Best of the Bunch September 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

September 2014

Another busy month for me this month! I have read...

• Maze Runner by James Dashner- 4 of 5 stars
• Erased by Jennifer Rush (Altered, book 2)- 5 of 5 stars
• Slayers by C.J Hill- 5 of 5 stars
• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter- 4 of 5 stars

I didn't read a lot but I did love all the books I did get through.

My pick for the title of Best of the Bunch September is...

...

... Erased by Jennifer Rush!

Erased  by Jennifer Rush
Goodreads

They thought they had escaped. They were wrong.

After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
When memories from Anna's old life begin to resurface--and a figure from her childhood reappears--Anna's loyalties are tested. Is it a Branch set-up, or could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Ultimately, the answers hinge on one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased in the first place?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep readers guessing until the last page is turned.

Wow. I absolutely loved the first book in the series Altered when I read it last year. And the sequels are never as good are they? The middle book is always just a filler in the trilogy right? WRONG!

This book was amazing. Take a book with a bunch of genetically altered guys, add a dollop of romance, throw in a few "Oh My God" moments and a couple of "I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING"s, then break my heart a couple of times, mix in some action, drop in a super villain and BOOM! 

Winner. Well deserved 5 stars. This is so clever, brilliantly plotted, mysterious and genius. 

Honourable mention goes to Slayers for also being brilliant, great fun, and bringing in a new mythology about dragons and dragon slayers that I could get on board with. I enjoyed all the characters and the bonds between them. 

So that was my September, but I want to know what the best book YOU read or reviewed this month was? 

Let me know, link up your posts below, and happy reading!

Best of the Bunch August 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

August 2014

So I'm actually writing this post on August 25th as I'm going to be away on holiday (woo hoo!) and I'm not sure if I'll have any internet access or not. Hello people from the future!

I know I've been terribly lazy this August, and have ended up writing no book reviews, and have actually read very little. 

This month I have read-

• Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines, book 5) - 5 of 5 stars
• Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly (Waterfire, book 1) - 2.5 of 5 stars

Obviously my pick of Best of the Bunch for August 2014 is 

Silver Shadows!

I love this series and this next installment was just as engrossing. I practically devoured this book to find out what would happen! 

What was the best book you read in August? If you write a monthly wrap-up post feel free to link it up here. Or let me know in the comments which book was YOUR favourite this month. I am not back until September 7th, but link and comment up, and I will read and return all comments as soon as I am able to.

Happy reading!

Best of the Bunch July

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

July 2014

This month I had challenged myself to read at least 9 books, publish at least two book reviews, and write at least one "fun" post. This is a repeat of the challenge from June... which I failed.  

This month I have read-

• The One by Keira Cass (The Selection, book 3)- 4.5 of 5 stars
• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (Grisha, book 3)- 4.5 of 5 stars
• Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine's, book 2)- 4 of 5 stars
• The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden, book 3)- 5 of 5 stars
• Of Triton by Anna Banks (Syrena, book 2)- 4 of 5 stars
• One Tiny Lie by K.A Tucker (Ten Tiny Breaths, book 2)- 3 of 5 stars
• Hexed by Michelle Krys- 2 of 5 stars
• Adaptation by Malinda Lo- 4 of 5 stars

I reviewed-

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

One Tiny Lie by K.A Tucker

Darn it! 8 and a half books- so close!!  I am pleased with my 3 book reviews though. NEXT month I will DEFINITELY read 9 books or more!

My pick for the winner of the title of Best of the Bunch July is...

...drumroll...

...The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa!

The Forever Song  by Julie Kagawa
Goodreads

Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

These books are always dramatic and moving, and I love the main character Allie. 

I read a few really great books this month. What was the best book you read in July? If you write a monthly wrap-up post feel free to link it up here. Or let me know in the comments which book was YOUR favourite this July. 

Best of the Bunch June 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

June 2014

This month I set myself a challenge to read at least 9 books, publish at least two book reviews, and write at least one "fun" post. I did manage some of these things...

This month I have read-

• Blood Prophecy by Alyxandra Harvey (Drake Chronicles, book 6)- 4 of 5 stars
• A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey- 3 of 5 stars
• Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff- 2.5 of 5 stars
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, book 3)- 5 of 5 stars
• All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill- 5 of 5 stars
• Take Me On by Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits, book 4)- 5 of 5 stars

I also published two book reviews-

• Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston
• A Whisper in Time by Elizabeth Langston

I want to say that I almost read 9 books this month because I am currently reading 3 books at once as usual, and am nearly at the end of all of them but... excuses, excuses!! I will set myself the exact same challenge again for July- and hopefully I will surpass all my goals this time round! 

But anyway, the winner of Best of the Bunch June 2014 is...

...drumroll...

...Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor!

Dreams of Gods and Monsters  by Laini Taylor
Goodreads

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. 

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

I have never been disappointed by a single one of Laini Taylor's books. Magical, powerful, beautiful, emotional and jaw-droppingly good- I feel devastated that the series has ended and there won't be any more from this incredible world, and these characters that have stolen my heart and mind. I want Eretz to be real! If you haven't read it yet I hightly recommend this series. I will probably re-read it again soon, because the writing is just so beautiful. 

I was so excited to read this one and it in no way let me down. 

Well that was my pick of the bunch for this month, but who gets your bananas? Let me know in the linky below and I will come and check it out. 

