Friday, August 2, 2013

Top 5 Steam/Clockwork and Science Fiction Fantasy Reads!!


For my Blogoversary I enjoy sharing the Top 5 reads of different genre for the last year, June 1, 2012 through July 1, 2013.  These are the memorable reads with high recommendations from me.  Well worth looking into.

I can only bring myself to do the last year, as trying to figure out the best of all time...yea, no.  I love to many books on all different levels to try and figure that out.

Also, part of what makes this such an amazing thing, is my fellow bloggers.  I love sharing books with fellow bloggers and learning what they have loved to share with me as well.  This is a huge thing with me in the booking community.  I have with me a book lover of Steam/Clockwork and Science Fiction Fantasy books.  Sharing their Top 5 reads for the last year as well.

Now this list is special to me.  They are amazing reads, but I'm not sure where to put them in the genre's I've specified already.  Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance.  They don't fit there and this was the closest title I could think of, and it's not as complimentary as these books deserve.  All of these are well worth the mention, and I hope you take a look into these reads.

My Picks:
The Janus Affair (#2) by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
(Amazon Link)

Eliza.  That is the one name I can give you.  You want more?  WELLINGTON!! Wow, he's a great surprise in this one.  He's got secrets and so much more to learn of him.  The world they live in, the gadgets.  Well done!

Endgame (#6) by Ann Aguirre
(Amazon Link)

This is the end of a great amazing adventure with Sirantha Jax through the grimspace.  This is the end of Jax's promises.  Ann's writing has hurled me to this point, as I had to keep going and still in the last book Ann propels me to flip pages feeling a full range of emotions; happy, giddy, sad, worried, scared. This story is like coming home to a comfy chair, to read Jax again.

Maven (#1) by S.A. Huchton
(Amazon Link)

I couldn't stop reading this one! A thing I haven't done in a while. Finished in 2 days time. Refreshing drop of water with this story of conspiracy and corruption. I love the aquatic setting in this one.

Love Lydia and her spunk. Not only is she a genius but quick. Daniel!! Oooo, boy that man is something, and the exponential growth in his character. Wow! There are sparks between these two, and they fly. But when the left over files Daniel finds in the trash from Lydia's predecessor, they could find something dangerous to them for the knowledge and to the world...

The Dimensional Shift (#1) by Frances Pauli
(Amazon Link)

Fun read with a scifi dimensional twist to the world. Loved the dimensional twist to the world and never knew what I'd encounter next. And Andrews...*sigh* lovely. Gentle start to a lovely couple. Chloe made me smile through out.

The Kaiser Affair by Joseph Lewis
(Amazon Link)

Action, fights, guns, carriage chases, and mystical floating islands. All part of an amazing world with unexpected turns as to what we will see next in this world. Even a touch of what feels like magic as well. So many great elements blended together in one little package. There is a feel of steampowered as well!





I'm thrilled to have Karina of Nocturnal Book Reviews with me to share her Picks today.  Karina shares a great love for this side of fantasy with me.  She shares many great and new books I need to get to.
Hello everyone! Huge thanks to Melissa for inviting me as a guest and letting me loose on her blog!  *rubbing her hands excitedly*

Here is my list of 5 Steampunk and Science Fiction books you must read this year.

1. First off is London Steam punk series by Bec McMaster.
Bec McMasters series on Amazon

It's light on gadgetry, so it's great for a steampunk beginner. But it's exciting as hell with vicious vampire lords, dangerous waters of London underground, lurking werewolves, duels to the death and damsels in distress. It's got fab world-building and wonderful love stories, and I dare you not to enjoy reading these two!

2. Theirs Not To Reason Why series by Jean Johnson.
Jean Johnson's book on Amazon

What a mind-blowing sci-fi series! Basically, if you read or watched Dune and loved it, you will fall in love with this one. Ia is a prophet of major proportions, and she knows that 300 years from now her universe will vanish under an invasion, but she also sees that there is a miniscule chance to stop it if she chooses the right path and becomes a space cadet. This is an incredible military sci-fi, and I love this series to bits!

3. Veneficas Americana series by M.K.Hobson.
M. K. Hobson's books on Amazon

Alright, this is a steampunk western, but it's fun, - there are zombies, Indians, broken rules of propriety, soul thieves, witch hunts and amidst it all two very charismatic main protagonists, who start by not being able to stand each other and end up falling in love. I've only read the first book but I knew straight away this series will be one of my favorite in the genre.

