Monday 30 December 2013

Booknut 101's TOP 13 of 2013

2013 is almost over! Who can believe it?! 

It's been a brilliant year filled with tonnes of amazing books. Having reached my Goodreads reading goal of 500 books, I have to say it was a tad daunting picking just thirteen books. But, I have taken on the challenge...and will now present you all with my Top 13 Books of 2013.

(This list does not include any of the ARCs I've read that will be published in 2014. Those may feature on next year's list)





#13.) Acid by Emma Pass



She's out for revenge. 
She's on the run. 
She's their worst fear.
She's the key to ACID's destruction.

She's Jenna Strong. And she's coming for you.


An incredible book that matches its gorgeous cover, Acid has so much potential. It pushes the dystopian genre to new heights, and introduces readers to a feisty heroine who is as strong as her last name suggests.



#12.) Unremembered by Jessica Brody


Who is she? 
Where does she come from?

The concept of time travel has never been more addictive. Unremembered was a roller coaster of a read - never a lull, never a dull moment. An enticing mix of romance and action, it was a definitely one of the highlights of my reading year.


#11.) The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross


Whilst the occupants of 1897 London slumber, a sinister force awakens below...

Steampunk is one of my fave genres.
And Kady Cross handles it like a master, creating a vivid world filled with enticing inventions and characters who capture your imagination and your heart.

Be prepared to immerse yourself in a world of mystery and intrigue, joining Finley and her motley band of friends on their latest adventure.

So strap on your goggles and tighten your corset - the battle for London is about to begin!


#10.) The Highwayman of Tanglewood by Marcia Lynn McClure


This highwayman will steal more than your riches...he'll steal your heart.

If books were treasure, McClure's The Highwayman of Tanglewood would certainly be a diamond among diamonds. 

A story that is truly gripping, tantalising, magical and beautifully woven in every way, it rekindles a reader's love for historical fiction - presenting a clean, yet intense romance novel that is sure to have you swooning over The Highwayman every bit as much as its heroine Faris does!


#9.) The Falconer by Elizabeth May


Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

The Falconer is a refreshing combination of steampunk and fae mythology. It gives us a spectacularly flawed heroine, a dangerous love interest and plenty of witty dialogue to accompany the swordplay and magical battles.

All in all, an absolute treat to read.


#8.) Salvation by Skyla Madi


Filled with adventure, Salvation is the next gripping instalment in the Guardian Angel series by Skyla Madi. Open the book and let yourself be pulled between the pages into a world unlike any other!

There are stories about angels. And then there's Skyla Madi's Guardian Angel series.

Move over Fallen! Salvation brings a great twist on the angelic legend, as well as a romance that will be tested against the storms of society, war, loyalties and powers beyond our understanding.  


#7.) Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett


If they can't handle Rose 2.0, then that's their loss.

This painfully raw series reaches an all new high in Confessions of an Almost-GirlfriendLouise Rozett captures those moments in life that change us for better or for worse - and she captures them with a skill rarely seen in modern literature. Her characters are as flawed as you and me, their words aren't mediated before hand. 

It's a true gem of a book, that is sure to become a much-loved classic.


#6.) Geek Girl by Holly Smale


It's going to take more than a mathematical formula to solve this problem...

You haven't read a book until you've read Holly Smale's Geek Girl. Fresh, funny, and full of quirky goodness, this is a book for everyone who needs a laugh...or needs to be reminded about what truly matters in life. With a loveable protagonist, Geek Girl is definitely a Cinderella story like no other. 

From geek to chic, Harriet Manners is in for the ride of her life!


#5.) Pivot Point by Kasie West


With its brilliant concepts, its flair for presenting readers with a poignant storyline and an intense narrative voice - as well as its creative structure - Pivot Point is a must-read.

Kasie West has once again delivered a memorable novel that finds its home in the nooks and crannies of our bookworm hearts. Unpredictable and addictive, Pivot Point will have you questioning the way we live our lives...as well as the 'ripple effect' of even the smallest of our actions.


