Top 12 of 2012

Honorable mentions: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill, The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Storm by Brigid Kemmerer & The Asssassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke.

Note: Angelfall by Susan Ee would definitely be on the list too if I had not counted it as one of the books I read in 2011. (As I started it in 2011, finished in 2012) It'd be probably be the first or second on my list.

10.  Anya's Ghost, Vera Brosgol

I love this graphic novel. If you're into comics or graphic novels, check this one out. If you're not, check this one out. It's super witty, and sweet, and sometimes just down-right creepy. I always pick this one up when I'm feeling down. Review.

9. City of Lost Souls, Cassandra Clare

This nearly didn't make my list, but I just-- the fangirl in me would've been pissed if I hadn't. If you're at all familiar with my blog, you know I'm a huge Mortal Instruments fan. I love the characters, and the settings and the writing and it's just fabulous, okay? Plus there's Simon and Sizzy and who doesn't love both of those things? Review.

8. The Piper's Son, Melina Marchetta

Every book that Melina Marchetta comes out with is perfection. Really, the woman could do no wrong. Absolute writer crush write there. I fell in love with this book and its characters straight away, just like I do with any of her other books. If you haven't read any of her work yet, I strongly urge that you do so, because she is one of the best young adult writers out there at the moment. Review.

7. The Gallagher Girl series, Ally Carter

I didn't want to just include one of the books from her series, so I just included the series as a whole okay? These books are just a whole load of fun, and it's just so cool to be transported into the spy world. I absolutely adore all of the characters and their adventures. And the latest book made me sob like a child. It was embarrassing. Review. (Latest book in series)

6. Shadows, Paula Weston

I'm really sad that this book isn't more well known. It deserves to be. Written by an Aussie author, this book is one of the few Angel books that is actually worth reading. Think less Fallen, more Angelfall. Review.

5. Hex Hall series, Rachel Hawkins

Another case where I can't just include one book from the series. I read all of these over the span of like, three days, or something ridiculous. I loved them. Like the Gallagher Girls series, these are just really fun books and I recommend them if you don't want anything too deep. Review.

4. Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

I actually squeled when I got an ARC of this because I knew I would love it, and obviously, I sure did. It was just pretty much everything I hoped it would be and more. So bad ass. And it had a love triangle that, for once, didn't make me want to throw the book--well, actually I was reading it on my phone, but still--across the room. Review.

3. Lux series, Jennifer L. Armentrout

This series is one of the ones I was pleasantly surprised with. I'll admit, I judged them by their cheesy covers and thought that I definitely wouldn't like the series, but I decided to give the first book a go after a couple of reviews I read, and I may be sorta kind totally obsessed with the series now. Review, review.

2. Insurgent, Veronica Roth

The sequel to Divergent. I'm pretty sure that everyone and their mum, and their mum's best friend, and their mum's best friends' dogs pet goldfish has read this book, but still, if you haven't, go read it because it's the best thing ever. Still not over the ending. Nope.

1. The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

IF YOU WANT YOU HEART RIPPED OUT AND STOMPED ON REPEATEDLY GO READ THIS BOOK. Okay, that probably doesn't make you want to read it. So, I'll say this - TFIOS is a simply beautiful book. It's witty, it's smart, it's thought-provoking and it really is the most wonderful thing that I have ever read. But you will need tissues. Lots of them.

Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter.

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter.
Page count: 294
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: March 13th, 2012
Book: Hardcover
Who I'd Recommend It To: Fans of the previous Gallagher Girls books.
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home. 

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Review:

Dear Ally Carter, 
You are now on my list of "Authors who I am convinced are trying to kill me one book at a time". (See also: Cassandra Clare, John Green, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins.) Try not to hurt my babies too much in the next book, OK?

Love, me.

Out of Sight, Out of Time is the fifth installment in the Gallagher Girls series. Now I'm sure people have read those books where the first was really great, but everything after that gradually gets worse and worse? Yeah. I've read my fair share of those. But I can assure you now that this is NOT ONE OF THEM. As this series has gone along, it has just gotten better and better -- not to mention more heartbreaking and shocking and totally bad ass.

Remember book one? It was light and fluffy and totally cute. The biggest thing Cammie and the gang had to worry about was boys, really. But the stakes are definitely high in this book. It's constant action and suspense and it's absolutely terrifying at times.  And oh, wow, did it ruin me. It was an emotional rollercoaster. This was like a Cassandra Clare  type of rollercoaster, and if you've read her books, you know what I'm on about. The stuff that everyone goes through in this book -- especially Cammie -- is truly heartbreaking.

From the first page, this book pulls you in and never lets you go. You want to know what happens next. The writing style is excellent, as always. And the plot is absolutely fantastic. It's unpredictable and you never see anything coming. It's also really fast paced, but not so fast that you like "Wait, what just happened?"