4. Touchstone Trilogy by Andrea K Höst.
Andrea K. Host's books on Amazon

Andrea K Höst is an Australian writer, and I think she is absolutely amazing. Caszandra's journey takes her to a different universe where an army of Setari (space samurai) fight astral monsters, and where she with her unique talents of an Outsider is destined to play a very important role. Basically this YA sci-fi reads like a completely engrossing anime series, and I lost quite a few nights of sleep not being able to tear myself away from the incredible and very different alien world the author managed to create. This series blew me away!

5. Magnificent Devices series by Shelley Adina
Shelley Adina's books on Amazon

Another brilliant steampunk discovery for me this year, Shelley Adina writes wonderful adventures of an impoverished young lady inventor who travels around the world with a bunch of orphaned miscreant kids. And what a charming bunch they are! You really can't help but fall in love with the troublemakers. Buy it as a book bundle - it's only $8.99 for 4 books on Amazon and it's well worth your money!

This is it from me, folks! Happy blogoversary, Melissa, and thanks again for inviting me on your blog!


Thank you Karina! Dang, my WANT List and TBR piles are growing by leaps and bounds. :)

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Winner will pick the ONE book from MY Top 5 Picks.
(Do note: There are 2 of the 5 that are ebook only! If those are picked they will be in ebook format of choice)
For the 3 that are in Print, you get to pick: Print or Ebook.
If Print, I'll order from Amazon or Book Depository.
Open Internationally, if they deliver to you.

27 comments:

  1. All I am saying is steam and science! :D

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  2. I'd have to say my faves this year was Bronze Gods and Etiquette and Espionage. I also enjoy the Adina series as well as the Ministry books listed here!

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    1. Oooo, Melissa (B&T) I have Bronze Gods and soooo need to get to reading it! :D Thank you!

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  3. I really have to get around to reading "The Janus Affair" soon. I read the first book in the series ages ago and it was such fun!

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    1. Bibliotropic, hope you get to The Janus Affair soon. :) Thank you!

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  4. Thanks for having me here, Melissa!!! :) Happy blogoversary and let's continue reading and reviewing all these awesome books for many years to come! *hugs*

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    1. Kara-Karina, THANK YOU!! I love your list and this whole genre is really growing for me. :D

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  5. Great picks ladies! :) Only bad thing, too many books too little time! :D

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    1. zEmflrKa - Oh, I hear ya on that. I wish there was more reading time in the world. :D Thank you!

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  6. There are quite a few great steampunk stories I read this year, but since I can only list one - I really enjoyed Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta.

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  7. I loved Etiquette and Espionage recently - great inventions but also a lot of fun with the characters!

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  8. And I don't think I've said yet - congratulations on your Blogoversary!! It's looking like you had an awesome year and despite everything you are still here! :-)

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    1. Thank you Mel! Each year is a new challenge of its own. Isn't it? :) **hugs** And thank you! I'm going to see about Etiquette and Espionage one of these days. :)

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  9. I haven't read a lot of the genre, but taking note of books mentioned.

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  10. I really want to try out Ann Aggurie's series and I think I have a few of Joseph Lewis books on my Kindle. I definitely need to sit down and try them out.

    Great picks!

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    1. Michelle @ In Libris Veritas, Oh I do hope you enjoy Ann's series. It was really an amazing ride. :) And glad you have Joseph Lewis's book. :) Thank you!

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  11. I've only read a couple steampunk books in the past year, if you count EMPIRE STATE by Adam Christopher as sort of a steampunk with the flying airships and such. The other is GANYMEDE by Cherie Priest.

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    1. Tim, Oh Cherie Priest is a leader in this category. I really need to get back to her books! Thank you!

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  12. I finally picked up Gail Carrigers Soulless series and I absolutely loved it. One of the best series I've read. I can't wait for the new series featuring their daughter.

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    1. Stephanie Fredrick, You know I've not had the chance to pick up Gail's books. I really need to get them. I've heard fabulous things about the series. Glad you enjoy it! Thank you!

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  13. My favorite Sci-Fi read this year was Zenn Scarlett, and I can't wait to pick up Bronze Gods.

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  14. I've just read the new steampunk series by Lynn Viehl and I just loved it, it's just awesome!!!! You need to try it.

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    1. Melliane, I have to get that book and try it! I really must. :) Thank you!

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