10 Best Books of 2011

I'll be honest, 2011 wasn't the best year for me book-wise. For starters, I only managed to get through 63 books this year. While that looks like a lot, it means there a loads of books that I didn't manage to get through - mostly ARCS, sorry publishers! Out of those 63 books, I only gave five a 5 star review. In other words, only 8% of the books I read this year did I consider excellent. Now compare that to 2010, where I gave nine books 5 stars. Five vs. nine! Isn't that just depressing?

That said, there have been some truly standout novels this year. Some of them had been on my TBR pile for years while some were from brand-new authors. Here's how they break down genre-wise: 3 Dystopian YA, 2 Adult Fantasy, 2 YA Urban Fantasy, 1 Adult Urban Fantasy, 1 Literary Fiction, and 1 YA Science Fiction. They're a diverse bunch of books, but they are all worth a read! (Click on the titles to read my reviews.)

Top Ten Books of 2011

1. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones should really count as 3 books, considering it is big enough to double as a weapon! If you've somehow missed all the buzz about the HBO series based on this book, you've obviously been hiding under a rock. It is fantastic. Read the book, watch the show, go to a convention!


2. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs writes amazing books and Cry Wolf was no exception. I absolutely loved how the novel jumped between different characters, and wow what a plot. A-MA-ZING. 

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

Yep, The Hunger Games. It took me forever to get to this book but it was ludicrously amazing. I even got my mother to read it (she adored it, btw!). Catching Fire and Mokingjay were just good and OK, but they did not detract from the brilliance of this book.

4. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert 

Moloka'i is unlike all the other books on this list - it's historical literary fiction! But wow, is it ever extraordinary. Even if you don't usually read this type of book, I would give it a shot.

5. Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Do not be fooled by the cover of Academy 7, this is YA science fiction at its very best. The only, only issue I had with this book? It was too bloody short! Moooore, Anne Osterlund. More!

6. Pure by Julianna Baggott

Pure is kinda a cheat for this list. The book doesn't come out until 2012 but I couldn't help but add it to my list. While it isn't perfect, it was one of the most terrifying YA novels I have ever read.

7. Temeraire by Naomi Novik

Temeraire! What a fantastic book! Dragons and Napoleon and magical magical writing. Read it!

8. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was probably one of the most unique YA books I've ever read. I am so very, very glad that it has gotten the praise it deserves. Oh, and Laini? Awesome awesome pink-haired lady.

9. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

I was afraid to read The Gathering, as I adored Kelley's Darkest Powers trilogy and everyone knows that sequels never live up to the original! The only exceptions being The Godfather II and... The Gathering! This book was every bit amazing.

10. Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre's Enclave lived up to everything I expected from it. And I expected a hell of a lot. Her Sirantha Jax series is a fantastic read, so I hoped and prayed that her venture into YA would be just as great . It was - it really was!

E-book exclusives you need to get!

I've recently joined the 21st century and bought myself a Kindle (read this post to find out why I finally gave in). It seems I've joined the club just in time to take advantage of some fantastic digital exclusives!

Here are a few short stories and anthologies that are only available as e-books - you'll recognise the authors as some of the very best in YA fiction. They are absolute musts for fans, even those of you who don't have an e-book reader should consider getting them!

Hana by Lauren Oliver
UK readers / US readers

This short story takes place in the Delirium verse, and tells the tale of Lena's best-friend Hana. According to the publishers, "there's a shocking twist to her tale that will leave you with your heart in your mouth". Sounds good to me! I've already got it on my Kindle and cannot wait to get to it!

Hana is only available in eBook and, for a limited time only, is just 99p! You can also make a really neat Lauren Oliver themed Christmas decoration that uses text from Hana. Check it out here!

Darkest Powers Bonus Pack by Kelley Armstrong
UK readers / US readers

Kelley is a fan's dream author. Why? Because she just keeps on giving! She's released three online novellas set in her Darkest Powers verse, and is currently in the process of writing a fourth (read it here). Unfortunately, these stories have just become non-free - but all three are available for your Kindle for just 72p! They are fantastic and well worth it - I've bought them even though I had downloaded the free pdf versions! Read my reviews of two of the stories: Divided and Dangerous.

