My Favourite Books of 2016

I'll be honest. Some of these might have come out earlier than last year, but I only got to them in 2016, so that's how my listing system works. Again, mostly YA Fantasy, some romance (one NA, and two fantasy, LOL), and a comic (fantasy-based). Hmm. There was definitely a theme last year in what I was reading.

My favourite book of the year had to be Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Ridiculously addictive, with a great cast of core characters, a heist, and a somewhat anti-hero lead. Kaz and Inej? I ship it so bad.

The rest in no particular order:

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. This YA sci-fi has twists, man. I was hooked. And who wouldn't love a book with the following blurb: ‘This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.'

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. Kristoff seems to write my personal gimme-gimme-gimme list (check out his Japanese-inspired steampunk YA too, if you're keen). Nevernight is a YA Fantasy world with an assassin-in-training who dreams of revenge and can manipulate shadows? Yes, please. Imagine an entire book based on Arya off Game Of Thrones, with magic powers, and you'll get the gist here.

Monstress by Marjorie M. Liu. This is a comic steampunk-ish fantasy world dominated by women and diverse characters. The artwork is stunning, the world building amazing, the heroine intriguing (also an anti-hero), and I just wish both Liu and Sana Takeda (the artist) could get these out quicker!

Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Fairytale style, practical heroine, mysterious sorcerer who is gruff and grumpy, dangerous forest-magic? Another page-turner I couldn't put down.

King's Rising by C.S Pacat. The final book in the m/m romance trilogy featuring two princes from enemy kingdoms, this book killed me. Oh, Laurent.

A Court Of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas was the second book in this series, and completely flipped the romance from the first. I must admit I didn't mind, as Rhys stole my heart in the first book and I never really fell in love with Tamlin.

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is a YA Fantasy twist on 1001 tales, with a mysterious Arabian-style kingdom and an interesting curse. The love story between the hero and heroine was so lyrically written.

Truthwitch by Susan Denard. Two best friends in the Witchlands get into all sorts of trouble in this YA Fantasy, complete with a hot prince, sea-faring battles, and an intriguing warrior-assassin-monk who might just end up being a second hero.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo. Finally got the chance to finish this series. I love anything Russian-based or flavoured, and even though the Darkling was the most interesting thing in this series, I feel like the ending wrapped up perfectly for poor Alina.

Smut by Karina Halle. I resisted this book for so long, even though I love Halle's work. Maybe it was the title, or the words ‘romantic comedy-style NA'. I don't know. Then I read it and cursed myself for waiting so long. It features two writing students who hate each other, but during a writing assignment, they realise they can write grade-A erotica and make a killing self-publishing it. Halle is never predictable, and I love that about her work. Plus LARP role play? Gold.

Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet kicks off a greek-mythology based series, heavy on the fantasy. I'm not going to lie. I kept waiting for Cat, the crazy-powerful heroine to turn the tables on Griffin after he kidnapped her, but in the end I forgave this gruff alpha hero, and look forward to more adventures in this world!

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