T's Top 10 Series 2014
Here is my list of Top 10 series, either a combination of two or more books read this year, or a book from mid-way through a series I love. The books in my list could have been released/published in any year, but 2014 is when I read them.
10. Daylight War (Book 3), Peter V. Brett
This is a book I borrowed from my local library. Another stellar novel by one of my favorite authors. Brett has two strengths as a novelist- he is a master at character development, creating multi-dimensional protagonists (and antagonists) that draw the reader into their lives. The second strength is storytelling. It can be difficult to juggle multiple plots and pull them all together for a satisfactory ending. Excellent ending - leaves door open for another book in the series- yet is satisfyingly open to interpretation. Great job!
9. Skin Game (Book 15), Jim Butcher
I checked this book out from my local library. Jim Butcher is totally awesome, and I am in awe of the way his brain works- LOL. Dresden has got to be one of the best drawn characters of any series, and I love the story progression from book to book. After 15 novels in the series, there is always a fear the author's creativity will dwindle to pathetic attempts at humor or weakened story lines. Ne fears! The latest book is absolutely excellent!!!
8. Wicket Hunger (Book 1) and Wicked Power (Book 2), DelSheree Gladden
Another page-turning, teeth-grinding, curse-spouting win from Gladden. Thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Hunger, even as I wanted to hold a certain character down and throttle her! Excellent story development-- totally sucked me in. I'll be bumping book 2, Wicked Power, up in my TBR queue. Wicked Power was an absolutely awesome read! I really enjoyed the first book, but the second was so much better. Excellent plot and story development- I loved it more than the first and can't wait to read the third. Note- this is second of a series, it is NOT a standalone and should be read after Wicked Hunger.
7. Magic Breaks (Book 6), Ilona Andrews
I checked Magic Breaks out from my local library. I must say, this had one of the better storylines, although there was so much going on I got lost and had to back track a few times. Great plot, consistent world-building, fun witty dialog (I love how droll Curran can be), and lots of action. Loved the ending (or is it a new beginning?)
6. Wild Card (Book 3), Mark Henwick
I love love love this series. The female lead character, contrary to her soft feminine name, Amber, is kick butt tough, and savvy. An ex-military soldier, she's now a PI, and a whole lot more. This is one of my favorite series, but I caution readers to read the books in order; and it doesn't hurt to skim back if there is too large a gap between reading books. Henwick doesn't waste time going back and reiterating past books and storylines, each book picks up from the last. With the exception of Amber letting new people know some of the realities of this UF world, the reader isn't given a lot of information if it's been explained in previous novels. This is a long read, about 500 pages, and I read it in two days- it was a hard book to walk away from (but I did remember to feed the dog, and make coffee). Excellent continuation of an excellent series!
5. With Silent Screams (Book 3) Steve McHugh
While the Hellequin novels have a Harry Dresden and Atticus (Iron Druid) feel, Nate has a deliciously different flavor that is reminiscent, yet wildly different of the other two heroes. Silent Screams is the best book in the series, hands down! McHugh did a fantastic job In this continuation of the Hellequin series. Nate is still the big, bad sorcerer we've grown to love in the previous novels. Add a great plot and some terrific secondary characters, and this easily earned it's 5-star rating. Note: series should be read in order
4. Four Days (Book 4), Dannika Dark
Loved loved loved this book- my favorite, by far, of the series. I've always enjoyed D Dark characters, but Ivy and Lorenzo surpassed my expectations. The perfect plot and continuation of the storyline. Bravo!
3. Hunted (Book 6), Kevin Hearne
As always, Hearne delivers! Another great installment in the Iron Druid series. I loved the advancement of the storyline, and it was wonderful to see there are now two druids, finally! Excellent, witty writing, and great characters. This series is terrific!
2. Silence (Book 1) and Broken Silence (Book 2), Natasha Preston
Hard to believe Silence was free on Amazon- it was friggin' awesome. While most of the plot was predictable, the story was really well done, and I loved the protagonists Excellent character development, smooth story progression, and remarkable handling of such a sensitive storyline. Well done... it does end abruptly to set up book 2, but this was a complete story leaving a main thread open. Broken Silence - I loved the first book of the series, and enjoyed reading the conclusion to Cole and Oakley's story. A beautiful, love story, forged from the fires of childhood abuse. Well done.
1. Witch with No Name (Book 13), Kim Harrison
I checked Witch with No Name out from my local library. What an awesome ending to a fun series. While I still have issues with Rachel's whiny attitude, the character has shown growth in the last few books that makes the series a great read. All threads were tied up, although, in some instances carried on longer than needed-- but this is a typical Harrison book, so that's expected if you are a fan of the Hallows series. Loved the book!
