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 Covers

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 have been released in 2013, should have been read in 2013 as well

These are all books that I had to have on my shelf.  These are the ones that I want to "show off".  So tell me, what was your favourite cover of 2013?  Share in the comments below!

Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Published May 7th, 2013
Putnam Juvenile
457 pages (Hardcover)

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After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. (From Goodreads)

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Overall, while The 5th Wave did not meet my expectations, it was a great book with an admirable originality.

This is a fresh take on aliens.  There is so much room to go when writing about aliens, but minus a couple of exceptions, I've never really gotten into alien stories.  The originality here is awesome though.  It keeps you guessing about these aliens until the very end, and that definitely draws the reader into the story.  The integration of the alien apocalypse adds another dimension to this complex story.  

I really enjoyed the alternating POVs used in this story.  Here's yet another dimension to the story.  Each character had an interesting way at looking at this world around them, and, frankly, the story is way to complex to not have multiple perspectives.  I think Ben's was my favourite perspective to read.  I found myself excited to get back to his story.  Plus, Ben is 50% action, 50% deep emotional turmoil.  I likes this.

So, why did The 5th Wave not meet my expectations?  I think this is an example of how too much hype can be a bad thing.  There was so much hype surrounding this book that I expected to completely love it.  There are slow parts though, and that discouraged me a bit.  It's a solid book, but the pace dragged it down a bit on me.

Ultimately, The 5th Wave is a great book that has the makings of being the next epic series.  If you haven't already done so, I suggest giving The 5th Wave a try!