To Best Of Or Not To Best Of…
I spent much time trying to decide if I would make “best of” lists for each genre that I review. On one hand, I thought that I should because after all this is a book review blog. On the other hand, I really didn’t think it would be appropriate because I have only been blogging since July. So, I decided to compromise and choose the one genre that I really feel most comfortable discussing, paranormal YA. I read A LOT of paranormal YA in 2010. So much that at times I had to sit back and ask myself “How many different ways can you struggle with being a werewolf, kiss – or kill a vampire, cast a spell or journey into faerie land?” Apparently lots. Honestly, I’m leery of calling anything “the best.” However, the titles I’m going to discuss in this post are definitely my six favorite YA paranormal titles of 2010. Yep, that’s right. Six favorite. I couldn’t narrow the list down to just five.
The Verdict
In alphabetical order by title, here are my favorite paranormal YA novels from 2010:
As a Southerner, the South Carolina setting of Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl feels like home but with witches, succubi and other cool stuff. Also, it had one of the best reveals I have read in a long time. In what I have come to refer to as the “Diagon Alley” moment of the book, Ethan and company exit The Keep and enter the Caster world for the first time. I don’t want to give anything away, but when they entered the Caster world for the first time I felt the same way I did when I witnessed Harry potter enter Diagon Alley for the first time. A feeling of breathtaking amazement. Albeit, the Beautiful Darkness universe is a darker magical world than in the Harry Potter books… It is a simply wonderful YA novel filled with rich characterization and an awesome plot!
Cassandra Clare has created a vivid world within Clockwork Angel. A book that takes place in a long ago time period, but upholds modern ideals. A world full of rich characterizations and setting descriptions. When a character enters a new setting whether it’s a library, a courtyard, or a quick jaunt across Black Friar’s Bridge (love that name), Clare’s descriptions instantly transport the reader right where she wants them. She is masterful. Clockwork Angel was definitely one of the highlights of my reading year!
Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 2) by Maggie Stiefvater, the follow-up to Stiefvater’s 2009 novel Shiver, brings the reader once again into the lives of Sam and Grace. It is rare for a sequel to be better than its predecessor. So, Linger was a pleasant surprise. With the addition of a four point-of-view (POV) structure instead of a two POV (as in Shiver), comes a lot more action in addition to all of the emotional, “teen angsty” elements that made Shiver so great. But don’t get me wrong, the angst is still there in heaping portions sure to satisfy the most angst-craving teen (or in my case, adult) reader. If Linger is any indication, the next book in the series, Forever is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to read it!
I read Sisters Red by the awesome Jackson Pearce not too long ago, and I was blown away. It is a kick ass book filled with everything I love to find in great paranormal YA literature. Did the author get me to care about the characters? Check! Vivid imagery? Check! Good romantic subplot? Check! Scary? You bet it was scary! But perhaps my favorite thing about this modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood was that something about it seemed very old fashioned. It’s set in modern times and a big chunk of the book takes place in an urban setting, but despite all of that it reminds me of the classic novel Little Women. In fact, the last name of Scarlett and Rosie (the sisters mentioned in the title) is March. March is also the last name of the sisters in Little Women. I asked Jackson Pearce about this on Twitter one night and she said Little Women was an influence. Also, Sisters Red receives an extra award for most unique pet name. Scarlett and Rosie have a cat named sex tape Screwtape. This of course appealed to my super messed up sense of humor. I spent a lot of time wondering how Screwtape got his name. Jackson Pearce if you are reading this please address the genesis of Screwtape in the next book. Okay, I seem to be rambling about this one now. I think that’s because I did not write a proper review on the site about it. I read Sisters Red close to the end of the year. When I finished I knew immediately that it would go on this list. (I had the same feeling when I read Beautiful Darkness another title from Little, Brown Books For Young readers. What is in the water over there? They’re putting out some great books!)
Anyone who remembers this post probably assumed that The Iron King by Julie Kagawa would be on the list. So far it’s the only book I have ever read that’s inspired me to decorate the cover with sparkly stickers that spell out “freakin’ awesome”. At the heart of that story is Meghan Chase. Her quest through the Never Never and her inner struggle with how she feels about Prince Ash will be sure to stay with me for a long time. Basically, if you love books about faeries then you will love this book. If you loved A Midsummer Night’s Dream by one mister William Shakespeare then guess what? Yep. You guessed it. You’re gonna love this book. You will just love this book period. Read it!!!
I read White Cat by Holly Black in two sittings. It is wonderful. Really. Let me write that one more time: It. Is. Wonderful. I don’t use those words lightly. What exactly made this book so wonderful? For starters, White Cat has the elusive male POV. Not only is it a male POV, but it’s a believable male POV. Cassel is complex: He’s a good guy. He’s a bad guy. He wishes he were a curse worker. He’s scared by the thought of possessing true powers. He thinks he killed his friend Lila. I also, enjoyed the curse worker concept that holly Black developed for the book. It was by far the most original piece of writing I read all year. The Curse Workers is a great YA series, and I can’t wait for Red Glove, the next book in the series.
Stay tuned! Later this evening I will announce via Twitter and the December Giveaways post who won the complete set of my 6 favorite paranormal YA books of 2010!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Of that list have only read Beautiful Darkness but definitely agree with you there – fantastic book!
These covers are GORGEOUS! As much as I try NOT to judge a book by it’s cover, I just can’t help it!!
BTW…found your site through Bloggy Moms.
I SO want to meet you at Blissdom and talk books! You just gave me some new books to add to my list to read. Awesome blog!
My sister in-law is really into paranormal YA. I’ll have to pick up a few of these titles for her. I think I can answer your question about the cat’s name.
Screwtape is the name of the head demon in C.S. Lewis’s classic book, The Screwtape Letters. The book is written in epistolary style. It’s a book of letters by Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood, a less senior demon who is not as adept as Screwtape is at luring souls to the dark side.
Just added Beautiful Darkness to my audible cart in advance of a 16 hour drive. This is the first time I’ve used your site as a resource and I have to thank you. You’ve done such a good job! It’s so freaking hard to know where to start when you’re looking for a book and this page gave me a whole genre to attack.
Thanks Megan! I am grinning from ear to ear over your comment!:)
If you haven’t read Beautiful Creatures (the first book in the series) yet make sure you add it to your cart and read it first. Although both books can easily stand alone.
It’s hard to search out educated individuals on this subject, but you sound like you understand what you’re talking about! Thanks
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