Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Best of 2017 in UF and PNR



2017 was one of the best years for fantasy and paranormal romance I can remember in a really long time. Not only were there some amazing new series (especially and very much surprisingly in YA) but it was also a year to say goodbye to some wonderful series, something that is always  bittersweet.

So without further ado, I give you my top reads in UF and PNR in both the adult genre and the young adult.


1. Top of my list is Etched in Bone, book five in the Other series and also the last book. I would be lying if I said I hadn't been both excited and sad to see this series end. The good news though is that is ended with a fantastic bang and we also get a spin off series scheduled for early next year and I couldn't be happier about it. 






2. Next is the Charlie Davidson series and The Trouble With Twelfth Grave. Like all the Charlie books this was fantastic and way too short. And while it isn't the last book in the series, it's close with only one more book on the way and again, while I am excited to read it, I know it will be hard to say goodbye to this amazing series and all its quirky fun characters. 







3. Another series that I had to say goodbye too and while it wasn't a five star read for me (it was a four), it was still a really good and satisfying ending. Plus, we get another spin off and I can't wait to see what it will be like. 







4. A Wild Fright in Deadwood was so much fun, in fact, all of the books in the series are. It didn't take long for this book to be a favorite but for the whole series to be in my top ten of..well ever. It is hilarious and just fun, in fact, it reminds me a tiny bit of the Charlie Davidson series with all its funny one liners and quirky cast of characters. I just can't get enough of it. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend you do.






5. While I don't read a ton of young adult like I use to, I still can't resist the fantasy genre and this year there were quite a few that I really enjoyed, this series being one of them. I loved book one and book two was even better. Definitely one I recommend.






6. This next series is admittedly one that won't be for everyone. It is dark and gritty and the author holds no punches when it comes to roughing her characters up but that is one of the reasons I like it. It's fun to not always have rainbow and sunshine, especially in this genre and I like the spin of the tale of Vlad Dracula and his..er, Her, legacy. 






7. The Great Library series is another YA series that took me by surprise when it first came out. Not only did I love it but I loved how unique the premises and the setting was. With a very diverse cast of characters and an almost fantasy dystopian yet historic feel to it, it truly stands out and is one that needs to be read.







8. While this last read wasn't quite a five star read for me, it is still a series that I have loved and sadly, also had to say good bye to with Rituals being the last book in the series.
This series has consistently been a favorite from the very first book with unique characters, mystery, murder and legends and lore, I really have loved every single page of it. 








This series is just so much fun and I swear it is getting creepier and more freaky each new book. I can't get enough of them!









No one was more surprised than me that not one but two YA fantasy series blew me away this year. The Glass Spare was the second one. I loved it and seriously devoured it. I'm so sad that I have to wait for the second one. 







While this wasn't quite a five star read for me, it is still a favorite of mine because I've loved the whole series (original) included. It's just so good and so addicting. If you haven't tried it yet you are missing out and need to rectify it, like, today.







I will be the first to admit this series has hideous covers but look past them, trust me, it will be worth your time. The writing duo that is the Andrews team really outdid themselves with this one. 







You would think with ten books in, this series would be slowing down but, nope, still going fantastically strong. I can't wait for book eleven!






Bennett is an amazing author, in pretty much any genre she writes in and this series is no different. I love, love it. And even though I haven't read book four yet (saving it for over Christmas break) I just know it will be another wonderful read. There is just something about this made up family that I absolutely adore. 







And my last YA read that took me by surprise and showed that book one wasn't a fluke, this series by Showalter. So freaking good and original!





So what about you, any favorites this year on this list? Or some you think I should try that aren't?

47 comments:

  1. Holy crap! How have I not heard of some of these. PLEASE STOP ADDING MORE BOOKS TO MY LIST TO READ. It's already too long...

    But seriously, don't stop. Thanks. <3

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    1. It is a long list but I'm glad I could introduce some of them to you!

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  2. Great picks. Several on my TBR and a few I read this year. ^_^

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    1. Thank you and I'm glad you've read some of them as well!

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  3. Oh wow great list that include some new to me some on my wish list and some that I'm reading the series but not quite as far as you are.
    Thanks Kindlemom!

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    1. I'm so glad you are already trying so many of them Debbie and have others in your pile!

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  4. Etched in Bone! I loved that book. I need to read the Patricia Briggs series. It sounds amazing!

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    1. Do! Both her series are so darn good and her Alpha and Omega is in the same world as her Mercy so it blends right in and there are only 5 of those I think.

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  5. I haven't read any of those yet but some of them are in my wish list.

