Best of 2016

To be honest, it seems I had a pretty bad book year. Rating wise, my average rating is 2.9! Now that is bad. These days I even try to avoid those ok books, but I guess I finished a lot of them this year. Sigh.

I have read 265 books this year, 25 of those were 4 star books....

Taking a quick look at the list and trying to remember ;) I might miss quite a few

I read:

8 audio books

14 novella/short story

1 graphic novel

And now to Best of

Best Historical Romance

I love HR, I read them for the fun of it, but even though I really like them, they seldom get that 4, because I am very cruel. Therefore I was very surprised when this one got a 4 this year. It was just that good.

Best Fantasy

This is book 2 in a series, and well I have suffered from book 2 syndrome a lot. But here, wow. Such a good book. Even better than book 1! I was impressed. That is how a series should evolve.

Runner-up

I usually do not do this, but when looking through GR and checking my reviews...well, I used the word intense a lot. I mean A LOT! Another series that just keeps getting better.

Best YA

I like how she writes, I liked the darkness of it all, and the world created. Great YA.

Runner-up

This one has not been translated, a shame really.

Best UF

This was one of those where it did take me a while to warm up to the series- But this one was excellent and one of those I need to pee, but F IT! I have to finish this book.

Best Steampunk

Ok, so it might be one of two steampunk books I read this year, and it was fantasy too, but it has to be on this list. Also BEST sidekick cat ever!

Best Er  tic romance

I seldom read this since I skim already in contemporary romance, but I read it, and damn, it was good! It was better than the contemporary romance I read this year. It gets both prizes.

Best Historical Fiction/Horror

This one actually gave me the chills. After having finished it I had to look out the window so no one was watching me. Such a claustrophobic feeling.

Best Fiction

How to be a young woman in a country where women are worth nothing. A powerful story.

And last, Best Memoir *coughs*

My cheat genre pick ;)

Because the series is just so fun and everyone should read it.

..........................................

And last a shout out to

 You all keep me motivated. Thank you!! This is the best challenge to have

Saint's Blood - Sebastien de Castell

How do you kill a Saint?

Falcio, Kest, and Brasti are about to find out, because someone has figured out a way to do it and they've started with a friend.

The Dukes were already looking for ways out of their agreement to put Aline on the throne, but with the Saints turning up dead, rumours are spreading that the Gods themselves oppose her ascension. Now churches are looking to protect themselves by bringing back the military orders of religious soldiers, assassins, and (especially) Inquisitors - a move that could turn the country into a theocracy. The only way Falcio can put a stop to it is by finding the murderer. He has only one clue: a terrifying iron mask which makes the Saints vulnerable by driving them mad. But even if he can find the killer, he'll still have to face him in battle.

And that may be a duel that no swordsman, no matter how skilled, can hope to win.

My thoughts:

I can not do this book justice. The book was so intense, how will I ever be able to put that into words? I have also waited all day to write this review cos I am still all whaaat?

First up, this country is messed up. I would be all Bye bye, take care of yourselves you ungrateful horde! And even Falcio is wondering if it's all worth it...

Second, this book is even better than previous books. I know right! Book 3! I do love when that happens.

The book was intense! I had suddenly read 300 pages, they just flew by. It manages to be light and intense somehow.

Story. I already said the country is messed up. The Dukes still want their due. Young Aline has a long way to go before she is Queen. Her Protector of the realm are holding them at bay but they are not nice so..

Like that was all of their troubles. Someone is killing saints. Let's stop here and think about the saints, I really like what he did there, oh you have to read it to see what the saints are like. I also learned more about the gods, and the saints too, and it was all, nice...

The church is stirring up trouble *Shakes fist at church*

Everyone is being an utter a-hole.

There are duels.

There is madness.

There is despair.

And last, a glimmer of hope in this rotten world.

Did I mention how awesome it was! Wow, just awesome. It swept me along and I did not want to put it down, this was sure one of the lighter 500+ books I have read in a while.

Conclusion:

You really should check out this series. It will keep you on your toes 

Cover

 Nice

Hardcover, 576 pages
Expected publication: April 7th 2016 by Jo Fletcher Books
Greatcoats #3
Fantasy
for review