Best of the Bunch May 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

May 2014

This month I have read-

Only 5 books this month- I have been struggling through the epic 10 inch thick Dreams of Gods and Monsters and still haven't finished it yet.

• Struck by Jennifer Bosworth - 3 of 5 stars
• Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me, book 3) - 5 of 5 stars
• The Girl With The Windup Heart by Kady Cross (Steampunk Chronicles, book 4) - 4 of 5 stars
• Raging Star by Moira Young (Dustlands, book 3) - 4.5 of 5 stars
• A Whisper in Time by Elizabeth Langston (Whisper Falls, book 2) - 3.5 of 5 stars

And the winner of Best of the Bunch May 2014 is...

...drumroll...

...Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi!

Ignite Me  by Tahereh Mafi
Goodreads

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

What an ending to a roller coaster ride of a series! I loved the beautiful writing, the thrilling action, the romance, the quirkiness of the characters, the whole world of the story. This book is amazing- just heart- rending and powerful and memorable. I have a full review of this book coming soon, but I love the transformation of Juliette as a character, and well... everything about this book! An easy 5 stars. 

That was my pick for this month- but who gets your bananas?

Let me know in the linky below!

Best of the Bunch April 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

April 2014

This month I have read-

• The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook- 2 of 5 stars
• Ashfall by Mike Mullin- 4 of 5 stars
• Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston- 3.5 of 5 stars
• Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst- 4 of 5 stars
• Nameless by Lili St.Crow- 3.5 of 5 stars
• Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum- 4 of 5 stars
• Hidden by Sophie Jordan (Firelight, book 3)- 3.5 of 5 stars
• Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger- 3 of 5 stars
• The Rising by Kelley Armstrong (Darkness Rising, book 3)- 4 of 5 stars

This is a tricky call because I've had a bit of a dull month in books, but I've decided that the winner of Best of the Bunch April 2014 is...

...drumroll...

... Ashfall by Mike Mullin!

Ashfall  by Mike Mullin
Goodreads

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to search for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.

This is an exciting survival story about a young boy just trying to survive and get back to his family when the world is changed forever. This was a frighteningly realistic version of an apocalyptic world, full of despair and also hope when law and order breaks down, and when even something as simple as food, water and breathable air is a struggle to find. It was moving and gritty, and I felt the developing bonds between the main characters Alex and Darla, and their story will stick with me for a long while. 

That was my Best of the Bunch pick for this month. Hopefully I will read 5 star book in May. What has your month been like?

Let me know! Who gets your bananas?

Best of the Bunch March 2014

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.

March 2014

This month I have read-

• Ash by Malindo Lo - 4 of 5 stars
• Acid by Emma Pass - 4.5 of 5 stars
• Invisibilty by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan - 4 of 5 stars
• Once Every Never by Lesley Livingstone - 4 of 5 stars
• The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle - 4.5 of 5 stars
• Breathe by Sarah Crossan - 3.5 of 5 stars
• Dark Star by Bethany Frenette - 4 of 5 stars

And the winner of Best of the Bunch March 2014 is...

...drumroll...

...The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle! 

The Hallowed Ones  by Laura Bickle
Goodreads

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her in this dystopian tale with a philosophical bent. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die. She smuggles him into her family’s barn—at what cost to her community?

The suspense of this vividly told, truly horrific thriller will keep the pages turning.

I really enjoyed this book. It's spooky, atmospheric and terrifying- a frightening vision of a world in the midst of an apocalypse from the perspective of one of the most closed off groups of people on the planet. I loved finding out about what was happening in the world through the limited view that the characters had. I read quite a lot of vampire books, but this one felt unique and quirkily different. 

And I loved the characters in the book as well. Despite not knowing much about Amish life and traditions before starting this book I was quickly and easily immersed in this world, and spent the whole book rooting for Katie- the sweet and likeable main character. Would I recommend this book? A resounding "yes". 

That was my Best of the Bunch pick for this month. What has your month been like?

Let me know! Who gets your bananas?

Best of the Bunch February- The post that should have been!

This is the month I have moved house, and it has been totally crazy for me lately. I want to start blogging regularly again and this is the BotB post that should have gone up at the end of March- if I had had an internet connection. 

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Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month.
February 2014

I only read five books this month, which is shockingly bad- normally I can read around 9-10, which just goes to show how little time to myself I have had recently. I am all moved in to my new place now and busily sorting out my new flat.

This month I have read-

• Jenny Pox by J. L Bryan - 3 of 5 stars
• Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A Tucker - 5 of 5 stars
• Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - 4.5 of 5 stars
• Cress (Lunar Chronicles, book 3) by Marissa Meyer - 5 of 5 stars
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - 3 of 5 stars

It was obviously a case of quality over quantity as I read some amazing books!

And the winner of Best of the Bunch January 2014 is...

...dramatic pause...

... Cress by Marissa Meyer!

Cress  by Marissa Meyer
Goodreads

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

This series is so clever... and so cool! I loved it from the very first page, and when I finished reading this book I felt both uplifted and despondent- happy because the book was so good, and sad because I have to wait over a year until the next one!  This book is a flawless and well deserved 5 stars. I hope to find time to write a full review that will do this book justice.

Honourable mention goes to...

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A Tucker. I adored this story, I was totally engrossed and moved, and I know that this book will stay with me for a long time. Fantastic read. 

That was my Best of the Bunch pick for this month. What has your month been like?

Let me know!

(No linky this month- leave your links in the comments section)