Favorite Books Read in 2013!

Time to take a moment to talk about all of the books I read and LOVED in 2013!

(To make room for all of the awesome books of 2014, of course.)

Splintered by A.G. Howard
YA/Paranormal/Retelling
4/5 stars
Splintered is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, following one of Alice's descendants in modern day. The concept of this book is thus - the female descendants of Alice's line are cursed, or mentally ill.. depending on who you ask. This was one of the first books I read in 2013, and one that has stuck with me because of its grotesque and colorful imagery. As retellings go, this was fantastic because you never really know what's going to happen.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

YA/Historical Fiction

4/5 stars

Code Name Verity is one of my favorite books of all time. While I only rated it 4 out of 5 stars, that was because of little reasons that I can let go of in hindsight. CNV is a novel taking place during World War 2, and following two young women who build a devoted friendship. One of the women is captured and taken prisoner by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. In her interrogations, we learn of the history of their friendship and how she ended up in a cell. This book tore my heart into pieces. I have complained in the past about the lack of female friendships in fiction, and this delivers. This is a war story and a love story, and a darn good one.

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

Adult/Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Romance

5/5 Stars

Straight from the summary, "Deathless is a collision of magical history and actual history, of revolution and mythology, of love and death, which will bring Russian myth back to life in a stunning new incarnation." This was the first book I read of Valente's, but it was not the last. Deathless is written like an extended poem, woven with folklore and the dreadful history of Russia during World War 2. It's a strange novel, as all of Valente's are, and that's part of why I love it so. Anyone interested in Russian culture should pick this up.

In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente

Fantasy

4/5 Stars

After reading and loving Deathless, I had to pick up another of Valente's books. This was what I chose. If I had thought Deathless was strange, I had no idea what was in store for me in In the Night Garden. The structure of this book is most peculiar. In the first chapter, a character (character A) begins telling a story. By the end of a chapter, another character (character B) has been introduced. A new chapter begins with character B telling their story. Another character (character C) is introduced in that chapter, and another chapter begins when character C begins telling a story. This goes on and on, though we return to all of the character's stories which eventually reach a resolution. The stories span over the fantasy world the Valente created, and is a delightfully imaginative book.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

YA/Historical Fiction/Paranormal/Mystery

5/5 Stars

This was the scariest book I've ever read. Such a visual and immersive read! This would be fine if it weren't a book about trying to catch a serial killer who leaves behind grotesque bodies. This takes place during the 1920's in NYC, and Bray does an unreal (in a good way) job of pulling you into that culture. The world-building and creepiness of The Diviners were my favorite parts.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith/Jo Rowling

Mystery

5/5 Stars

The moment it was revealed that Rowling had published a novel under a pseudonym, I was buying it on my Kindle and reading it. I devoured this book. Rowling's writing style alone kept me excited throughout this book. Her characterization. Her dialogue. Her descriptions. *swoon* Some have complained that this book didn't have enough suspense. I dunno. Maybe I was just having such an adrenaline rush over the fact that Rowling had had a book published for months and I didn't know about it.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Fantasy/Dystopia

4.5/5 Stars

The Bone Season is the first book to have a character that shares my name that I actually like. Yay! But on a more serious note, there is so much world-building in this. I LOVED it. While it can be info-dumpy, especially in the beginning, I was just enamored with everything about this. The Bone Season follows a clairvoyant young woman in a future version of London where being clairvoyant is illegal. Drama ensues.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

YA/Fantasy

5/5 Stars

Holy guacamole. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, YOU GUYS. If you didn't know, this is the sequel to Throne of Glass. I read Throne of Glass in 2012, and liked it but wasn't in love with it. Crown of Midnight, however, is now one of my favorite books. EVER. All of the feels. All of them. Throne of Glass was more like a foundation for the awesomeness that is to come in this series, and I'm so so so excited to see where this goes. Cool world-building. Cool characters. Great plotting. *hugs book to self*

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Fantasy

5/5 Stars

The cutest book I've ever read goes to Howl's Moving Castle. I've fangirled numerous times about this book on my Booktube channel, and will continue to fangirl for as long as I can. The wizard Howl is one of the most obnoxiously lovable characters, even though he's built on the most annoying characteristics ever. This book is just so much fun and full of laughs. I loved the movie, and I'm glad I decided to read the book because it's even better.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
YA/Fantasy
4.5/5 Stars
WHAT A SEQUEL. Now, this pales in comparison to Crown of Midnight... but this is still one of my favorite reads of 2013. I'm still swooning over Alina's (the main character's) arc and I want the next book in this series NOW. OR ELSE. (But I can wait, honestly. I'll be spending my months theorizing about how badass Alina is going to be in the next installment.) There was a new character introduced in this book that I LOVED. My only complaint would be that there was so much opportunity for cool world-building and Bardugo didn't go for it. PS. this is the sequel to Shadow and Bone.

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