Top 10 of 2012: Best Book Boyfriends

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, andMagical Urban Fantasy Reads

Today's topic is a bit harder for me.  I have to choose ten book boyfriends (and only 10!) of books released in 2012 that I've read.  Here is my list of crushes:

Check out these amazing paper dolls at the author's website (click on her name below) 

1.  Phillip from Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - To illustrate Phillip's awesomeness let me share this quote:

"When I look into your eyes, I lose all sense of time and place. Reason robbed, clear thought erased, I am lost in the paradise I find within your gaze."  (*I'm fanning myself right now*)

Picture is from book #4, I wanted to leave you with Ash's handsome face though

2.  Ash from The Iron's Prophesy by Julie Kagawa - If you have ever stoped by my blog before you know this is one of my favorite characters ever!

3.  Nicholas from The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst - This is an adult book, but one of the best contemporary romances I've read in a while.  Although Nicholas we a bit pigheaded, he saw the light at the end.  

4.  Tamani from Destined by Aprilynne Pike - Another fairy after my own heart!  Tamini was so dedicated to Laurel, completely loyal and handsome too boot (even if he has green hair :) 

5.  Vincent from Until I Die by Amy Plum - Vincent is the perfect boyfriend!  He spoils Kate rotten, he is strong, loyal, handsome and more.  If you had the chance to read Until I Die, you know I'm dying to get my hands on book #3, right? (btw, that was a mean cliffhanger!)

6.  Kaidan from Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins - Oh my!  I cannot tell how fast I fell in love with this character!  Kaidan is supposed to be evil, but he is so sweet and considerate, I cannot help but hope to see him happy with Anna.

7.  Chase from Social Suicide by Gemma - The typical 'bad boy' has a really soft spot, namely Hartley.  I just love how he tries to protect her and keeps her on her toes all the time.  Get on it Chase!

8.  Gavriel from Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers  - He is so considerate, tender and sweet with Ismae that I can't help but love him for it!

"Ah” Duval says. “So this is what you didn't want me to see. Poor Ismae”…”There is no shame is scar, Ismae”

9.  The Merrick brothers from the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer - Sorry if I cheated a bit, but these are four to-die-for brothers!  I've read the first two books in the series and I can't decide who I like the best yet :) 

10.  Lord Hector from The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - Although, I'm halfway through the book, I just adore Lord Hector.  He is so loyal to Elisa and even a blind man could tell he loves her (I don't know the ending yet, so don't tell me!) 

This was so much fun! I can't wait to see other lists!

Top 10 of 2012: Best Couples of 2012

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, andMagical Urban Fantasy Reads

Today's Top Ten is a 'fill-in-the-blank' from several choices and I selected couples (the romantic in me was begging me to!).  These are from books that I read this year. Here they are:

1.  Marianne and Phillip from Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - I raved about this book in my post on Monday, I just adore the Austen-like story and its amazing characters.  

2.  Echo and Noah from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - What I love most about this couple is that together they become whole, a better version of themselves.  They get each other at a deeper level that it's had to understand.

3.  Elder and Amy from A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Although I wasn't sure that these two were ever going to become a couple, they went through a lot and managed to get to the other side together.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

4.  Lyla and Tripp from Guitar Notes by Mary Amato - Lyla and Tripp are not a romantic couple (although I can wish and use my imagination, right?), but they are so attuned to each other and it reflects on the music they write together. 

5.  Deryn and Alek from Behemoth by Scott Westerfield - How I waited for this moment!  Behemoth is the culmination of the Leviathan series and it was an amazing ride.  I wish with all my heart that we could continue with the adventures of Deryn and Alek now that they are a couple (even if they are undercover :)

6.  Meghan and Ash from Iron's Prophesy by Julie Kagawa - I may have cheated a little with this one, as Iron's Prophesy is a novella, but Ash and Meghan are one of my favorite couples of all time.  Love them!

7.  Ismae and Gavriel from Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers - What I like the most about this couple, is that Ismae deserved love after the type of life that she had before she met Gavriel.  He is so patient, tender, and considerate with Ismae, that it's a pleasure to see read.

8.  Kate and Henry from Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter - Poor Henry deserves his happy ending!  Although, this one was not my favorite in the series (The Goddess Legacy was better), I can't help but wish that this couple makes it at the end. *fingers crossed*

9.  Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - What can I say? I don't want to give anything away for those of you who haven't read it yet (btw, where have you been?), but I do have to say that I adore this couple's innate understanding of each other and their ability on finding the positive while still dealing with a devastating disease. 

10. Carmella and Howie from Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady - Howie came to Carmella's life in the moment that she needed him the most and brought light to her darkness.  Even if she made some terrible mistakes, I am positive that they can make it at the end. 

What is in your Top Ten of 2012 today? 

Top 10 of 2012: Best Books I've Read in 2012

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

Today's topic is my Top Ten Favorite books that I've read this year.  Here they are:

1.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - This books is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  (See my review here)

2.  Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - This book reminded me of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, which is one of my favorite as well (but alas, I read that one a few years ago).  I love the alternating points of view, the mystery, and the fact that two people that are so different and so broken, can become whole where they are together. (See my review here)

3.  Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins - I believe that I fell in love with the characters in this book first and with the story second.  Never mind the reason, this is a favorite for sure. (See my review here)

4.  Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas - This is a fantasy world filled with incredible difficult situations and amazing people.  Celaena is one of my favorite characters of all time, she has been through so much and still has the ability to see the good in others.  (See my review here)

5.  Goliath by Scott Westerfeld - Goliath is book three in the Leviathan series.  Although I read book one years ago, this year I read the last two books and I adore this series.  This is steampunk as its best!  (See my review here)

