Top 5 Most Interesting Characters from 2013

There are characters who stand out more than others while you are reading. It could be for a variety of reasons. Some you love and some you love to hate, but either way you're fascinated by them. Here is my list of the top five characters who made sure I wouldn't forget them when 2014 rolls around.

1 Anne Boleyn from Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

I would expect putting your own take on a character like Anne Boleyn would be daunting. She's been written about many times, and is probably the most well known of Henry's wives. Katherine Longshore created an Anne who was passionate, desperate to be heard, a woman who believed her voice was important. She also created an Anne who was clever, sharp tongued, and impulsive. She allowed the 'flaws' (as seen by those at court) to become the very thing that endears us to her. We also know they'll be her downfall. It results in a sympathetic, and vivid character. I've said before that Tarnish reads as extremely accurate and it's because Anne feels all too real.

2 Celeste from Tampa by Alissa Nutting (**ADULT CONTENT**)

Celeste is an enigma. You want to hate her. She's unflinchingly, unabashedly a predator. She's also very self aware, and doesn't make excuses for herself (or her behaviour). She's someone you won't soon forget, and neither is Tampa itself. She hides her true nature from everyone but herself. She's darkly funny, and there are a few moments where, as a reader, I found myself thinking she was clever. I've said that nobody in Celeste's life matters but Celeste and that is the reality. She is selfish, driven to make herself happy no matter what the consequences for others. Consequences for anyone but herself barely enter her thoughts. Alissa has created a character who leaves you conflicted, angry, and hopefully changed the way you look at predators.

3 Cress from Cress by Marissa Meyer

As this title has yet to hit shelves, I will keep this brief and spoiler free. I will say that Cress will win over your heart. She's everything I wanted out of a Rapunzel inspired character. She's adorably naive, braver than she gives herself credit for, and a hopeless romantic. She's resourceful, and eager to please. Marissa always manages to make her characters come to life, and Cress is no exception. Marissa also manages to make them use the skills and talents they do have, without denying them flaws. People are not perfect, and they certainly aren't capable at everything. Cress uses what she can do to help, and remains completely in character the whole time. This makes her character leap off the pages, and makes her easy to relate to.

4 Victor and Eli from Vicious by VE Schwab

I am including both of them, because each is intertwined with the other. Victor wouldn't be the Victor we know without Eli (and vice versa). Two incredibly intelligent, and driven young man who are both beyond competitive. Their friendship is always borderline antagonistic and that's woven in perfectly throughout the story. They are both a little skewed and while this leads them to become friends, it also allows for them to turn on each other. Two man who are obsessed with power and harness it to create superpowers ultimately show that power does corrupt. Victoria uses both of these characters to twist how you view villains and heroes. These two characters are so well written that you'll want to visit them again (and perhaps beg Victoria for a sequel).

5 Judith from All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Judith is a survivor. She's resilient, strong and brave. She is also clever, determined, and due to inability to talk she's quite perceptive. Following her story as she tries to reclaim her voice that has been ripped away from her is inspiring and that's how you end up feeling about Judith.

When I first picked up All The Truth That's In Me, I wasn't expecting to adore Judith as much as I did. She lets you in slowly, but it's worth the way. She's a remarkable character who hasn't let her spirit be crushed by the unthinkable. That makes her voice not only memorable, but engaging.

My 2013 Book Survey!

We're almost at the end of 2013. Every year Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner creates an awesome end of the year quiz. Be sure to check out her answers and visit her site. She's awesome, and you probably already know that, but if not, check her out!

Here are my answer for this year's quiz..........

Best in Books 2013

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

Whoa. This is a hard one. I love too many. How about I just link you to my Top Ten Books of 2013? I can not narrow it down more than that.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

I think The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney. I had high hopes, and it didn't quite meet them.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013? 

Hmmm. Most surprising YA novel was Allegiant. I wasn't expecting that ending.
Most surprising Adult novel was Tampa. I didn't know what to expect, and I certainly got more than I bargained for. 

 

 4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

  
Either Tarnish by Katherine Longshore, or Vicious by V.E. Schwab. Both are excellent and worth the read.

 5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, or Pawn by Aimee Carter. Both are excellent starts to new series. 

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

Alissa Nutting, or Marisha Pessl.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Tampa. It's THE definition of uncomfortable, but so well written. (Tampa is an adult novel. VERY adult.)

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

 9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Just One Year by Gayle Forman, and Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

Cress by Marissa Meyer. Love every single bit of this cover.

11. Most memorable character in 2013? 

Celeste from Tampa by Alissa Nutting, and Anne Boleyn from Katherine Longshore's Tarnish.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013? 

Hmm. maybe Just One Year by Gayle Forman. It, and Just One Day, really spoke to me.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013? 

Too many to list. I can't choose just one.

