Best of 2013.... so far

Hard to believe it's already 6 months until 2013. It's officially the half way point to the end of the year and time to check in and see what the best books I've read this year... so far at least. I've linked to my reviews if you want to know more about what I thought of each of these novels (or have indicated when a review is forthcoming in cases where reviews are not yet posted).

The top 10 in no particular order...

1 Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

A book that reads more like an autobiography than fiction. Anne Boleyn's voice leaps off the page, and creates one of the best characters I've read this year. A different approach as this novel focuses on her life rather than her untimely death.

2 Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Lush descriptions, hot romance, and flaw characters come together to create one of my favourite of the year. A perfect ending to Araby's story that leaves you with just enough light in the darkness to say goodbye to these characters who are all too easy to become attached to.

3 Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Hands down one of the most well written novels I've read. The mystery of Ashley Cordova's death will haunt you, as will Stanislas Cordova himself. The question 'Who is Cordova' haunted me as much as it plagues our main character. This novel is sovereign, deadly and almost perfect. *review to come in the Autumn*

4 Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin

A novel that is beautiful and heart wrenching. It questions gender, and it's relevance to who we are. It's characters are ones that you'll remember long after you've finished this brilliant debut novel. Wonderfully written, and executed, this novel is one I urge everyone to pick it. It surprised me in the best possible way.

5 Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

Jessica Spotswood delivered a sequel that more that lives up to the first installment of the series. Filled with sibling rivalry, magic, romance, and ending in a heart crushing climax that will leave you breathless for the final novel. It's avoids the normal hindrances found in sequels and delivers something magical.

6 Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson

Thrilling, scary and disjointing. A novel told from the perspective of a character who is the definition of an unreliable narrator. SJ Watson has taken an already alarming premise and made it as sinister as possible. A novel that doesn't let go until all the secrets have been unraveled in the shocking ending.

7 Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

An emotional ending to a trilogy that may just be superior to the author's Mortal Instruments. Saying goodbye to beloved characters is never easy but this ending provides everything I could have wanted. Closure, emotional payoff, and brilliant connecting between the two already interconnected series.

8 Reboot by Amy Tintera

A novel that surprised me with how much I fell in love with it. It's a fascinating look at what makes us human. Sweet romance, mixed with incredible action scenes, it's a novel that is as dark as it is beautiful. If this one flew under your radar, be sure to pick it up. It'll surprise you.

9 The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

A novel filled with brilliant world building. Paige's world is complex, and so fully fleshed out that my excitement over what is to come is almost as great as my love for the first installment to this series. A captivating character in Paige, and some intriguing plot developments make me think this is a series, and writer, to watch. *review to come in the August*

10 Game by Barry Lyga

The follow up to I Hunt Killers is everything it's predecessor was, and more. Jazz remains as chilling as he is charming. The stakes are as high as ever, and Barry Lyga's twisted story unfolds at a perfect pace, making the novel impossible to put down.

I can't wait to see which of these will make it to the final list of top ten books of the year come the end of December. What is the best book you've read so far this year? Let me know in the comments.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Release Date – March 19, 2013
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  568 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**Purchased**

**Slight Spoilers! Read Only If You've Read Clockwork Princess (just in case)**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?

Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.

A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

Saying goodbye to a beloved series is hard. It’s even harder when the last book in the series doesn’t end in a fitting manner. I am happy to say that Clockwork Princess not only provided an immensely enjoyable read but ended the series in the most perfect, achingly beautiful, and heart crushing way.

Finding out what exactly Tessa’s background is provided a satisfying answer that illuminates other things. Smaller questions like the origins of Isabelle’s ruby necklace, and Church’s migration to New York are also answered. It’s these little overlaps that make both the Mortal Instruments, and Infernal Devices that much richer.

The romance is what a lot of people will talk about, and yes, it is swoon worthy and sigh inducing. I, however, find the bond between Will and Jem just as touching. These parabati care about each other in a way that is true, and tangible. From the moment Will agrees to train with Jem theirs is a friendship that saves each other. It’s never been more evident than in this chapter of their story exactly what being a parabati means, and the scars it can leave.

The triangle of Will, Jem and Tessa is unique. I’ve never read a triangle where all three members cared so much about each other. Each of them puts the happiness of the other two above everything. If this were a different kind of novel I would have no problem with all three of them heading off into the sunset together. Regardless of what “team” you may support I think you’ll come away with the novel contented with the ending. I feel it could not have ended any other way. The feelings of all involved are so unselfish, and so understand that it is almost crushing. They are each willing to sacrifice their own happiness if it means the other two would find it for themselves.

