Saturday, 22 December 2012
As the year draws to a close, it seems like a worthwhile endeavour to reflect upon the books we read and loved this year. We really couldn’t narrow it down to a top 10 and why not present 12 favourites of 2012 (and even that was hard enough)? However, this list is not a ranking among these books, because that would have been impossible ... and Diana and I wanted to avoid a Christmas quarrel. So we each picked six and present them in order of their publication. Click on the covers to get to the books’ GoodReads pages.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a few peaceful days, lots of bookish presents, and we hope to see you in 2013. And if you like, share a few of your favourites in the comments.
As book one in a trilogy, Incarnate concentrates on character development. Main character Ana stands out differently, because she is new in a society where everyone knows each other. New, imperfect, afraid - and she brings change. What I liked most was the tender love story between Ana and Sam, which builds upon literature, music, and art.
A Robin Hood story from the point of view of Scarlet, a young woman with a secret past that only Robin knows about. This change in perspective was what made the novel so fascinating for me. Even though it’s written in first person, the mystery around Scarlet was unravelled step by step, like a puzzle. I would have loved a sequel to this book, because there’s so much potential which could not be met just with one book.
Black Heart is the final book in the Curse Workers trilogy and it is the best last book of a series I’ve read so far. The main character, Cassel Sharpe, comes to a conclusion about his life that seems very natural to me, but I was even fonder of the little twist at the end. Wonderfully unexpected.
Here is a mystery about a book, which is paid in blood. The story shocked me a few times with unexpected twists and turns and became unpredictable to me, which I liked a lot. Also, a large part of the story takes place in the old city of Prague - a favourite city of mine concerning history and mystery.
It’s not often that I like books where there’s nothing supernatural to the story, but Pushing the Limits got to me. The romance between the two very different main characters is very delicate. There are pain and fear to deal with and a lot of lines to be crossed for them to trust each other. Beautifully written, it was an amazing read.
New York in the Golden Twenties, plus a magic murder mystery to be solved. When I got over the fact that it’s really playing in the 1920s, I absolutely fell into the story and only came back out again after the last page was turned.
There isn’t much that can be said about this book that hasn’t been said already. The possibly most frequently used phrase: A book about cancer that is not a cancer book, because cancer books suck. And this book definitely doesn’t.
Just when I thought that everything that could possibly be written about vampires has been written (and then some), Julie Kagawa proved me wrong. I love Alison (and Zeke) and will only wait patiently for book two for a lack of other options.
There are a few authors that will make me drop everything and vanish into my reading cave once I get my hands on their books. Cassandra Clare is one of them and everyone who dares to disturb me during my reading does so at their own peril. City of Lost Souls was one of my most anticipated books of 2012 and it didn’t let me down. It’s only fault is that the final book is still so far off.
Vampires, witches, and Victorian London (and other places)! A Discovery of Witches was one of my surprise favourite books of 2011 and even though I found the beginning of this second book difficult to get into, it definitely makes my list of favourite books of this year. If you have only one bone in your body that appreciates well-researched historical novels, you are missing something amazing if you don’t read Deborah Harkness.
I’ll confess that I only picked up Unspoken because Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson were talking about it so highly. And am I ever glad that I did! Even if the end made me want to hurt the author. I mean that as an absolute compliment, because apparently I prefer authors who like to feast on their readers’ despair.
The Caster Chronicles is probably one of those series that has to grow on its readers. At least I can’t imagine that it would cause quite the frenzy that other series do, but maybe I’m going to be surprised once the first movie hits the cinemas. As the final book in the series, I thought it was a great conclusion to a wonderful storyline. I am very much looking forward to the authors’ future projects as well.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a few peaceful days, lots of bookish presents, and we hope to see you in 2013. And if you like, share a few of your favourites in the comments.
Diana’s picks:
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| Incarnate – Jodie Meadows |
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| Scarlet – A.C. Gaughen |
A Robin Hood story from the point of view of Scarlet, a young woman with a secret past that only Robin knows about. This change in perspective was what made the novel so fascinating for me. Even though it’s written in first person, the mystery around Scarlet was unravelled step by step, like a puzzle. I would have loved a sequel to this book, because there’s so much potential which could not be met just with one book.
 |
| Black Heart – Holly Black |
Black Heart is the final book in the Curse Workers trilogy and it is the best last book of a series I’ve read so far. The main character, Cassel Sharpe, comes to a conclusion about his life that seems very natural to me, but I was even fonder of the little twist at the end. Wonderfully unexpected.
