Top 13 Books of 2013

Well. 2013 is over, and 2014 is here! While I'm so excited about all the releases and books scheduled for 2014, I think its important to sit back and think about all the wonderful books we've hugged, thrown and cried on in 2013. And so, when I watched Katytastic's year end wrap up on YouTube, I was inspired.

The way Kat does it is that an author is only allowed to be on the list once, all books are allowed as long as they are new-to-you (aka: they don't have to have 2013 publishing dates), no rereads count, and finally, this list is not in order of favorites, but more chronological order. Let's get to it!

1) Dark Star- Bethany Frenette

This was one of the first books I read in 2013. I have always been a superhero buff, and I feel like YA just doesn't really touch on the subject that much. So I was so excited to read this. The world was well built up in this one, and there were a lot of questions left unanswered, so I will look forward to reading the sequel, "Burn Bright," which is out this year.


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2) Ascend- Book 3 in the Trylle Trilogy- Amanda Hocking



This is the third book in a trilogy, and I marathoned all three books back in January. I must say, the conclusion was my favorite of the three. I loved the way the relationships developed, the ending of the conflict, and the growth of the characters, especially our main character, Wendy. Also, trolls are not a fantasy race that you often see written about, so I enjoyed getting that perspective.


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3) Clockwork Princess- Book 3 in the Infernal Devices Trilogy- Cassandra Clare


If I had to pick a favorite book of 2013, this would probably be it. The Infernal Devices is one of my favorite series- ever, and this conclusion was so stunningly beautiful and wonderful and heartbreaking, I don't think I'll ever get over it. I was so sad to say goodbye to Tessa, Will and Jem, but this book was so perfectly written, I daresay I wouldn't want any other books about them. I laughed, I cried (for more than a fair bit of it) and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

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4) Scarlet- Book 2 of the Lunar Chronicles Quarter- Marissa Meyer


Boy oh boy do I love this series. I read the first book, Cinder, in 2012, and I did like it a little better than Scarlet, but since they were in different years Scarlet definitely makes its way onto this list. I absolutely loved this futuristic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. The new characters are just as amazing as the old ones that also feature in this story. I love the way Marissa Meyer writes- its quick paced and never drags, and the way she weaves the elements of the fairytales into these futuristic settings is phenomenal. The Lunar Chronicles is an amazing series, and I can't wait to read the next installment. (Cress, its out February 2014)

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5) The Host- Stephenie Meyer


I got this book for Christmas in 2011, and I never finished it, because that was when Twilight was really uncool and I didn't want to be seen with anything by Stephenie Meyer. But I picked it up this year out of curiosity and it turns out I absolutely loved it. It drags a bit in the beginning, but once you get into it, it is a truly amazing story. I haven't read much involving aliens, but this was a really well-written version of them. I love the characters most of all in this book, because at some points the plot does drag, but the characters redeem the story.

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6) The Evolution of Mara Dyer-  Michelle Hodkin


This is the second book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, and I think this book just built upon the amazing story that Michelle Hodkin set up in the first book. I love the idea of the unreliable narrator, and the fact that no one can tell what's real and not real. The whole element of psychological problems and insanity really edges out the book. Also, dat cliffhanger doe. So insane. I was reading this in ebook form and I didn't know the end was the end so... that was so scary. I can't wait for the third book, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, out in June.

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7) The Fifth Wave- Rick Yancey


Oh my god. This book was a thrill ride from start to finish. I read it on a plane from the east coast to Germany. Nine hours, the book was done. I loved every minute of it. Its got a kick-ass heroine, a quick-paced plot, and a cute boy. What's not to love? This book was also scary because- it could happen. Its not so far off from the truth that you can just discount it as fiction. It could happen. I am so looking forward to the second book in this series.


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8) Siege and Storm- Book 2 in the Grisha trilogy- Leigh Bardugo



I love this world. This is one of my favorite worlds. In it exists a race of people who are gifted in one way or another, all pledged to the service of a king and a darkling. This is the second book in a planned trilogy, and I thought that book 2 had so many more twists and turns, which I found more enjoyable. The second installment also sets up for what is sure to be an unforgettable book three.


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9) Apollyon- Book 4 in the Covenant series- Jennifer L. Armentrout


This is one of my top five favorite series, and I am so glad I picked it up in 2013. I love all four books that I've read so far (the fifth and final was recently released, but I haven't picked it up yet) and the two novellas. To me, this is a grown up Percy Jackson crossed with Vampire Academy. I'm completely taken by this series. It is one of two series that has ever had me in the fetal position, sobbing. There are many feels involved. I love all the books the same, so picking one is arbitrary, but Apollyon is book four and so I picked it. I love love love this series.

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10) Fangirl- Rainbow Rowell


This book could fight Clockwork Princess for the top spot of 2013. I absolutely love everything Rainbow Rowell writes (her other YA book, Eleanor and Park, was also a contender for this list), but Fangirl just spoke to me in a way few other books have. I think its for every person who has ever fangirled over something. I saw myself in the main character and in the plot, and I was laughing and crying and enjoying every minute of it. I wish there was more about these characters, because I would read it in a heartbeat. I'm hard pressed to think of too many other books that I enjoyed more than this.

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11) The House of Hades- Book 4 in the Heroes of Olympus Series- Rick Riordan


I've loved Rick Riordan since I was in middle school. I passed through those years on Percy Jackson, and when Heroes of Olympus came along, I just loved him all the more. House of Hades is just the next, best, installment in the series. There's not much more to say except that after this book, I can honestly say I love each and every character for a different reason. Even the ones I didn't really like before, I love them now. These books are 100% amazing.

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12) The Coldest Girl in Coldtown- Holly Black



I don't normally read a lot of vampire novels, but this one I read and loved. There was something creepy about it, but that creep-factor grabbed my attention and I was held rapt until the end of the story. I just posted a full review here, so go check it out and you can see all my thoughts on this book.



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13) These Broken Stars- Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner


Last but not least, here comes These Broken Stars. At first, it reminded me of Titanic in space, but it grew to be so much more than that. I love things that take place in space, and I'm fascinated by space and space travel, so I already loved the premise of this book before I even started it. I loved the survival aspect of it, the character growth, and the way the relationship moved from page one to the end. It was an extremely worthwhile read.


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So, that was really difficult. I read so many wonderful books in 2013, and narrowing it down was hard, man. But, there you have it, my top 13 of 2013. May 2014 be filled with just as many amazing reads.

xx
Sunny