My Faves of 2015!! :D

So, as I’m sitting here rubbing my hands in elation, I’m ready to announce, “We’re down to the nitty gritty.” 😀

I’ve read some amazing books, as I’ve repeated a few times, and there are a few that I’m simply unable to stop talking about.

Lets start with some of my favourite books of the year (i’m sorry, I’m partial and can’t pick just one):

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – I went a little crazy for this one. As soon as I was done reading, I downloaded the entire season one just to see Jaime and Claire. I fell in love!

Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbäck – My love affair with this book started with the gorgeous cover. Click on the link to find out for yourself.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – There was a lot of hype around this one – hence I got sucked in. I’m not complaining. I enjoyed this book.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas – I’ve got a lot to say for this entire series – all good stuff. For now, all you need to know is, this one was pretty good.

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon – I loved the first book in the series, The Bone Season. I knew I’d love this one. This book could do with a 100 less pages but it was good.

The books I’ve mentioned above are definitely a few standouts for the year but there a couple of series that I went a little crazy about and they deserve a very special mention.

Karin Slaughter takes the cake. I absolutely fell madly in love with her ‘Will Trent’ Series. I’ve read 5 of the 7 books (I think) and can’t wait to read the remaining two.

Her books are gory, bloody, maddeningly disgusting that you can’t help but get hooked on to them. She is, by far, one of the best Crime/Thriller authors I have ever read. This series has been my favourite for the year. AND, Will Trent is my favourite favourite male character for the year! He is so flawed and that’s what made me love him so much! and Voila –  I ended up having very factual feelings for a very fictional character.

I can’t rave enough about this series and its characters. There is nothing to hate. 😉

 

Next up is Robert Galbraith aka J.K Rowling with the Cormoran Strike Series.

I’d been a little sceptical about this series, to be very honest. But, having read all three books, I’m very glad that I did. These books are your quintessential crime/mystery books revolving around a private investigator – Cormoran Strike.

J.K Rowling has done herself and her writing prowess complete justice. If you haven’t already read it – get on to it.

 

Last but not the least by any means is the ‘Throne of Glass’ series by Sarah J Maas.

This series is definitely not the genre I usually go for – YA/Fantasy, you see. But I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed reading this (I haven’t read Queen of Shadows yet  – saved it for 2016).

No book in the series has let me down even the slightest. We’ve got an exceptionally talented young author on our hands whose writing prowess is way beyond her years. The characters she has created and so delicately handled are simply amazing. My favourite has to be the main character, that of, Calaena Sardothien. It’s just so awesome to have a strong female lead who is strong because of her flaws and her past.

And she is my favourite female character of the year! 🙂

And there you go folks, I’ve given you the highlights for the year that was.

I hope to keep you updated with all that I read as I go, in 2016.

For now, Happy Reading peeps!

Ciao. xx

 

Memory Man by David Baldacci

Memory Man is the first book in the new ‘Amos Decker’ series by David Baldacci. He has introduced a new character in Amos Decker and he (Amos Decker) might as well be one of the most intriguing and fascinating characters the author has ever written about.

Lets just get started with the blurb I say.

Amos Decker is a former professional football player whose career was ended by a terrible hit. Now a police detective, Amos is still haunted by a side effect from the accident he can never forget.

One night Decker comes home from a stakeout to find his wife, young daughter and brother-in-law horrifically murdered. Obviously scarred and nearly broken, Decker has to use his skills as a detective and his unusual brain capacity to try and catch the monster who killed his family.

I have read Baldacci’s other work: the ‘Will Robie’ series and the first book in the ‘A.Shaw’ series. His books are normally super fast paced, very thrilling with tons of action packed in it. I found Memory Man quite different from his other work in terms of his writing, character development and pacing but he still maintained the thrill factor throughout the book.

This book is predominantly based around the uniqueness of Amos Decker’s character. His ability to remember every detail and every moment helps him solve crimes in a way that other detectives cannot. I wondered constantly what it would be like to have a memory of everything and very vivid too, when there are some things best left forgotten. Hence, the reason why I’m so intrigued by Amos Decker.

The main characters are flawed, realistic and easy to relate to. This book has been paced well and at no point can you guess what the next page will bring and that is exactly the reason why I found it very hard to put this book down. It had plenty of twists and turns but it all came together perfectly in the end.

I will highly recommend this book to all the mystery/thriller readers. This book is very smartly written and I think it has set a good base for this series.

Give it a go peeps.

Happy Reading! 🙂

The Liar by Nora Roberts

The Liar is the first standalone Nora Roberts book that I’ve read, which is a shame, considering the multitude of books she has written. As a lover of more crime, action, sci-fi etc… this one was a bit of a change.