The First Time Anthology edited by Jessica Verday
UK readers / US Readers: B&N - Amazon

The First Time Anthology is solely available as an e-book, but features a tonne of YA authors you'll recognise from printed works, including: Cyn Balog, Teri Hall, Heidi R. Kling, Saundra Mitchell, Jackson Pearce, Carrie Ryan, Kristina Springer, and Jessica Verday. In 25 stories, the authors explore firsts: first loves, first kisses, first zombie slayings, etc.

I'll admit that I am not quite running out to get this anthology, mostly because I already have so many anthologies I need to get to! Still, it sounds fab.

Cover Alert! The Calling (UK) by Kelley Armstrong

Eep! I always get excited when a new cover comes out for Kelley Armstrong's books - but this one is especially exciting. Everyone, take a look at the UK cover of The Calling!

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong - Goodreads

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is - a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents including local bad boy Rafe, with whom she shares a dangerous, powerful secret. Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. After a terrifying helicopter crash, they find themselves stranded in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. But can Maya really trust her friends? And can she learn how to control the frightening new gift she has discovered before it controls her?

I adore the UK covers of the Darkness Rising series: I love how fierce the girls on the cover are; I love how the cover artists don't shy away from using a full face; I love the inclusion of the woods and wildlife. Love love love. My only issue with this cover is with the girl... she just looks a bit too Anglo. Which is odd considering how very non-Anglo the cover model of The Gathering was. Perhaps this is supposed to be a different character? Or perhaps they still plan on changing the model? This is clearly a preliminary cover (those editing lines can still be seen) so they may still make adjustments...  but besides the model, I really do adore this cover!

Read my OMG-this-book-is-amazing review of The Gathering here!

Wishing sequels into existence [BTT]

Dreaming by Kyle M Stone

Booking through Thursday: If you could get a sequel for any book, what would it be?

I love this question because - usually - I complain bitterly about the quantity of sequels out there. My fellow YA and UF fans know exactly what I mean when I say that most books never die. They recycle the same material over and over and over again until you've forgotten why you ever liked the book in the first place.

But there are some fabulous books out there that I would totally read the sequel to... if only they existed. Most recently, Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund. I just finished it a few weeks ago and was heartbroken to hear it had no sequel. It's a fantastic YA Science Fiction novel (read my review here). Hell, I could read a companion novel set in this verse, and I'd be in love.

I would also read absolutely anything set in the Darkest Powers verse by Kelley Armstrong. While I realise that I have been rather blessed in this respect (the series are 3 novels, 4 short stories, and an entire spin-off trilogy), I would love love love to read another Chloe Saunders book. Now, if possible. *waits*

And on a literary fiction note, I would love a sequel to Run by Ann Patchett. It was one of my favourite reads back in 2009 and lately I've been thinking about the characters. What are they up to now, I wonder...

Book Notes: Scandals and Signings and Shakespeare, oh my!

Book Notes highlights bookish news, reviews, curiosities and gossip spotted across the blogosphere. May the drama be with you...

De-Gay YA

When I heard the news that a well-respected agency tried to get two authors to "de-gay" their YA novel, I can't say I was shocked. In fact, what surprised me was that the authors had come out and told their story to the mainstream press. I am sure this kind of thing goes on all the time, we just never hear about it... And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the agency came out denying everything. Which is certainly a new crisis management technique! Aja gives you the full scoop (and a very healthy rant) in her article in The Mary Sue. Read it!

New author deals

In other, less terrifying news, there have been some pretty brilliant new deals signed between authors and their publishers. Here are the ones I am particularly excited about:

• Historical Fiction writer Phillipa Gregory has signed with Simon and Schuster to write 4 YA Historical Fiction novels. The first will be published in summer 2012. I've never read any of Gregory's work, but it is exciting to have her in the genre! More on Dark Faerie Tales.
• Dark Life author Kat Falls will be publishing a dystopian romance trilogy with Scholastic. The first book, The Fetch, will be out in autumn 2012. I loved Dark Life, so I am really looking forward to what else Kat comes up with. More on Presenting Lenore.
• One of my favourite authors, Ann Aguirre, will be publishing an all-new science fiction trilogy with Ace. The books have been pitched as "prison break - in space", so needless to say that I am desperate to read them! They'll be out in autumn 2013. More on Ann Aguirre's website. 
• Rag & Bones is a new YA anthology, edited by Melissa Marr and Tim Pratt, that will feature a whole bunch of my favourite authors. Among them: Kelley Armstrong! It is being published in 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (World). More on Tez Says.

