I'm a somewhat reluctant fantasy reader, so I'm excited that I found titles that I loved this year. Here are my absolute favorites (note: I have not yet read two books that may have been contenders for this list: Six of Crows and Winter...)
Why did I love these books?
Here's some of what I said about Bone Gap by Laura Ruby (Balzer + Bray)
"Bone Gap is a beautifully written book that takes some time to reveal itself. There's this quirky, somewhat sinister town. Two motherless boys. A teenage beekeeper. A mysterious girl who may or may not have been kidnapped. And yes, a horse. I wasn't really sure what was going on for quite a while. Like Jellicoe Road or Where Things Come Back, Bone Gap features beautiful writing, and a plot that doesn't quite make sense ... until it does."
Read the full review here.
Here's some of what I said about A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas (Bloomsbury)
"All the main elements of A Court of Thorns and Roses -- the writing, world-building and plotting -- were strong. As I was reading this book, I was thinking about why Beauty and the Beast is the superior Disney fairy tale. Unlike Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, which feature insta-love and women being rescued by men, Beauty and the Beast has more intriguing story elements: 1) a slow burn romance, 2) a main character who falls in love with a man despite his outward appearance and 3) a heroine who has to save the guy, instead of the other way around. A Court of Thorns and Roses is compulsively readable and highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it!"
Read the full review here.
Here's some of what I said about The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski (Farrar Strauss Giroux)
"My favorite kinds of books are those that are psychologically complex -- the kinds of stories that really dig deep and see what makes the characters -- and by extension, people in general -- tick. The Winner's Crime has romance and intrigue and psychological depth. What else? Really well-drawn characters. Just when I'd meet a new character and think I'd met that type of character before, they'd say or do something that surprised me. Some ... gruesome scenes. Some lovely turns of phrase. A ton of emotion. And a truly excruciating cliffhanger." Read the full review here.
Stay tuned over the next few days for my favorite SciFi/Dystopian, Mystery/Thriller and Contemporary books!
Be sure to tell me about your favorite 2015 fantasy books in comments.
I really enjoyed The Winner's Crime as well and I'm excited to see how the last book wraps up the series. Crossing my fingers hard for a HEA.
ReplyDeleteYou know I enjoyed ACOTAR, but I'm honestly unsure as to whether I'll be picking up the sequel. I think I'll wait to get some feedback from you before buying the book. I'm just so over SJM's love triangles.
And I've got to read Bone Gap! It sounds so interesting!
I'm often put off by triangles, but for some reason this one intrigues me -- I haven't really decided which guy I prefer. Once that happens, though, I may have a problem if the triangle doesn't go my way!
DeleteI need to read Bone Gap! :) I wasn't very impressed with ACOTAR, though it was easy to get through and not particularly badly written. I suppose my expectations were just a little too high... Looking forward to your next lists!
ReplyDeleteI really liked it, which amazed me because I usually HATE Fae books with a fiery passion.
DeleteDude your snippet review of Bone Gap has me so curious! I had assumed (by it's cover alone) that it was contemporary.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really unusual but rewarding book. Try it!
DeleteAnd... a lot of my picks are multi-genre. Bone Gap does take place in contemporary times but it's not really realistic fiction -- it has some magical realism elements.
Omggg I LOVED THE BONE GAP. Easily one of my favourites of the year (the writing reminded me a bit of Maggie Stiefvater?! Whose books I forever adore so this is a marvellously good thing xD) and I love it so much I actually plan to reread it, and I don't even usually reread books. XD I adored The Winner's Crime too! It really hooked me in and tooootally surprised me. Book 3 = I need. :D
ReplyDeleteI should re-read it too, because the first time I had no idea what I was reading. I think I'd get a lot more out of it!
Deletefunnily enough i read ACoTaR and disliked it.. and i read the winner's curse and also didn't like it much XD but I haven't picked up Bone Gap yet!
ReplyDelete- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
It was a divisive book for sure, with the (presumed) triangle and all. But I liked it! Perhaps that's because I hate Fae books and was so surprised that I enjoyed it.
DeleteI seriously need to read ACOTAR. Same with The Winner's Curse- it's like I already know that I'll love it, but I don't wanna read it until the last book is out! The cover change though :/
ReplyDeleteMy fantasy faves are probably Uprooted, A History of Glitter and Blood, Magonia, Carry On, Ink and Bone... oh gosh, I have a lot of narrowing down to do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice favorites list you have!
ReplyDeleteFantasy is by far next to dystopian my favorite genre of books!
The worldbuilding is always so good :)
X Claire
I couldn't possibly agree with this list any more. I have yet to read The Bone Gap, but given how loudly Cait has shrieked about it this year, I expect great things. The Winner's Trilogy is excellent, and the wait for A Court of Mist and Fury might actually kill me (I have a giant, sexy problem called Rhysand, and I'm not even sorry.)
ReplyDelete- Lexie