TTT: All Time Favourite Fantasy Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

For this week's TTT we were able to choose our own book genre. Fantasy it is! Here are my all time favourite books that are fantasy related:

1. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

2. Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore

3. Slumber by Samantha Young

4. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

5. Fire Spirits by Samantha Young

6. The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra R. Clarke

7. Sora's Quest by T.L. Shreffler

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas

9. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

10. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

End of Year Book Survey of 2013

I know, I'm late, as always haha But I really wanted to do this survey (for the first time!), so here we go! Needless to say, that it will be really hard to answer these questions with only one book, but hey, I'll try my best!

 

1. Best book you read in 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Sanctum by Sarah Fine
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Allegiant by Veronica Roth

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

The Mad Scientist's Daughter and The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
The Covenant Series by J.L.Armentrout
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
Cassandra Rose Clarke, Samantha Young, John Green, Markus Zusak, Veronica Roth, Jessi Kirby

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Cloak and Dagger by Nenia Campbell

Bully by Penelope Douglas

 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book of 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

 

11. Most memorable character in 2013?

Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

12. Most beautifully written book in 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to read?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?
"Even death has a heart." - The Book Thief
"I carried them in my fingers, like suitcases. Or I'd throw them over my shoulder. It was only the children I carried in my arms." - The Book Thief
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.” - The Fault in Our Stars
“What a slut time is. She screws everybody.” - The Fault in Our Stars

16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2013?
shortest: The Assassin and the Princess by Sarah J. Maas
longest: Lover at Last by J.R. Ward

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc.)?
Liesel & Max / Liesel & Hans from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Hazel & Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Celaena & Chaol from Crown of Mignight by Sarah J. Maas

 

19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously?

Crown of Mignight by Sarah J. Maas

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from someone else?
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Golden by Jessi Kirby
Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?
YA

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Naji from The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

23. Best 2013 debut you read?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?
Bully by Penelope Douglas
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

When the World Was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach

I received this e-ARC for free on netgalley.com (Thank you!) and in exchange I will do an honest review.

I requested this title from Netgalley because the title (and cover) intrigued me. The title is brilliant and fits the book and story perfectly. I'm a little bit torn about this book. I liked the writing, the whole concept and symbolism throughout the story, and all the references to Einstein. But to be completely honest although Jonach's love story was lovely and sweet it was rather simple and straightforward in itself.

Unfortunately I couldn't connect with the main character, mainly because she has a rather insulting nature. She called everyone names behind their back, called her best friend 'fat', 'slut', etc. I got the feeling that she is the kind of person you never want to be around because you know she is silently judging you behind the smile on her face. But putting that aside, I mostly liked the side characters and even Tom. Although the ever-broody and mysterious new boy remained a bit too broody and mysterious.

In the end, there were a lot of threads still dangling that I was thinking, “Wait, what about that?!”. This book isn’t a bad read, in fact it’s engrossing and mysterious and a bit frustrating, but the story at its core is unique. I just wish I had been able to wrap my brain around it a little easier and that there were even more explanation to the major scientific themes.

"I remember when I first heard his name - Tom. I was sitting in the Cafeteria with my best friends, Jo and Sylv, in the last week of our sophomore year at Green Grove Central High School, scraping Wite-Out off my nails and wondering whether I could stomach the burger on the tray in front of me, when the News broke about the "new guy".

“'I hate him. He hates me. End of Story.'

'Sounds like a love Story to me.'

'Or a Porno.'"

"Einstein once said that God does not play dice. He believed the universe was ordered, the world predictable. But his contemporary, Nils Bohr, famously asked Einstein to "stop telling God what to do with his dice.""

"They say Einstein had a bad Memory. He had once forgotten where he lived and had to phone Princeton University for hid address."

"'You would think we had tried to assassinate the queen,' I grumbled in Algebra. 'Well, she is Green Grove royalty,' Sylv said. 'Yeah,' I agreed. 'A royal pain in my ass.'

3 of 5 stars

World After by Susan Ee

I loved Angelfall and I was über excited to get my hands on the sequel World After. Needless to say that I read it in two days, I just couldn't stop!  I got lost in Susan Ee's world, witty dialogues and Penryn's bad ass attitude.

World After is even more terrifying than Angelfall. There is some kind of darkness that clings to the pages and that will get your adrenaline going. I loved the suspense and the terrifying moments. (Although I'm not the biggest fan of horror but I guess Susan Ee proved me wrong!)

