Top 10 Reads of 2015

I have managed to read a total of 100 Books in 2015, so it's safe to say that it was very difficult to narrow those 100 books down to my Top 10. I've decided to only include YA novels into my Top 10, but I may add some NA honourable mentions at the end. Also, these are books I've read in 2015, so some may not have been released in 2015.

LETS BEGIN!

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

This book was so EPIC! It honestly blew me away. I was quite nervous to read it at first because of how hyped up it was, but let me tell you, there is a reason why it is so hyped. Honestly this is one of my favourite books ever!

Goodreads
Amazon UK
Amazon US

  

An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir

One of the best debut novels I have ever read. It was raw, gritty and I loved it! I admire how Sabaa Tahir displayed and tackled some serious issues in her book, such as rape and sexism, it was evocative.
This book was also my 100th and last read of the year, so it was nice to end the year with such a brilliant book.


Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 

Carry On - Rainbow Rowell

Thinking about this book is bringing back all of the feels. I didn't think I was going to love this book as much as I did. I remember reading it for the first time and getting sucked in immediately. After finishing it, I went back and read it a second time...and then a third time. 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 

Winter - Marissa Meyer

This is how you conclude a series! Winter was everything I wanted and more! It was a glorious 800 pages, which I loved since everything was really fleshed out. I don't think I've ever read such a satisfying conclusion before.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 

Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas

Once again, Sarah J Maas outdid herself. The Throne of Glass series gets so much more bad-ass as we delve further and further into the series. Another must read series. The love of my life Dorian Havilliard is also a part of this series, so there's one reason for you to pick this up.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon US 

  

 

 

Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson

So this book wasn't actually released in 2015, it was published in 2014 but I read it this year, so that's why it's on my list. This is the perfect book to read when it's summer or when you just want to get into a feel-good mood. Any Morgan Matson can put a smile on your face, I guarantee it.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 I'll Give You The Sun - Jandy Nelson

Another book that was released in 2014 and is perfect for putting a smile on your face. One of the main things I loved about this book was that although there was romance involved, the main message was about the importance of family. Truly beautiful.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 

Inferno - Catherine Doyle

This book is being published in 2016 (January 7th) but I was lucky enough to receive an early finished copy this year. This is the second book in the trilogy and it is a masterpiece! So much more bad-ass and fast-paced than the first book. If you haven't already, pick up this trilogy!

Goodreads
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

 

 All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven

 
This book was beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time. I remember finishing this book late at night and tears were pouring down my face and I honestly just sat there and thought about life. This book really touched me.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 

 

 

 

Night Owls - Jenn Bennett

If you're from the US, you will probably know this book as 'The Anatomical Shape of a Heart.' Night Owls drew me in from the very first page. The writing was beautiful and flowed throughout the novel. I could really connect with the main characters Beatrix and Jack, and I loved how the whole story was sex-positive. A quick, unforgettable read.

Goodreads 
Amazon UK 
Amazon US 









So there we have it, my Top 10 Reads of 2015. 
Now onto some honourable mentions; books that I loved but unfortunately did not manage to get into the Top 10.

• End Of Days - Susan Ee
• Confess - Colleen Hoover (New Adult)
• P.S I Still Love You - Jenny Han
• A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
• Addicted/Calloway Sisters - Becca & Krista Ritchie (New Adult)
• November 9 - Colleen Hoover (New Adult)
• The Deal - Elle Kennedy (New Adult)
• The Wrath and the Dawn - Renee Ahdieh  

Unforgiven - Review

Book Review:
Title: Unforgiven
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Penguin Random House

“His hands grasped her waist and lifted her until she could have sworn that his feet had come off the ground, too; that they were floating up above the creek, above the trees, above the burning hillside, into the dense tangle of stars, about to kiss the moon.”

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and MaximumPopBooks in exchange for an honest review.


Unforgiven is a spin off/continuation of the Fallen series, however instead of following Daniel and Luce, it follows Cam and his second chance at love with the only girl he has ever felt something for, Lilith.

I guess Unforgiven could be read without reading the Fallen series first, but I highly recommend you read it in release order so you can really get everything out of it and already have a feel of some of the characters.

Now onto the actual review...
  
I absolutely adored this book! It was great to get back into the world and see a lot of the old characters again (Cam, Roland, Arriane, Luc) as well as meet some new characters (Lilith, Chloe, Jean, Luis.) One thing I love about Lauren's books are that her concepts are always so unique and special and Unforgiven was no different. Many years ago Cam fell in love with a girl called Lilith but due to unfortunate circumstances it didn't last and he ended up breaking her heart. Now, in the present, Cam is made aware that Lilith is living in her own personal hell made by Lucifer himself. He is given 15 days to make her fall in love with him so that they can be both be free and happy once again, but if he fails, he has his life set to be Lucifer's slave for eternity.

