Favourite Reads of 2013

These are my favourite reads and discoveries in 2013 – though yes, some of them may be 2012 books. A fairly eclectic mix that perfectly represents the genres I love to read – and write. For me fascinating world-building is a must, and I love characters that are not quite so heroic – or have their own difficult paths to walk.

So without further ado, here's my list (in no particular order):

 Allegiance Sworn by Kylie Griffin

This is the third in Griffin's fantasy romance series, featuring Arek, the Lightblade warrior who stole the pages for me the second he walked on scene in Alliance Forged, Book One. Arek is captured by the demonic Na'Reish warriors – his mortal enemies – and must come to terms with his own prejudices when he realises the Na'Reish leader, Imhara, may not be the evil demon he believes her to be. I love the world-building and the quiet push-pull between these two. Griffin doesn't shy away from forcing her hero to make some tough decisions and work his way through his emotions. This is not just ‘I love you – I hate you'. Arek's journey is a fascinating one.

Skin by Kylie Scott

Kylie Scott is definitely going to be a name to watch out for, with her Stage Dive series taking off, but my paranormal roots kind of prefer her Dystopian series. Skin features Nick and Roslyn, in basically a Walking Dead scenario. At the start of the novel, Nick ‘purchases' Ros from the group she's been hiding with, with a pick-up full of food. Needless to say, she's not too thrilled with the idea. Highly erotic, but also clever in the way it delves into the depths of both hero and heroine's characters in this captive romance. And Nick is gorgeous.

Beyond Control by Kit Rocha 

Another dystopian erotic, which seems to be a genre I highly enjoy. This time we're in the outskirts of Eden, a city where the sectors are ruled by gangs. Beyond Control deals with Lex and Dallas O'Kane, the ruler of one of these gangs. I love the world-building, and the ruthless things these people will do to survive, but I also loved the way the women are presented in this world; strong, with blooming friendships between them, who don't take no sass from their men.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living – one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers’ arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

 Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon’s secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel – a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.

Where do I start with Laini Taylor? Reading her YA books feels like I'm reading poetry. This woman can write. But it's not all lyrical sentences. In this world, Karou, has just discovered the truth about her past and the world she came from, including the fact that the angel she loves destroyed her entire people when he thought they killed her. It's like a fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet, only Romeo slaughtered all of Juliet's family when he woke up. And she was resurrected. I'm not entirely certain if this is a romance that's going to have a HEA either, but even so, I'm all in for the ride. One of my absolute favourite books of 2013, and proof of how the second book in a series should be written.

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Kate and Curran are always going to make this list for me. They're my favourite UF couple and I really enjoyed how emotional a journey this book was for Kate. She's still bad-ass and running off her mouth, but now we're starting to see the consequences of her past coming back to haunt her. People die (and I sobbed for them), children get saved – and a single act of kindness by Kate proves to be the way to victory.

A Study In Silks by Emma Jane Holloway

A late find, A Study of Silks was a glorious tale, with rich character driven plotlines and an intriguing steam-driven world featuring steam barons that rule Victorian England, a heroine who's the niece of

 Sherlock Holmes and two fascinating potential heroes. I think I'm rooting for the wrong hero, unfortunately, but its rare that you find a YA/NA that has a love triangle that works.

Shadowdance by Kristin Callihan

I loved Winterblaze this year too, but if I had to pick just one of Callihan's books for the year, Jack Talent sold me on Shadowdance. A brooding, tortured shifter, Jack must work through a lot in his life to have a happy ending with Mary, the Ghost-in-the-Machine he has a love-hate relationship with. And I mean a lot. More steampunk touches this time around also might have won the round for Shadowdance.

Hearts of Shadow by Kira Brady

Set in futuristic Seattle, in an almost post-apocalyptic (hmm, I wonder why I like this?) world, Kira Brady delivers another clever UF style paranormal, with a drekar hero and a heroine who fights the wraith-type creatures that haunt Seattle. Grace was a marvelous heroine; tough, surly and broken, but trying her hardest to survive, and Leif was a beta hero forced into his brother's footsteps as leader of the drekar. Great world-building, featuring a lot of Norse mythology, steampunk touches and Native American shape-shifting style shifters.

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

Butcher is one series I could re-read frequently and never grow bored. In fact, I did a re-read (starting at book four as the first three are not quite as good) of the whole series leading up to Cold Days' arrival on my doorstep. Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard has come a long way since the early books and I love how he's starting to face the darker side of his own nature, so to speak. The regular cast are all here and Harry has Fae Queens to outwit, plus new challenges to explore.

Bronze Gods by Ann Aguirre

A kind of steampunk noir detective story set in an intriguing world. I loved the two heroes, Mikani and Ritsuko. The romance is incredibly subtle between the two partners, but definitely going to grow and I can't wait for book two.

Riveted by Meljean Brook

More steampunk goodness from Brook, with a lovely friends-to-lovers story set in the volcanic glacial landscapes of Iceland. I have always wanted to go to Iceland, so I loved every second of this book, and Brooks' creativeness with her steampunk elements (trolls anyone?) is unsurpassed.

Caged Warrior by Lindsay Piper

 My enjoyment of this book might have something to do with my love for the TV series Spartacus. Caged Warrior is set in an underground slave/gladiator style tournament, where the Dragon Kings (no dragons alas, just people with exceptional talents) fight to the death. When the heroine, Nynn, wakes up in the cages, she's come straight from the laboratories of one of the most evil villains I've ever seen – and has no idea where her son is. Set to partner Leto, one of the cage warriors, she is desperate to escape – but Leto has other plans. All he lives for is the glory of the arena. A very harsh, somewhat brutal romance that might turn off a few readers with its ruthless hero, but I loved it.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Second in the Grisha series, Siege and Storm is another second book in a trilogy done right. The Darkling is back; a man of incredible power, who needs the heroine Alina,

for her own Sun Summoning talents. Alina however, is on the run with Mal, her childhood friend. The pseudo Russian world is incredible and I love that Alina must face the challenge that her world and Mal's are increasingly different. Another YA in which I'm not certain a HEA is going to be achieved.

Honourable Mention: Dragonfly by Erica Hayes

I have to give an honourable mention to Hayes' Dragonfly, which I read on my travels through America. It's a sci-fi romance, with a very clever, resourceful heroine named Carrie, who is on a mission to capture the elusive rebel, Dragonfly. Of course, everything is not what it seems and Dragonfly is far more intriguing than she imagined. The thing I enjoyed most about this book? The heroine kicked arse. And when she couldn't fight her way out of danger, she used her wits to outsmart the villains.

So who earned a place on your list this year?