Yes, yes, I know. It's May, and I haven't posted this for LAST YEAR yet.
OR THE LAST TWO
Okay, okay, I'm terrible, what can I say? I can't post this at work, which is really annoying, so I have to find time on a day off. So I'm going to pretend that my books didn't fall off the top of my bookcase and didn't break my cat statue at the same time, and instead I'm gonna type this up.
NUMBER 10
by Various
For those of you who don't follow me on Goodreads or Twitter, I bitched a lot about how New 52 started strong, created a bogus timeline, and then copied Modern before dying and becoming Rebirth. It's the same damn timeline, but the stories themselves are just better, in my opinion.
This is the exception. While the plot point that triggers this is copied and falls flat, THIS DID NOT. Basically there's no Batman, and rather than have the Robins fight to take up the cowl (like Modern brilliantly did), instead the youth of Gotham say EFF THIS and take up the mantle of Robin (who is MIA anyway and has been for a few weeks). This is their story and how we get our newest member (and second or third black member) of the Bat Family, Gold Bat.
This story is told throughout the Bat Family different comics as well as a two part solo story of We Are Robin, so I'd check out the bind up. And remember, since graphic novels can be pricey I would see if your local library has it. :)
NUMBER 9
by Jason Fry
This is actually a quartet of books, of which Edge of the Galaxy is the first one, all by Jason Fry. It takes place in Star Wars Rebels, the TV show that wrapped up on March 5th, and ties the original movie trilogy with the new one. While I'm not a huge fan of the new movies--okay, I'm not a fan of Last of the Jedi, Force Awakens was awesome--I adore the shows. In fact the very best of Star Wars is the two shows, Clone Wars and Rebels. If you haven't checked them out, you should.
But even if you don't want to and want a little info about this series, it follows a young black boy named Zare Leonis, who's sister was force sensitive, and disappeared from the Imperial Academy. He has gone into the academy solely to find her, and ends up helping our rebels. The show doesn't show much except him telling Ezra, Rebels main character (MC), that he's going to be transferred off world and hopes to find his sister soon.
These books show from when his sister is accepted into the Academy, all the way through to what happened after he transferred, and I'll only add this: we find out where the First Order came from. I really enjoyed it. They are middle grade/intermediate reader so I could have read all 4 books in one afternoon, but I loved the story they were telling and wasn't able to guess much beyond the ending.
NUMBER 8
by Wendy and Richard Pini
Hello, my name is Lorien, and I'm addicted to ElfQuest by Wendy and Richard Pini.
It's the longest running independent comic in the US, and it wrapped up (for now) on February 28, 40 years to the day. I was heartbroken and cried so much, and even have a review of the last issue, as well as a Why You Should Read ElfQuest video.
But before that happened I read this. Basically this is a huge book explaining behind the scenes of ElfQuest, where the story came from, and little stories of what was happening during certain comics. It's beautiful and I loved it so much, especially all the commentary on the sides from Elf Mom and Elf Pop, as they're called by us fans. If you like ElfQuest, you need to pick this up.
NUMBER 7
by Marissa Meyer
This is the manga continuation of the amazing Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. While we had a full cast that was added onto with each book, this manga focuses mostly on two characters, Iko and Kinney, two side characters who don't get along, but now have to figure out how, because some of the soldiers from Levana's war refuse to come home.
It's cute and fun and I enjoyed every second of it, though it killed me to wait a year to get the sequel, which I read this year. :)
NUMBER 6
by Sarah Andersen
Technically Adulthood is a Myth is a reread, but again, didn't bother to post last two years worth of top books cuz lazy ass, so it counts.
Let me tell you: these books were a blessing when I was super depressed. I would pull them out and just read and laugh and it was a great thing for me every time. I own both and can't wait to get my hands on Herding Cats, which came out on my birthday! I should've asked for it... But I got art supplies instead. :)
NUMBER 5
by E.K. Johnston
Yet another book set from the Star Wars TV Shows, Ahsoka is Anakin's padawin apprentice, and one of the big reasons he turns to the darkside. In the show it's very clear that Anakin can hold better to the light with Ahsoka around, because he was her master and role model, so he was doing his best to be on his best behavior. He slowly slid into the darkside, but once she left his life he went into freefall.
But this isn't so much about that, but more about how she survived Order 66, and her path in the darkness after the Clone Wars season 5 finale. And boy oh boy, it's amazing story. My favorite Star Wars book by FAR, and honestly my favorite Star Wars character, followed closely by Kanan Jarrus from Rebels.
NUMBER 4
by Sarah J Maas
Yes, I know there are problems in this book series, and yes, I know these aren't the best, but dammit, these are two of my favorite books EVER. Especially ACOMAF. Damn, that book is GOOD.
These are the sequels to A Court of Thorns and Roses, so I'm not going to say much. I enjoyed them immensely, and apparently I'm one of the few who really, really like ACOWAR. Even my bestie Ray/LA Knight thought it wasn't very good. Sure, it could have been better, but damn, I loved it. Rhysand is my new love. I want a Rhysand SO SO MUCH!!!!! *sigh*
NUMBER 3
by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Various
This is a six part comic series from Marvel that was doomed to fail. Marvel refused to advertise it and right after the first or second issue was released cancelled it. So we only get a taste of the majesty that could have been, but what does exist is AMAZING. It takes place in a small neighborhood that is being torn apart by police brutality and big business coming in to destroy the homes and boot everyone out. But T'Challa and several other Marvel heroes love this neighborhood and are going to defend it.