New Covers

There are always new stunning and not-so-stunning covers coming out. But these are the ones that have really caught my eye:

 

• Illuminate by Aimee Agresti - I know, another red dress. But the summary for this book is just so intriguing!
• Insurgent by Veronica Roth - I haven't read Divergent and I really never planned to... but this cover is just so lovely! I am really tempted to pick up the first book in the series now! 
• The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellsion - No idea what this is about, but I find the cover gorgeously spooky. It's Dexter meets butterflies...

 

• Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - This cover is so spooky! Maybe I am developing a new love for somewhat terrifying things, because I just find this cover amazing.
• If I Die by Rachel Vincent - I have but one word: F-I-E-R-C-E. 

UK Signings!

Some big names are coming to the UK. Some seriously, seriously big names! I really hope y'all can make some of these great signings:

• Christopher Paolini will be at Forbidden Planet on Wednesday 28 September! Christopher Paolini will be signing the first three volumes of The Inheritance Cycle at the Forbidden Planet Megastore. The signing is a lead-up to the publication of the final book in the cycle. I tried to read Christopher's books, but they aren't for me. Even still, I find the story of his publication extremely inspiring! For more information about this signing, see the Forbidden Planet website. 
• Erin Morgenstern, author of the highly anticipated The Night Circus will be discussing her fin-de-siècle fantasia of magic and mischief at Foyles in Bristol, Monday 10 October. I have been dying to read this book - so it's extremely exciting that the author is coming to the UK! Read more here.
• Peter F Hamilton will be signing his short story collection Manhattan in Reverse at the Forbidden Planet Megastore on Thursday 6 October. While I haven't had the chance to read any of Peter's works yet, he is an absolute rock star in the SF genre!More details on the Forbidden Planet website.
• Christopher Priest, the multiple award-winning fantasy/SF/horror author will be at London Foyles not once, but twice! He'll be in the Gallery discussing his career and new book, The Islanders, on 29 September. Read more here. And then he'll be back for the "House of Fear" event along with Sarah Pinborough and Paul Meloy. Read more here.
• Moira Young and Philip Reeve will be doing a joint chat in Guildhall, Bath on Sunday, 25 September. Tickets are £5, but I am sure the event will be unforgettable! More information is available on the Waterstones website.

The waters of the Avon...

And last but not least, Oxford Dictionaires has a great new online test for you all... How Shakespearean are you? You just stick a bit of your own writing into a box, and they give you a verdict. Apparently my English is 81 percent Shakespearean. "The waters of the Avon almost lap at your feet."
Give it a go!

Review - Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Bitten (Women of the Otherworld #1) by Kelley Armstrong
Librarything / Goodreads

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 448

Summary: Elena Michaels is your regular twenty-first-century girl: self-assured, smart and fighting fit. She also just happens to be the only female werewolf in the world...

It has some good points. When she walks down a dark alleyway, she's the scary one. But now her Pack - the one she abandoned so that she could live a normal life - are in trouble, and they need her help. Is she willing to risk her life to help the ex-lover who betrayed her by turning her into a werewolf in the first place? And, more to the point, does she have a choice?

Thoughts: I've had Bitten on my shelves for a couple of years now and, despite my ardent love for Kelley Armstrong, I had trouble picking it up. This was partly because I had heard so many good things about the book but - if I'm completely honest - it had more to do with the book itself. Because for all the great reviews out there, there were also a number of reviews that were highly critical of Clay, one of the central characters. And after reading the summary of Bitten, I couldn't blame them. This man chose to infect the love-of-his-life against her will... how could I ever like him?

So that was my main worry going into Bitten... but in the end, my read trouble was with Elena. While I could readily accept her leaving Clay after what he had done - she never really did. Instead she kinda strung him along... and that's just not nice. The only thing that made me forgive her was the fact that she is monstrously screwed up. She was orphaned at a young age, sexually and emotionally abused growing up, and then turned into a werewolf against her will. These aren't the sorts of experiences that leave you unscarred. But still, given that Bitten takes place 10 years after she was bitten, I think Elena had been given enough time to get her act sorted out.

