I’ve been lucky enough this year to read a great number of books so trying to choose only ten favorites was incredibly difficult. But at last here we are. The year 2018 has come to an end and to reflect briefly on those months that have passed I’ve come up with my traditional list of the top ten books I read & reviewed this year along with some honorable mentions (because it really was too difficult to choose only ten!) all listed in alphabetical order. I say books I read as opposed to books released in 2018 because honestly then creating these yearly lists wouldn’t be as fun or hard. Let me know if you enjoyed any of these as well! What are some of your top books you read this year?
TOP TEN OF 2018
ALARUM
(a Walking Shadows novel)
Talis Jones
(YA) Fiction | Post-Apocalyptic Western
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“If you’re looking for a standalone that crosses genres and captures the wild spirit of the American West, the grit of a dystopian future, and the heart of a girl who refuses to lie down when the demons come a calling, then Alarum is a definite must-read.”
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ARTEMIS
Andy Weir
Fiction | Sci-Fi
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Andy Weir’s Artemis is an expertly crafted sci-fi novel, like a soufflé, except with criminals, moon rocks, and murder to jolt the adrenaline. Gritty, quick, clever, and only knee-deep in nerd, this book is an absolute must for any fan of science fiction.”
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THE BRINK OF DARKNESS
(Edge of Everything #2)
Jeff Giles
YA Fiction | Paranormal
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“The Brink of Darkness takes a nightmarish hell that nevertheless manages to warm the heart and thrill the soul. A fantastic sequel, this book brings X’s tale to new heights that will have you riveted to your seat, biting your nails in anticipation, and hugging the book tightly to your chest with a sweet sigh when finished. Beautifully shared, humor, charm, and horror bleed through these pages as an innocent bounty hunter fights for his freedom and for a love thought impossible.”
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THE GILDED WOLVES
(The Gilded Wolves #1)
Roshani Chokshi
YA Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Once more Chokshi graces the page with an alluring balance of evocative prose and characters you’ll want to either love or throttle or perhaps even both. Gilded darkness, Parisian mystique, secret history, and a thrilling current of witty banter all ties this dangerous chase together into a must-read for readers everywhere.”
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THE IMMORTAL RULES
(Blood of Eden #1)
Julie Kagawa
YA Fiction | Paranormal Dystopia
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Merciless and intense, The Immortal Rules spins a story about a girl who was once human but now as a monster is forced to realign her view and place in the dark, crumbling world around her. Read this epic dystopian tale about what it means to survive and what it means to be human. For even vampires were human once.”
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THE PAPER SWAN
Leylah Attar
Fiction | Contemporary Romance/Thriller
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“The Paper Swan is a romance grounded in realism, built on the many startling shades of humanity, and shrouded with darkness, pain, heartache, revenge, and the innocent flame of childhood that refuses to burn out no matter how much the hungry wolves devour. A harrowing journey from betrayal to vengeance to forgiveness it will catch your breath, horrify you, twist tears from your reluctant eyes, and yet it is written with such captivating prose as to be lovely. Ugly hearts torn apart into a beautiful story. Shocking, refreshing, and stunningly unexpected, this is a contemporary read that is fated to dominate the shelves.”
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THE POPPY WAR
R.F. Kuang
Fiction | Military Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“A Chinese-inspired military fantasy, The Poppy War will utterly captivate you, holding your attention through each victorious and vicious display. Grounded in the darkest ghosts of human history and embellished with the spirit of fantasy, this novel is an accomplishment of art and word like a war dance burning bright on the shelves.”
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THE PURIFICATION ERA SERIES
Angie Grigaliunas
(YA) Fiction | Dystopian Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Sowing kicks off a series filled with one-way mirrors, mystery, and the bonds of sisterhood. Packed with action, forbidden desires, and players keeping their cards close to their chests, this series is a intriguing read for both fans of fantasy and dystopian fiction.”
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VICIOUS
(a Villains novel)
V.E. Schwab
Fiction | Supernatural Sci-Fi
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Vicious is an exhilarating story of villains and vengeance. When neither player wears the white of a hero, how far will they be willing to go to win? Riveting, brilliant, and darkly original, this supernatural tale is a triumph amongst its kind.”
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THE WREN HUNT
Mary Watson
YA Fiction | Paranormal
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“This is exactly the type of atmospheric novel that I love. Rich with Irish mythology but set in present day, The Wren Hunt is written with a lovely lulling prose and a subtle uneasy air that will have you holding your breath as you turn the page. It was like nothing I expected but rather far more captivating than I could’ve hoped.”
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC
(Shades of Magic #1)
V.E. Schwab
Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“The world-building is absolutely gorgeously crafted, it was stunningly unique and wisely simplistic…From the very first page I was transported into this world of magic, blood, and adventure, following Kell as his life falls off a cliff.”
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FOUNDRYSIDE
(Founders #1)
Robert Jackson Bennett
Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Foundryside begins with a small grain of perspective that quickly and continuously evolves into a multilayered plot to destroy the world as they know it. Following thrilling heist after heist, characters thrown together and bound by tenuous alliances, and an industrialized form of magic that holds their realities together, one nobody thief just might have the key to history and with it unlock a whole new and unexpected future.”
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LOST BOY:
The True Story of Captain Hook
Christina Henry
Fiction | Fantasy Horror
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Lost Boy is a villain’s origin story, for once they were all just a wild group of lost boys yearning to be happy and free, that is until one boy began to grow up and as he did the games began to lose their shine. Peter Pan is a character well known and his story is one told a thousand times over, and yet this particular story shatters the beautiful boy who flies and with this veil lifted your blood with chill. Vicious, forthright, and written with a blood-inked pen, this is a story that will stick with you long into the night after you’ve witnessed the horrible truths within. Good luck sleeping.”
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VAMPIRE ACADEMY
(Vampire Academy #1)
Richelle Mead
YA Fiction | Paranormal
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Vampire Academy is everything one could hope for in a YA story featuring vampires. Told in a snarky voice that will have you snorting one moment and ready for a fight the next, best friends Rose and Lissa dominate the page as they navigate through school drama and death threats alike.”
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WINTER WAR AWAKENING
(Blood Rose Rebellion #3)
Rosalyn Eves
YA Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Shining with hope in the thick of brutal rebellion, shedding blood for each player’s dream of freedom, and steady with the beat of a heart who knows victory cannot sacrifice goodness or else all dreams shatter. Written in Eves’ lovely prose this final installment will both twist your heart and satisfy the story’s journey.”
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