6.  Easy by Tammara Webber - This was the first book I read in the New Adult category and I absolutely feel in love with it.  Easy felt raw and real, and even though some parts were difficult to read, this book stayed in my mind for a long while after I read the last word.  (See my review here)

7.  The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - If you ask anyone that knows me they will be able to tell you that I'm a certified 'scary cat'.  I don't like horror movies, but this series cannot be described as anything other than horror.  Regardless of that fact, the writing alone is a masterpiece, never mind the amazing characterization and plot.  (See my review here) 

8.  Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - I am a hopeless romantic and an avid fanatic of chick flicks.  It is no wonder then that I'm also an avid fan of Jane Austen's books (and any movies based on them!).  Edenbrooke is a treasure of a book reminiscent of Austen's work.  Love it! (See my review here)

9.  Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers - This is historical fiction as its best, of course it is also mixed in with a bit of mystery and kick-ass-girl-assassins, and that is what makes is awesome. (See my review here) 

10.  Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - Another great fantasy that had me hooked from the beginning.  I loved to see how Elisa grew so much as she tried to fulfill her destiny (that sounded cliche, but it's true :)  (See my review here) 

I can't wait to see what your favorites were this year!

Top Ten Kick-Ass Heroines in YA

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

1.  Katniss from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I don’t need to explain this one, do I?

2.  Meghan from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa  - You know this is one of my favorite series ever!  Both Ash and Meghan are amazing.  Let me just say that I probably would have died in the Nevernever on day one.

3.  Hermione from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – I love both Harry and Ron, but the truth is that they would have never survived without Hermione.  She is the brains of the trio.

4.  Ellie from Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton – Fighting demons and her attraction to Will can’t be easy!

5.  Kaylee from the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent – This girl has spunk!  She has seen and fight a lot of weird stuff and she keeps going strong!

6.  Celaena from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – This is one of my favorite characters ever.  If you haven’t read this book, please give a try.

7.  Ismae from Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers – A girl that was sired by death itself and trained to be an assassin, I hope that you don’t need a further explanation.

8.  Riley from The Demon Trapper’s series by Jana Oliver – She’s a demon trapper. Really.

9.  Saba from Blood Red Road by Moira Young  - Saba turned out to be one of the most violent female characters that I’ve read (in YA) for a while.  She kicks everyone’s ass!

10. Finley from The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross - She is fearless, super strong and loyal; a great combination is you ask me :)

What's in your Top Ten this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Triumph by R. L. LaFevers (His Fair Assassin #2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Published by: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Release date: April 2nd, 2013

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Why I want to read it:  Grave Mercy was a really good book.  I am curious to know why Sybella is kind of crazy and unstable and what the convent sent her to do.  Also, I hope we might see Ismae and Duval too :)

What are you waiting for this week?

Review: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers (His Fair Assassin #1)

Title: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Published: April 3^rd, 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt

Source: ARC from Netgalley

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: B+

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Review

I have been dying to read this book for a while, but had to carve some time to do so as it is a long book (549 pages).  I really enjoy Grave Mercy, although I have to warn that it might not be for everyone.

Grave Mercy is a historical ‘romance’ with a bit of the paranormal thrown in for good measure, targeted to young adults.  The setting of the story is the duchy of Brittany (now part of France) in the 1400s and it’s a period in history that I haven’t read much about.  I found the backdrop of the story fascinating, even if complicated to follow. 

The story starts by introducing us to Ismae which had a very cruel upbringing and also the power that religion and superstition had on that time.  I can see how the promise of a safe haven to live in, without fear and of a way to defend themselves from the brutality of the world can be very alluring, and even appear to be a blessing.  The elements of the old religion made a lot of sense and were easy to understand and were the very important to the story along with all the political machinations.

Ismae is very brave, loyal, is a great judge of character, and is a no-nonsense type of person.  She is only 17, but has learned a lot about how bad things could be, which makes her appreciate and recognize a good thing when she sees it.  Another redeeming quality is that she uses her brain, instead of following instructions blindly.  Gavriel Duval and Ismae’s are unwilling partners in the political game, and quickly learn to trust each other.  Their romance grows very slowly, which I can appreciate and makes it more enjoyable and believable.  I am also glad that there wasn’t a love triangle, and that Ismae didn’t stray from her beliefs and her feelings.  I really love Duval!

The overall characterization was really well done.  We get to see Anne of Brittany, a sweet girl that is put in a very difficult position that I’m not sure that I could have ever understood at that age.  She is constantly betrayed by the people that are supposed to be her allies.  Other characters were really well crafted and made the story believable.  I’m sure we will see more of all of them in the following books. All the ins and outs of the life at court can be confusing and seemed like a big theater performance at times. 

The plot, as I’ve mentioned before, was a bit complicated, but not impossible to follow, keep in mind that this is based on past history!  The writing was one of the best parts of the story.  LaFevers has a way to making you feel like you know these characters, and I learned to care for them.  The use of old words and sayings was also essential to the story.

Overall Grave Mercy is a great story, full of history, superstitions, religion, politics and romance.  I will definitely read Dark Triumph, book # 2 due for publication sometime next year.

A very true fact that is repeated throughout the story: “People hear and see what they expect to hear and see”

Another favorite: “Ah” Duval says. “So this is what you didn’t want me to see. Poor Ismae”…”There is no shame is scar, Ismae”

About the cover:  It’s a beautiful cover!  We see Ismae in a beautiful red gown with a crossbow and in the background a castle. 

Have you read Grave Mercy?  Do you like historical books?  Which is your favorite?