personality flaw that makes her more human than android.
Book two is named after a new character, Scarlet, who’s story falls along the lines of Little Red Riding Hood. Her grandmother is kidnapped, which leads her to Wolf, a streetfighter with an uncanny lupine resemblance.
Book three is named after Cress, who, with her long golden hair and satellite prison, is the story of Rapunzel.
Each chapter switches between characters—Cinder, Prince Kai, Queen Levana (the evil queen), Cress, Scarlet, Wolf, Captain Thorne. This style usually annoys me and leaves me overwhelmed, but Meyer did it flawlessly, in a way that made the story mesh and flow, while enabling the reader to truly get to know each character. In fact, there wasn’t a single character that annoyed me—I loved that. All three girls are very independent and strong in their own respective ways, and though there was some instalove, it wasn’t that bad.
I highly recommend this series! 5/5 on Goodreads.
I immediately bought and finished the sequels to Shadow & Bone after reading it in a day. The plot twist didn’t throw me off as much as it did Kiesha, so I forged on.
I’m a little confused as to what to write about the Grisha Trilogy, primarily because I’m not entirely sure how I felt about it. I was very disinterested in half, but loved the other half—so I’m kind of in the middle.
The first book was by far my favorite. The second, Siege and Storm, was my least favorite. I’m not a quitter, so I went ahead and read the third book, Ruin and Rising, anyway. I don’t regret it.
My opinions are the same as my first post about Shadow & Bone—I love the worldbuilding and “magic” of the Grisha. I felt the the Fold was very unique, as was the concept of the governmental structure, theory behind the magic (it’s science–manipulating matter–not magic), and the dystopian-fantasy genre of the book.
I hated the characters.
I didn’t mind them in book one. In book two, they got increasingly more obnoxious. In book three, I was done.
** spoilers below **
Here it is—my 2015 Happiness Project! I’ve assigned one focus area to each month. I’ve assigned some mini-goals to them, but they’re definitely open to change as the month grows closer and I figure out what makes me happy.
I am a pretty happy person as it is. Really, this journey is more about being grateful for what I have, living simpler, living in the now, and creating and following my vision. Vision as in what I want to do with my life, not something that, I don’t know, came in a dream or something. Figured I should clear that up as I read a lot of fantasy, so I don’t want you all worrying about me 🙂
lifebetweenreads.com 