Penryn and Raffe...omg I love those two together. First I was a little bit dissappointed because for the first half there WAS NO FRICKING RAFFE. But it only shows that Penryn can take care of herself, she is a survivor in the true sense of the word and tries everything to keep her loved ones safe. Susan Ee portraits an absolutely believable character. I love that Penryn will do anything to save her family and Raffe.

I highly recommend World After to everyone who loved Angelfall, this book is full of non-stop action, witty and funny dialogues (I loved the scences with Pooky Bear!), great characters and dark, gritty and suspensefull storytelling, all packed up in a post-apocalyptic world.

"Everyone thinks I'm dead. I lie with my head on my mother's lap in the open bed of a large truck. The dawn light etches the grief lines on my mom's face while the rumble of the engines vibrates through my limp body."

"I look up to say something but he puts his fingers to my lips and whispers, 'Don't talk. You'll just spoil my fantasy of rescuing an innocent damsel in distress as soon as you open your mouth.'" p. 337

"'You're not Fallen, are you?' The question pops out of my mouth before my head can censor it. 'From everything I've heard, that would just make me more sexy to you Daughters of Men.' He finishes taping the last bit of the blanket. 'What is it that you all see in bad Boys?'" p. 371

5 of 5 stars

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

I received this e-ARC for free on netgalley.com (Thank you!) and in exchange I will do an honest review.

Ok, so I guess somehow everyone can relate to this book, no matter where he or she attended college/university. For me, I connected with BOTH girls. First year I attended University in my hometown while still living with my parents and siblings, next two years I lived abroad and oh my gosh, I could totally relate to all those e-mail related things, not the who-brings-the-microwave things but omg-please-let-us-be-bff things haha and I registered for a SINGLE too in the beginning haha and then I got the letter that told me I would be living together with two other girls (from England and Czech Republic) and ... it was the best time of my life! So yeah, this book brought all the good (and bad haha) memories back!

I liked that the book's ending was left open. Whilst this would annoy certain readers, I think this ending was the best. So, there might be hope that these authors will return to this story? I definitely hope so!

"Sometimes there are signs. Or things I can't help but interpret as signs. Maybe from fate or the universe or God, if there is one. Or maybe from the grandmother I barely knew but who I've always been told is in heaven. Watching and judging. Like Santa."

“Life is one of those experiments meant to be conducted in a stimulating, messy environment.”

4 of 5 stars

Sia by Josh Grayson

I received this e-ARC for free on netgalley.com (Thank you!) and in exchange I will do an honest review.

So the start was pretty good: one day Sia wakes up on a bench in the middle of the day and she has no clue where or who she is. Only her iPod says her name Sia and that's it. A really promising start, but somehow it went downhill from there. I really liked the first chapters, but after Sia meets her parents again, the story becomes so unrealistic and ridiculous. Everything felt like "happily ever after" and I couldn't buy the whole amnesia plot twist, sorry. Solving your mum's drinking problem (which she had for a year) in two weeks? Check. Getting the boy, although he hated you nuts before? Check. Sorting out your father's money by attending the Oscar's afterparty? Check.

The story was nice, but definitely a light, unrealistic read.

"Wake up! A tiny, annoying tickle on my face. No, no, no, ... Need sleep. Go away. It comes again - Wake up!- and this time it's a definite touch on my cheek."

"True friendship is when two friends can walk in opposite directions, yet remain side by side.”

2 of 5 stars

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

When I first read the Covenant Serie I was obsessed. I bought one book after the other and I just couldn't get enough. Although I wasn't a big fan of Apollyon (book 4), I really liked all the other books and novellas. It's kind of sad that Alex's story is finally over. It was honestly the most perfect ending J.L. Armentrout could have written. It was bittersweet and I just discovered that J.L. Armentrout is planning on writing some Seth books, I can't wait!

The last book was full of action, heart-warming scenes and funny dialogues (oh how I loved all the Gods-action and witty dialogues!).

 

5 / 5 stars

 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Ok, let's try this. I hope my keyboard stays dry and I will somehow sob through this review.

I always tend to start with the cover, so I'll stick to that routine. I like a simple cover that somehow resembles the key element of the book. This cover does just that. It's simply perfect. Death is dancing with Liesel.

The layout of the whole book, the quotes and the drawings are refreshing and made the whole story unique.


The most amazing and unique thing?
The story is told from Death's perspective. I admit, first I wasn't too sure if I liked the idea of Death narrating the whole story but after reading a few pages I just couldn't get enough of this particular writing style.