 16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Longest book at 602 pages is Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Shortest book at 50 pages is Glitter and Doom by Bethany Griffin (I am guessing enovellas count)

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

A whole bunch. The Dream Thieves, Vicious, and Tampa all come to mind.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Blue and her Raven Boys from The Dream Thieves. Also, Victor and Eli from Vicious. 

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

I only read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein because of Jessica at Read My Breath Away. (Thanks, Jess!)

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

I think mine was pretty mixed this year.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Willem from Just One Year.

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

Tampa by Alissa Nutting (for the writing) and The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd for the potential in that series.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

The world created in Vicious

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

Cress by Marissa Meyer. SO MUCH FUN!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

Code Name Verity. Ugly crying (Kiss me, Hardy. Kiss me quick)

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Book Blogging Life 2013

1. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013? 

My review of Tarnish.

2. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

Kelly, from KellyVision, did a post about spoilers, and when it was acceptable to talk about them. It also brought up the idea of avoiding spoilers, and when it becomes the responibility of the person trying to avoid them.

 

3. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

Every year I say the same thing, but it's always true. Book Expo America. I love getting to see bloggers I normally don't get to hang out with. It's a week long book party, and I love every moment.

4. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?

Hanging out with everyone at BEA. SO MUCH FUN!

5. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My review of Tarnish.

6. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

The 50 Book Pledge site by Harper Collins/Savvy Reader Canada. LOVE IT!

7.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Only my Goodreads challenge to read 120 books (which I accomplished).

Looking Ahead 2014

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?

Um, probably Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?

Brazen by Katherine Longshore, or The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Either Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige, or The Merciless by Danielle Vega.

 4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin or Cassandra Clare's City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments)

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?

I say this EVERY year, but commenting more. I am horrible. I promise to do better.

 

Best of 2013

Top Ten Books of 2013!

We're getting close to the end of the year, and I am officially taking it easy on the blog for the rest of 2013. Kicking off Christmas week I am going to put up my list of the top ten books I read in 2013. This was hard, really hard.

There is a mix of YA, and adult on here. It was a good year for both genres. I've indicated which titles are adult. Each of the books link to my review (if posted).

1 Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Katherine Longshore brings Anne Boleyn to life effortlessly. Her voice stayed in my head long after I had finished the novel, and Katherine's brilliant writing only improves with each novel. She creates a sympathetic, yet still driven portrait of the doomed queen. Fans of Anne Boleyn will relish this one, and newcomers to the Tudor court will find much to enjoy as well. It's sexy, scandalous, and heart pulling.

2 Night Film by Marisha Pessl (adult novel)

A mind warp at it's finest. You'll feel like you're in one of Cordova's 'night films yourself as you question everything. This novel dares to question belief, perception, and reality. Does believing in something make it reality? It's thought provoking ending will make you want to read the novel again.

3 Vicious by V.E. Schwab (adult novel)

Victoria Schwab blurs the lines between good, evil and creates something in between. Vicious wants to make you question mortality, and your definition of the 'anti-hero'. Needless to say, she succeeds. Vicious is not only thrilling, taunt, and addictive, but it's brilliantly written. I, personally, was left wanting to beg her for more. You won't soon forget Victor or Eli after reading this one.

4 Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

An intoxicating duology that ends with a fantastic finale. Bethany has created a world that is rich, characters that will immediately grab you, and has ended the series in the most fitting way. It's decadent, dangerous, and yet there is a little light of hope, which is exactly the message of her story. Araby grows leaps and bounds and remains one of my favourite female protagonists. 

5 Tampa by Alissa Nutting (adult novel)

After finishing Tampa I felt two things - shock and disbelief. A provocative, controversial novel whose main character, Celeste, is someone you will never forget. Alissa takes what could have been a disaster, and creates something thought provoking, and brilliantly written. It made me want to discuss it with everyone, but it also made me want to warn them (and I think that's exactly what Alissa was going for).

** Tampa is REALLY adult. It is not intended for the younger readers**

6 The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (adult with cross-over appeal)

Another debut novelist who impressed me with her writing. The world building is fantastic, and Paige is a character I am going to love seeing evolve and change throughout the novel. An impressive set up to what appears to be an amazing series. If you're looking for the next series to get obsessed with, this just might be it.

7 Cress by Marissa Meyer

I don't want to say to much, as this one is not on shelves yet. I will say that I fell in love with Cress (both the book and the character). Marissa Meyer's third novel has set up what is going to be one spectacular finale. The writing is just as engaging as the previous novels, and the plot is tight. This is a series where you can tell the author has planned, and plotted and is weaving everything together. I am so excited to watch everyone fall in love with Cress once it's released, she's truly wonderful.