Clay, on the other hand, was fantastic. I mean, I wouldn't actually want to meet the man out of fear for my life, but I still adored him. I had heard him described as an older version of Derek (from her Darkest Powers series) - and that'd be correct with one amendment: Clay has no "human" conscience. He doesn't do things because they are the right thing to do, instead he'll do whatever he must in order to protect his pack. That includes the disemboweling of innocents (no, that doesn't happen in Bitten, but I would never put it past him).

As you might have imagined, there is an insane amount of violence in this book. Usually, I'm all on board with blood and guts in my UF, but there was one scene of needless violence that really bothered me. I get that they are werewolves and that, in their wolf form, they'll kill pretty much anything if it threatens them. But when Elena killed a dog while she was human, and neither she nor Clay felt the slightest bit of remorse? I was so so so not ok with that. Killing out of necessity I understand, but when they killed the dog out of convenience it just seemed... out of character.

And despite my issues with Elena and her somewhat-homicidal habits (Derek and Chloe need to stay far far away from the pack if they are still like this), I still enjoyed Bitten. It kept me up well past my bedtime; I was thinking about these characters while I wasn't reading. And I think Stolen will be much better... Bitten was written as a stand-alone novel, and I truly believe it would have been a different (more enjoyable) book if Kelley Armstrong had written it knowing there'd be a sequel.

Bottom line? Kelley Armstrong is a fantastic author and her Otherworld verse is one I can't wait to read more about. But is this her best book? Well... she can do better.

Favourite Quote:

The glowing ember shot into the sky, arced, then came tumbling down, end over end like a falling star. I glanced down at Clay. He was watching the sparkler and grinning with as much childlike joy as I´d felt, dancing around the grove with my fairy wand. I looked back up at the light, closed my eyes, and made my wish.

I wished I knew what I wanted.

Summer Shorts - Kelley Armstrong!

If only every beach had a library...

Welcome to Summer Shorts, a summer feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. I am going to try to have a different theme every week - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

 Last week I reviewed a few tales from the Mammoth Book of PNR, and this week I'll be reviewing some YA stories by one of my favourite authors... Kelley Armstrong!

The following stories are all available online (free!) and are set in Kelley's Otherworld/Darkest Powers verse.  If you haven't read her Darkest Powers series yet, a) run out and buy it b) these might not be quite as meaningful to you.

Kat by Kelley Armstrong

(Read it here! Set in the Darkest Powers verse, following the story of another Edison Group subject.) 

Thoughts: Kat is the story of another Edison group experiment, Katiana, and one of her (many) encounters with Edison group minions. I really liked Kat - she reminded me of Maya from The Gathering, and for a while in the story I actually thought she might be her long lost sister. She's tough and could no doubt kick my ass. She won't back away from a fight and, if the circumstances require it, she'll run straight into one. The story is only 20 pages long, but I would have been happy to have read an entire book in her POV.

As for the style of the story - well, it felt like it was straight out of the Darkest Powers novels. Lots and lots of action, a whole bunch of running-for-their-lives, and the occasional bit of snappy dialogue. While I can't say that I was blown away by it all, I certainly did enjoy the tale. I'm hoping Kat is a lead-up to a fuller story or, perhaps, her inclusion into some of Kelley's other YA novels.

Favourite Quote:

As I strode into the alley, the driver leapt out, raising his gun.
“I come in peace,” I said, lifting my fingers in a V.
He paused, half out of the van, his broad face screwing up in confusion.
I raised my hands. “See? No pistol. No switchblade. Not even a ray gun.”

Bottom line? Kat is an action-packed tale with the same feel as Kelley's Darkest Powers series.  But even if you haven't read her trilogy, you'll enjoy it!

Divided by Kelley Armstrong

(Read it here! Darkest Powers Story set between The Summoning and The Awakening.)

Thoughts: Spoilers for the DP trilogy! Divided follows Derek and Simon after they are separated from Chloe at the end of The Summoning.  Divided is the second short story I've read from Derek's POV (Dangerous, I read and loved last year), and I can now officially say that he is the best narrator ever. Love this guy.

While - of course - it was fantastic to revisit my beloved DP characters, Divided did more than just that.  It added to the canon of the trilogy.  Kelley gives us more details about Chloe's mother's death (that was a real shocker), some insight into how Derek started to take more notice of Chloe, and how he felt about "using" her to get Simon to go on the run; and even some insight into how much Simon was honest-to-God pining after Chloe (see the quote, friggin' adorable and yet so sad).