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    1. Definitely read them Mary, they are so good. Maybe your library has some of them?

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  6. I need to read more UF so this is a nice list to see! I kinda failed in 2017 ha ha to branch out into more urban fantasy, so maybe this new year. I did try Patricia Briggs this year and liked the first MErcy book, and what I've read of Kelley Armstrong I've really liked too. I need to read more of her.

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    1. So glad you've tried both of them, they are definitely favorites!

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  7. Can't wait for The Others spin off and this is going to be the year I start the Charlie Davidson series!!

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    1. Me too, I have an ARC and I'm trying really hard to be good and not start it yet.
      I'm so excited you are going to start the Charlie series, it's the best, you are going to love it!

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  8. Etched in Bone was a favorite for me as well. Spinoff? What characters, do you know? I have the first books in several of these series, but they are stuck in my huge tbr. I really need to bump them up my list. Great picks!

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    1. It's with Vicki, the one who was in book five that was going to the lake to be a deputy. I don't know if you remember her or not but she interviewed with Simon ad Vlad I think for the job.

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    2. Yes, I remember her. This series is so good that I remember way more about it than a lot of series. Can't wait to read it!

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    3. I'm really hoping it will live up to the others. ;)

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  9. So many books I want to read! I have the first Charlie Davidson book, and I need to read it! I also need to read all the Anne Bishop series. I have Ink and Bone, and must read it asap. I also want to read Three Dark Crowns, etc. Sigh. I will get to these!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. They are all so good so definitely read them at some point and with Charlie almost over it is a great time to start reading them!

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  10. I loved the ones I tried too and I see a few that I haven't read so I'll take a look! thanks!

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    1. So glad you've loved the ones you've tried so far. Hopefully you like the others as well.

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  11. Now I Rise is one of the books that I really want to read in 2018. There are so many great books published this year, my tbr list has grown so much! :)

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    1. It is so good and so dark, I loved it and can't wait to see how it ends.
      I feel that way about my TBR pile every time I look at lists like this one. :P

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  12. Thanks to you 2018 is looking up with a lot of reading to do. ;-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  13. I still have to finish the last two books in the Other series. They're a bit dark for me, but I love Meg and Simon's relationship. I hope to finish it up next year. I also thought Charley #12 finished too quickly. I just devour those books and then get sad because it's all over. That cliffie at the end tho. :o I'm curious to see where the Graveyard Queen goes. I was a bit disappointed with that ending...it felt too rushed.

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    1. I agree, I didn't love the rushed ending with the GQ series either and am hoping maybe there will be a bit more to it with the spin off with their daughter.

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  14. You are so right about this being an amazing year for PNR/UF. Several of these books made my top list, too. Oh, now I haven't started the Ann Charles series, but I have several on my kindle and need to get busy.

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    1. It is such a fun series, I can't wait for you to start them, I really hope you love them too!

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  15. Oh yes. Caine's series is one of my favorites! I can't wait for the next one. And Briggs...always a good bet :)

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  16. oh yes def agree with a lot of them, lots on the list I still want to try myself

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  17. So many of your picks were favorites of mine this past year as well. Here is to more fantastic UF and PNR next year. Wishing you a joyous holiday season!

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  18. Most of these were already in my TBR and now I can't wait to read them!!!

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  19. I read the first MErcy Thompson this year and liked it! I need to get on with the rest of the series.

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    1. It gets better as it goes too so hopefully you love them all!

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  20. I loved Etched in Bone, Wildfire, but Silence Fallen was my favorite for the year.

    I love Kelley Armstrong's Casey Duncan series, but I was dismayed with the romance/love triangle in the Cainsville series. I wanted her to be with Gabriel but she's involved with someone else for much of the series it seemed like. I didn't complete the series so I'm not sure.

    Need to get back to Jenn Bennett's Arcadia Bell!

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    1. So glad you like most of these as well! I know what you mean about the Cainville series, it was disappointing that she wasn't with him more than Ricky but it was understandable in a way as well considering all the lore and myths but yeah, love triangles are never fun. It did end really well though if that helps. ;)

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  21. All the ones I've read that are on your list I totally agree with. The rest ... I need to read. :(

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  22. I have got to read Anne Bishop--my reading and blogging this year sucks! So many of these I missed out on!

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    1. Mine hasn't been the greatest either so I understand but definitely read the Others series, it is so worth it!

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  23. Some really great series on this list. Some I've read and some I haven't. I know I have several on my TBR.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. Glad you have read some of them and others are in your TBR pile!

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