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 Urban Fantasy books. Sharing their Top 5 reads for the last year as well.
Top 5 of Urban Fantasy!
My Picks, in no particular order:
Blue-Blooded Vamp (Sabina Kane #5) by Jaye Wells (Amazon Link)
EVERYONE makes an appearance in this novel. All we meet over the series. I was happy, mad, and cried with these characters. The pieces fit together perfectly, from the first book,
Red-Headed Stepchild. All in the close of the series.
Goodreads Summary
The epic conclusion to the amazing Sabina Kane urban fantasy series.
Sabina Kane is on the hunt. Her prey: Cain, the father of the vampire race and the one who murdered her family and her friends. Unfortunately, Cain is hunting Sabina, too. The one man who holds the key to defeating Cain is, of course, Abel. A mage with secrets to spare and, hopefully, the power to match it. Unfortunately, for Sabina, he's in Rome and may not want to be found.
Sabina sets out for Italy with her friends, Giguhl and Adam Lazarus, to track down the only man who can get her the revenge she hungers for. But will he help her or oppose her? And just who is Abel, really? Worst of all, when Sabina figures out the goddess Lilith has a plan for her-she realizes this trip is getting deadlier by the minute.
As they say: when in Rome-SURVIVE.
Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson (Amazon Link)
Oooooh! Amazing layout of a werewolf and supe world. Full of action and pounding. Amanda has definitely figured out the right combination of information and action to keep a story fast forward and the reader drawn to flipping pages.
Goodreads Summary
Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.
After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.
But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.
When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.
Shadows Before the Sun (Charlie Madigan #4) by Kelly Gay (Amazon Link)
Dark comes to mind first. Kelly has taken us on a dark path through the beautiful world. I LOVE it! The treatment in this one is pure torturous to the characters. I love seeing Elysia and the Sirens. Elysia looks like heaven on the outside, but to Charlie, the inside is another but.
Goodreads Summary
The electrifying sequel to the acclaimed urban fantasies The Better Part of Darkness, The Darkest Edge of Dawn, and The Hour of Dust and Ashes!
After filling out mountains of paperwork, Detective Charlie Madigan sets out for a death-defying trip into heavenly Elysia to rescue her partner Hank and bring the siren home. Of course, she doesn’t expect to leave behind an all out siren revolution or return home to find that jinn crime boss, Grigori Tennin, has begun a massive search for the divine being, Ahkneri. Tennin’s tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the crosshairs of the shadowy creature known as Death and awakens Ahkneri from her long sleep. And when Vengeance rises, Atlanta will never be the same.
Hot Blooded (Jessica McClain #2) by Amanda Carlson (Amazon Link)
Wow! Jessica will traipse through hell for any and all she loves. And most definitely Rourke. Constant heart-racing read, keeping the heart pounding with fevered worry and anticipation as Jessica fights for her love, friends, and her life.
Goodreads Summary
It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.
Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.
Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.
Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.
All in a day's work for a girl.
The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...
Wrayth (Book of the Order #3) by Philipps Ballantine (Amazon Link)
All the pieces we've stumbled across with Sorcha and Merrick (and Raed) are coming together in this gripping adventure with broken bonds of old and new.
Goodreads Summary
In the Empire of Arkaym, the Order of Deacons protects and shelters the citizens from the attacks of the unliving. All are sworn to fight the evil forces of the geists—and to keep the world safe from the power of the Otherside…
Although she is one of the most powerful Deacons in the Order, Sorcha Faris is still unable to move or speak after her last battle. Even her partner, Merrick Chambers, cannot reach her through their shared Bond. Yet there are those who still fear Sorcha and the mystery of her hidden past.
Meanwhile, Merrick has been asked to investigate a new member of the Emperor’s Court. But when Sorcha is abducted by men seeking Raed Rossin, the shapeshifting rival to the throne, Merrick must choose where his loyalties lie.
I've invited Jaclyn of JC's Book Haven to share her top reads for the last year.
J.C.'s picks:
My Top 5 Urban Fantasies of the Year
Ever After (The Hollows #11) by Kim Harrison (Amazon Link)
The Hollows is on my list of favorite series ever. As I read through each book, the series just got stronger, and my love for the characters grew deeper.
