Oddly, I noticed that a majority of this list were books read in September! Besides being my birthday month, I see its also a time when I have impeccable reading tastes.
Note: These are not limited to books released in 2017, like top 10 movie lists center on, they're simply the books I chose to pick up this year.
So without further ado!...
10. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Alexander Freed
Finished reading: January 4
This book is about the characters and how the Rebellion has affected them, a completely new layer in the franchise, which serves to grey the line between the Rebellion versus Empire. The best novelizations contribute to their films rather than just being a shallow money-grabbing tie-in, and this satisfyingly fleshes out and clarifies character motivations & intentions.
9. Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2) by Lynette Noni
Finished reading: May 16
Noni builds so much intrigue between the different factions that its hard to put the book down. Her characters are inspired and amusing. They have great chemistry and are a delight to read. The world is expanded in mystical ways, and I can't wait to explore more of in book 3 because that ending was just…holy crap…what a twist.
8. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
Finished reading: September 27
Our main character, Fallon, is what Maas's main character in "Throne of Glass" should have been but wasn't. Fantastic themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and sacrifice. The plot twists are fairly predictable, but the overall arch of the story line keeps you entertained from beginning to end.
Fishbane’s
historical research is thorough and comes out beautifully in the narrative.
Additionally, the spirit of Montgomery’s writing breathes subtly within the
pages. It’s a very well-written story about a girl discovering what she wants
out of life and love.
Carson pulls together great historical elements, spunky and enduring characters, emotional weight and mixes in a captivating adventure. The historical elements are rich, and I found myself not ready to say goodbye to the cast of characters when the book ended!
Finished reading: May 22
Meyer's Queen of Hearts origin story is stunning. The plot is surprising yet comfortably familiar with its Wonderlandish charm. The characters were uniquely captured and multifaceted. Meyer's carefully crafted story is able to captivate readers enough so that the well-known end result doesn't loom over the pages.
A delightful middle-grade novel with an original concept and fun characters. It’s quirky, spooky, and has an unpredictable mystery to unravel. The pace is great with many surprises to discover.
3. Leia,
Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
This book beautifully explores the struggles Leia and her family faced as the Rebellion took flight. Claudia Gray digs deep into the heart of emotions and explores the many consequences that could arise from even the most noble of actions. This story does the original characters credit and is strong in the Force.
What
I love about this story is how it illustrates that historical women were able
to accomplish great things despite constraints of time and place. A stirring book with great characters moving
within a fast-paced narrative and a beautiful setting.
Themes of judgment and grace are contrasted thoughtfully and beautifully throughout Green’s narrative. The real-life situations these colonists once lived through are harrowing, but skillfully and tastefully told through Green’s deft storytelling. Brimming with impressive historical details, complex characters, and an alluring plotline rich with unpredictable twists and turns, this is a touching novel that I loved.
7. Maud by
Melanie J. Fishbane
Finished reading: January 22
Fishbane’s
historical research is thorough and comes out beautifully in the narrative.
Additionally, the spirit of Montgomery’s writing breathes subtly within the
pages. It’s a very well-written story about a girl discovering what she wants
out of life and love.
6. Walk on
Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Finished reading: December 14
Carson pulls together great historical elements, spunky and enduring characters, emotional weight and mixes in a captivating adventure. The historical elements are rich, and I found myself not ready to say goodbye to the cast of characters when the book ended!
5. Heartless
by Marissa Meyer
Finished reading: May 22Meyer's Queen of Hearts origin story is stunning. The plot is surprising yet comfortably familiar with its Wonderlandish charm. The characters were uniquely captured and multifaceted. Meyer's carefully crafted story is able to captivate readers enough so that the well-known end result doesn't loom over the pages.
4. The
Shadows (The Books of Elsewhere #1) by Jacqueline West
Finished reading: September 29
A delightful middle-grade novel with an original concept and fun characters. It’s quirky, spooky, and has an unpredictable mystery to unravel. The pace is great with many surprises to discover.
3. Leia,
Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
Finished reading: September 5
This book beautifully explores the struggles Leia and her family faced as the Rebellion took flight. Claudia Gray digs deep into the heart of emotions and explores the many consequences that could arise from even the most noble of actions. This story does the original characters credit and is strong in the Force.
2. For the
Most Beautiful: A Novel of the Trojan War (Golden Apple Trilogy #1) by Emily
Hauser
Finished reading: September 14
What
I love about this story is how it illustrates that historical women were able
to accomplish great things despite constraints of time and place. A stirring book with great characters moving
within a fast-paced narrative and a beautiful setting.
1. The Mark
of the King by Jocelyn Green
Finished reading: February 24
Themes of judgment and grace are contrasted thoughtfully and beautifully throughout Green’s narrative. The real-life situations these colonists once lived through are harrowing, but skillfully and tastefully told through Green’s deft storytelling. Brimming with impressive historical details, complex characters, and an alluring plotline rich with unpredictable twists and turns, this is a touching novel that I loved.