All the lovable characters from the previous books are in this one -- Liz, Bex, Macey, Zach, Mr Solomon, Agent Townsend, Aunt Abby, etc. I really love how each character, even the supporting ones, stands out. In Ally Carter's books, there's no boring and undeveloped characters. Her characters are layered and flawed and are totally kick ass. Cammie and her friends develop a whole lot more in this book than in the previous ones. You see a different side to everyone. I loved Cammie and the gang as always, but missed their usual shenanigans, as everything in this book was more serious. I also really loved Zach. (Excuse me while I fan myself.) He also showed a different side to him and I really loved his and Cammie's relationship in this one. They've come a long way since book 2. Annnnd, thankfully, they weren't one of those annoying couples who make out in the most inappropriate times. You always get those couples who are running for their lives or something, and seem to think that's when they should profess their undying love for each other and then go make out against a wall.  Cammie and Zach  get that there are bigger things to worry about than their relationship.

In short, this book was undoubtedly amazing. I'm convinced Ally Carter is some sort of genius. The writing style is great, the plot is action-packed and is fast-paced and the characterization is fantastic. Out of Sight, Out of Time is the best book in the Gallagher Girl series yet and will leave you an emotional wreck. Looking forward to the next (and hopefully not the last!!!) installment to the series. 

Mini Reviews: Gallagher Girls 1-3 by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter.

Page count: 284

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: April 25th, 2006

Book: Paperback

Who I'd Recommend it To: Fans of spies/fans of the Hex Hall series/people who want to read a light, hilarious book.

Rate: ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

Before you say anything, yes, I know--I'm super late reading these. It's been, what, 6 years since this book came out? To be perfectly honest, I'd heard a lot of good things about this series, but I kept putting it off. It just didn't seem like my type of thing. But when I finally got around to reading it, I adored it.

Is it so fantastic that I find myself fangirling over it? No. Did it enjoy reading it so much that I wanted to read the next book in the series? Yes.

This book has fantastic characters (I love Cammie, Bex, Liz and Macey!) , has great witty dialogue (both internal and external) and is just a whole lot of fun. The prose is quite simplistic, but still good nonetheless. You definitely don't have a hard time keeping up. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a break from all the deep books and wants something lighthearted, funny and extremely entertaining!

... And if you're satisfied with this one, as I know some people are not, this is definitely the lightest of the series. It gradually gets darker with loads more action and twists and turns later on! 

Page count: 236

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: October 2nd, 2007

Book: Paperback

Who I'd Recommend it To: Fans of spies/fans of the Hex Hall series/people who liked the previous book.

Rate: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: Cammie Morgan is back, and it's clear that her life hasn't calmed down since the events of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. At first, giddy anticipation is in the air. Gallagher Academy, Cammie's elite spy school, is hosting a visit from a covert training center for boys. Soon after the boys' arrival, though, everything goes dangerously awry when a series of security breaches are discovered at the academy. Worse yet, teenage agent-in-training Cammie is being blamed for the penetration. With the school's top-secret status at risk, the Gallagher Girls have to work quickly to save their beloved school.

Unlike the first book, this book made me go AHHHHH! GIVE ME THE THIRD BOOK. NOW.

 This book introduces some new characters, as well as bringing back the beloved old ones. I can't even tell you how much I adore Cammie, Bex, Liz and Macey. Their friendship is really a change from the ones you see in YA fiction these days. 

In this one, the girls find out there's a school exactly like theirs--but for boys. That's where Zach Goode comes in, and wow, may I just say: What an improvement from that Jimmy guy! Oh, wait.. I mean, Josh. 

 The plot in this book is so much better as well. A lot more happens and there are many things I didn't see coming. 

Page count: 263

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: June 9th, 2009

Book: Paperback

Who I'd Recommend It To: Fans of the previous Gallagher Girls books, of course!

Rate: ★★★★

Synopsis: When Cammie "The Chameleon" Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she's in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she's there to watch Macey's father accept the nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world's best school (for spies), "exciting" and "deadly" are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnappers' plot, with only their espionage skills to save them.

As her junior year begins, Cammie can't shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn't feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion's corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can the Gallagher Girls keep her safe?

Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey's private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth.

This book is fast-paced, it's fun, it's charming, it's hilarious--just like the previous Gallagher Girls books. The characterization was fantastic, as usual, the writing was great and I loved loved loved the plot. I personally think this book is on another level compared to the other books (even though I adored the others). Compared to this one, the books seem very extremely fluffy and light. This book, from the get-go is action packed, fulled of twists and turns and things you definitely do not see coming. You can tell this series is going to get darker as it goes along. Cammie and her friends have really matured since the other books! And Zach.. wow, what is going on with you, dude? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING? This was definitely a great read and I'm super excited to read the next book!