Top 10 Books of 2016

Not included Cress by Marissa Meyer 

It is the end of another year and therefore it is time to do my top 10 book of 2016. This year I have read a total of 85 books, which I am happy about because it exceeded my 30 books goal. In addition to that I also re-read the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson & The Olympians. In addition to that I have read some amazing books this year and I have fortunately met a lot of authors this year as well. I cannot wait for to read and meet more authors in 2017. Please note that this list will not include books that I have re-read and will only include books that I have read the first time during 2016. Also, the list is not written in any order. I love them all equally!

1. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Plot:
There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.


My Thoughts:
Victoria Schwab has done it again. She has brought another kick ass fantasy book that dark and monstrous, which is fun. It is also unique because it the only YA fantasy book that I have read that has no romance between the female and male protagonists, which was one of the factor that drew me towards this book but by the middle of reading this book I was hoping and rooting for August and Kate to be together. Plus the characterization of Kate and August is well made that I want to be their friend and join their adventures, which I am not surprise since Victoria has created the best characters that I have encountered.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Plot:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

My Thoughts:
Damn! It is only the first book out of three books but it is full of action and suspense already. Plus Feyre is so bad ass. Sarah has truly a knack for making strong female protagonists.

3. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Plot:
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.


My Thoughts:
This is trilogy is just getting better and better. Let's just say that I am now a team Rhysand!By the way Chapter 55... just thinking about that chapter is making me swoon and hot at the same time.

4. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Plot:
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?


My Thoughts:
SO MUCH FEELS AND SHIPS!!!! Although I was a bit disappointed for the lack of Chaol in this book but once I heard that Sarah is writing a seperate novella about Chaol's adventure during this events of this book I am like "I am sorry for ever doubting you Sarah".

5. Ruined by Amy Tintera

Plot:
A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.


My Thoughts:

It was a very funny, action-packed, and romance filled read that I really enjoyed. Amy Tintera really did an exceptionally great job in creating the characters and the politics in this novel. I love how she played around with the concept of power and how different characters respond and wield it.

Read my full review Here 

6. Cress by Marissa Meyer

Plot:
In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she's just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she'd ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.


My Thoughts:

This is my favorite book out of the Lunar Chronicles just because I love Cress. She is just an amazing character to read and I love her character growth as compared to the other female protagonists. I also love her moments with Captain Thorne and I love Captain Thorne's personality when it comes to Cress. I support this ship so much. 

7. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Plot:
SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up - she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan - her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.


My Thoughts:

Colleen Hoover's growth as an author is clearly shown in this particular novel of hers. It is beautifully written and the message of this novel is so strong. It also deals with an issue that is present in our society and that has inflicted a lot of pain in a family. This book is just full of emotions. It made me cry and smile, which I know a lot of readers did as well. 

8. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Plot:
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.


My Thoughts:
I have already posted a full review of this book Here. But generally, what attracted me to this book is the female protagonist. Kestrel is just different from other YA female protagonist and what separates her from them is that she has power in terms of intelligence and she uses that to influence the people around her. She is also a good role model to girls because she is driven and she knows what she wants and she goes after it.

9. The White Rose by Amy Ewing

Plot:
Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

My Thoughts:
This book is the second book of The Lone City trilogy and it is very unlikely for me to like a second book of a trilogy since I usually like the first or last book. I guess it is because the middle books are usually fillers and it lacks actions but this book is different. It is action pack and it shows amazing character growth. I also love how the story of this book and how the characters are interact with one another especially Garnet and Raven's banter with one another.

10. Harry Potter and the Curse Child by John Tiffany

Plot:
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.


My Thoughts:
Even though a lot of people did not like this book, I actually enjoyed this. I loved that I got to revisit the wizard world and to continue the story of Harry Potter after years of me reading fan fiction to fill the void that is in my heart after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And can I just say how much I adore Scorpius (the fangirl in me is screaming).

Thus being said I am fortunate to have read such wonderful books this year and I cannot wait to read more books in 2017. I also hope that you had a wonderful year. Please do comment down below your favorite books of 2016.

Comment down below your top reads of 2016

XOXO,
Isabel