Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2016

Friday, December 25th – Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2016

Alice's Picks

1. The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh - The Wrath and the Dawn is without doubt my #1 book of 2015 so it's no surprise that I am eagerly awaiting the second book.

2. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - Well, there's obviously going to be a lot of Rhys in this book, an that is 100% okay.

3. Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan - The synopsis reminds me of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, which is one of my favorite books ever, so I'm really looking forward to reading it! Not to mention the cover is pretty darn cool.

4. Ruined by Amy Tintera - I love tales about a hate turned love relationship, and this book seems to be all about that.

5. The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye - I'm really looking forward to the setting, and I'm really excited for the huge role that magic will play in this!

Raisa's Picks

1. The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry - I read this a few weeks ago, and I keep on saying the same things, about loving this book so much. But I can't wait until it comes out, and I can actually get it, and read it again! 

2. Earth's End by Elise Kova - After such a shocking ending from Fire Falling (and my friend just finished it too, and she's still in shock), I must find out what happens. To -insert name here-, and does Vhalla get stronger and out of her slump and kick more butt? Elise's books are addicting, and only two more months until it releases!

3. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig - Time travel is always an A+ genre for me. Must read every book on time travel/alternate dimensions, and the different time periods are something I'm looking forward to. 

4. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard - Everyone is talking about how good this book is. Witches and friendship and magic sound exciting! 

5. Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima - Even if The Seven Realms series ended for me, and so did Han and Raisa's adventures, I can't wait for the spinoff on the adventures of their kid! 

What are your top 2016 expected releases? 

Best Book Boyfriends of 2015

Thursday, December 24th– Best Book Boyfriends of 2015 

Alice's Picks

1. Khalid from The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - Khalid may seem like a jerk at first, but once we get to know him, all I really want to do is give him a big bear hug.

2. Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas- Okay, Tamlin and Lucien are both great and totally adorable but Rhys takes the trophy. Bonus points for helping Feyre with all the trials.

3. Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 

4. Amon/Asten/Ahmose from Reawakened by Colleen Houck - Yeah, I just put three of them as one because I can't pick. They're brothers, so that's okay, right?

5. Jalal from The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh 

Rhys, from Sarah Maas's pinterest

Raisa's Picks

1. Prince Aldrik from Air Awakens/Fire Falling by Elise Kova - I mentioned I'm a fan of arrogant prince trope, and he does remind me of Loki and Zuko, who I both love... Vhalla, may I borrow Aldrik for awhile?
2. Paul Markov from Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray  - He seems like an absolute sweetheart but at the same time with that adorable awkwardness. And he's a scientist and a genius? Marguerite, I'm jealous.
3. Jacin Clay from Winter by Marissa Meyer - He may be blunt, but his devotion and love of Winter is genuine. He is perhaps my favorite out of the four Lunar Chronicles boys.
4. Theo Beck from Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray - Marguerite, since you chose Paul over Theo, I'll take him off your hands hehe. Theo and Paul, it's so hard to decide who I like more. That sort of rhymed.
5. Peter Kavinsky from To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - Okay, this shouldn't really count, because I a. haven't read PS I Still Love You yet, and b. To All the Boy I've Loved Before is 2014. But regardless, I will read PS I Still Love You, soon, and I just want to fangirl over how perfect Peter is. He's funny, romantic, sweet, patient - everything I want in a guy. Ugh. Why can't you be real, Peter K?

Jacin Clay from the Lunar Chronicles wikia! 

Aren't all these guys swoon-worthy? Who are your book boyfriends? 

Best Book Villains of 2015

Wednesday, December 23rd – Best Book Villains of 2015

Alice's Picks

1. The Commandant from An Ember in the Ashes

2. Amarantha from A Court of Thorns and Roses

3. The Queen from The Sin Eater's Daughter 

4. Commander Ambrose from Shadow Study - That betrayal :-( 

5. Blackwell from The Witch Hunter

Raisa's Picks

1. Levana from The Lunar Chronicles - Winter

2. Wyatt Conley from A Thousand Skies Above You 

3. AIDAN from Illuminae

4. The Bayars from The Seven Realms series

5. The Commandant from An Ember in the Ashes

I had a hard time deciding who were my favorite book villains, since I don't necessarily focus on the villains. The villains aren't always black and white in the books I read, and it was hard to decide who was an "evil" character. After all, AIDAN and the Bayars believed they had good intentions. Even extremely evil characters, like The Commandant, have moments of humanities. So do you think these villains are entirely evil? Who are your favorite villains? 

Best Book Covers of 2015

Tuesday, December 22nd – Best Book Covers of 2015

Alice's Picks

1. Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder - I loved the revamped covers they released this year. 

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - I love it when books show only part of the protagonist and leaves the rest up to the imagination.. hopefully the other books in this series  will feature the other main characters (Rhys, yes, you!)
3. Soundless by Richelle Mead - Love the diversity in this book and the background art is so calming and looks straight out of a painting.
4. The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - The cover is not only beautiful, but it represents the book perfectly!
5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Simple but lovely.

Raisa's Picks

1. Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray - The Firebird series continues to have breathtaking covers, and I love how artsy this one came out to be! As I'm reading this book at the moment, the cover only makes me wonder what other dimensions Marguerite will be traveling to.
2. Fire Falling by Elise Kova - Meril (Elise's cover artist) does a wonderful job on all the covers of the series, it's really hard to pick which one is my favorite! But I must say this one stands out (not just because of Aldrik), but because of how powerful and fierce Aldrik and Vhalla both look.
3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - It's simple design is quite a force to be reckoned with! And rather ominous and foreboding, don't you think?
4. These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly - Another one of those creepy but beautiful covers. The roses are a nice touch, too.
5. Winter by Marissa Meyer - My favorite of the Lunar Chronicles covers! Coincidentally also have on red nail polish like Winter. 

Top 10 of 2015: Best Books I’ve Read in 2015

Monday, December 21st – Best Books I’ve Read in 2015 

Alice's Picks

The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Reawakened by Colleen Houck 

Raisa's Picks

Air Awakens by Elise Kova

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

All these books I managed to devour quickly, ignoring some slow starts here and there. Once I got into them, I was immediately invested. Some tears were shed, or some emotions ran really high from all the suspense, and those are signs of good books. I can't wait to read the sequels to these, or at least, the sequels I haven't read yet. 

What were your top reads of 2015?