There were many moments during this book where I worried that Cam wasn't going to accomplish his goal. Every time he and Lilith took a step forward, Luc popped out of nowhere and pushed them 3 steps back. 
As much as I love Luc and his twisted ways, in this novel he got a bit aggravating and I really wanted to punch him and shout, 'LET CAM BE HAPPY, HE DESERVES IT.' Cam has spent thousands of years heartbroken and lonely without Lilith, so to see him moving further and further away from his goal of getting a second chance at happiness really upset me. It's time he got his happy ending.

The only negative that really comes to mind is that Cam was not really the Cam we came to know in the Fallen series. I knew Cam as someone quite dark and mysterious, yet in Unforgiven he was quite lighthearted and open. I guess you could say he is like that because he is infatuated and finally with the one he loves, but still it would of been a tad nicer to see a bit of the mysterious guy at the start of the book. 

Other than that, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I thought the relationship moved a good pace, meaning it didn't feel like insta-love, which I am not a very big fan of. I loved how Lilith wasn't your typical damsel in distress and actually fought her own battles. And last but not least, I loved Bruce (Lilith's brother,) I thought he was a great addition to the story.
To sum this book up in 3 words; Quick, Cute & Tense (quite a odd combination)

4 Stars
Goodreads Link
  

Inferno - Review

 

Book Review:

Title: Inferno
Author: Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: January 7th 2016


 I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



 This trilogy just gets better and better with each book.

I knew it was going to be very hard for Inferno to exceed Vendetta, especially since I Loved the first book so much, but Cat knows exactly what she's doing.

Inferno surpassed every expectation that I had! It was everything I wanted and more.

I planned on savouring this book, taking my time with it, so I could really digest it all, but no, once I started reading, I simply could not stop.
We start off right where Vendetta left off with Sophie in hospital and from that very moment, from the very start, everything changes and it's like being on a roller-coaster ride with a million dips and loops which either makes your stomach drop straight to the ground or your heart soar. It was a whirlwind of emotions.

It was great to see all the Characters again, some considerably more than others *Cough* Luca *Cough* and getting to know characters that we met in Vendetta even more. We even get to meet some new faces in Inferno, who are all wonderful and scary in their own special way.

Before I forget, I need to make a special shout out to two special scenes which made me both swoon and squeal like a lovesick puppy. I can't say what those two scenes were because of spoilers (duh) but know that doughnuts are now my favourite food and Violets are now my favourite flowers. Reading those scenes made me feel complete. As Lizzie McGuire once said,

Favourite Character?
Nothing has changed since Vendetta, my heart still belongs to Luca. I don't think anyone can overtake Luca as my favourite character - He's Perfect.

Second Favourite?
Now, this answer has changed. After Vendetta, my second favourite character was Felice, however after Inferno, it has to be Millie. Millie has to be the most caring and bad-ass best friend I have ever read about. She stood by Sophie's side through everything and did not let Sophie feel alone or abandoned at any point. She represents everything a person would want in their best friend.

Now that I have read Inferno, I just have to (im)patiently wait for the third and final book to come out. It will be a long wait, so I guess to fill the time, I'll go read Inferno again.

5 Stars
Goodreads Link 

The Wolf Wilder - Review

 

Book Review:

Title: The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher: Bloomsbury

 “People say we can't do anything about the way the world is; they say it's set in stone. I say it looks like stone, but it's mostly paint and cardboard.”

I received an copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Wolf Wilder is about a young girl named Feodora, Feo for short, that is a training wolf wilder. She lives in the snowbound woods of Russia with her mother, who is also a wolf wilder, well, that is until soldiers arrive and she is forced to go on the run to save her mother.

This book was utterly beautiful, in both writing style and illustrations. I found myself hooked from the very first page, the words just yielding me in. I ended up finishing this book in one sitting; I simply could not stop reading. And after I had finished the book, my mind always, somehow, drifted back to the story. It was a whirlwind of emotions.

Feo herself, was a great character; she was brave, smart and endearing. No matter how hard life got, she persevered and looked after her wolves all while trying to get her mother back. I have a lot of respect for her.

Her relationship with her wolves is what really made this book for me. I loved how compassionate she was with them and how she truly loved and cared for them. It was beautiful to read.

