Kiersten's Picks
This book absolutely took my breath away. I was unsure about this book going into it, but this was hands down my favorite release of 2014. Adele Griffin did an incredible job creating such a real character that I genuinely felt like our world was worse off without her. For more of my praising this book, check out my review!
I was a huge fan of both Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight (review here) and Sarah J. Maas did not disappoint with Heir of Fire (review coming soon!). This series just keeps getting better and I cannot wait to see what Sarah J. Maas has in store for us next. A must read series!
Amy Zhang's debut, Falling Into Place, was absolutely incredible! For someone so young, Amy Zhang has impeccable insight and I loved the way she told the story. For more of my thoughts, check out my review!
Noor's Picks
Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments, #6
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Did you really expect this not to make the list? After investing so much time and so many tears into this series, the final installment of the Mortal Instruments just about tore me apart in the best way. While I'm not the one who reviewed it on our blog (I didn't read it the second I got it -- I know, shocking!) we do have a review up by Marlon and I think his five star rating will give you a sense of how great the ending to this series was!
This book was the definition of the perfect summer read. I loved it especially more because I wasn't expecting it to be anything superb but it caught at something inside me and pulled me in and definitely became one of my favorite releases of the year and a book I'd recommend to everyone. For three doses of opinions coming at you, check out the triple review we did back in June!
I absolutely adore Jodi Picoult books (I went through such an intense phase a few years back where the only thing I ever read were her books) and after meeting her at BEA and getting an ARC of this newest one, I wasn't disappointed. Not only was it about my favorite animal, but it was just SO well done. Amrutha and I reviewed it so check that out and see what all the fuss is about!
I don't even want to get into how great this book was. The level of phenomenal was just astounding. Although, that's to be expected when two authors of such high caliber get together and write. Check out our triple review for gushing and incoherency.
Marlon's Picks
While I haven't done a review for this yet (It's coming, I promise! Here's some Cover Cosmetics from Kiersten instead), I thought the Blood of Olympus was a fantastic book. It is markedly less incredible than the last two books, and there was definitely a lot more that could have been done, but the humor, the witticism, all of the Rick Riordan charm is still there and. Though it didn't win over many in the fandom, who would have liked a more "mature, unclean," ending, it was one of the only books of this year I really invested much into and it gave me back.
Goddamn this novel was exceptional children's literature. I absolutely loved its subversive use of tropes (as you can see in the triple review) . Mostly, I was blown away by the exceptional pairing of one of the strongest world builders in YA fantasy, Cassandra Clare, and one of the most interesting storytellers, Holly Black. I can't wait for the next one!
I still think of this book in detail months after having read it. Westerfeld has really honed is craft and understands his field and it shows so perfectly in this book (double review here). A powerful tool for those who wish to catch a glimpse of the world behind the books, this is a great start. AND GOD THE META!
City of Heavenly FireCassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments, #6
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Until this point, I regarded Clare's work on the Infernal Devices trilogy to be her best storytelling. I was wrong. City of Heavenly fire is a behemoth of a novel, with twists and turn, tension, some of the most hilarious lines I've ever read -- all the good stuff I could have wanted. If there's anything to say about Cassie, it's that she knows how to write a last book! (review here)
Amrutha's Picks
Love love love this! This is probably one of the most telling, honest teenage boy-PoV novels I have ever read. Sway is unexpectedly good, filled with great writing. Go check out the review and definitely read the book!
This book is so summery and perfect: it put me into the summer mindset which I desperately needed and so much appreciate. It's all about friendship and personal growth and cutesy romance and I absolutely adored it. You can read the review here!
I've loved Jenny Han since I discovered her first novel, Shug, when it first came out. Her writing stuns me every time, and this book is no different. I absolutely recommend this novel, as well as everything this woman has ever written and will ever write.
What are some of your 2014 favorites?
Let us know in the comments!
I loved City of Heavenly Fire, Since You've Been Gone and To All the Boys I've Loved Before! Still need to read Heir of Fire but I'm excited! Happy 2015 to you all :)
ReplyDeleteEileen @ BookCatPin
Addison Stone was fantastic. It was one of my top 5 for 2014. My other top books: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. These three books offered something unique and interesting and the stories touched my heart in some way.
ReplyDeleteI'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson and Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta! Also the Demon King series (does it count since I only read it in 2014?)
ReplyDeleteLove this blog by the way, spent a while reading reviews and putting a few books on hold - thanks for the opinions!
Also Heir of Fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteI really want to read I'll Give You the Sun! I've only heard good things about it and I actually have a copy, so I'll probably get to that one sometime this year. Thanks for reading! :)
DeleteI would totally read your review! And The Sky Is Everywhere by her is just as amazing too! Thanks for blogging!!
ReplyDelete