I never managed to complete my new-to-me authors post back in December so here I’m late to the party. In March of 2014, I listed ten authors I’d never read and I’m proud to say that I read five of them last year (okay, was still in the middle of reading the fifth one’s book so it counts, alright).
Also, my list contains fifteen authors whoops.
Leigh Bardugo‘s Shadow and Bone was the first book I read in 2014 and whoa, what the Darkli- I mean, what a book! Siege and Storm introduced me to STURMHOND and delved deeper into the world of the Grisha. Ruin and Rising broke me twice because of the Darkling and STURMHOND (I promise this isn’t weird ’cause I always write his name in capitals). From the badass and complex characters to exquisite world-building, the Grisha trilogy is everything a fantasy lover needs in their life.
P.S. Megan wrote a post about reasons to read the Grisha trilogy that you should definitely check out.
A. C. Gaughen‘s Scarlet is a Robin Hood retelling that first killed me with feels and then with an epic ship. I’m kind of dreading-slash-anticipating (re: avoiding) reading Lady Thief and Lion Heart (which comes out on May 19th!).
‘You are my whole heart, Scarlet. And this is breaking it.’
HEARTBREAK ALL AROUND. *sob*
I think Corey Ann Haydu‘s Life by Committee is one of the most underrated young adult contemporaries of 2014. I know many people cringe whenever a book contains subjects like cheating, slut-shaming, and bullying. However, trust me when I say that this book tackles it in a very realistic and heartbreaking way. I’m in awe of Haydu for writing such a fantastic book that makes you think, think, think long after you’ve turned the last page of the book and put it away.
Laini Taylor is the queen of beautiful prose. Even the people who aren’t a fan of her books admit that her writing is captivating and oh-so-delectable. Taylor has a knack for creating a dark ambiance in her books that I’ve seldom come across in young adult. Also, I love how all three books and the novella in her Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy follows a theme. I know that I’ll cherish this trilogy and the novella for a long time to come.
Katrina Leno‘s debut The Half Life of Molly Pierce was one of my most anticipated titles last year and rightly so. The book is everything I love about the young adult contemporary genre. Leno wrote about a girl with a personality disorder and nailed it. Positive family dynamics and writing that pulls you in, The Half Life of Molly Pierce is definitely a must-read.
There’s just something about books about suicide that I find fascinating. Some girls are just messed up because they’re miserable and that’s what Amy Zhang‘s Falling into Place is all about. It’s what life is all about.
Susan Ee, aah. She’s the creator of Raffe and Penryn and a series that’s so kickass I’d reread it forever and ever. I love the gore and violence and creatures that Susan Ee is a master of. Seriously, I’m so fucking curious as to what goes on in her mind ’cause I’m hella obsessed with this series. I kind of want to reread World After now (this is a normal occurrence and happens once a day week or so).
Jay Kristoff knows how to tear readers apart in one glorious moment and then over and over until you’re used to being torn apart by feelings and friendship and gaaah. By the way, that’s me after reading Stormdancer. It got me a while to get into it, but when I did there were tears and feels all over. Why, Kristoff?! I’ve got a feeling that Kinslayer will probably slay me and Endsinger will be the end of me.
Ernest Cline‘s Ready Player One is one hell of a ride. Admittedly, as a child of the 90s, I was a bit nervous about reading it because of the ample amount of 80s reference. But I didn’t have to worry all that much because most of them were explained anyway and didn’t come in the way of me enjoying the story. I seriously cannot wait for Armada because Cline knows his sci-fi like the back of his hand which is the best thing about reading Ready Player One.
Kieron Gillen wrote a comic and I loved it. The unique premise of The Wicked + The Divine is so thought-provoking with characters that kick ass. I’m very partial to Lucifer and Baal. I need to finish writing my post about it so that everyone can understand how deep my obsession runs.
Sara Raasch‘s Snow Like Ashes is a glorious fantasy debut and I love the world she has created. I want to live in Winter because snow all the freaking time!
Marie Lu because daaaamn, The Young Elites. I just love how imperfect Adelina Amouteru is and man, she’s not a good person. I can’t wait to see how much more bad she becomes in The Rose Society.
Rainbow Rowell‘s Eleanor & Park is a beautiful love story that I want to reread because I feel like I didn’t absorb it fully into my system? Eleanor and Park both have multiple layers and that’s what I like to read about in a young adult contemporary romance (and cry while doing so).
Also, what were those three words. Eeeeep.
Emery Lord‘s Open Road Summer reminded me why I love road trips book that involve music. And friendship, of course. Regan and Dee’s friendship is so real and close to life that I just can’t- ugh, so much love.
I just have to mention Kiersten White because how did I not read any of her books before Illusions of Fate?! So much banter and wit and swoony Finn. Sigh.