Here’s the blurb:

When her husband Richard dies in a freak accident, Shelby Pomeroy is devastated. But his death reveals a horrible truth – Richard was a liar and a cheat. Now Shelby is left with the consequences – huge, terrifying debts and mounting proof that her late husband betrayed her in every conceivable way.

Heart-broken but unbowed, Shelby is determined to fix her problems – if only for the sake of her gorgeous little daughter Callie. Returning home to Tennessee and the family she thought she’d lost for ever, she discovers a new sense of strength and freedom. And hope, too, in the handsome form of carpenter Griffin Lott – a straight-dealing man who couldn’t lie to her if he tried.

But not everyone is thrilled to see Shelby Pomeroy back in town. And when a shocking act of violence is traced back to Richard’s shady business, it becomes clear that she is not safe from him, even in death. With her life in danger, Shelby must face the lies of the past – or lose everything.

The book cut straight to the chase and started off pretty well but it soon lost a bit of its lustre. I thought this book was a considerably slow read with everything in a lot of detail. It is insane (to me) but I noticed I got lost in the dialogue and often found myself trying to identify which character was saying what. Now, that was a first and trust me when I say this, it was fairly frustrating going back and forth.

On the upside, the main character, Shelby and her daughter were written of well; her daughter is too cute! Shelby is a part of a big family and that family dynamic was pretty special; it was something I could identify with as I am a part of a huge family myself. Her love interest, Griff, was good too. Their love or attraction, whatever you may want to call it, was a a bit too instant at least for my liking.

This book was predictable to say the least and it was disappointing as I could see the ending miles away.

Would I recommend it? I really don’t know…. each to their own opinions I guess.

On that note, Happy Reading guys! 🙂

The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly

I’m sad, I just can’t. I can’t believe the one book I was desperately waiting for, is now done and dusted! THIS is the Matthew Reilly I fell in love with. He is back with a bang and I could not be happier!

Lets just get straight into it, here’s the blurb:

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years.

They have found a species of animal no one believed even existed. It will amaze the world.

Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing discovery within the greatest zoo ever constructed.

A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see its fabulous creatures for the first time.

Among them is Dr. Cassandra Jane ‘CJ’ Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles.

The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that they are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong.

Of course it can’t…

Matthew Reilly is one of my favourite authors and his book, The Great Zoo of China is absolutely fantastic! As the name suggests, this book revolves around the greatest zoo ever built, with animals never seen before – Dragons! The zoo has been constructed in the wilds of China, under great secrecy. Before it is open to the general public, a select group of VIPs are invited on a tour of the zoo, for them to view, experience and take the extravagance to the world. CJ Cameron, an expert on reptiles and a writer for National Geographic, and her photographer brother Hamish are swept away to China to see the zoo they have no idea about and nothing could possibly prepare them for what was to come.

The man who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself – Freidrich Nietzche

The most dangerous animal in a zoo is MAN – Yann Martel, Life of Pi.

Reilly’s books always pack quite a punch; the action is always top notch – unrealistic, maybe – but isn’t that what his awesome books are all about? Reading about the world he’s created, despite the fact it defies belief, just seems so believable. No matter how much I wanted to drag this book out, I cruised through it. I wanted to be in the middle of the action, wanted to experience it all, all the death and destruction. This book, in snippets, did remind me of Jurassic Park but this storyline was superbly unique with great characters and majestic beasts.

I absolutely loved the new female character Reilly has introduced in CJ Cameron. She, like Shane Schofield and Jack West Jr, comes in scarred from past experiences which just make her so likeable.

If you have never read a Matthew Reilly book, this is where you need to start. This book (and all his other books) is HIGHLY recommended. It is Reilly on a scale never seen before; his book is fantastic, super enjoyable, unputdownable and crazily unrealistic!

THIS BOOK DESERVES A MOVIE! 😀

Everyone needs to give this book a go. It was just so much fun. I cannot wait with what Matthew Reilly comes up with next.

Happy Reading Peeps! xx

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

I’ve read heaps and heaps of James Patterson’s books but have never reviewed any, that is, until now. Gone is the sequel to I, Michael Bennett and is almost as thrilling as it’s predecessor.

Here’s a snapshot of what this book is all about:

Manuel Perrine doesn’t fear anyone or anything. A charismatic and ruthless leader, Perrine slaughters rivals as effortlessly as he wears his trademark white linen suit. Detective Michael Bennett once managed to put Perrine behind bars, the only official in the US ever to accomplish that. But now Perrine is out, and he has sworn to find and kill Bennett and everyone dear to him.

