This list was going to be in order, then I realised I loved all these books so much that I couldn't possibly choose my favourite. So, let's begin.
BOOK ONE:
The first book on my list is the final book of the Infernal Devices Trilogy. I loved the story, loved the outcome and really enjoyed the series as a whole.
Title: Clockwork PrincessAuthor: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 19th 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 570
Goodreads Synopsis: A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.
Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.
As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?
Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
BOOK TWO:
The next favourite read of 2013 was not one that expected to be on this list. I absolutely devoured this book. Loved the characters and the story line and Holly Black's twist on vampires.
Title: Coldest Girl in ColdtownAuthor: Holly Black
Published: September 3rd 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 419
Goodreads Synopsis: Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.
One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.
BOOK THREE:
This next book I actually only read recently even though it has been released since 2012. I was afraid to pick this book up as I am not a big fan of insta-love and everything about this book pointed to that. However, I did really enjoy this book. There were times when the love story was a bit overpowering for me but I enjoyed the story and loved the male protagonist Alex.Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: February 7th 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 441
Goodreads Synopsis: Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.
BOOK FOUR:
This was another book that I could not put down. I read this in nearly one sitting if I remember correctly. I love dystopian novels with kick-ass protagonists and this book is one such novel. I loved the character of Day, while not a huge fan of June. It was a fast paced novel full of twist and turns and plenty of drama, with a love story that didn't overshadow the plot.
Title: LegendAuthor: Marie Lu
Published: November 29th 2011
Publisher: Putnum Juvenille
Pages: 320
Goodreads Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.
BOOK FIVE:
When I first picked up this next book I was unsure about how I would feel about it. From reading the blurb I knew the book was narrated by death. At first I found it slightly confusing but as I read on I loved the narration style as it was so different from all the other books I have read. I am not an overly emotional person but this book had me sobbing. It was a beautiful and heart wrenching story that I recommend everyone to read.
Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusack
Published: March 14th 2006
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 552
Goodreads Synopsis: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
BOOK SIX:
This next book is another dystopian novel, with great characters and an excellent plot line. I have an in-depth review of the book which you can find here: http://theirishbookworm.blogspot.ie/
Title: Slated
Author: Teri Terry
Published: May 3rd 2012
Publisher: Orchard Books
Pages: 448
Goodreads Synopsis: Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.
She’s been Slated.
The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?
BOOK SEVEN:
The last but by no means least is The Darkest Minds. This was another book I devoured in about two sittings. It was action packed from the very beginning and the characters were realistic (ok, not the powers part, but in their actions). While this book had a little bit of a love story which is ok in my books, it wasn't the be all and end all. I really dislike books whose story line is the love story leaving no plot line and thankfully this was not one of those stories.
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: December 18th 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 488
Goodreads Synopsis: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
Those were my seven favourite reads of 2013. What were your favourite books this year?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to leave a comment, I love to hear your thoughts!
Make sure to check back on your comments as I always reply :)