Tessa’s decisions are not easy ones, but ultimately the decisions she makes are hers. She chooses what will make her happy. She chooses love, embracing all that comes with it. The entire notion of love is such a large part of this series. The ups, downs, heartbreak, giddiness, and rush that comes with it. Choosing to try again after crushing loss, and believing that love can bring you happiness is an admirable quality and one of the many reasons I adore Tessa as a character.

In my opinion there can never be enough Magnus Bane in these novels. I felt this one did not have as much of him as I would have liked. However, his time with Tessa is especially poignant and shows the toll being immortal can take on someone. Tessa and Magnus will both see many loved ones age and die, and this is something Magnus is already coming to terms with. It made me look at his relationship with Alec in a new light. It made it seem like opening their hearts to someone mortal, even if just as friendship, was a act of bravery. To know that you would eventually lose them, but still choose to love, instead of protecting yourself is not only brave, but admirable.

Much will be said about the epilogue and I have a feeling it'll be polarizing. I foresee it being a love or hate scenario. I also think it'll come down to which 'team' you are on. I, personally, feel at peace with it, simply because of how it ties the series together. Loving different people at various times in your life is possible. You love them in different ways, but the act of moving on doesn't diminish the previous love.

A fitting, bittersweet ending to a series that I have fallen in love with. The characters touched me, and while it tore my heart to shreds, it had the only possible outcome for everyone involved. It answered the questions I had, and left the characters in a place that even if it wasn’t what I wanted for them, it was one I could understand and be content with.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews). 

Pretty sure that almost everyone's mailbox will feature the same book this week! Super excited to finally have my hands on it too. Clockwork Princess is finally out! It's cover is even prettier 'in person'. 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads)

Natural Born Angel by Scott Speer (Goodreads)

I won Natural Born Angel in a twitter contest, and was surprised to see that Scott Speer signed the copy that was sent to me! A huge thank you to him for hosting the contest.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

I immediately read this upon it's release. It was everything I hoped it would be. Humourous, heartbreaking, and bittersweet. As sad as I am to say goodbye, I can not think of a more perfect ending to this story.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

I can't even express how excited I am for this. Now that the cover has been officially released, it's making me even more excited. The marketing aspect of using twitter hash tags has become popular and this novel's use of #WhoIsCordova has me intrigued. More details can be found on the official website.

TV

Bates Motel

Creepy. Intense. Gripping. The pilot episode was both not what I was expecting, and yet so much more. Freddie Highmore is perfectly cast as a young Norman Bates, and Vera Farmiga is delightfully unsettling as his mother. There are just a few little glimpses of the Norman Bates we know from Psycho, and with just one episode I am officially invested.

OTHER

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries DVD Release/Kickstarter campaign

If you haven't watched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, please DO SO IMMEDIATELY. You can start from the beginning easily on the official website. The DVD release was announced and with it a Kickstarter campaign. The goal has already been met, and I am still deciding what amount to pledge myself, but I think it's a fun way for fans for get involved.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting on Wednesday...Clockwork Princess

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In Clockwork Princess, Tessa and her companions travel all over the world as they race to stop the clockwork army before it’s too late. As Jem’s health worsens alarmingly and his friends search desperately for a cure, can Tessa choose between the two boys she loves—even if it means never seeing the other one again?

Short synopsis, but I am excited for this one anyways. The cover is so stunning! I can not wait to see how this series ends.

Expected release date - March 19, 2013

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

the cover of Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

GORGEOUS! That word does not even begin to describe this cover. Tessa is stunning, and that dress....I love it. I can't wait to see how this series ends. If this series is not already added to your Goodreads, get on that!

the cover for Natural Born Angel by Scott Speer

I don't love the name, not going to lie. I do however think the covers to Immortal City and this one are pretty. Huge spoilers for the end of Immortal City in the synopsis of this one, so be careful if you have yet to read it.

MOVIES

The Amazing Spiderman

I saw this and LOVED it. Andrew Garfield is fantastic as Peter Parker! I think this was even better than the original Spiderman movies.

OTHER

LaineyGossip

My second love is gossip - celebrity gossip to be exact. Right after reading, I am a huge celeb culture junkie. I get my daily fix by visiting the website of, in my opinion, The Queen of Gossip - Lainey. Her mix of snark, and excellent taste makes her blog, LaineyGossip, one of the best. She also happens to be Canadian so bonus points for that.

Lainey is going to be hosting a "Smut School" so to speak. Her Faculty of Celebrity Studies is travelling to various Canadian cities. All things gossip will be discussed. It sounds like such a fun night. I have put my name into the draw for enrollment for her Ottawa stop and should find out next week if I am in! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

This "school" also has the BEST school crest

So what you are obsessed with this week?