Marvel really fucked up with this one. It had the chance to create a group of black superheroes who would be as well known as the Avengers and refused to give it a chance. They also have been making very racist choices lately, so I've been iffy about continuing to read past these six little comics, but I know that there's so much more out there. This is an Own Voices series, and if you haven't looked into it, head to your local comic shop and pick them all up. It was wonderful to read and I will be seeing what happens next, when I can figure out where the hell it's told.
If it's told.
Stupid Marvel.
NUMBER 1 (TIE)
by Amanda Lovelace
This is another one that sorta is a reread, but not really. See I read this when the original edition was self-published by the amazing Lady Book Mad on Tumblr back in 2016. In fact my edition has a signed bookplate that I got when she was sending them out for free right after it came out.
But then it was picked up by Target and Barnes & Noble, and that was a different edition with more poems, and I finally got around to rereading it right before the year ended. I absolutely love this. It will make you cry tears of rage, pain, sorrow, and joy, and in the end it empowers you. I personally have written quite a few poems in response to this, and it's sequel, the witch doesn't burn in this one.
It isn't for everybody. I mean it's poetry, and it's free style poetry on top of that, and that's not for everyone. But if you want something raw, moving, and powerful you should pick this up. And then the next one. And then sit on your hands dying for the third one which isn't out yet.
NUMBER 1 (TIE)
by Marissa Meyer
This one easily went to the top of my list. Renegades is the first book of a duology about a world where some of the population has powers. For eons they have been enslaved and mistreated, used for their powers, until a man named Ace decided to take out the government(s) and created the Age of Anarchy, where there was no law. Then the Renegades came up, killed him, and became the number one force in the world, and rulers of their country.
Enter Nova, the niece of Ace, who sees the flaws with a small group of fighters now running the most powerful organization in the world, and is determined to right the wrongs they keep doing, whether or not they even realize their fucking shit up cuz they fucking idiots. Seriously, I have her back 100%.
But also enter Adrian, the son of the two leaders of the Renegades. He also knows of the flaws and wants to right them, but I doubt he can get it done.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I had no, and still have no clue what gonna happen next. It gets a bit slow towards the end, but then, OH HO HO, THEN WE HAVE THE FINAL SCENE. It makes the book and easily overshot every other novel I read all year long. It was so amazing, and now I have to wait to see what happens next in book 2, Arch Enemies.
So that's my list! I hope you enjoyed, and I hope I can get this years list up in time. I haven't a clue. I mean I haven't done it for the past two years so... Who knows!!!
Before I forget, here are my book stats for the year:
Books Read: 127
New: 106
Rereads: 16
DNF'd: 5
Best Reread: Six of Crows
Biggest Disappointment: The Enchanter Heir
Best New Series: Wires and Nerve
Surprisingly Good: Seraph of the End
Suprisingly Bad: Wolf Children
As for those past two years, I'm gonna post their lists right now, so if you're curious to see what books I have loved previously, check below!!!
Top Books of 2016
1. Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo
2. the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace
3. Yona of the Dawn volumes 1-21 by Mizuho Kusanagi
4. The Others Series by Anne Bishop
5. Batman Eternal Volume 3 by Scott Snyder
6. Darth Vader Series by Kieron Gillen and Others
7. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas
8. A Bride's Story volumes 1-8 by Kaoru Mori
9. The Wrath and the Dawn Duology by Renee Ahdieh
10. The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling
11. Kanan The Last Padawan Duology by Greg Weisman
12. Redwall & Mattemeo by Brain Jacques
13. Loki Agent of Asgard Trilogy by Al Ewing
Books Read: 180
New: 142
Rereads: 37
Best Reread: Arata The Legend by Yuu Watase, The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Biggest Disappointment: Ezra's Gamble by Ryder Windham
Best New Series (GN): Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagi
Best New Series (Book): The Others by Anne Bishop
Best Non-Novel: The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
Top Books of 2015
1. Winter by Marissa Meyer
2. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
3. A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
4. Ms Marvel by G Willow Wilson
5. ElfQuest: Final Quest Vol 1 by WARP
6. ElfQuest: In All But Blood by WARP
7. Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
8. Dengeki Daisy by Kyousuke Motomi
9. Injustice Gods Among Us vols 1-5
10. Tsubasa World Chronicle by CLAMP
11. Magnus Chase & the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
12. Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce
13. Thor: Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron
14. Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
15. Red Hood & The Outlaws: Death of the Family
16. Hikaru no Go by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata
17. A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
Books Read: 128
Rereads: 2
New: 126
Best Reread: The Herioc Legend of Arslan by Hiromu Arakawa
Biggest Disappointment: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Best New Series: Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson
Surprisingly Good: Batman Eternal by Scott Snyder
Surprisingly Bad: Wonder Woman: Blood by Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Tony Akins
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