The first guest post to kick off my Book Stars of 2011 event is Small from
Small Review! I'm so excited that she agreed to participate in my little event because I'm such a fan of her amazing blog! Make sure to stop by Small Review and check out her fantastic reviews and enter her current
giveaway where you can win Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep!
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Five 2011 Paranormal Fantasy Series that Have Left Me Begging for More!
I was super excited when Donna from The Happy Booker asked me to write a list of some of my favorite YA fantasy/paranormal reads! Except...I'm a "more is more" kind of person, and my list very quickly grew out of control (2011 was a very good year!)
So in an effort to provide a manageable list, I've focused on YA fantasy/paranormal series that have begun in 2011 and have left me breathlessly awaiting their continuation in 2012.
Whether it's Buffy or the Winchester brothers, I'm a fan of slaying paranormal creatures. Ghost-hunting Cas from Kendare Blake's debut is no exception. I don't know whether it was Cas himself (he's pretty cute), or Anna (pretty terrifying), the mystery of his father's death (pretty intriguing), or the rapid-fire pacing, but my eyes were glued to the pages. I'm a total horror lightweight, so I thought this book was pretty darn scary!
I'm also a fan of kissing paranormal creatures (you know, vicariously), so thankfully I found Logan in Jennifer Estep's foray into YA. He's a smoking hot student at Mythos Academy (think Professor X's School for Gifted Youngsters, but instead of mutants, they get their power from a pantheon of gods).
Hot as Logan is, my main reason for loving this series is narrator Gwen Frost. Gwen is total BFF material and she understands the value of a sugar binge. Gwen's sleuthing tendencies guarantee fun and peril. She also has a snarky talking sword to accompany her when her investigations lead her into trouble.
I wasn't expecting much from this one, but Clara surprised me with her super sweet personality. Half the fun of reading her story was piggybacking on her thoughts and feelings. She may be a paranormal creature, but she's so normal.
I was also totally wrapped up in the multiple mysteries. I couldn't wait for Clara to piece together the details of her purpose, and what a whopper it is! Plus, every single side character has some tricky business going on, and I am determined to find out what they're hiding!
Of course, the swoony cowboy is also a draw.
Are you surprised? Anyone who knows anything about me knows I'm a broken record of hyper praises when it comes to this series. But with its non-stop action, ever-increasing number of smoking hot guys, strong female characters, battles, very BAD villains, strong family love, and characters who stand by their convictions no matter what, can you blame me?
At 487 pages this is a tome, not doubt about that. And while it does have a case of Twilight Pacing Syndrome, I barely noticed as I flew through the pages. The whole beginning where Helen and her future lover boy want nothing more than to claw the eyes out of one another was awesome!
Ok, that sounds weird, but Josephine Angelini did a phenomenal job in conveying Helen's feelings of pure rage and it was impossible for me not to get swept up in her emotions. Once things went from hate to love, I admit my investment in the couple waned a little, but by then I had Hector to occupy my attention (not a love interest. Just MY love interest).
And if romance isn't your thing, never fear. The big family is a ton of fun to hang out with, and their extended relatives pretty much define "scheming evil." I can't wait to see their machinations come to fruition!
Thank you for having me here today!
Have you read any of these books? How do you like them? Which 2011 series have hooked you?
22 comments:
I'm hooked by Delirium, Across the Universe, Glow, Enclave and Half Blood. I've been wanting to read Anna Dressed in Blood for months.
I've read Touch of Frost and can't wait to read Kiss of Frost...I own Starcrossed but haven't read it yet and I really want to read Anna Dressed in Blood!
Thanks so much again for having me today!
Vivien, Ooh I'm hooked by Glow and Enclave too! I can't wait to read their sequels.
Ebaker, Kiss of Frost is great. I hope you enjoy all three books you mentioned!
<33 you Small! There's still so many of these, I'm sad to say, that I HAVEN'T read. Like the Mythos Academy series :'(
-Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
I have not read Unearthly yet. I have it, just haven't gotten to it yet. I'm quickly making up for lost time these past few days. I loved Anna Dressed in Blood! I can't wait for the sequel. Such great characters. Even the supporting cast.
