Sadie by Courtney Summers

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Full-Cast Narration
Mystery

Revenge
Substance Abuse

YA Contemporary

Unique Format

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Kindle eBook | Audio

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes

With a Full-Cast Narration including Dan Bittner, Fred Berman, Gabra Zackman and Rebecca Solar as Sadie.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

The unique format with the Podcast interspersed with Sadie's POV makes it perfect for Audio, in fact, I would suggest you listen to this because, with the full-cast narration, it begs to be listened to.  Many reviews for this will tell you this is one of those difficult to read stories, and I'm not saying that it isn't, only that it deals with these elements in a way that isn't quite so traumatizing as it could be.

Sadie's life is a bleak existence, what with her stutter and her drug and alcohol addicted Mother, she did not have it easy in life.  Mattie was her salvation and her reason for living...when she is killed...she finds it difficult to go on.  So she sets out on the road...to kill a man.  Ultimately Sadie's haunting story left me feeling saddened but hopeful...hopeful, at least, for a better ending than what she's been given by the Author, anyway.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 5+/5

Main Characters⇝ 5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Not really a cliffhanger...just kinda an open-ended ending.

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Book Cover⇝  Meh...it's not bad.

Setting⇝ Cold Creek, Montgomery, and a few other places...

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

All These Beautiful Strangers by Elizabeth Klehfoth

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Young Adult Contemporary

Pretty Little Liars Vibe

Boarding School Secret Society

Multi-Layered Mystery
Psychological Thriller

Three different Narrators

Stand-Alone

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Kindle eBook | Audio

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes 

With Narration performed by Caitlin Kelley, Xe Sands, and Greg Tremblay

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

A cleverly written mystery that has the vibe of Pretty Little Liars complete with those moments where you think... "that only happens on TV". Despite that, it was a compelling read/listen.  Told in alternating POV's between Charlie, her Mom (Grace) and her Dad (Alistair).  The story unfolds with Charlie in the present day and her Mom and Dad in the past.  The mystery unfolds slowly and deliberately and that ending...that ending was f*cken perfect.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4.5/5

Characters⇝ 4.2/5

The Feels⇝ 4.2/5

Pacing⇝ 4.2/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4.3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4.3/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝ It's fine, but it only sort of fits the story...

Setting⇝ New Hampshire...mostly

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)

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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Everything Unexpected by Caroline Nolan

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Adult Contemporary Romance

Friends to Lovers 

The heroine has the same name as ME! 

My second book by this Author

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Kindle eBook | Goodreads | Booklikes 

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

A few too many well-known and well-used tropes...namely the friends to lovers and oops I'm pregnant.  Despite that, the characters are cute and even relatable at times.  The writing is good and if you're in the mood for an easy-going and not overly wrought with emotion type of romantic read, this could be the perfect fit.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 3.7/5

Main Characters⇝ 3.5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 3.7/5

The Feels⇝ 3/5

Pacing⇝ 3.8/5

Addictiveness⇝3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Originality⇝ 3.5/5

Ending⇝ 3.5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nah...

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Book Cover⇝  It's kinda cute...

Setting⇝ Florida

Source⇝ Own a Kindle eBook
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bright Ruin by Vic James

Book #3 in the Dark Gifts Trilogy 

๏ ๏ ๏ Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏

Alternate/Dystopian-ish Society

Magic

Fantastical Elements
Intrigue

Good Triumphing Over Evil
A Small Splish of Romance

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Kindle eBook | Audio

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes 

Audiobook Narrated by Evita Jay

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

What can I say...that was a satisfying ending to an intriguing series.  While I found the first book in this series hard to decipher with all the ginormous words that I never heard before being thrown around like everyday language,  I honestly didn't know if I would continue the series.  That is until I tried the Audio version with book #2.  With the easy to understand narration from Evita Jay, I found a way to like this sesquipedalian* writing style of Vic James.

The unique alternative slash dystopian-ish modern day British setting and the captivating characters...from the good to the bad and the completely unusual made this possible for me to really get into the story, despite being confused at times.  The ending was unexpected, but it completely worked.

*I totally looked that word up...and I think I used it correctly.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.2/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4.3/5

Main Characters⇝ 4/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 4/5

Pacing⇝ 4/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3.8/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.8/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 3.8/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4.7/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nah...

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Book Cover⇝  It's amazing...

Setting⇝ An Alternate Britain

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel

Book #3 in the Themis Files

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Giant Robots

Science Fiction w/Aliens

Living on another Planet

Existential Elements

A Satisfying Epilogue

Full-Cast Narration

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Kindle eBook | Audio | Goodreads | Booklikes 

Full-Cast Narration including, but not limited to; William Hope, Charlie Anson, Laurence Bouvard, Adna Sablylich, Laura Kirmen & Sylvain Neuvel

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Loved it on Audio, and I knew I would...With Full-Cast narration, it totally rocks.  If you've ever thought about trying out an Audiobook, this is good series to start with, the only issue may be that it could you spoil you for most books which only have one, maybe two, narrators.  I read an ARC of this earlier in 2018 and my review can be seen here.

