Top Ten of 2013: Best Book Boyfriends

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: Must be a book released and read in 2013

Cam

Wait For You by J. Lynn

Because he freakin' waited.  From my experience, they just don't wait for you to get your shit together.

Adam

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I don't care what you say, I'm still rooting for Adam because he is just amazing.

Hector

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

I may have a thing for the gruff, protective, badass type.

Aiden

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Again, badass.  How do you not love Aiden, who is strong and courageous and goes after what he wants?

Isaiah

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

He can fix my car any day.  We can connect over our love for speed.

Kaiden

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Drummer.  That's really all I have to say here.  Read the book.  He brings the heat.

Finn

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

Because he loves books and wears glasses and is unique and I like that.

Ryan

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

I like baseball, but I cheer for the Jays and I'm sorry but none of them are *that* attractive (except Rasmus, who I will forever love).  I like athletic types who will play/watch sports with me and drink beer and listen to country music.

Beast

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Again, strong manly man.  I have no issues with that.

Ben

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

I'm not entirely sure why.  I just felt a connection to this character throughout the book.

Question time!  Who was your book boyfriend of 2013?  Share them with me!

Top Ten of 2013: Best Couples

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: Must be from a book read in 2013

Blay & Qhuinn

Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

because it's about freakin' time!

Hector & Elisa

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

because they would stand by each other through anything!

Cam & Avery

Wait For You by J. Lynn

because these two stood out as a pair I was actually rooting for, among the NA club!

Cath & Levi

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

because they're cute, okay?

Addie & Trevor

Pivot Point by Kasie West

because the ending of Pivot Point broke my heart!

Sybella & Beast

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

because they battled their demons together!

Aiden & Alex

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

because they broke a few rules for love (yes, this was corny but I don't care)!

Anna & St. Clair

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

because love at a french boarding school!

Tod & Kaylee

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

because they got their happy ending!

Cate & Finn

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

because I'm still rooting for them!

Let's share!  Who was your favourite bookish couple this year?  Leave me comment and tell me what your list was about today!

And to those that are celebrating, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours!

If you're not celebrating, have a Happy Wednesday!

Top Ten of 2013: Best Books

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: has to be read in 2013, does not have to be published in 2013

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (review)

Why it is the best: Etienne St.Clair.  Enough said.  This book transports the reader to a beautiful Paris and a lovely romance.  I had a serious case of wanderlust after this read.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (review)

Why it is the best: It's original and honest and awesome.  I may not write fanfic, but I truly connected with Cate and her transition to college life.

Wait for You by J. Lynn

Why it is the best: OMG J. Lynn writes sexual tension like no other.  Cam and Avery had me from the first page, and the companion novel Trust In Me could just as easily made this list!

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (review)

Why it is the best: The world needs a few more Hector-types.  On top of that, the evolution of Elisa is beyond amazing and I just love the whole world and story!

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)

Why it is the best: I dub thee the most painful and heart-wrenching conclusion of the year.  I cannot wait for Seth's turn in the spotlight in 2015 (which, btw, is too far away...).

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (review)

Why it is the best: I cried, like, six times.  My copy is seriously tear-stained.  Beast and Sybella get a slow clap from me.  Historical isn't my thing, but this book had me from start to finish.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (review)

Why it is the best: Tahereh is a downright amazing author.  This story is spectacular.  The conclusion will likely destroy me (haha) in 2014, but I remain 100% Team Adam!

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood (review)

Why it is the best: It's original and engaging and heartbreaking.  Best worst ending ever.

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (review)

Why it is the best: You can't not love these characters.  When the secondary characters steal your heart as much as these ones do, you have a winner.  TTEN also stands out in a genre where everything is starting to feel the same.

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia (review)

Why it is the best: The world building.  The praise from Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson (you've never watched Ghost Hunters?!?!) backs this up.  I'm not an expert by any means, but I know a fair bit about the paranormal and much of this book is solid.  Unbreakable also had one of my favourite beginnings to a book this year!

And I leave you with a question: What was your favourite read of 2013?  If I had to choose one of these, I don't think I could!  I just can't commit.

September Recap!

Oy, where did September go?

Seven books isn't bad, all things considered.  I picked up what felt like a billion books this month, and had a hard time getting into anything.  I didn't DNF anything, I just read the first few pages of a lot of books.  That's a good thing for those above, because it means that I really enjoyed them all!

September also meant starting my second last nursing placement!  I'm loving it so far, even though it means working *almost* full time for no pay (it would be full time, but the school put a cap on me for 72 hours every two weeks).  Honestly though, I'm only 6 shifts in and I've learnt so much.  Rural hospitals FTW.

The hospital is 20 minutes away from my house, which means I need a driving anthem.  This month it was...

Luke Bryan is god-like.  I love his whole Crash My Party album.  Out Like That is another great track, if you're interested.

More of a TV person?  I devoured all of New Girl and the first four seasons of Flashpoint.  Both are fantastic, and Flashpoint is Canadian so #winning.  Although I am a lot more afraid of Toronto now...

But back to books.  The winner in my head this month was...

Fangirl was a *very* close second, but the Hector feels won out.  Here is my full review, but The Bitter Kingdom was just a fantastic conclusion to an amazing trilogy.  I'm still in denial that it's over.

Hope you guys all had a great summer, and I'll see you in October!

Review: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

Published August 27th, 2013
Greenwillow Books
448 pages (Hardcover)

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The epic conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country.  Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness.  As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined.  And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history.  She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.  (From Goodreads)

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I AM NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO THIS SERIES!  I had huge expectations for this book, The Bitter Kingdom did not disappoint.

The Bitter Kingdom was everything I wanted, plus some.  It's basically the badass save-Hector-and-the-world show.  A lot happens here, and it is all woven together beautifully.  It's intricate and crazy and infinitely fun.  Saving the world isn't simple, and Rae Carson pieced it together in a fantastic way.

We've watched Elisa develop from a insecure girl to a full-blown queen worthy of the title.  This is character development at it's finest folks.  Like, take notes.  She's negotiating and scheming and she never would have done that before!  Then there is Hector.  I LOVE HECTOR.  He's a certifiable badass and loyal and so madly in love with Elisa that I cried.  No joke, I cried.  As far as characters go, they felt so bloody real that I want them in my life.  This can be said about all of them too.  The relationship between Mara and Belen was fantastic.  Then there is Red, a new character to The Bitter Kingdom that made me so happy!  We can look at Storm, too, and see crazy development in him.

I'm attached to this world and don't want to let go.  I want more!  A seperate series about Belen and Mara?  Maybe Red when she grows up?  Some Rosario?  Enough questions are left open that *could* fuel more books.  I'm begging here.  Please give me more.  Please.

In summary, go check out The Girls of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers, because The Bitter Kingdom was the best conclusion I could ask for. 

"Waiting On" The Bitter Kingdom

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I am excited for...

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most. Riveting, surprising, and achingly romantic, Rae Carson has spun a bold and powerful conclusion to her extraordinary trilogy. (From Goodreads)

I am still not over the ending of The Crown of Embers (review).  It was one of those endings that I will remember forever and never be okay with.  It's also making the wait for The Bitter Kingdom impossible.  Rae Carson, you are cruel and I adore you for it.

If you haven't read this series yet, you've got time before the August 27th, 2013 release.  But be warned of the torturous ending.  I'm now thinking waiting would have been a smarter move...

Much love, Samantha