#4.) Sentinel by Jennifer L Armentrout


This book contains high quantities of perfect males, kick-assery, pointy weapons, annoying gods and awesomeness. You have been warned.

The much-anticipated conclusion to a wickedly amazing series, Sentinel delivers above and beyond my expectations. Romance? Check. Action? Check. Perfectly executed humour? Check. Tears? Check. Hot demigods? Double check!

Nothing can prepare you for the magic J Armentrout has in store. So hold on tight and be prepared to expect the unexpected!


#3.) Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes


Feelings become the deadliest weapons of all, and the line between friend and foe blurs in the latest instalment in the thrilling Falling Kingdoms series.

Morgan Rhodes takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime. In an epic struggle between magic, force, and sacrifice, Rebel Spring is a fantasy novel that is terribly addictive, and emotionally destructive. With a rebellion that puts Les Miserables to shame, and an amazing cast of characters, this is definitely a series to have on your bookshelf.  


#2.) Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas


The making of a literary legend, Sarah J Maas' Crown of Midnight is a thrilling sequel which will have you sitting on daggers, awaiting her storytelling magic and more of Celaena's passionate spirit!

Assassins, pointy weapons, tantalising mysteries and action combine to create a story which has thrilled readers and broken their hearts. Maas' ability to transport readers into another world - to allow them to experience it as if it were right in front of them, so vividly - is a rare gift, and one that makes this series all the more memorable. 

I can't wait to see where this series goes next, and to continue to accompany Celaena on her journey.


#1.) Whirl by Emma Raveling 


A thrilling example of YA fiction at its best, Whirl is an electric mix of J Armentrout'sCovenant series and Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy books. 

Emma Raveling spins a tale full of dark mystery, intense fighting, adventure, love and perfectly executed humour that will make you fall hook, line and sinker for this series and its feisty heroine Kendra Irisavie. 

You cannot read this book enough times. There is something that draws you to it, like a moth to a flame! It's so, so addictive, and a story that is intriguing on so many levels - conceptually, with the twist on mer mythology, as well as emotionally, with the complexity of the relationships between sets of characters.

Each book in the series fits in perfectly with the first, building upon the various mysteries and main plot points flawlessly. But as the first, Whirl holds a special place in my heart...and is sure to enchant readers worldwide for years to come.

Sunday 29 December 2013

Captivate by Vanessa Garden ~ ARC Review

Captivate (Submerged Sun #1)
By Vanessa Garden

Rating: 5


'But with each passing moment in these unfamiliar surroundings with all these strange people, and after eating all of these fish meals, I almost started believing that we were actually underwater.

It was impossible, though; completely impossible.'


Prepare to dive into an enthralling tale that will capture your heart and captivate your mind.

Vanessa Garden's Captivate brings to life the YA genre, with a refreshing twist on what's going on in the ocean's mesmerising depths. 

With an underwater civilisation, a fight for a crown, and a dangerous attraction, the tale of Miranda Sun is sure to become a fast favourite with readers - introducing them to a world so like our own...lying just beneath the surface.

Will Miranda choose love or duty? Her past...or her future?

Back Down The Rabbit Hole ~ Unhinged by AG Howard ARC Review

Unhinged (Splintered #2) 
By A.G. Howard

Rating: 5

'My heart falls into my feet.

Not even the familiar scents of paint, chalk dust, and plaster can comfort me when I see the scene taking shape: a Red Queen on a murderous rampage in a bleak and crumbling Wonderland.

Just like my most recent dreams...

I smooth the cloth back into place, unwilling to acknowledge what the imagery might mean. It's easier to hide from it.'


Alyssa may have finished with Wonderland. But it hasn't finished with her.

When Alyssa chose the human world over Wonderland, she thought all her troubles were behind her. That her connections to that maddening, enticing and dangerous world would fade over time.

But she was wrong.

Wonderland is slowly seeping through the cracks. Figures from her adventures there appear in her artworks, and materialise in her dreams. And the roguish Morpheus isn't ready to let Alyssa go just yet...not when the fate of Wonderland is on the line.