๏ ๏ ๏ A Bookish Obsession Favorite ๏ ๏ ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 5+/5

Main Characters⇝ 5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5+/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5+/5

Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝ Fantastic

Setting⇝ Earth and Esat Ekt

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sugar & Gold by Emma Scott

Dreamcatcher Series #2

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Series can be read out of order

Adult Contemporary Romance

Sexually Explicit Scenes (possibly a few too many)

Splash of Supernatural Elements

One of my Favorite Authors

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Kindle eBook | Audiobook

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes 

With Audiobook Narration Performed by Caitlin Kelly & Joe Arden

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏

 

While not one of my favorite Emma Scott books, it still is one that I thoroughly enjoyed.  She has a way of making a story come to life with purpose, and her characters are always so genuine.  The supernatural elements of this were portrayed with that same genuineness, making them feel possible in real life.

I probably should have read this over listening, though, because sadly, the narration just didn't do it for me. Joe Arden didn't feel like the right fit for the Nikolaus...I think he made him sound older than he was supposed to be.  For Fiona, I believe Caitlin Kelley was the right fit, I just didn't like her male voices, way too gruff and fake-ish.  This is why I can't stress enough the importance of picking the right narrators for a story, and making sure they not only pronounce the names and places right but also give the characters the right modulation in the way you envisioned them to be.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.2/5 
Narration Performance⇝ 3/5

Main Characters⇝ 4.3/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 4/5

Pacing⇝ 4/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.8/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4.5/5

Originality⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 3.7/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝  It's okay...ish

Setting⇝ Savannah

Source⇝ Audiobook (Scribd)
Series Continuation⇝ Yes, No, Maybe, or Probably
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You by Caroline Kepnes

YOU really put the U in Unique...as in uniquely fucked up.

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๏ Kindle eBook | Audiobook ๏

๏ Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

What can I say about Joe that hasn't already been said...I'm not sure?  He's smartly diabolical, seriously delusional and possibly a sociopath.  But hey, let's not forget...that he is oh-so flipping hilarious.  His inner dialogue made this story what it is, that and Caroline Kepneses (did I pluralize that right?) writing.  You know how some characters you love to hate them...well with Joe...I kinda hated to love him.

This imparts some valuable information about how easy it is to find someone on social media and from there, possibly find everything there is to know about that person.  Freaky-scary.  Maybe, I should have given my daughters common names, after all.  Overall, You is a shocking, sexually charged and intense story, that I won't soon forget.  I'll have to give Hidden Bodies a listen next, but I think I'll wait a bit so I don't get burned out on too much Joe.

Just a note...My love for Joe and You the story, should not be construed as me saying that stalking is okay because it is, without a doubt, a vile thing to do to a person.  The only way you can escape that uncomfortable, looking-over-your-shoulder-all-the-time kind of feeling, is if your stalker dies.  True story...

๏ ๏ ๏ A Bookish Obsession Favorite ๏ ๏ ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 5+/5

Main Characters⇝ 5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 4.5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4.5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Not really...but there is a second book.

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Book Cover⇝ It's kinda boring...non-descript

Narration⇝ Santino Fontana

Series⇝ You #1

Setting⇝ New York

Source⇝ Audiobook from Google Play Store
Series Continuation⇝ Yes, No, Maybe or Probably
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Long Live the Beautiful Hearts by Emma Scott

A beautiful story and a new favorite...

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๏ Kindle eBook | Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

(for book 1, just in case you don't want spoilers)

I fell for Connor Drake. I didn’t want to; I fought against it, but I fell in love with him anyway. With his words. With his poetry. With him. The gentleness and beauty of his soul that speaks directly to mine. He writes as if he can feel my heart, hear its cadence and compose the exact right lyrics to accompany every beat and flow.

I’m in love with Connor…so why do I feel an inexplicable pull to his best friend, Weston? Grouchy, sullen, brooding Weston Turner, who could cut you down with a look. Fiercely intelligent with a razor-sharp wit and acid tongue, he’s the exact opposite of Connor in every way, and yet there’s electricity in the air between us. The thorny barbs Weston wraps around himself can’t keep me away.

But the more time I spend with these men, the more tangled and confused my emotions become. When they both sign up for the Army Reserves during a time of increasing strife in the Middle East, I fear I’ll never unravel my own heart that sometimes feels as if it will tear straight down the middle…for both of them.

Until it wasn’t.
Until it all came crashing down when I discovered the deep love I thought I’d found was nestled in a web of lies—so soft and silken I hadn’t noticed it was there.
Until it was too late.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

This past year I've really become acquainted with the writing of Emma Scott, I've read a total of 4 books by her and I'm planning on at least two more in the near future...she has cemented herself as one of my favorite Authors with this latest book, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts.