Favourite Quote:

"I do. I mean sure, I've liked a lot of girls and you probably think this is just the same thing. But it's not. I like being with her. Hanging out with her. Talking to her. Getting to know her. Not that I didn't want to get to know the other girls, but I really want to this time. I'm not just asking questions to make conversation. She's different and she's interesting, and she doesn't know she is and that's . . ." He glanced back at me. "I'm glad you two seem to get along." He grinned. "A nice change."

Bottom line? If you love the Darkest Powers trilogy, you'll love Divided. It's a story I hadn't even known I'd wanted, and I am so glad it's been told.

FYI - If you're looking for some more great Darkest Powers stories, Kelley had completed three that are available here.  She's currently in the middle of another story set post-The Reckoning, which you can follow on the Darkest Powers blog.  Oh, and apparently the Enthralled anthology (edited by Melissa Marr) coming out in September is also going to be post-The Reckoning, set 2-3 weeks after the end of the book and told from Chloe's POV.  Needless to say that that news got the book onto my wishlist!

Next week... Zombies vs. Unicorns!

Cover Alert! The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

I've just discovered the US cover for the second book in the Darkness Rising series by Kelley Armstrong, and I am loving it!  I was not overly keen on the US cover to the first in this trilogy, The Gathering (which I loved, by the way), but with this book, I am starting to come round.  I know Kelley plans on introducing Derek and Chloe into this trilogy, and I can only hope that that happens in book 2!

The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong

April 2012 - Goodreads

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the sign of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly anyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now, Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. Plentiful action and romance in this second installment in the Darkness Rising series will keep readers enthralled to the very last page!

Now I am extremely eager to find out what the UK publishers will come up with!

Review - The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1) by Kelley Armstrong
Librarything / Goodreads

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 359

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Thoughts: I'll admit it, I almost didn't want to read this book. I was such a huge fan of the Darkest Powers series and was pretty terrified that this newest trilogy wouldn't live up to my expectations. And while it is certainly not as fierce as The Awakening or The Reckoning, I'd say it is definantly the first book in a fantastic new Kelley Armstrong series.

Let's start off with our new heroine, Maya. For starters, she's a lot more experienced than Chloe - she's confident in all sorts of social situations, with guys, and holds no prisoners even when speaking to her parents. Even though Chloe could certainly stand up for herself, Maya let's no one think she can't handle herself. This is a girl who can - literally - scare off a cougar... she's awesome. And just because she's tough, it doesn't make her mean. Yeah, she has quite a few defense mechanisms in place to stop from getting emotionally hurt, but she isn't bitchy in the least.

I also adored Maya's relationship with her adoptive parents. Armstrong avoids all the parental YA tropes! If you want to read a realistic, loving relationship between two parents and their daughter, then read The Gathering. In fact, Armstrong gets an A+ for all characters in this novel. Love interest Rafe was fabulous. Slightly twisted by circumstance, but fundamentally a good guy. Reminded me of Derek despite being nothing at all like Derek. In fact, this entire book reminded me of its predecessor trilogy despite being very, very different...

Then there's the plot. Although the book left me going "what! that's it! I need MORE!", it is by no means lacking in substance. While those of us who have read the Darkest Powers trilogy might see a couple of clues that first-time Armstrong fans will not, by the end of the book, I'm certain you'll be just as mystified as everyone else. After I finished The Gathering, I filled my Books Moleskine with over a dozen questions I wanted answered asap. I wasn't sure what side I should be on, I didn't know who the bad guys were, and I sure didn't know whether or not Maya was making the right decision. All the same thoughts/feelings I had after reading The Summoning!

Guh.

Ok, so I tried and failed to review this book without mentioning the first trilogy... but read that as the compliment it is meant to be!

Bottom line? Kelley Armstrong can do no wrong. Read this. Now.

10 Best Reads of 2010

2010 has been a rather awesome year for me, book-wise.  I managed to read 71 books - perhaps not as impressive as some lists out there, but certainly a record for me.  The past few months have made it hard for me to read and review as much as I used to, new job, new course and - basically - a whole new life in a new area. But what hadn't changed is my love for reading - so don't expect me to be going anywhere!

So, my ten favourite reads of 2010.  I list these with lots of love, as I have discovered some fantastic new authors this year (Ann Aguirre, Jaye Wells) and read some fantastic reads from old favourites (The Reckoning!).