That ONE line from Scarlet is kind of killing me right now. I MUST read this book ASAP so I can feel the heartbreak too.
I really enjoyed Haydu’s OCD Love Story, and I’d like to read Life By Committee as soon as it’s out in paperback!
All of what you said about Kristoff is so true! That’s why I haven’t picked up Kinslayer yet 😛
STURMHOND!! I hope Bardugo plans to write a book centered around him! 😉 I love the Grisha trilogy and cannot wait for Six of Crows later this year! 😀
Ahh, Susan Ee's trilogy so far has been amazing! Can't wait for the conclusion!
I'm so happy I read the books from Laini Taylor. I wasn't blown away by the first book, but last year I decided to give the series another shot and HOLY. What a writing-style. I also adore Scarlet (Lady Thief my favorite so far) and I'm so excited for Lionheart.
Yesss I love that you included my favorite authors!!! I've read everything by Rainbow Rowell (all 4 books haha), even though I'm not huge on contemporary. And yay Laini Taylor and Leigh Bardugo!
When I did my list in December Leigh Bardugo topped mine! And I had not read Marie Lu yet at the time but I did shortly thereafter and she really could have made my list too!
I love AC Gaughen! She's a local author to me so I've been to several events with her. And you are right to dread Lady Thief as it is a soul crushing read!! And Lion Heart…oh it was so good…I'm so sad to see this series end. I also love several of the other authors you mentioned…Emery Lord, Rainbow Rowell, Susan EE…all great story writers!!
My TTT is here.
I saw Nikki rave rave raving about Scarlet and just picked it up on a whim. I finally read the synopsis. AND THEN REALISED HOW MUCH LOVE IT WAS GETTING. GAH I NEED TO READ THIS ONE ASAP!
SANNNNNAAAAAAA.
YES AT KIERON GILLEN. BLESS HIM AND JAMIE FOR GIVING US THE WICKED + THE DIVINE. I NEED TO DO A PHONOGRAMS-YOUNG AVENGERS COMIC BINGE READ, BECAUSE HOLY SHIT. I NEED MORE OF HIS WORK!
I'm giving you a high five because Baal is my favorite so far too!
Susan Ee! Rainbow Rowell! Love both of those authors so much. Most of these I haven't read myself 🙁 but I definitely want to get to Scarlet and Daughter of Smoke and Bone this year.
Thank you for sharing! Glad you found new authors to love. 🙂
STURMHOND's name must be typed in capitals or it isn't his name at all. But hell, I think the Grisha trilogy has raised my expectations for YA fantasties by a lot. Not really the best thing to happen but eh, I can go re-read the series over and over again and I wouldn't mind. Still torn between the Darkling and STURMHOND, though. Both of them are so incredibly attractive, I can't. (And also, thanks for linking to my post! :D)
And I've actually heard a lot about Corey's Life By Committee — a lot of people seem to love it — but just never thought of checking it out, for some reason. Yup. Need to change that. Especially now that I'm dying for some good contemporaries because dystopias are disappointing me so far. Ugh.
Laini Taylor is queen of everything. Beautiful prose and good storytelling, yes, but also queen of hair because I will never get over how fucking amazing her hair is. I LOVE HER HAIR SO MUCH. Part of the reason why I want to meet her is so I can touch her hair. I swear I'm not a creep. Anyway… I can't remember much about Daughter of Smoke and Bone other than that it was quite original and the writing was gorgeous. Time for a re-read!
Molly Pierce was probably the best book I read last year, aside from Ruin & Rising. The writing style was just so unique and so, so relatable, and I loved Molly, and I loved the mystery, and I loved the way the story was told. Katrina is definitely a new author I'm going to be keeping an eye on from here on out! (Let's hope we get to see her amazing writing again, too.)
I think you'll be pleased to know that… I ORDERED THE DIVINE + THE WICKED A FEW WEEKS AGO. Eeeeep. But it's TBD so it'll probably take a century before it arrives. Still. The cover is so freaking pretty — the bright colors! The art style! Honestly, when it arrives, I'm going to have a field day taking pictures of it. <3
Huh, Marie Lu. I'm still on the fence about her. I read Legend when it first came out and didn't like it much, but I seem to be the black sheep because everyone else loved it and loved the sequels even more. So now I'm not sure if I should read Prodigy and Champion. :/ I do want to read The Young Elites, though! I've heard of how kickass and cruel the main character is, and I can't wait to meet her. And I think I'm the only one who liked the cover a lot, haha.
So, I've only read books from 6 out of the 15 authors you listed here. Fail. But I liked this list. I liked this list a lot.
OMG YEESSSS AMY ZHANG!!! I am in love with Falling Into Place and she needs to write another novel like, NOW. ASAP. I did enjoy Open Road Summer quite a bit and I cannot wait for her upcoming novel! I've heard so many excellent things gahhhh