2013 Wrap Up: Best Books of 2013!

The year 2013 has ended, my dear undead pals! It has been a great reading and blogging year for me. I have finished a total of 117 books this year (although some of those are manga) and Dyan has read somewhere around 80! Of course, we have to end the year with our Best of 2013 Awarding! I have listed a couple of categories where I will list a couple of books that were amazing in those aspects. At the end of the post, there will be our top three (each) overall best of the year (they may also be part of the other categories)!

*Note: The ones in the categories are my (Aimee) picks, but we both got to choose our top three each in the overall section.

Although we bookworms normally hate cliffhangers, we still love to give props to those that make us want to tear out our hair in anticipation of the next book.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

book two in the Blood of Eden trilogy
published on April 30, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

cliffhanger rating: 5/5
book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads | Review

The way this book ended was highly unexpected. I always prepare myself when reading Julie Kagwa’s books because I know that she’ll have some tricks up her sleeve, but I was nowhere near prepared for this cliffhanger. It made me bawl my eyes out while wishing that I’d put the book off until the last one came out so I didn’t need to wait! Anyway, it was still an amazing read and I can’t wait for The Forever Song.

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I love graphic and bloody scenes in books–horrific! If they were movies, I’d want them to make me squirm and shut my eyes because of all the horror. My favorite author for this kind of thing is probably Kendare Blake.

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

book one in the Archived series
published on January 22, 2013 by Hyperion

horrific rating: 3.5/5
book rating: 4/5

Goodreads | review to come

I have been wanting to read this for ages and was extremely excited when I got my copy. It did meet most of my expectations and I enjoyed most of the novel, especially the suspense and thrilling scenes. There were also descriptions of eerie settings and characters going insane–lovely!

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Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

book one in the Goddess War trilogy
published on September 10, 2013 by Tor Teen

horrific rating: 4/5
book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads | Review

I absolutely adore Kendare Blake’s books. They give such vivid pictures of what’s going on, whether it’s a pretty picture or not. In this one, we’re given very graphic descriptions on how each god and goddess is slowly and painfully dying. My favorite was Athena’s, but I won’t spoil anything!

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We all love to laugh, especially while reading! I don’t normally laugh out loud while reading, but these ones made me come close!

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

this is a standalone YA contemporary
published on May 7, 2013 by Simon Pulse

tickling the funny bones rating: 3.5/5
book rating: 4/5

Goodreads | Review

I loved how witty the characters were in this book–especially the hot guys. There are three of them, actually. I mean, who doesn’t love some humorous hotties? The main character herself also had a pretty good idea of how to pull some good pranks.

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Ah… romance. I honestly can’t go through an entire book without romance (unless it’s something like the amazing PJO). These relationships stood out, though.

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

this is a standalone YA fantasy
published on July 23, 2013 by Delacorte Press

swoon rating: 3.5/5
book rating: 4/5

Goodreads | Review

I love how there wasn’t any insta-love in this book. Isra and Gem spent months with each other (hating each other at first, actually), before they actually realized how they felt for each other. It was sweet and worthy of a few tissues.

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Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

book one in the Hundred Oaks series
published on December 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire

swoon rating: 4/5
book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads | no review

Catching Jordan was a beautiful novel. It wasn’t very realistic, but I definitely enjoyed it and loved being in Jordan’s mind. Her relationship with her friends were really sweet. The romance made me cry and root for Henry as he crushed on Jordan. Even if Jordan was very dense, it was really nice when she realized that she returned his feelings.

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As a huge fan of angst and anything that’ll make me tear up, I had to have this category here!

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

this is a standalone YA contemporary
published on May 21, 2013 by Simon Pulse

oh my hand me some tissues rating: 4.5/5
book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads | Review

Being my first Sarah Ockler book, I really enjoyed The Book of Broken Hearts. I cried for at least half of the book for many reasons, but the main one was that Jude’s father was sick (Alzheimer’s) and sometimes forgot even his own daughters. It made me wonder–how would I take it if anyone I knew were like that? I really don’t know.

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Champion by Marie Lu

the final book in the Legend trilogy
published on November 5, 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

oh my hand me some tissues rating: 4.5/5
book rating: 5/5

Goodreads | Review

I loved this entire trilogy and was very sad to see it end. With these books, Marie’s writing got better and better as she wrote. And this finale? Amazing. I cried (a lot), swooned, laughed and bit my nails in anticipation. There was so much angst and I just couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. The ending was very, very beautiful and also made me shed some tears. I think I flood my room after reading it.

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I love reading from debut authors and really hope to read from them soon, to see if they’ve improved. Here are my favorite debuts of the year!

