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.

Game by Barry Lyga

Game by Barry Lyga
Release Date – April 16, 2013
Publisher Website - Little Brown
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  528 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

**SPOILERS FOR I HUNT KILLERS (Book 1)**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Billy grinned. “Oh, New York,” he whispered. “We’re gonna have so much fun.”

I Hunt Killers introduced the world to Jazz, the son of history’s most infamous serial killer, Billy Dent.

In an effort to prove murder didn’t run in the family, Jazz teamed with the police in the small town of Lobo’s Nod to solve a deadly case. And now, when a determined New York City detective comes knocking on Jazz’s door asking for help, he can’t say no. The Hat-Dog Killer has the Big Apple–and its police force–running scared. So Jazz and his girlfriend, Connie, hop on a plane to the big city and get swept up in a killer’s murderous game.

Everything I loved about I Hunt Killers is back in Game. The spine tingling shivers, chills, and suspense. An intense and wild game leaves Jazz chasing a killer through the busy streets of New York City. The stakes are higher, and this time, Jazz and the police, don’t know the rules.

Nature versus nature. Jazz has both working against him. His struggle to prove, not just himself but to everyone, that he is nothing like his father carries over from the first novel. I stand by my previous statement - Jazz is charming, but he also manages to send shivers down my spine. Billy’s influence can not be denied, but how deep it runs is something Jazz has yet to determine. I love the entire concept of upbringing AND genetics factoring into who you become. The novel gives us an insight into someone who has been severely traumatized, and is struggling with the aftermath.

Howie, Jazz’s best friend, provides the comic relief that is definitely needed. I had such a soft spot for him, even in the first book. He’s such an amazingly loyal friend to Jazz. A true friend. A friend that accepts Jazz for who he is, flaws and all. Howie’s fragility made me worry about him more than any other character. It’s rather poetic that Barry Lyga decided to make Jazz’s best friend so vulnerable with the amount of death that surrounds him.

Connie officially become one of my favourite female characters in this novel. She’s confident without being conceited  determined, and fierce. A true match for someone like Jazz. She’s not afraid to stand up to him, and for him. She takes center stage in a way I was not expecting, and I found myself surprised at how much I enjoyed her.

Jazz dreams shift in this novel. Gone are the flashes of a knife carving flesh. Instead Jazz’s dreams are of touching skin, and rapid breaths. His fear that sex could be his trigger, and his initial attraction to Connie plague him throughout this entire novel. Part of me wondered if Jazz was molested as a child and we might be seeing flashbacks, another part of me thought perhaps it’s just his teenage boy hormones kicking into overdrive. It will be fascinating to see where this leads, and if the two dreams are at all connected.

The clever unraveling of the plot, and the reveal of what twisted game this novel gets it’s title from is a thrilling ride. Twists are plentiful and things we thought were true may turn out to be much different under the harsh light of day. It all comes to back to nature versus nature, and some revelations may not have the impact you’d hope.

The word cliff-hanger is thrown around a lot, especially with young adult novels. This ending, I feel, may be one of the cruelest (and heart stopping) endings in a novel. You’re left gasping and scrambling for the next page only to realize that there aren't anymore. It’s going to be a long wait to find out the consequences of the events in this installment. I am just happy that there will be more Jazz in the future.

A taunt, scary thrill ride that left me with shivers. Jazz is a chillingly disarming narrator whose easy smile masks a conflicted interior. I can not wait to curl up with the next installment and allow Barry Lyga to prevent me getting any sleep - both from staying up late to finish reading, and being haunted by it’s pages long after.

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).

An awesome mailbox again this week. A HUGE thank you to Hachette Canada and Raincoast Books for the incredible reads. I can not wait to start all of them.

Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green (goodreads)
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith (goodreads)
Icons by Margaret Stohl (goodreads)

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (goodreads)
Game by Barry Lyga (goodreads)

My cat Aria kept getting in the pictures. She especially seemed to like Marissa Meyer's Scarlet (and yes, she's the cutest cat ever).

Happy Sunday 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

Stephanie Perkins new book news

Stephanie announced that she has 2 new books with Penguin coming out after Isla and the Happily Ever After. The first novel is the only one we have details for and it's completely different from her previous novels and it sounds AWESOME. As per the publisher it is "a horror novel in the vein of the movie Scream in which a cadre of high school students are being stalked and attacked by a mysterious killer with no obvious motive"

Scream is a great, fun movie. It doesn't take itself seriously and points fun at the usual horror cliches. LOVE THIS. I bet Stephanie's will blend horror with humour and some sexiness.  I am very excited about this and can't wait for other details (eg title, cover, etc).

cover of Game (Jasper Dent #2) by Barry Lyga

I really liked I Hunt Killers. Jasper Dent is so chilling, so charming and fascinating! I hope this sequel delivers everything I loved in the first book, and more. I happen to also like this cover. If you haven't already be sure to add it to your Goodreads to be read list.

cover and synopsis for Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green

I have not heard much about this book, but I knew I wanted to read it when I saw the cover! It totally reminds me of the opening sequence for the TV show Pretty Little Liars. The Goodreads synopsis also sounds amazing and I can't wait for this one to be released in 2013.

TV

Once Upon A Time season 2

I can not believe I have yet to include this. I heard about it awhile ago. I am a huge Peter Pan fan so this video made me extra excited.



So Hook is for sure part of season 2 of this addictive show. I am hoping that means we will get to see Peter, Wendy, and Tinkerbell as well. I am counting down until the fall TV season starts....really missing my shows!

MOVIE

The Mortal Instruments movie cast

The casting for the movie is complete and I can now freak out over the unbelievable actors they have lined up.

The last big announcement was the casting of Valentine (who is the the villain) and it tipped my excitement to epic levels. Jonathan Rhys Meyers will be portraying the cold, dangerous and cunning Shadow Hunter.

The rest of the cast is also very happy making with Kevin Zegers lined up to play Alec Lightwood, and Aiden Turner set to play Luke. They join the already large cast. There is a movie website already set up and the full casting details are provided there if you are curious.

So what you are obsessed with this week?