Detective Bennett, along with his ten adopted children, their nanny, and his grandfather, are hidden safely on a rural California farm, with guards courtesy of the FBI’s witness protection program. Perrine begins to embark on an escalating series of assassinations across the country, killings whose brazenness and audacity bring into question the possibility of safety and law in the US. The FBI has no choice but to ask Detective Bennett to risk it all in Perrine’s war on America.

I do need to mention, first of all, Michael Bennett is my favourite character and series introduced by James Patterson. His life story and his kids just make him very likeable.

This book kicks off with Michael Bennett and his family in witness protection on a farm in rural California following the incidents in the previous instalment. I found the first part of the book a little slow. I could’ve done with a little less information on Michael and his family’s life on the farm – the milking of the cows and all the other chores – it’s not the reason why I pick up a James Patterson book. I did enjoy reading about his kids but I don’t think a lot of thought has been put into the growth of their characters, which is a little disappointing.

The book gets super thrilling and gory whenever Manuel Perrine comes into the picture. He is absolutely marvellous and ruthless – and that’s putting it in the nicest way possible. My only issue is, the author took a couple of books building up this character but the way the ending was handled was probably not the best.

The book kicks up the pace when Michael Bennett is approached to assist in the search for Manuel Perrine. I do, however, miss Michael Bennett, ‘The Cop’. This book portrayed him more as this FBI super agent. I just want to see him on his home turf in New York as an amazing cop that he is.

All in all, this book was definitely hard to put down. James Patterson has mastered the art of short chapters which makes for a very cruise-y read. This is the perfect train/plane/transit read.

I’d say, give it a go; nothing to lose. 🙂

Happy Reading peeps! xx

The Tournament by Matthew Reilly

 Let me just start off by saying that a lot of people will think or have been thinking that ‘The Tournament’ is one of Matthew Reilly’s less remarkable works but I will just come forward and dispute that totally.

This book has a slower pace in comparison to his other books which are normally so fast paced – they’re like movies. Having said that, this book is by no means any less gripping or thrilling. It is total page-turner. He has managed to combine some factual characters in a totally fictional storyline and it’s a great read.

The year is 1546. Europe lives in fear of the powerful Islamic empire to the East. Under its charismatic Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, it is an empire on the rise. It has defeated Christian fleets. It has conquered Christian cities.Then the Sultan sends out an invitation to every king in Europe: send forth your champion to compete in a tournament unlike any other.

We follow the English delegation, selected by King Henry VIII himself, to the glittering city of Constantinople, where the most amazing tournament ever staged will take place. But when the stakes are this high, not everyone plays fair, and for our team of plucky English heroes, winning may not be the primary goal. Series of barbaric deaths, unimaginable depravity and diplomatic treachery unfold before their eyes, indelibly shaping the character of the future… Queen Elizabeth I.

On the outset it seems like a very generic storyline of ‘who’s done it?’ It’s set against the backdrop of an international chess tournament in Constantinople where esteemed teacher, Englishman Roger Ascham is tasked by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman with solving a murder. Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth I and Ascham’s pupil tags along and learns some life lessons along the way.

Elizabeth is the narrator of the story which allows Reilly to delve into the politics of the sixteenth century Europe and reflect on how that would shape a very formidable woman that Elizabeth is to become. The event/experience is recounted in this novel as being a defining moment in her (Elizabeth’s) life. Having said that, I would question the execution of that experience. It is a very interesting read but the relevance of that event being a defining one in Elizabeth’s life… umm, I don’t think it was perfectly executed or maybe I didn’t see it as ‘Defining’.

Matthew, in the past has brought us some awesome characters in ‘Scarecrow’ and ‘Jack West’ and I absolutely love both of them. In this book, Matthew Reilly introduced a very capable, intelligent and knowledgable character in Roger Ascham. I found this character really refreshing. He is someone who is intellectual, logical and very open minded considering the sixteenth century period the book is set in. There is a saying he advised in the book about which I found really apt….

“There’s an Oriental saying I like: “If aggression meets empty space it tends to defeat itself.”

All in all, in my opinion, this book is not dull by any means. Matthew Reilly has done a really good job at providing a very believable description of the sixteenth century and its politics. There are a number of historical characters apart from Elizabeth that appear in the book: a young Ivan the terrible, Roger Ascham having an interesting conversation about the hypocrisy of the catholic church with Michelangelo and Ignatus Loyola, being a couple of them. Constantinople has been presented as an evolving metropolis in comparison to London’s dark alleyways. Sultan Suleiman talks about his fear of the Islam world becoming stagnant and being taken over by the west. I guess, some really meaty topics to sink your teeth into, if it interests you.

At the end of it all, the book is a murder mystery with enough twists and turns and a good plot to keep you hooked onto it.

As I always say, give it a go. No harm in that…

Happy reading peeps! 🙂