Enclave by Ann Aguirre
I love Ann Agurrie's adult novels so when I saw she was venturing into YA I HAD to get my hands on this book! I did and was not disappointed.
I was immediately plunged into the dark claustrophobic tunnels of the enclave with one of my all time favorite heroines, Deuce. This is dystopian and YA at it's best. Enclave is intelligent and action packed with engaging characters that have you asking; What's right? What's wrong? and if you would do the same things to survive.
Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready
(Bridge is a story in the Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions anthology)
Jeri Smith-Ready website
Bridge is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Period. Told in verse, Bridge is the story of Logan Keeley's journey for forgiveness, redemption and his struggle to let go.
Logan is a ghost from Jeri's Shade trilogy who is having a little trouble moving on but you don't need to have read the series or know Logan to understand this powerful message of love between brothers. I have several friends who have never read the Shade series and still loved Bridge.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Holy WOW! This book was amazing and creepy! I was surprised how far Blake went on the scary/gore scale considering this is YA. I need book two now please!
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
CRICKET BELL!
That is all.
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade
Finally! A sequel that is as good as, if not better than the first book in the series. Queen of the Dead left me completely satisfied but DYING to know what happens in the conclusion to this excellent trilogy.
Between the Lines Trilogy by Tammara Webber
Reviews:
One of my favorite contemporary YA series where the characters make mistakes and take time to grow throughout the series. No cookie cutter characters here. It's messy and complicated and FUN with a wild, glamorous hollywood backdrop. BONUS: You can get the whole series on your e-reader for under $10!
Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine
A hidden gem. Sophie and Carter delves into some pretty heavy subject matters but I promise you'll be smiling bright when it's over.
Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Think you're totally burnt out on vampires? Love snarky dialogue? Drink Slay Love is the book for you! Bonus: UNICORNS! Trust me - it works.
Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett
A fresh twist on the genre. This time we have a bad girl trying to corrupt the good boy! Loved all the sci-fi geek references! Another hidden gem.
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
I'm not usually a fan of time traveling novels. They always feel like a contrived way to "reset the clock" but Hourglass was smart and wonderful. Hourglass is also one of those rare cases where the story was as great as that amazing cover!
Divergent by Veronica Roth
A great introduction to a series that promises to be epic! The last 100 pages of Divergent had me holding my breath and covering my eyes. Whoa!!!
The Disillusionist Trilogy by Carolyn Crane
I haven't had time to review this series yet but consider the entire series 4 out of 4!
Carolyn Crane website
OMG OMG OMG! Reading nirvana. Urban Fantasy nirvana. Trilogy nirvana. Hands down best series I read all year and one of my favorite UF series of all time. The best thing??? It's only three books and the third book is out now! Warning.... buy all three and set aside a few days to read the trilogy all at once. There be big cliffhangers ahead. I was so riveted that I read the last two books in one day.
What a hell of a way to end my reading year!
I will go and read your reviews. I loved the Disillusionist Trilogy to no ends. I've emailed German publishers, I almost trolled (!!!)..
ReplyDeleteDivergent has to be one of the best YA novels out there. I usually hate YA, yet I was captivated by Roth's writing.
Compared to these books, I wouldn't list Lola, but I think it was a very good light, realistic YA fiction. I fear I haven't read any of the other books you've mentioned. *scrolls up again* Yep, onle these 5.
Thanks for sharing your favorites. I think after agreeing with you on the ones I HAVE read I should give the others a try, too. : )
Patricia
ooh interesting! Your list is more diverse compared to others I've been checking.
ReplyDeleteI knew about Enclave, Lola & Anna Dressed in Blood! :D
Bridge, I so want to read that story :( *sobs*
Queen of the Dead I did not know you like this series. I haven't read it of course haha.
And finally Between the Lines everyone is talking about this series too, also didn't know it was part of your favorites. Like I said: Interesting ;)
Celebration! Rapture! These are some good picks. Of course I agree on Hourglass, Divergent, and Enclave--they're YA gems. And I'm glad that Logan got his redemption and growth through his story. Absolutely agree with the Disillusionists Trilogy. The woman /knows/ how to satisfy a reading audience.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I *will* try Drink, Slay, Love. Everyone seems to love it.
ReplyDeleteAnna makes my faves this year too! And I liked Divergent a lot, too. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I really want to read Enclave, Drink, Slay, Love, Hourglass, and Divergent.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go read those reviews now. :)
Arghhhh! I need Head Rush! But I am so so stupid and want print *sobs* I just love it more than ebooks
ReplyDeleteI have Head Rush ready on my Kindle. I totally need to knock that one out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Hourglass, but if you're looking for other time travel books which don't seem like they're patched together with duct tape and glue, you might try Tempest. I just finished that this week and LOVED it. One of my 2011 favorites, not just 5/5 stars, but a favorite!
Your list fills my heart with joy! So what you're saying is read Drink, Slay, Love? :-P
ReplyDeleteSuch great books on that list :)
ReplyDelete