Ever After has been the best so far, and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to
Undead Pool (The Hollows #12) after reading this one!
Publisher: January 22, 2013 Harper Voyager
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads Summary
The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.
While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.
But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...
I gave this one 5 1/2 stars -
my review.
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews (Amazon Link)
Melissa and Jennifer Bielman actually turned me onto this series. I started it just this year. It's quickly taking over as one of my favorite Urban Fantasies. Kate and Curran are absolutely fantastic characters and I immediately grew attached to them.
Magic Bleeds was my favorite of the series so far, but I am looking forward to reading
Magic Slays.
Publisher: May 25, 2010 Penguin
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads Summary
Kate Daniels keeps the peace in Atlanta for the Order, humans caught between the vampire controlling People led by her biological father and best kept secret, Roland, and the shape-shifter Pack, led by her mate-to-be Curran, the Lord of the Beasts. But her look-alike aunt Erra, Babylon's god of chaos and terror, has come to town controlling seven naked warriors: Deluge (flood water), Tremor (earth quake), Gale (hurricane wind), Torch (fire inferno), Venom (disease poison), Beast (animal monster), and Darkness (overpowering dread).
I gave this one 6 starts -
my review.
Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson #7) by Patricia Briggs (Amazon Link)
Not only is Mercy such a fantastic character, but all the side characters in this series are easy to fall in love with. Between the wolves, fae, vampires, and witches, there is plenty in this series to keep readers busy and entertained. I simply adore this one!
Published: March 5, 2013 Ace Hardcover
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads Summary
Mercy Thompson returns in the seventh novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more?
After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted.
Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.
I gave this one 5 stars -
my review.
Clutch (I am Just Junco #1) by J.A. Huss (Amazon Link)
I know this one says Science Fiction and Dystopia for the genre, but Junco has a distinct Urban Fantasy feel to me. She's a hard-core heroine, and I feel she deserves the title. I adore Huss' writing and the second in the series was great as well. I will be finishing this series, and reading more of Huss' books that I find too.
Publisher: September 16th, 2012 Science Future Press
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Goodreads Summary
How long can you lie to yourself before it all comes apart?
In 2152 the avian race is on Earth looking for something stolen from them decades ago – their genetics. At the center of the search lies the Rural Republic; a small backwards farming country with high hopes of military domination and a penchant for illegal bioengineering.
19 year old Junco Coot is the daughter of the Rural Republic’s ranking commander. She’s the most foul-mouthed, wildly unpredictable and ruthless sniper the Rural Republic has ever trained. But when her father’s death sparks a trip into forbidden places, she triggers events that will change everything she knows to be true.
As an elite avian military officer, Tier’s mission is to destroy the bioengineering projects, kill Commander Coot’s daughter, and return home immediately. There’s just one problem. Junco isn’t who she claims to be.
With no one to trust, not even herself, Junco must confront the secrets of her past and accept her place in the future, or risk losing herself completely.
CONTENT WARNING - The I Am Just Junco series is NOT young adult and contains A LOT of bad language and violence, so know that before you buy or download during a freebie promotion.
I gave this one 4 1/2 stars -
my review.
Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies #1) by Isaac Marion (Amazon Link)
This is another one that doesn't list Urban Fantasy in the genre, but UF lovers should enjoy it because it does fit. If you haven't read this one yet, I really hope you try it out.
Published: April 2011 Atria Books
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Dystopian
Goodreads Summary
A zombie who yearns for a better life ends up falling in love—with a human—in this astonishingly original debut novel.
R is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams. He doesn’t enjoy killing people; he enjoys riding escalators and listening to Frank Sinatra. He is a little different from his fellow Dead.
Not just another zombie novel, Warm Bodies is funny, scary, and deeply moving.
I gave this one 5 stars -
my review.
Thank you so much for including me in your 4th blog birthday celebration, Melissa! I love visiting your blog. You are such a joy to talk to and your posts are so much fun :D
Thank you Jaclyn for joining in today!
Giveaway Time!
I'm giving you the pick of my list of top 5.
Open Internationally.
I'll be ordering through Book Depository, or Amazon, which ever delivers to you.
