Liviania’s Best of 2008
Saturday, January 10, 2009 15:42
C2 started it off, but I’ve got a list as well! (And my choices are way better than hers.) 2008 was a great year for books, but here’s my top 10:
The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows, Book Six) by Kim Harrison
Urban fantasy released by EOS 26 Feb 2008
Kim Harrison keeps this series going storng with an entry that solves a lot of ongoing questions and to open new ones. The paperback is now available with a bonus story just in time to reread for the release of White Witch, Black Curse.
Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (The Immortals After Dark, Book Four) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance released by Pocket 1 Apr 08
It was a toss-up between this and Dark Desires After Dusk. With this year’s releases, Cole set the bar high for Kiss of a Demon King. Seriously, any paranormal romance fan needs these two on their shelves.
Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
Young adult fantasy released by Flux 1 Oct 08
This debut has faeries, violence, music, and romance. What more can one ask for?
Dreaming Again edited by Jack Dann
Speculative fiction anthology released by EOS 30 Sept 08
Australia’s literary scene rocks hardcore. Here some of its best authors serve up 35 excellent stories. This anthology contains no misses.
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Paranormal young adult released by Hyperion 6 May 08
Zombies, high school, and sociology come together for a humorous novel that will stay with you for awhile after you finish.
Madhouse (Cal Leandros, Book Three) by Rob Thurman
Urban fantasy released by ROC 26 Feb 08
Just read this series. Please.
Delicious by Sherry Thomas
Historical romance released by Bantam 29 July 08
Another author with two brilliant releases to choose between -this and her debut Private Arrangements. Both are terrific, but only this one makes me hungry. Food porn and romance is a winning combination.
Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer series, Book Three) by Karen Chance
Urban fantasy released by ROC 1 Apr 08
This series really hit its stride with this book. Chance also debuted anther series with the excellent Midnight’s Daughter.
Undone by Brooke Taylor
Young adult released by Walker Books for Young Readers 22 July 08
Taylor’s debut is emotionally strong, which any romance reader can appreciate.
Paper Towns by John Green
Young adult released by Dutton Juvenile 16 Oct 08
Green understands the nerd lifestyle, strong females, and what makes a good story. I don’t know if the man is capable of writing a book that isn’t made of win.
Honorable Mentions
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready
Urban fantasy released by Pocket 13 May 08
Smith-Ready makes her urban fantasy debut with a series that takes an inventive approach towards vampires and adds to the genre.
Tarnished Beauty by Cecilia Samartin
Literary fiction released by Atria 18 Mar 08
This is not self-important literary fiction. It’s simply a beautifully written story.
Sybil says:
January 10th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Do you have reviews for these done? You should link to them here where ever they are here or in bed with books.
Just saying
And I hope the covers look better now.. I tried to fix them. If not gwen should come along and do that thing that gwen does.
Sandy M says:
January 10th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Several here I’d still need to read, but most are new for me. I shouldn’t be looking at these lists, that only adds more to the TBB list! Think I’ll be picking up the Cole as soon as I read the Singh I just talked about over at Shannon’s review!
See, Sybil, this is the help I need on my covers. Maybe Gwen will stop by my draft and do her thing over there. Please.
Sybil says:
January 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
ah I can do this and may am still connected, this might be a record, now watch I will drop
it is just left and right aligned I can do that as long the computer is nice, well and I can stay focused that long… cross your fingers *g*
c2 says:
January 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
A very nice list! But not better than mine. Pfft. :-p
Pam P says:
January 11th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
The Kresley Cole is on my list, too. Haven’t had a chance to get to Wicked Games or Embrace the Night yet.
Liviania says:
January 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
You’ll enjoy them Pam! (At least, I hope you will.)