Hold onto your heads. Because the Red Queen is back.

As the Red Queen plots her revenge on Alyssa, waiting in the shadows for the perfect time to strike, new problems rise to the surface. 

Alyssa's worlds are colliding, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to explain away the appearance of things that shouldn't exist - especially to Jeb, who has yet to recover his memories of his time in Wonderland. And with Morpheus' sudden appearance in the human world, things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.

Can Alyssa find the courage to face her worst fears? Even if it means endangering those she loves?

With her mother holding her back from her destiny, and Morpheus urging her towards it, Alyssa is caught between two worlds, each one relying on her to save it from destruction. 

But at what cost?

A.G. Howard spins a tale so vivid, and so deliciously twisted, that Unhinged is sure to captivate readers across the globe as they enter a world beyond their wildest dreams...and their darkest nightmares.




***

A big thank you to AG Howard for the chance to read and review an ARC of this amazing book :)

Friday 20 December 2013

Hot Off The Shelf: Ondine ~ An Ondine Quartet Novella

Ondine (Ondine Quartet #0.5)
By Emma Raveling

Rating: 5


'I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved...'


A brilliantly written novella that ties perfectly into the series, Ondine adds a whole new dimension to Kendra's character.

If you thought Kendra was badass before...you haven't seen anything yet! 

Go back to where it all began.

Kendra, sixteen and fearless, is about to up the ante. Taking on a crime ring in the hopes of proving herself once and for all - as both a fighter, and as an ondine - Kendra will face her biggest challenge yet...who to trust. 

Trust is a luxury an ondine cannot afford.

Learn about Kendra's battle to meet her mother's gruelling expectations, and watch as she struggles tries to keep her true identity a secret from the humans around her, whilst fighting for her life.

This is her life. Her choice. And no one's going to take that away from her.

Thursday 19 December 2013

NEW Divergent Movie Clip ~ Four & Tris Share a Dauntless Kiss!

Divergent fans everywhere...it's happened! 

The much-anticipated-highly-fangirled-over Fourtris kiss has been released in the new Official Extended Divergent Movie Clip. 

Showcasing both Shailene and Theo, as Tris and Four, at the Dauntless compound, this clip also gives fans a up close look at Four's tattoos. In my opinion both Shailene and Theo are super adorable in this scene, and I can't wait to see more Fourtris goodness when the film comes out next year!


Take a look at the clip below:



What did you think? Let me know below!

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover ~ ARC Review

Maybe Someday
By Colleen Hoover

Rating: 5


'Me: Don't thank me, Sydney. You shouldn't thank me, because I failed miserably at trying not to fall in love with you.

Sydney: I failed first.'


Music, lyrics and hearts collide in a tale of two people who never meant to fall in love.

Ending up miserable, boyfriend-less, friendless and homeless on her 22nd birthday was not how Sydney Blake pictured her week going. 

But when Ridge Lawson, her guitar-strumming neighbour, offers her a place stay, Sydney accepts. She soon finds herself apart of a motley group of people - forming the unlikeliest of friendships with the roguish Warren, and avoiding the loud rantings of the gorgeous and shrewish Bridgette. 

Ridge is a whole other story.

Unlike her tentative truce with Warren and Bridgette, Sydney's relationship with Ridge flourishes as he presents her with an offer she can't refuse: the chance to write lyrics for one of her fave bands, Sounds of Cedar. 

Ridge is their composer/lyricist, but he's met a writer's block he can't seem to move past. Sydney's lyrics are like a breath of fresh air, opening up new song possibilities and inspiring Ridge to pick up his pen again. She's his muse. And he is the one person she trusts.

But love is a melody that may come out flat.

Because as much as Sydney is attracted to Ridge, and he to her - an attraction that grows steadily by the day - there is just one small problem.

Ridge has a girlfriend. Maggie.

And having been on cheated on, Sydney would never, ever want to hurt someone else the same way she's been hurt. No matter how much Ridge makes her laugh with his pranks, or how beautiful he is when he plays his guitar with his eyes half-closed. 

