Welcome to the Top 10 of 2012, hosted by Confessions of a Bookaholic, Fiktshun, Two Chicks on Books, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads!!!
I am very excited to participate in this weeklong event to share my faves of 2012! Here is the schedule for this week:
Monday, December 24th
Best Adult Books I've Read in 2012
Tuesday, December 25th
Best Book Covers of 2012
Wednesday, December 26th
Best YA Books I've Read in 2012
Thursday, December 27th
Best Book Boyfriends of 2012
Friday, December 28th
Top 10 Books I'm looking forward to in 2013
I had a REALLY hard time with my Best Books list so I split it in two. Today I will list my favorite ADULT reads of 2012 and on Wednesday I'll share my favorite YA books of 2012.
So, here is the first Top 10 of the week:
So, here is the first Top 10 of the week:
Best Adult Books I’ve Read in 2012
Gunmetal Magic
(Kate Daniels World #1)
Illona Andrews
I love the Kate Daniels books and this trip into Andrea's side of things is no exception. Andrea has all the same characteristics that make Kate awesome plus some unique ones that make her stand out on her own. The book was smart, fast-paced, action-packed, heart wrenching, and hilarious. This was a big win for Illona Andrews and I hope to get more Andrea and Raphael books in the future.
Blood on the Bayou
(Annabelle Lee #2)
Stacey Jay
I loved the first book in this series but this second one blew it out of the water. Annabelle is a completely dysfunctional heroine with flaws left and right but in the end she's heart felt and sympathetic. I also love all the men in this book, from Annabelle's impossible long lost love Hitch, to mysterious but caring Cane, to playful and sexy Tucker. A unique take on dark urban fantasy - and killer fairies - that manages to also be clever and funny.
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
(Charley Davidson #4)
Darynda Jones
This unique series focuses on a hilarious and snarky private investigator who solves mysteries, doubles as the grim reaper on the side, and falls in love with the incredibly sexy Son of Satan. Got it? There is no other character like Charley out these, she is certainly one of a kind. I also adore all of the series' other characters, including Cookie, Amber, Ubie, Artemis, Swopes, and that bad boy - aka 'chocolate covered heroine' - Reyes.
Kiss of Steel
(London Steampunk #1)
Bec McMaster
Where the hell did this book come from? As the biggest sleeper hit of 2012, in my opinion, Kiss of Steel rocked my world with its distinctive take on vampires, characters you could connect with, intriguing mystery, and scorching sex. This one will please lovers of paranormal romance, historical romance, steampunk, and urban fantasy. Blade and Honoria's relationship is an incredible mix of romantic and hot and I can't wait to venture into this world again.
(Unbound #2)
Rachel Vincent
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Shadow Bound was darker and more more emotional than the first in the Unbound series and I gobbled that up. Kori is a damaged heroine who has a lot of emotional scars and she and Ian had a lot to conquer before they could get together. I loved the intricate world building of this series and this book just added more layers to a world where crime bosses rule, extraordinary 'abilities' exist, and a simple word, tattoo, or signature can bind you in unimaginable ways.
Chasing Magic
(Downside Ghosts #5)
Stacia Kane
Downside is one of my favorite fictional places to disappear into, which is ironic since its not really a very happy place to live, and Chess and Terrible are one of my all time favorite couples. Chess is beyond screwed up, with an addiction to pills, very little self-esteem to speak of, and a traumatic past. The wonderful thing about this series is that Kane shows us how amazing and strong and talented Chess really is, even if she doesn't know it herself. In Chasing Magic we finally get to see some hope blossom for Chess and we also get deeper into her relationship with Terrible. There is nothing out there like this unique series and I cannot wait for whatever comes next!
(McKenzie Lewis #2)
Sandy Williams
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This book has a smart heroine you can rally behind and one of the best, not-at-all annoying love triangles ever written. Aren and Kyol and very different men who both love McKenzie deeply, but its Aren who constantly utters the most romantic and ballsy statements to McKenzie and has therefore stolen my heart. This sequel is just as quickly paced as its predecessor and we learn even more about Aren's Fae world.
Summoning the Night
(Arcadia Bell #2)
Jenn Bennett
This one far surpassed the first in the series with a lot more action and more development of Lon and Cady's relationship. Cady is a bar owner and magic user who also possesses the unique ability to kindle power from the moon on occasion. I am totally in love with her demon boyfriend, er, man-friend, Lon's stoic sexiness - and of, course, his mustache. I also love his hyperactive and heartwarming teenage son, Jupe. The combination of dark urban fantasy elements with an uncommon setting for this genre - California - adds to the uniqueness of this series and gives this urban fantasy an interesting balance between dark and light.
(Revivalist #2)
Rachel Caine
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I loved Working Stiff but Caine totally turned things up a notch with Two Weeks' Notice. A corporation-created drug called Returne reanimates the recently dead but then those 'reanimated' look and act like normal people. Previously dead and recently revived Bryn is a savvy military veteran who kicks ass. In this book she grows as a character and her relationship with Patrick develops in very satisfying ways. This one is very exciting and fast moving, and there were several moments that made me hold my breath. Looking forward to book three!
The First Days
(As the World Dies #1)
Rhiannon Frater
I don't really read much horror, but as a lover of dark urban fantasy it seemed like a natural progression for me, and Frater's As the World Dies series was garnering a ton of praise so I tried it out. I was beyond pleasantly surprised - talk about awesomesauce with a side of holy shit! The pace of the plot never slowed down and I was on high alert the entire time like I was the one being chased down by zombies. Frater also manages to make the characters outshine the horror and that's the real strength of The First Days.
Be sure to check back
tomorrow for:
Best Book Covers of 2012!
What
were some of your favorite
adult reads of 2012?
Summoning the Night was THE BOMB! LOLZ
ReplyDeleteI still have yet to get to Shadow Bound and Shattered Dark!
My Top 10 of 2012 List! Post
Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
Great list, Christen! I STILL haven't read Darynda Jones yet, but it's in my list for 2013!
ReplyDeleteIs it sad that I've read almost every single book on this list? Just saying! Nice List Christen :)
ReplyDeleteGood List, I need to really read many of those. :-/ SO MANY GOOD BOOKS!
ReplyDeleteI love the layout of your blog, btw! But I have not read a single one of your books. Yet.
ReplyDeleteSo many series I need to either start or catch up on. I'm really intrigued by the Annabelle Lee and London Steampunk books. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome list! I loved the crazy twist at the end of Two Week's Notice. Can't wait to see how that all plays out.
ReplyDelete