My Favorite Reads of 2017

Okay, so it’s almost the end of January. 2017 was a pretty long time ago. However, since I only created this blog one week ago, I didn’t get a chance to share my favorite reads before now, and I’d really like to!

In 2017, I completed my goal of reading 100 books. I finished the 100th on something like December 30th. Here are my ten favorite books that I read last year, in the order that I liked them!

Note: there were several books that I reread last year and am not including on this list. Namely: the entire Harry Potter series because I love them all and this list would be really boring if 7/10 of my favorites were Harry Potter.

 

10. Lotus and Thorn by Sara Wilson Etienne

This was one of the first books I read in 2017, and it was really a great way to start the year off! Both of the love interests were really strong characters (not necessarily in a good way…), and I absolutely loved seeing Lecia with her sisters. Romantic love isn’t the only type of love! Also, can we take a moment to admire how beautiful that cover is?

 

9. The Mediator Series: Twilight by Meg Cabot

As the finale to The Mediator series, Twilight (not to be confused with the one about sparkly vampires) did not disappoint. Although Suze started out rather selfishly, her character growth was amazing, especially when she was placed in an incredibly difficult situation; I don’t even know if I would have been able to be so noble. And the conclusion to the six book series was perfectly satisfying.

 

8. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

I adore urban fantasy and faerie (not fairy!) tales. I’m fascinated by faerie lore, so it’s no wonder I loved this book so much. It was perfectly whimsical at first, before morphing into something a little creepier. And the twist was so surprising, but also so perfect eek! I love Holly Black’s writing so much and I’m so desperate to get my hands on The Cruel Prince!

 

7. Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum

I really enjoyed the twist on this book to make Peter Pan evil and Captain Hook good. I really like villain origin stories, and this one was so completely heart wrenching, especially that ending! It had be rooting for Hook all along.

 

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Okay, how can you not love this book? This was my first Jane Austen book, and I’m now working my way through all of her works. Lizzy was such a like able character, yet flawed and believable, and therefore more likable. I relate to her so much! And Mr. Darcy is the perfect love interest!

 

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

What can I say? It’s a classic. I just hated everyone except Nick and Gatsby, and I was pulled into Gatsby’s desperate delusions just as easily as everyone else was swept along. Seeing the story though Nick’s eyes was so heart wrenching, and I loved the tension and drama! And of course the symbolism and hidden meanings in this book may just be the most beautiful of all.

 

4. Timestorm by Julie Cross

I was actually surprised at liking this book so much since I don’t usually go for science fiction or enjoy time travel. But I thoroughly enjoyed the Tempest trilogy, and this was by far my favorite book of the series. There are a few parts I still don’t completely understand, but I’m going to credit that to my not smartness rather than the author. And as for the ending… ultimately that was what pushed a good book to a great one. I literally dropped my book and said “what” out loud; I did not see that coming!

 

3. Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

This book started out good, turned great, and ended competently amazing! I loved Rachelle and her internal struggle to be good–it was so much more powerful than a struggle where good and bad are apparent. And I love a good kickass heroine. Her friendships were endearing, the romance was amazing, the plot twist was crazy, and I LOVED the ending!

 

2. Wendy Darling Volume II – Seas by Colleen Oakes

There were so many things right about this book. As the second in the trilogy, it was far more intense than the first. Stakes were higher, and we learned far more about this unique version of Neverland. It also strayed farther from the original Peter Pan story and more into Oakes’s unique version, which I loved. And can I say THAT CLIFFHANGER AHH I NEED VOL III so BADLY!

 

1. Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Renegades is totally badass and I love it! I love how Nova is a villain, and I love seeing through her eyes. The tension was crazy, there were so many plot twists I didn’t see coming, and throughout the entire book I couldn’t decide if i liked the Anarchists or Renegades more. That cliffhanger was just MEAN! I can’t wait for book two!

You can read my full review of Renegades here.

 

Those were my (belated) top ten favorite books of 2017! Which books were your favorites? Thank you for reading my blog post and please comment your thoughts 🙂