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I had an unreasonable level of love for this book... still sad Marr hasn't gotten on with a sequel, though that's the nature of the beast I guess. Here's hoping inspiration strikes and we get the follow up!
I had an unreasonable level of love for this book... still sad Marr hasn't gotten on with a sequel, though that's the nature of the beast I guess. Here's hoping inspiration strikes and we get the follow up!
When it came time for me to make this list, I realized that I didn't really read that many GREAT books this year. Which is quite sad. But I did manage to pick out 13 books that I felt deserved to be in my top 13.
So here we go!
13. Carnival Of Souls by Melissa Marr. When I first read the book I wasn't sure what to think of it, and the more I read and thought about it, the more I liked it. 
12. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. Such a cute, fun, and quirky book. I would really like to try out Semple's other book, This One Is Mine.
11. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Such a great suspense novel, had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I can't wait to see the movie adaptation! As well I can't wait to read more of Flynn's works!
10. The Elite by Kiera Cass. The second novel in The Selection series. Love this series so far and I cannot wait for The One to come out!
9. Tigers Voyage by Colleen Houck. This whole series is my favorite, I just can't get enough of it…although I still need to read the fourth book in the series. Oops. Better get on that soon. 
8. Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. A fabulous assassin novel. Can't wait to read Crown Of Midnight and see how this series continues!
7. The Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. A beast of a read, but so so worth it. You get completely sucked into a whole other world and it really makes you not want to come back. 
6. Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan. The second book in the Immortal Beloved series. I adore this whole series, Tiernan is amazing. But the second was hands down my favourite. So much action, it had me hooked after the very first sentence.
5. Siege And Storm by Leigh Bardugo. The second book in the Grisha series. If you haven't read this series yet, stop reading this and go read it. Right now. You are missing out. It is amazeballs. 
4. The Heart Of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein. Told from the point of view of Enzo, a dog. This book had me smiling, crying, laughing, sobbing. All the feels. 
3. A Clash Of Kings by George R.R. Martin. The second in the Song Of Ice And Fire series. I haven't even finished this book yet, but Martin's writing is so flawless there is no way I couldn't put this on the list. He picks you up and drops you into a whole new world. His characters are amazing and his story writing is phenomenal. One of my absolute favourite series and I am only two books in.
2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I just did my review of this book and if you saw it then you know I was raving about it. An easy 5 stars for this one.
1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. I had a tough time placing this one on the list. But after thinking about it for quite a while, there was no way I couldn't put it as number one. I absolutely adored this book, beginning to end. I really never wanted it to end. I am currently reading The New Hunger, the prequel and I CANNOT WAIT for the second book to come out. So happy it is being made into a series!
So what did you think of my list? Do you agree or disagree with any of my choices? If you made a top list of 2013 let me know in the comments so I can check it out!
Tomorrow I will be posting my reading goals of 2014 so be on the lookout for that!
This book was not at all what I expected. If you expected the actual Carnival (like I did), you will be disappointed. Strong female character? Likeable male protagonist? Healthy love story? Nope. There is none of that.
Carnival of Souls is the first book I’ve read by Melissa Marr. I do have her Wicked Lovely series on my super long ‘to-read’ list, but figured I would give this one a whirl first. I thought it was a stand-alone novel. I was wrong.Carnival of Souls tells the story of Mallory, Aya, and Kaleb; three characters who all have something to hide.Aya and Kaleb are from The City, and underground mecca teeming with daimons. Daimons are creatures not unlike dogs, but usually stick to their more human form. Witches used to live in The City, as well, but were driven out and now live in the human world.The City is ruled over by a man named Marchosias, and within The City lies the Carnival of Souls. The Carnival is a place where the lower-caste daimons, curs, and scabs like to lurk. They sell pleasure and they sell pain. Some wear masks; others do not.There are also fights to the death in the Carnival of Souls. Lower-caste daimons and curs enter for a chance to try and better their lives; to earn the chance to join the upper ranks of the more noble daimons.It is here that we meet Kaleb and Aya, bother fighters, but both fighting for very different reasons. One wants to better their life, and the other is trying for something so much more.In the human world, where the witches reside, we meet Mallory, a seemingly normal human girl who is being raised by her stepfather, Adam, who happens to be a witch. He has done nothing but try to protect her from the world in which he escaped. He teaches her to fight and tells her never to trust a daimon.Everything changes when Mallory turns 17 and the various truths and lies start to come out. Only then do the lives of Kaleb, Aya, and Mallory intertwine.Overall, I thought Carnival of Souls was a pretty decent read. It was fascinating and intriguing to me, and it kept me reading, curious to see how things would play out. However, the ending was a bit of a tease. I like cliffhangers as much as the next person, but now knowing there will be a sequel, I am dying to get my hands on it so I can continue the journey of Mallory, Aya, and Kaleb.If you’re looking for a quick read that’s dark and edgy, give Carnival of Souls a whirl. It’s definitely worth a look.