Top Ten Reads of 2010

 

1. Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

2. The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

OMG this series.  The first book in this series was such a surprising read.  I can't even remember buying this book, and I only picked up as part of the New Authors Challenge.  But reading it was practically transformative.  I hadn't felt this way about a book since The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong!  As soon as I got my copy of The Mage in Black, I started reading it and didn't stop till I had finished it.  It was just as good as the first!

 

3. The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

4. Firespell by Chloe Neill

I was worried that The Reckoning wouldn't live up to all my expectations for the Darkest Powers series - I needn't have.  It was beyond amazing!  If I could only recognise one YA series, it would be this one.

Firespell stood out from the other YA debuts of 2010.  Chloe Neill is a fun and funny writer, with a very different twist on the whole paranormal YA scene.  Her adult series is also fantastic - so give her a shot!

 

5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

6. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Graceling was my Poison Study of 2010 - high fantasy that made me want to just sink into the novel and never return.  I adored every word and am nervous/excited about reading Cashore's second book, Fire.

Grimspace.  Grim-OMFG-space.  I adored this book.  Aguirre set my heart a flutter and just... yeah. OMG this book.  And what's even more astounding is that she keeps up the quality in the second novel of the series, Wanderlust. I can't wait to review that one!

 

7. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

8. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Rules of Attraction was fantastic.  Everything you could possibly want from a Contemporary YA romance - if you want a fab, Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance, read this!

I am so very glad I finally read the Vampire Academy series!  I knew everybody loved it, but I had no idea why until I read it.  I haven't finished the series yet, but it is certainly one of my favourite YA series... ever.

 

9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

10. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

I haven't written a review for Shiver or Linger, because I really don't know what to add to the conversation.  These books are stunning.  Seriously, beautiful beautiful books which I highly recommend to ALL readers.  It was hard to choose between Shiver and Linger for the Top Ten of 2010 - so both made the list!

So, that's all for 2010.  I am super excited about this new year, and I want to thank all DBD followers for sticking it out with me this year.  It's been great reading your comments and following your blogs - so thank you!  

Cover Alert! The Gathering (UK) by Kelley Armstrong

OMG there is a new cover for The Gathering!  Apparently the UK publishers, in their infinite wisdom (and no, I am not being a smart ass this time), decided to revamp the cover for Kelley Armstrong’s first book in her new YA trilogy Darkness Rising.  The US cover (which I flailed about here) was all well and good, but I think that this cover is just brilliant.

 

 

Isn’t it just lovely?  I think there might be a revamp of this version before it comes out, but I am extremely excited nonetheless! Kelley Armstrong wrote about the new UK covers on her Darkest Powers blog, and kindly put up a very high quality version of the cover.

 

So… what do you think!?

Summer Shorts - Dangerous (Darkest Powers) by Kelley Armstrong

Summer Shorts is a weekly feature on Dead Book Darling, reviewing great short stories every Saturday through July-August 2010.

Dangerous (Darkest Powers Story) by Kelley Armstrong

Rating: 4.5 stars

Free online story! Click here to read the story on Kelley Armstrong's website.

Thoughts: This brilliant Darkest Powers story tells us how Derek and Simon got to Lyle House. Considering Derek is insanely smart, I had been wondering how he managed to get himself and his brother locked up. Armstrong does a fantastic job explaining the circumstances. It's rather tragic and rather wonderful - and, best of all, it's in Derek's POV.

Oh, Derek. *sighs* *gets misty eyed* Ahem.

Anyhow, this story is a hundred pages of epic brotherly love. Honestly - Derek and Simon could give the Winchesters (Supernatural TV) a run for their money. They had such fabulous interplay between them - both trying to protect each other (usually Derek was the only successful one) whilst bantering non-stop. It is fabulous.

Now, I expected to love Derek in this - and trust me, I did - but what I wasn't expecting was Simon. Oh, Simon. He desperately wants to keep his brother with him, and tries so damn hard to make Derek admit to what he wants. Not that he succeeds - Derek is as stubborn as a mule. But while I understood the extent of Derek's love for Simon from the DP trilogy, in Dangerous we see just how much Simon loves his brother back: an awful lot.

Bottom line? You absolutely must read this. Although, even though it is set before The Summoning - make sure you read that first. It will make the experience 100x better.