This is book 2 of the Beautiful Hearts duet and if this had been one book, it would have been 5 stars easily...as it is with the two books, rounded out (I gave book 1 at 4.3-star rating), it's at about 4.7 or 4.8-star rating.  Bring Down the Stars wasn't an easy read for me, see my review here, as it explains it more in depth why that is.  This second book, I flew through the pages...because the story felt like it was more on track with where I needed it to be.

A heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting story of courage and the power of true love.  With amazing characters and an amazing storyline, I completely loved this...and I'm not even really upset about this being sectioned into two books anymore because overall the beauty of the story makes up for it. If you're worried that this story is about cheating...don't, it's way deeper than that.

๏ ๏ ๏ A Bookish Obsession Favorite ๏ ๏ ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆5+☆STARS - GRADE=A++

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 5/5

Main Characters⇝ 5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5

The Feels⇝ 5+/5

Pacing⇝ 5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝ its fit the book beautifully

Series⇝ Beautiful Hearts #2

Setting⇝ Amherst and Boston, MA

Source⇝ I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

December Re-Cap

I almost forgot about this post...ahhh, Christmas time...all that shopping and wrapping takes up a lot of time and kinda cuts into the reading time...I listened to a total of 7 Audiobooks, and read 3 Kindle eBooks, one of which was a Netgalley eARC.  For a grand total of 10!  A total of 3,685 pages read (including Audio's).

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

☆5☆STARS | GRADE=A+

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

☆4.2☆STARS | GRADE=B+

My Review

Paperback | Kindle eBook

Unloved by Katy Regnery

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

☆2.5☆STARS - GRADE=D+

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

☆5+☆STARS - GRADE=A++

My Review

Audiobook | Hardcover | Kindle eBook

Winter by Marissa Meyer

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

Bring Down the Stars by Emma Scott

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

My Review

Paperback | Kindle eBook

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? 

(And Other Concerns)

☆3.7☆STARS - GRADE=B

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

☆3.8☆STARS - GRADE=B

My Review

Audiobook | Kindle eBook

Verity by Colleen Hoover

☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+

My Review

Paperback | Kindle eBook

Best Cover of the Month goes to...

Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist

My first book read of the year...sadly an unfortunate start to my 2019.

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๏ Kindle eBook ๏  ๏ Audiobook ๏

๏ Add to Goodreads ๏

๏ Add to Booklikes ๏

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Ten years ago, a horrifying disease began spreading across the West Texas desert. Infected people—shakes—attacked the living and created havoc and destruction. No one has ever survived the infection. Daisy Wilcox, known as Willie, has been protecting her siblings within the relatively safe walls of Glory, Texas. When Willie’s good-for-nothing father steals a fortune from one of the most dangerous shake-hunters in town, she finds herself on the hook for his debt. With two hunters, including the gruff and handsome Ben, to accompany her, she sets out across the desert in search of her father. But the desert is not kind to travelers, and not everyone will pass through alive.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏

 

Someone, somewhere said this was similar to Dread Nation...for some reason, I thought no way could it be that boring...but it turns out they were right...this is, unfortunately, quite similar to that book.

I found myself not really caring if the Zombie-like creatures called "Shakes" bit or turned the characters or not.  That coupled with a slow-moving, slightly underdeveloped plot, and the unrelenting harshness of this alternative historical and Devils Unto Dust failed to wow me in any significant way.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆2.5☆STARS - GRADE=D+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 2.5/5

Main Characters⇝ 2.7/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 2.5/5

The Feels⇝ 2/5

Pacing⇝2.5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 2.7/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 2/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 2.5/5

Originality⇝ 3/5

Ending⇝ 2.7/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nah...

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Book Cover⇝ I really like it...more than I like the book, anyway.

Narration⇝

Setting⇝ Texas (in an alternative history, following sometime after the Civil War)

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Most Memorable 2018

2018 has been a year of branching out for me...I've been reading less romance and more mysteries and thrillers and I even dabbled in some horror.  I've come to realize that what makes a romance story 5 stars, isn't necessarily what makes a psychological thriller 5 stars, and it's taking some getting used too.  I've not been able to really favor a mystery book yet, maybe I'll find it in 2019.  I'm going to break this down a little differently than I have before with my top 13.

MOST MIND-BLOWING

Verity by Colleen Hoover and Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher (now called I Can Be A Better You)

Kind of cool that these two Authors are two most mind-blowing.

BEST SCIENCE FICTION

    

LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff, This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada and Contagion by Erin Bowman

I loved all three of these...It seems that my favorite Science Fiction is also YA.

BEST NARRATION

Gemina and Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel

I love full-cast narration...it's amazing.

BEST ROMANCE

The Simple Wild by KA Tucker

The setting is what set this apart from other romances...and KA Tucker's amazing writing.

BEST FANTASY

Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep, Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young and The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

These three were my kind of fantasy...

BEST HORROR

Fantasticland by Mick Bockoven

One of the horror-if-ic books that I dabbled in this year.  This is one intense ride.