The most most amazing and unique thing?
Death has a personality. He likes colours. He is kind enough to warn you ahead of time of someone's death. From the very start Death will tell you something about the ending that they will all die, so he somehow spoils his own story. I liked Death's snarky side comments, as well as his wish to grasp the human mind.

The most most most amazing and unique thing?
The characters. Liesel, Max, Hans, Rudy and even Rosa. They went directly to my heart, and never left. The development of the relationship between Liesel and her foster parents (especially with Hans) was heartwrenching and oh so sweet. The friendship/lovestory between Liesel and Rudy was so freaking cute and I always smiled whenever I've read Rudy saying "How about a kiss?". The relationship of Max and Liesel is one of the rarest and purest kind of friendship. Neither did they share blood, nor were they of same age. They were bounded to each other by the power of words and their love for books. But the most amazing character was definitely Hans Hubermann. The wise man with the Accordion. Liesel's fosterfather with silver eyes. He occupies a special little corner in my heart.

A few words on the german. Markus Zusak did an amazing job in using the bavarian language, and it was quite entertaining to read his translations. I can understand that to some readers, these phrases and translations can be irrelevant, bothersome or even frustrating, but for me it was quite funny, entertaining and hilarious. There is nothing more frustrating when authors misuse certain languages by not knowing them or by using google translator for their translations. For me, it was refreshing to spot german words and sentences while reading The Book Thief.

The Book Thief is a wonderful book, full of beauty and pain. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

"First the colours. Then the humans. That's usually how I see things. Or at least, how I try."

"The juggling comes to an end now, but the struggling does not. I have Liesel Meminger in one hand, Max Vandenburg in the other. Soon I will clap them together. Just give me a few pages." p. 175

"Even death has a heart." p. 252

"They say that war is death's best friend, but I must offer you a different point of view on that one. To me, war is like the new boss who expects the impossible. He stands over your shoulder repeating one thing, incessantly.'Get it done, get it done.' So you work harder. You get the job done. The boss, however, does not thank you. He asks for more." p. 319

"I carried them in my fingers, like suitcases. Or I'd throw them over my shoulder. It was only the children I carried in my arms." p. 345

5 of 5 stars

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

The cover of this book is pretty much amazing, and it drew my attention. The plot was interesting enough, although I'm not a big fan of ghoststories, I thought the story sounded intriguing. So I gave it a try.

It's a first-person book (Amelia's POV) and although I'm a huge fan of alternating POVs (if they are well written), I really liked Amelia's voice.
I loved the beginning. Amelia is dead, that's the only thing she really knows and the fact that she died drowning in a river. She doesn't remember anything, isn't able to tell time or interact with living people. So basically she wanders around, completely alone. One day she saves a boy named Joshua from drowning in the exact same river, and somehow they connected and he is able to see her. Together they try to solve the mystery of Amelia's death.

Like I said, the beginning was awesome. The story kept me on my toes because I simply wanted to know what happened to this poor girl. The scenes where Amelia felt lost, alone and empty were really well written. I love when the first chapters of a book ensnare the reader into the story and they convey how terrifying and disturbing Amelia's nightmares really are.

I wished that the plot would have concentrated more on Amelia's mystery around her death rather than her romance with the sleeping pill, aah I mean Joshua. It was rather unbelieving after his nearly deathly accident to accept Amelia as a ghost so quickly and easily. Oh, and did I mentioned that he fell in love with Amelia at first sight because she was oh so pretty. Yeah, needless to say, that bugged me. A lot.

And there is Eli, the villain, who - yes you guessed right - wants Amelia for his own Although it somehow sounds like a love-triangle, there really isn't one (thank God).

The story is your typical paranormal romance with a hint of fantasy. The story itself is beautiful and captivating (I'm talking about Amelia's death), but the romance felt flat for me. Somehow I also missed a plot-twist that left you speechless.

"It was the same as always, but different from the first time. It felt as if my Sternum was a door into which someone had roughly shoved a key and twisted."

 “My sense of direction would be the death of me. Metaphorically, at least.” 

3 of 5 stars

Top Ten Sequels

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

 

 

This week TTT is quite easy for me, because my to-be-read-shelf is overflowing with sequels. Most of them are already published (but I had no time/money to read/purchase them) or they will be out this autumn/winter.

 

 

1. World After by Susan Ee

2. Sentinel by J.L. Armentrout

3. Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

4. Viper's Creed by T.L.Shreffler

5. Toxic Heart by Theo Lawrence

6. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

7. Goddess by Josephine Angelini

8. Blood Solstice by Samantha Young

9. Shades of Blood by Samantha Young

10. Borrowed Ember by Samantha Young