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| The Book of Blood and Shadow – Robin Wassermann |
Here is a mystery about a book, which is paid in blood. The story shocked me a few times with unexpected twists and turns and became unpredictable to me, which I liked a lot. Also, a large part of the story takes place in the old city of Prague - a favourite city of mine concerning history and mystery.
 |
| Pushing the Limits – Katie McGarry |
It’s not often that I like books where there’s nothing supernatural to the story, but Pushing the Limits got to me. The romance between the two very different main characters is very delicate. There are pain and fear to deal with and a lot of lines to be crossed for them to trust each other. Beautifully written, it was an amazing read.
 |
| The Diviners – Libba Bray |
New York in the Golden Twenties, plus a magic murder mystery to be solved. When I got over the fact that it’s really playing in the 1920s, I absolutely fell into the story and only came back out again after the last page was turned.
Julika’s picks:
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| The Fault in Our Stars – John Green |
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| The Immortal Rules – Julie Kagawa |
Just when I thought that everything that could possibly be written about vampires has been written (and then some), Julie Kagawa proved me wrong. I love Alison (and Zeke) and will only wait patiently for book two for a lack of other options.
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| City of Lost Souls – Cassandra Clare |
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| Shadow of Night – Deborah Harkness |
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| Unspoken – Sarah Rees Brennan |
I’ll confess that I only picked up Unspoken because Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson were talking about it so highly. And am I ever glad that I did! Even if the end made me want to hurt the author. I mean that as an absolute compliment, because apparently I prefer authors who like to feast on their readers’ despair.
 |
| Beautiful Redemption – Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl |
The Caster Chronicles is probably one of those series that has to grow on its readers. At least I can’t imagine that it would cause quite the frenzy that other series do, but maybe I’m going to be surprised once the first movie hits the cinemas. As the final book in the series, I thought it was a great conclusion to a wonderful storyline. I am very much looking forward to the authors’ future projects as well.
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Asunder by Jodi Meadows
Publication Date: January 29th 2013.
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| Asunder - Katherine Tegen Books |
DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.
SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.
Synopsis from goodreads.com
The first book in this series, Incarnate, was one of the best ones for me this year. I read it immediately after it was published and simply loved it. Main character Ana is hopefully up to whatever it is thrown at her in this sequel: darkness, distrust and love. The last one sounds the hardest for someone who doesn't know love to begin with. Moreover, I'm curious how she will handle the changes in the city Heart, many of which she caused. But my favourite character is gentle, talented Sam, whom I waited so long already to read about again.
Which book did you choose this week? Leave us a comment.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher.
Summer Knight is book four in the Dresden Files, a series about Harry Dresden - the only wizard listed in Chicago's telephone book. He's tall, wears black and works as a private investigator for supernatural stuff in the mortal world: vampires, faeries, demons - you name it. Dresden works with a spirit named Bob, has a cynical voice and tells his sories in the first person.
In Summer Knight, he has to find the murderer of the Summer Queen's knight, try not to get too entangled in faerie debts and maybe surviving the clash of the summer and the winter faerie courts would be good as well. Full of suspense, mystery and wisecracks - I'm enjoying this book very much.
Which book are you reading today? Tease us in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher.
 |
| Summer Knight - Roc |
“We have to find *** and stop her. Save the girl.”
“Or what happens?” Billy asked.
“Badness.”
“Kaboom badness?”
I shook my head. “Mostly longer term than that.”
“Like what?”
“How do you feel about ice ages?”
-- Chapter 29
Summer Knight is book four in the Dresden Files, a series about Harry Dresden - the only wizard listed in Chicago's telephone book. He's tall, wears black and works as a private investigator for supernatural stuff in the mortal world: vampires, faeries, demons - you name it. Dresden works with a spirit named Bob, has a cynical voice and tells his sories in the first person.
In Summer Knight, he has to find the murderer of the Summer Queen's knight, try not to get too entangled in faerie debts and maybe surviving the clash of the summer and the winter faerie courts would be good as well. Full of suspense, mystery and wisecracks - I'm enjoying this book very much.
Which book are you reading today? Tease us in the comments.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland.
Publication Date: April 2nd 2013
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| Vengeance Bound - Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers |
Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.
Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.
Synopsis from goodreads.com.