Kelley Armstrong is currently writing another online short story in Derek's POV set between The Summoning and The Awakening. It is called Divided and is currently a WIP. Check her blog to see for regular updates!

Waiting on Wednesday - The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (Squee!)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.

The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1) by Kelley Armstrong
Goodreads - Awesome Darkest!series website
April 12th 2011 by Harper Collins
Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can’t find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students—for every grade from kindergarten to twelve.

Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya's determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya's home, and they won’t go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts getting negative vibes from certain people and things. It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret—and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark.

VERY exciting WoW post this week, because look!  There's a cover for The Gathering!  Eep!  It's just so exciting, and makes the whole damn thing feel real.  And sure, it's not coming out for almost a year and the cover is no where near as awesome as the Darkest Powers covers but still... eep!  THE EXCITEMENT!

Darkest Powers >>> LIFE (and it has a kick-ass website!)

Unlike a lot of other YA bloggers out there, I did not "get into" YA from Twilight. I hadn't read YA novels as a young adult and, to be honest, I didn't even consider it a "real" genre. And even though I read Twilight to see what all the fuss was about, it didn't change my mind on the matter.

And then, about a year after I read Twilight - okay, May 2009, but who's counting? - I picked up The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. I was intrigued by the concept of a teen who sees ghosts being locked up in a mental institution. It was just such a logical reaction to an inconceivable supernatural power, not to mention it meant lots of lovely opportunities to explore social opinions about mental illness. I was eager to see if Armstrong - who I had never heard of - could pull it off. Admittedly, I didn't think she could!

I was so wrong.

I finished The Summoning that same night - and had ordered The Awakening by the next day. When it came, I devoured it. If anything, The Awakening was even better than The Summoning (even though it lacked all that deep - and very well handled - social commentary). When I found out that The Reckoning wasn't coming out until the next year, I could have cried.

And during that epic wait, I went in search of all sorts of brilliant YA novels to keep me busy. YA book bloggers pointed me in the right direction, and led me to start my own - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Why are you bringing this up, you ask?

Because there is a brand new DARKEST POWERS WEBSITE!

It's epic. The whole site is done up as Edison Group files, meaning Chloe is a "Case Study" and Derek's bio is listed under "Known Associates". Pretty cool, huh? It's also got Kelley's blog incorporated into it, complete with all her lovely DP-verse short stories. Not to mention a LOT of new information about her upcoming YA trilogy Darkness Rising.

The new trilogy starts with The Gathering (April 12th, 2011) and stars Maya Delany. Like the Darkest Powers series, it also focusses on teens who were subjects in Edison Group projects. But instead of a vague summary to keep fans wondering, Kelley has put up biographic information about all the characters in the new books - including one lovely German Shepherd named Kenji (*is in love*)!

And to top it all off, there is even a whopping thirteen-page excerpt from the book! How brilliant is that? Finding it isn't too tricky - but you have to go into a "restricted area", keeping with the theme of the whole site.

All of the old content is still there, including fanart, playlists and videos for the Darkest Powers. If you haven't been yet, go now! And while you're there, make sure to read Dangerous - a DP short story told from Derek's POV!

Read-a-thon - Challenge: Bookish Movies

Lydia over at The Lost Entwife has come up with a great challenge for the hour:

Here is your question: Think of your favorite book – has it been made into a movie? If not (and maybe you’ll need to go to your 2nd favorite book and so on), tell me if you’d like to see it made into a movie and pick one character from the book and give me information on which actor you’d love to see cast in the part. Make your post as fun as possible, tell me why you think the movie would be amazing and why the actor/actress you chose would be perfect in the part!

Well, I don't really have a favourite book in the strictest sense. I do, however, have several contenders for the title. Unsurprisingly, to those of you who frequent DBD, I LOVE the Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. Seriously. Big, Big Super!Fan.

So, I thought I would cast my two favourite characters from the series:

Dakota Fanning as Chloe Saunders!

She is an amazingly talented actress, and looks slightly too young.  Chloe is described as a rather under-developed, young-looking 15 year old - and I think Dakota has a face that could pull that off even in her late teens.

This shot is from Dakota's film Push, and she even has the crappy!red-streaks that Chloe has in the books.  FATE.  ♥

Steven Strait as Derek Souza!