No matter how deeply she's fallen for him.

Ridge would never hurt Maggie. But by not hurting Maggie, he risks hurting Sydney and watching their friendship slowly crumble.

They're like lyrics and music...but just not meant to be played in the same song.

Coleen Hoover delivers an emotional journey that explores the refrains of the heart...and how sometimes love, just like a tune, can change - rising, falling, clashing and parting in a wave of sweet discord as fate plays out before our eyes.

Maybe not right now. Maybe not tomorrow. But maybe someday.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Vive la Revolution ~ Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes Review

Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms #2)
By Morgan Rhodes

Rating: 5


'Such deaths would be considered by most to be destiny. To be fate.

Paelsians, especially, believed that their futures were set and that they had to accept what they were given - be it good or bad. It only served to create a kingdom of victims afraid to stand up against opposition.

A kingdom easily taken by someone happy to steal what no one would fight to keep.'



Her kingdom handed to the enemy, her family dead, the love of her life killed...Princess Cleo has little left to fight for.

The evil King Gaius has taken everything from the dethroned princess of Auranos. Merging the three kingdoms into a single country completely under his tyrannical reign, Gaius plans to use Cleo for his own schemes. In the hopes of diverting the ire arising over his new project, a road through the Forbidden Mountains, the king announces a surprise betrothal.

Between Princess Cleo...and Gaius' son, Magnus.

The man Cleo hates more than any other. The man who killed Theon, the boy she loved.

Which will bring freedom: magic, force, or sacrifice?

Whilst Lucia lies in a mysterious coma, untangling the secrets of her abilities with the help of a charming Watcher, Jonas bands together another rebellion - this time opposing King Gaius. He aims to stage an attack on the king and his heir, Magnus. But a crucial detail is missing. The princess. Cleo.

Without her, Jonas can't seat a worthy monarch on the throne. But will she be willing to aid the very people who handed her and her family over to the enemy? 

Feelings become the deadliest weapons of all, and the line between friend and foe blurs in the latest instalment in the thrilling Falling Kingdoms series.

Who will fight?
Who will survive?
Who shall rise...and who shall fall?

Grab your copy today and join in the adventure of a lifetime.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Kittens & Kryptonite ~ Origin by J Armentrout Review

Origin (Lux #4)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rating: 5

"I love you, Kat. Always have. Always will."


My thoughts on the book:


Dear Jennifer Armentrout:


Just...why?!

I'm starting to believe that authors have become way too 'trigger happy' with cliffhangers over the course of 2013. 

Need an ending?
USE A CLIFFHANGER!
Need reader engagement?
USE A CLIFFHANGER!
Want your readers to cry?
USE A CLIFFHANGER!
Can't figure out how to fit that last two pages into your novel?
USE A CLIFFHANGER INSTEAD!

Just...wait a minute. Stop! Don't pull the trigger just yet!

How about we wait and tell the nice readers exactly what happens to Daemon, Katy and the gang at the end of the book when we have a bunch of mystery visitors turn up (who shall not be named!)?

How about we wait and ease their minds?
Their souls?
Their weeping fangirl hearts?!

Is it that hard to just let us know that these characters we love so much are all okay? Must we wait a whole year and a half or more to find out if they're alive? Sane? Still breathing?!

But apart from the use of yet another cliffhanger in the cliffhanger-infused Lux series, this book was seriously awesome.

Be prepared for a BIG surprise!!

If you don't like surprises, I will say one word: Bells. 
Lots of them ;)


And if you do like surprises, let me just say you're in for a hell of a good one :)

Overall message: Read this book! 


Or buy it, and keep it...and only read it just before the next one comes out so you don't have to suffer from 'Post-cliffhanger Depression' for a prolonged period of time.

Your choice!

Either way you're sure to enjoy this roller coaster of a story - filled to the brim with sexy aliens, people trying to kill one another, and plenty of witty one-liners and perfectly delivered innuendo to go around!
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