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

the first book in the Starbound trilogy
published on December 10, 2013 by Disney Hyperion

book rating: 4/5

Goodreads | review to come

Even if Meagan Spooner isn’t a debut author, I thought that I should still mention this because this is Amie Kaufman’s debut. I really liked the world building in this book, the romance, the twists and everything in between. It was highly entertaining and I’m looking forward to more by both authors.

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All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

the first book in the All Our Yesterdays series
published on September 3, 2013 by Disney Hyperion

book rating: 3.5/5

Goodreads | Review

If you’re into time travel, All Our Yesterdays is a debut that you shouldn’t miss! The characters were very badass and the story was highly engaging. Let’s not forget, the romance is absolutely adorable! I’m definitely looking forward to future books by Miss Terrill.

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I don’t read a lot of non-YA. I mean, I’ve hated almost every NA (new adult) novel I’ve read this year. Aside from NA and YA, I also read a few adult and children’s books.

Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

the fourth book in the Night Huntress series
published on July 15, 2009 by Avon

book rating: 5/5

Goodreads | Review

Jeaniene Frost is a fantastic author. She mixes in humor with action, romance and mystery. I have read all of her Night Huntress and Night Prince novels (the ones that are out) and loved them all. Destined for an Early Grave‘s my favorite so far, though. Angst–it was everywhere!

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As I have said before, I love manga and anime and would like to share some of my favorites this year! But I know that not a lot of you are interested in this, so I’ll make it quick.

Manga:

• I really enjoyed the Beast Master duology by Kyousuke Motomi. It was cute and sweet. My overall rating for it is 3.5.
• Mishounen Produce by Kaoru Ichinose was adorable and sweet. My overall rating for it is 3.5.
• The MeruPuri series by Matsuri Hino was adorable! I loved the characters and their relationship. My overall rating for it is 4.
• My most recent love was the Barajou No Kiss books by Aya Shouoto. My overall rating for it is 4.

Anime:

• I’ve just re-watched one of my all time favorites, Fushigi Yuugi, and loved it again! My rating for it is 4.5.
• Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) was so full of action and suspense. The hero was a sissy but the heroine was badass. My rating is 4.5.
• I also enjoyed Sword Art Online and the action that came with it. My rating is 4.
• Zero No Tsukaima was hilarious! I think of it as Harry Potter for perverts. My rating is 4.

Here are Aimee’s top three picks this 2013! (In no particular order.)

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

the fourth book in the Heroes of Olympus series
published on October 8, 2013 by Disney Hyperion

book rating: 5/5

Goodreads | Mini Review

As if it isn’t obvious that I would pick this one. I love, love, love Rick Riordan’s books! (Well, except for the Kane Chronicles.) Waiting for new installments to this series makes me bite my nails! After reading this one, I was in a book hangover. I can’t believe this series is ending next year!

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Champion by Marie Lu

the final book in the Legend trilogy
published on November 5, 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

book rating: 5/5

Goodreads | Review

I have waited so long to finally see how the Legend trilogy would end. The cliffhanger Prodigy (book 2) left us with made me imagine all of the possible ways this book would end. Marie Lu surprised me, though. I wasn’t expecting that ending at all, but I’m really glad it ended that way. It was, hands down, one of my favorite series enders of all time. There was just enough angst, action and suspense to keep everyone reading.

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The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

book two in the Blood of Eden trilogy
published on April 30, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads | Review

I loved how the characters grew on me and evolved since the first book, The Immortal Rules. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for what’s to happen next. The romance was amazing, and so were the villains. I loved, very much, to hate them. I’m sure the finale of this series, The Forever Song, will be just as amazing.

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Here are Dyan’s top three reads of 2013! (In order.)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stepahnie Perkins

the first book in the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy
published on December 2, 2010 by Dutton

book rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads

It was one of those books that make you want to pray to every god out there for your own special guy, and for your own very sweet romance. Anna and St. Clair were just meant to be! As friends, they were hilarious and fun. As lovers, they were soft and loving.

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Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

the first book in the Under the Never Sky trilogy
published on January 3, 2012 by HarperCollins

book rating: 4/5

Goodreads

The plot was definitely unique. It explored some topics that I haven’t read about in YA yet–a breath of fresh air per se. The romance was also really cute and scored some major bonus points in my heart (since I am mostly reading for the romance)!

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Where She Went by Gayle Forman

book two in the If I Stay duology
published on April 5, 2011 by Dutton Juvenile

book rating: 4/5

Goodreads

The feels, my God. Adam was so sweet and caring. Although he was a bit emo, he still loved Mia despite all they’ve been through–and it wasn’t the stupid, fake kind of love either. I’m pretty sure anyone who reads this will feel the feels too!

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What were your favorite reads of 2013? Link us to your best of 2013 posts or just share through the comments! Advanced happy new year everyone!