Okay, so he isn't covered in acne.  But neither is Derek towards the end.  He just has that rugged!handsome look, combined with possibly-werewolf-like!earthiness and a not-disturbing!well built body.  And I think Steven could pull off the genius that is Derek.

And just look at those vaguely-emo!eyebrows - you'd follow a guy with those into the woods, wouldn't you?

*sighs*

Anyhow, that's my dream cast.  *pets the pretties* Am off to continue reading Perfect Chemistry!

The Reckoning Release Day! (+ Review)

Today is the release date of THE RECKONING BY KELLEY ARMSTRONG! Yay! This is the final book in the Darkest Powers trilogy, which started with THE SUMMONING and THE AWAKENING.

You'll probably have noticed from the layout (and my incessant squee posts) that I am a huge fan of these books. While most people got into YA because of the Twilight books, I got into the genre because of this series! The books are action-packed, and far too easy to devour. And they are packed with paranormal beasties: werewolves, necromancers, ghosts, evil!humans, and witches, oh my!

The Summoning Summary: Chloe Saunders sees dead people. Yes, like in the films. The problem is, in real life saying you see ghosts gets you a one-way ticket to the psych ward. And at 15, all Chloe wants to do is fit in at school and maybe get a boy to notice her. But when a particularly violent ghost haunts her, she gets noticed for all the wrong reasons. Her seemingly crazed behaviour earns her a trip to Lyle House, a centre for 'disturbed teens'.

At first Chloe is determined to keep her head down. But then her room mate disappears after confessing she has a poltergeist, and some of the other patients also seem to be manifesting paranormal behaviour. Could that be a coincidence? Or is Lyle House not quite what it seems...? Chloe realizes that if she doesn't uncover the truth, she could be destined for a lifetime in a psychiatric hospital. Or could her fate be even worse...? Can she trust her fellow students, and does she dare reveal her dark secret?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Review - The Reckoning (Darkest Powers, #3) by Kelley Armstrong
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads

SPOILERS for the first to books. But most are rather vague... if you aren't a hard-liner, you should be fine!

Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 320

Summary: Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I'm on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We're hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We'll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we'd left behind and take out the Edison Group... or so we hope.

Thoughts: It is so damn hard to write reviews for books you love, so I apologise in advance for the incoherence! I had been holding my breath for a year waiting for The Reckoning to come out. The first two books in the series were absolutely fantastic - action packed with a very subtle romance tension that made my stomach flip. So needless to say, getting my hands on the last of the Darkest Powers trilogy as exciting as getting a new Harry Potter book as a wee girl.

Where to start?  Well, Armstrong successfully managed to include plot twists and turns I was completely unprepared for.  Considering I had had a year to think it over, I thought I had a pretty good idea how this book would go.  I was so wrong!  The action was violent, sudden, and unexpectedly terrifying - and intensely emotional.  Chloe and Derek had to do some things they really weren't ready for, and it pained me to read what Armstrong put them through.

Only that angst?  Made it the book all the better.

We also got a great look at Tori's character.  She was such a villian in the first book in the series, but The Reckoning has really made me like her.  Apparently she can be just as good a friend as she can be an enemy (not that she'd ever admit to liking any of these losers!)  Armstrong includes some very subtle hints at what lies beneath her bitchy exterior - Tori engrossed in The Count of Monte Cristo was one I was not expecting.  I would love to read more about her in Armstrong's next YA books!

I am not going to comment too much about the romantic triangle in this book - other than to say it plays a much bigger role and is dealt with extremely well.  If you hadn't picked up these books because of their lack of romance, well, you should have.  Read all three at once, and you won't be lacking for a thing.

And how about the ending?  Well, The Reckoning really does feel like the end of a trilogy - but not the end of a series.  There are still plenty of questions left to explore, and plenty of characters you will want to hear more from.  I was left totally satisfied, but also ludicrously excited about Armstrong's next trilogy!

Bottom line? The Reckoning is the best book in an amazing trilogy and I would give it ten stars if I could!

OMG I've finished it!  What now?  Armstrong is going to be publishing a new YA trilogy in the same verse, and Chloe should be featured in it (just not as the protagonist!)  She also confirmed that she will be writing more books from Chloe's POV - but we will just have to wait a while.  To hold you off, read Kelley Armstrong's short story Dangerous.  It is from Derek's POV set prior to The Summoning - explaining how he and Simon ended up in the Lyle House.