Why I'm waiting. It's Greek mythology transported into a modern day scenario and I cannot stay away from such things. I'm always fascinated by how authors can work with mythology time and time again. The modern angle makes the story all the more interesting. Also, the synopsis raises more questions, I want answered: Which kind of deal did Cory make to be saddled with the Furies? Can she regain control over her mind again? And what role does Niko play in all of this? It all makes me rub my hands together in happy anticipation and wait patiently until April for answers. :)
What are you waiting on this week? Leave us a comment.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:
The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa
Usually, I dislike in-between stories or chapters that form part of the canon, but aren’t necessary to understand it. Sometimes, they are not easy to get a hold of, but this hadn’t been the case for Winter’s Passage and Summer’s Crossing. Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series has been different for me. Suddenly, I didn’t mind that the last book was from a different point of view and I certainly didn’t mind the additional stories between the individual books. I’m glad that they are now available as a companion piece as they enrich the story while not forcing you to read them. However, if you already have the first two novellas, this publication is a little bit redundant, even with the added bits and pieces. Yet it is the third, Iron’s Prophecy, story that will be the bridge to the second cycle and offer the connection to The Lost Prince. And it does look nice with the other books ...
What are you reading this week? And what are your thoughts on additional novellas between individual books?
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa
 |
| The Iron Legends - Harlequin Teen |
Everyone says the Summer Queen is stunning, beautiful, absolutely captivating. Yeah, I guess she is, but so is a volcanic eruption, and probably less volatile.
-- Summer’s Crossing, Chapter 4
How very chliché. Why can’t it be the third nephew twice removed who’s fated to destroy the world?
-- Iron’s Prophecy, Chapter 4
Usually, I dislike in-between stories or chapters that form part of the canon, but aren’t necessary to understand it. Sometimes, they are not easy to get a hold of, but this hadn’t been the case for Winter’s Passage and Summer’s Crossing. Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series has been different for me. Suddenly, I didn’t mind that the last book was from a different point of view and I certainly didn’t mind the additional stories between the individual books. I’m glad that they are now available as a companion piece as they enrich the story while not forcing you to read them. However, if you already have the first two novellas, this publication is a little bit redundant, even with the added bits and pieces. Yet it is the third, Iron’s Prophecy, story that will be the bridge to the second cycle and offer the connection to The Lost Prince. And it does look nice with the other books ...
What are you reading this week? And what are your thoughts on additional novellas between individual books?
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Prodigy by Marie Lu.
Publication Date: January 29th 2013.
 |
| Prodigy - Putnam Juvenile |
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request--June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.
It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood--what if the Patriots are wrong?
Synopsis from goodreads.com
I probably don’t have to say a lot about why I can hardly wait for this book. I received Legend as a gift last Christmas and I’ve kept returning to thinking about Day and June. I really hope that there will be a little more to the other characters (such as Tess) as well and that we’ll get to see some more of the world beyond the Republic. I also hope that my gut instinct is wrong when it comes to Anden, Day, and June regarding a certain geometrical shape.
Tell us about the books you look forward to in 2013 ... or maybe you picked a December title?
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Having read Armentrout's Covenant series (as far as it’s published), I couldn't help but notice Cursed. It has nothing to do with the series, but rather stands alone. The characters are gifted similarly to the X-Men, which fits right in with my supernatural reading tendencies. ;)
Main character Ember is witty and ironic - the kind of (anti-) heroine I prefer - and she’s doing everything to contradict the theory that her curse is actually a gift. Everything she touches dies, how’s that not a curse? Hayden tries to convince her otherwise and helps her with her curse/gift. I liked him from the start, because he’s one of the only few who is friendly to Ember. So I’m unhappy when his motives are questioned. Still, what are his motives?
Which books are you reading right now? Tease us in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
 |
| Cursed - Spencer Hill Press |
"Yep. Squeaky died. I buried him. Olivia dug him up. I woke up the next day with the thing sitting on my chest."
-- Chapter 9
"But don't confuse pity with caring, Ember," she went on. "Hayden's always had a soft spot for all things... lost and broken."
-- Chapter 16
Having read Armentrout's Covenant series (as far as it’s published), I couldn't help but notice Cursed. It has nothing to do with the series, but rather stands alone. The characters are gifted similarly to the X-Men, which fits right in with my supernatural reading tendencies. ;)
Main character Ember is witty and ironic - the kind of (anti-) heroine I prefer - and she’s doing everything to contradict the theory that her curse is actually a gift. Everything she touches dies, how’s that not a curse? Hayden tries to convince her otherwise and helps her with her curse/gift. I liked him from the start, because he’s one of the only few who is friendly to Ember. So I’m unhappy when his motives are questioned. Still, what are his motives?
Which books are you reading right now? Tease us in the comments.
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