8 Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Willem may just be my favourite male voice. He's exactly what I imagined while reading Just One Day, except even more so. He's just as swoony, just as complicated, and just as infuriating as you would anticipate after reading Allyson's story. This novel completes her story in a way that you won't be able to imagine one without the other. They are two sides of the same coin, and Gayle's writing shines as she brings Willem to life.

9 Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

I loved Born Wicked. It was everything I wanted out of a witch novel. Star Cursed only improved on an already fantastic story. Jessica Spotswood's writing is impressive, and her characters are rich. The stage is set for the installment to this series, and the stakes just keep getting higher. A heart ripping ending, mixed with delightful characters, made this one an easy choice for this life. If you haven't checked out this series - do it immediately.

10 Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I cried my way through a large portion of this novel. Leonard Peacock's head is not a pleasant place to be, but there is no denying that Leonard's story MUST be told. Matthew Quick creates sympathy in a character who, at first, may seem undeserving. As you unravel Leonard's secret you quickly come to feel his pain. Matthew Quick has creates a timeless story that will crush your heart, and yet give you a little ray of hope as well.

Any of these titles make your top ten this year? Will you be adding any to your reading list in 2014? Let me know in the comments (link me your top ten if you've posted yours!).

Book Expo America Day One

Day one of Book Expo America started early. Previous experience let me know that people started arriving at the Javits Center around 7:00 or so. Our group arrived and got a place in line to wait for the exhibit hall to open.

A trend that I enjoyed last year was the morning 'entertainment'. Becca Fitzpatrick had something for the Hush, Hush series in 2012. This year was Veronica Roth's turn as cute tote bags were handed out by members of the different factions of Divergent. 

One of the factions of Divergent handing out tote bags

I also loved the Mortal Instruments banner that was above the exhibit hall doors....

Since day one tends to be the busiest, it also tends to be the day I get the most books. This year was no different.

Emilie and Jess waiting to be let into the exhibit hall

I met Kendare Blake and talked about her book being set in the town of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It's a town I am familiar with and was quite excited to see it used in a story. Kendare is really nice, and I was beyond happy to get a copy of Antigoddess. 

I also met Marisha Pessl who is releasing her second novel, Night Film, at the end of the summer. I've heard nothing but amazing things about this thrilling sounding read. In fact, it may have been the book I was most looking forward to getting my hands on during the event.

Random House's booth was a popular one for me that day, as I also queued up for Lauren Kate's signing. I love all these Atlantis inspired novels that seem to be popping up. Side note regarding Random House - their in booth signings are run amazingly well. They have strict policies about when you can line up, and they had out tickets to ensure they don't have more people than books. It made for a much more pleasant experience.

I wasn't expecting to make the Kami Garcia signing, but as luck would have it I was able to catch the tail end of it. She included a fantastic Unbreakable bookmark as well. Super excited to have a copy of this.

The other books I snagged were drops done at the publisher's booths. The most popular by far was the Scholastic drop for The Dream Thieves. I was impressed at the sheer number of people lined up to get a copy of this coveted sequel. The Raven Boys was fantastic, so I have high hopes for this one.

Teardrop by Lauren Kate (Goodreads)

Splintered/Unhinged by AG Howard (Goodreads)

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles (Goodreads)

Antigoodess by Kendare Blake (Goodreads)

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads)

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (Goodreads)

Jessica Darling's It List #1 by Megan McCafferty (Goodreads)

The 100 by Kass Morgan (Goodreads)

Mrs Poe by Lynn Cullen (Goodreads)

Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves (Goodreads)

Night Film by Marisha Pessl (Goodreads)

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry (Goodreads)

Marie Antoinette Serial Killer by Katie Alender (Goodreads)

The Returned by Jason Mott (Goodreads)

Burial Rights by Hannah Kent (Goodreads)

Frozen by Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston (Goodreads)

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia (Goodreads)

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black (Goodreads)

Certain books seem to have a bigger presence than others. Bloomsbury is certainly promoting The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. I was familiar with the title before BEA (as I am an advocate) and was thrilled to see all the attention it was getting. Another big Bloomsbury title was Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas.

Harlequin's big title was The Returned by Jason Mott. If you're not already aware a TV show based on the novel will be debuting on the ABC network this Fall. Resurrection looks amazing, and if you haven't already be sure to check out the teaser trailer for it.

Other big titles of the convention were All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill, Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein, and everyone seemed to want to get their hands on the new Jessica Darling.

The longest line I waited in for a signing was Victoria Schwab's for Vicious (more on that tomorrow). I also hear that the Holly Black signing line was long as well. 

I left the first day feeling insanely lucky, tired, and excited about the titles coming out in the second half of the year. It made me feel that my favourite read has yet to be discovered, and that is an incredible feeling.

My other two days were not nearly as busy so I am going to recap them together. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the rest of my Book Expo America experience.