Ink and Imagination

01

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

This book is incredible! It's such a thrill ride, and the world that it's set in is unlike anything I've ever encountered before. It's a beautiful mash-up of fantasy and steampunk that, when combined together, creates a world that is both gritty and beautiful. The characters, from Kaz Brekker to Wylan Van Eck, leap right off of the page. They all seem like people who could be real, in a world not unlike our own. They have incredible relationships and their development is spectacular. Leigh Bardugo is an artist who works in words, and this book is a masterpiece. It's one of the novels that inspired me in my own writing, and for anyone who loves a good read that will keep them up until the crack of dawn, reading until your eyes are bleary, I highly recommend this book!

 

02

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

This is the sequel to Six of Crows, and it is just as good of a read as the first book. The characters continue to grow and develop, the world is just as rich, and the plot twists are huge! The only downside of this book is that there's not another one! I still find myself thinking about this series and wishing that there was another book!

 

03

The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale

Haunting, moving, spellbinding. This book is unlike anything I've ever read before. The setting is a lot like the Puritan era, and reminds me of The Scarlet Letter. Witch hunts, mystical beasts, and creepy poetry abound in this novel. It's a quick read, too!

 

04

Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

This is one of the heavier books that I've read. It centers around a girl with multiple personality disorder and PTSD that were developed as a result of the traumas she suffered in her life. It's incredibly thought-provoking and chilling, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery. However, there are some scenes which could be triggering to some people, so read up on this before you decide to crack open the cover! If you want specifics, feel free to email me!

 

05

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Written by an author who used to teach at my university, this book is captivating beyond all words! Caraval pulls the reader into a world where everything is not as it seems. Additionally, the sequel to this book comes out in May 2018! I'm so excited to read the sequel, and if you haven't read the first one I highly recommend it!

 

06

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The first book in the series with the same name, I have mixed feelings about this novel. However, it still makes the cut onto my Top 10 list because it is the start to a series that I absolutely love! Even though my thoughts about this book are incredibly mixed, the characters are amazing. They hold this book together, and they are what kept me wanting more

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07

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The second book in the ACOTAR series, I like this book so much more than the first one! Everything, from the dialogue to the settings, seems to be so much more detailed than in the first book. It caused me to be drawn into the series even more, and I'm excited to see how things will play out in book 3!

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08

Curse and Smoke by Vicky Alvear Shecter

This book ripped my heart out and stepped on it. But I loved it! Even weeks later, I find myself still thinking about what happened, and wishing that it had a sequel. It falls into both the YA and the historical fiction genres, and is a captivating look at what the people of Pompeii may have felt in the days leading up to the explosion of Mount Vesuvius. It is not only well written, but it is also very well researched. This is one book that will always hold a special spot in my heart.

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09

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 

This was the first Sarah J. Maas book that I ever read, and it impacted me in a very deep way. I love the characters, and even the villains are incredible. It sets the stage for a series that I adore, and the characters are so diverse! If you like fantasy and intense plot twists, this book is a must read!

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10

The Palace of Laughter by Jon Berkeley

This book is unlike the ones that I usually read, but I absolutely loved it! The characters leap right of the page, and the world ( and storyline in whole) are so fantastical that I could hardly wait for the chance to continue reading. The story is lighthearted and whimsical, which made it just the right thing to read after a long day at work. I definitely recommend this book!