I just finished Touch of Frost and loved the mix of all the different mythologies.
I thought Starcrossed was the best! I so loved it. I want to get it out and read it again right now. I have an ARC and a hardback copy.
Waterfall is absolutely awesome!!
Some in my list would be Daughter of Smoke and Bone (is that paranormal or fantasy?) and In the Forests of the Night and Ruby Red.
There were so many great books this year! Oh, Touch by Jus Accardo was a great paranormal that just released. I highly recommend that one! I could name so many favorites but they aren't paranormal, so I'll wait for that day to name them!
Heather
I loved and Unearthly and Waterfall! I've yet to read the last two books in the River of Time series and I'm pretty stoked. I'm dying to read Anna Dressed in Blood for Ages!
I haven't read any of those books! Oops! I don't even own any of them. I really want Anna Dressed in Blood but we don't have a library here and I can't afford the hardback. :(
My favourite YAs published in 2011 have been more in the sci-fi genre: Across the Universe and Glow. I'm eagerly awaiting both sequels!
They're all on my tbr list / wishlist, but still haven't read any of them. This year I got hooked on Holly Black's Curse Workers, although actually the 1st book was published in 2010, I read them both in 2011 & can't wait for the 3rd book. That's what got me hooked from the YA series, I guess from YA this year I read more sequels of series I already was hooked & from the new series I've tried I got hooked more on adult series this year ;)
I haven't read any of these yet but they are on the wishlist. So many books but never enough time!
I have all of these on my wish list. The only one I read was Unearthly. I need to step up my reading apparently.
Would you believe I haven't had a chance to read any of these books? Sigh...
I need to get started on all of these books! I've actually been meaning to read them for a while now
I want to read Touch of Frost! I would love to read any of them though.
Asher, :D You should read Mythos Academy!! Vic is made of awesome.
Heather, You haven't read Unearthly?! Oh my, you need to read that one ASAP! At least now you won't have to wait a long time for the sequel to come out. I think you'll like it, especially since you liked Starcrossed. I haven't read Daughter of Smoke and Bone yet, but it sounds like it's paranormal? I don't know, I don't think Waterfall is *exactly* paranormal either...but I had to mention it!
Dea, Oooh if you loved Waterfall, then I think you'll love Cascade and Torrent too! :D
Rea, I hear you on getting books from the library! I loved Glow, too. I wasn't expecting to, but I really got into it and now I can't wait for the next book to come out.
Aleksandra, Holly Black's Curse Workers has been on my TBR for so long! It sounds fantastic.
Deanna, Very true! I hope you get to some of these soon. :)
Lisa, Definitely do! If you liked Unearthly, I think you'll like Starcrossed.
Sana, Oh I believe it! Too many books, too little time :)
Books Glorious Books, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
I have so many of those books on my to read list! I heard so many great things about Unearthly can't wait to read it!
I haven't read any of these books, but I do have a few on my wish list.
As to what hooked me its the Dirty Blood series.
haven't read any of these books.. i really love to read Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake:)
I definitely agree with Anna Dressed in Blood and Unearthly. Unearthly took me by surprise too, I didn't expect to like it that much!
Wow! I love all of the books listed although I haven't read any of it yet but I'm looking forward to read it on 2012, most especially the Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren Series. I've been anticipating that book for ages and I wish Santa will hear me and give me a copy of my own. :)
Of all those books, Unearthly was the only one I've read. But the rest, I've been hearing good things about them. YAAAAAAAAY! :)
I've read Unearthly and loved it! I love Clara's relationship with Tucker, but I'm so afraid of that relationship being ruined in the sequel!
I also read Starcrossed but I didn't like it as much. I did notice the Twilight Pacing Syndrome which annoyed me as I read.
I haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood, but I really want to! I normally don't read ghost stories, but this one sounds interesting!
Chen Chang
I've read all these except Waterfall. I'll have to check that one out!
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