On the note of beautiful things to read, I have to mention Ilya. I loved how he was a soldier, but his life dream was to become a ballet dancer. I loved how diverse his dream was. You don't see many boys in children's literature who are passionate about ballet, so for that I praise Katherine.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it. It is a fantastic book that you will not regret picking up and reading!

4 Stars
Goodreads link 

City of Ashes - Review

Book Review:

Title: City of Ashes
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books

“If you really love something, you never try to keep it the way it is forever. You have to let it be free to change.”
  
Fair Warning - If you haven't read City of Bones, I suggest you do not read this review as it will include spoilers for the 1st book and some for this book


Let me just start off saying that I enjoyed City of Ashes WAY more than City of Bones. I had many problems with City of Bones, the main one being it's inability to keep me hooked, however, I did not face that same problem with the second instalment. I was disappointed with the first book so much that it took me roughly 2/3 years to pick up this one. I guess that's what over-hyping a book does, it gives you high expectations, only to leave you underwhelmed.

Anyways, back to the point, although this book wasn't perfect, it was a step up.

So, we pick up roughly where we left off. Jocelyn is still in a coma. Valentine is up to something. And Clary and Jace are still brother and sister. One thing (and the main thing) that irked me about this book was Clary's relationship with both Simon and Jace. I found them cringy and awkward. The Climon romance that brewed felt rushed and forced and even though I love Simon and Clary, I did not like them together. I also need to talk about Clace. Where do I even begin with Clace? I enjoyed their flirting and relationship in City of Bones, but once they found out they were siblings, that flirting became uncomfortable. The fact that they believe they are brother and sister, yet they continue to silently pursue each other, doesn't sit right with me. (Though, we do gets hints at the end that Jace may not be who everyone thinks he is.)

Apart from those two relationships, I thoroughly adored this book and the relationships the characters shared. Also, while we are on the topic of relationships, can I just say that I am complete and utter Malec trash. I think we all can agree that Alec isn't the most pleasant person to be around, but when you put him next to Magnus, we can really appreciate his compassionate side. My current favourite ship of the series has to be Malec. They're something special.

Moving on from the relationships (I think I've rambled on enough) I found that as the story progressed everything became increasingly tense, which is a good thing. It kept me engaged and I was just itching to know what was going to happen next, and what Valentine had up his sleeves for the gang. The story did still drag at certain points, but for the most part, it was smooth sailing. The fight scenes were great. The character development was great. The world-building was great. The relationships (aside from two) were great. Overall, it was a fun, entertaining read.

4 Stars
Goodreads Link 

The Light that gets Lost - Review

 

 Book Review:

Title: The Light that gets Lost

Author: Natasha Carthew

Publisher: Bloomsbury

 'For mum and Dad and Billy he was ready to leap into the unknown and all he knew of that unknown was it had one single solitary name and the name was revenge'

 
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The light that gets lost is a tale of an unfortunate young boy, named Trey, who's life is turned upside down the day his parents are murdered. Now, 8 years on since that fateful day, Trey has only one thing on his mind, Revenge.

This book conflicted me many times. I had read the first couple of pages and was immediately hooked, but then slowly as the book progressed I got bored of waiting for something to happen. It just seemed like nothing was ever going to happen. However, I would suddenly become addicted again. It was a never ending cycle, which is the reason that it ultimately became a 3 star read for me rather than a 4.

One thing I really enjoyed in this novel was how real and strong willed Trey was, especially when he was constantly in battle with his inner demons. At the start, Trey is only looking for revenge against the man who killed his parents, but as his time at Camp Kernow progresses and he makes a new friend, we see him begin to face an inner turmoil as to whether that is the path he wants to take. Should he get revenge or live life as a normal 16 year old?

It's safe to say that although I did enjoy some parts of this book, it didn't blow me away. It was one of those stories which when you read it, doesn't pull any real emotions out of you. You continue reading to see what happens next and how it ends, but in reality you're not truly connected to any of the characters, which is a shame.
 
However saying this, if you're a fan of Meg Rosoff's work, then I definitely recommend this book for you.

3 Stars
Goodreads Link

First Post EVER!

Hello!

After many months of deliberating, I have finally created a book blog!!

I've always wanted to make one, but for some reason I was constantly delaying it and today just felt like it was the right time - so here I am! I am excited to share all of my reviews and my favourite books with everyone.
I think I may just start off posting some of my old reviews on goodreads onto my blog, just to give it some content or I may just write new reviews but in bulk (like doing a review of an entire series in one post.) So yeah, look out for that.

Not much more to say apart from, I hope you enjoy my reviews and other bookish content!