10. Daylight War (Book 3), Peter V. Brett
This is a book I borrowed from my local library. Another stellar novel by one of my favorite authors. Brett has two strengths as a novelist- he is a master at character development, creating multi-dimensional protagonists (and antagonists) that draw the reader into their lives. The second strength is storytelling. It can be difficult to juggle multiple plots and pull them all together for a satisfactory ending. Excellent ending - leaves door open for another book in the series- yet is satisfyingly open to interpretation. Great job!
9. Skin Game (Book 15), Jim Butcher
I checked this book out from my local library. Jim Butcher is totally awesome, and I am in awe of the way his brain works- LOL. Dresden has got to be one of the best drawn characters of any series, and I love the story progression from book to book. After 15 novels in the series, there is always a fear the author's creativity will dwindle to pathetic attempts at humor or weakened story lines. Ne fears! The latest book is absolutely excellent!!!
8. Wicket Hunger (Book 1) and Wicked Power (Book 2), DelSheree Gladden
Another page-turning, teeth-grinding, curse-spouting win from Gladden. Thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Hunger, even as I wanted to hold a certain character down and throttle her! Excellent story development-- totally sucked me in. I'll be bumping book 2, Wicked Power, up in my TBR queue. Wicked Power was an absolutely awesome read! I really enjoyed the first book, but the second was so much better. Excellent plot and story development- I loved it more than the first and can't wait to read the third. Note- this is second of a series, it is NOT a standalone and should be read after Wicked Hunger.
7. Magic Breaks (Book 6), Ilona Andrews
I checked Magic Breaks out from my local library. I must say, this had one of the better storylines, although there was so much going on I got lost and had to back track a few times. Great plot, consistent world-building, fun witty dialog (I love how droll Curran can be), and lots of action. Loved the ending (or is it a new beginning?)
6. Wild Card (Book 3), Mark Henwick
I love love love this series. The female lead character, contrary to her soft feminine name, Amber, is kick butt tough, and savvy. An ex-military soldier, she's now a PI, and a whole lot more. This is one of my favorite series, but I caution readers to read the books in order; and it doesn't hurt to skim back if there is too large a gap between reading books. Henwick doesn't waste time going back and reiterating past books and storylines, each book picks up from the last. With the exception of Amber letting new people know some of the realities of this UF world, the reader isn't given a lot of information if it's been explained in previous novels. This is a long read, about 500 pages, and I read it in two days- it was a hard book to walk away from (but I did remember to feed the dog, and make coffee). Excellent continuation of an excellent series!
5. With Silent Screams (Book 3) Steve McHugh
While the Hellequin novels have a Harry Dresden and Atticus (Iron Druid) feel, Nate has a deliciously different flavor that is reminiscent, yet wildly different of the other two heroes. Silent Screams is the best book in the series, hands down! McHugh did a fantastic job In this continuation of the Hellequin series. Nate is still the big, bad sorcerer we've grown to love in the previous novels. Add a great plot and some terrific secondary characters, and this easily earned it's 5-star rating. Note: series should be read in order
4. Four Days (Book 4), Dannika Dark
Loved loved loved this book- my favorite, by far, of the series. I've always enjoyed D Dark characters, but Ivy and Lorenzo surpassed my expectations. The perfect plot and continuation of the storyline. Bravo!
3. Hunted (Book 6), Kevin Hearne
As always, Hearne delivers! Another great installment in the Iron Druid series. I loved the advancement of the storyline, and it was wonderful to see there are now two druids, finally! Excellent, witty writing, and great characters. This series is terrific!
2. Silence (Book 1) and Broken Silence (Book 2), Natasha Preston
Hard to believe Silence was free on Amazon- it was friggin' awesome. While most of the plot was predictable, the story was really well done, and I loved the protagonists Excellent character development, smooth story progression, and remarkable handling of such a sensitive storyline. Well done... it does end abruptly to set up book 2, but this was a complete story leaving a main thread open. Broken Silence - I loved the first book of the series, and enjoyed reading the conclusion to Cole and Oakley's story. A beautiful, love story, forged from the fires of childhood abuse. Well done.
1. Witch with No Name (Book 13), Kim Harrison
I checked Witch with No Name out from my local library. What an awesome ending to a fun series. While I still have issues with Rachel's whiny attitude, the character has shown growth in the last few books that makes the series a great read. All threads were tied up, although, in some instances carried on longer than needed-- but this is a typical Harrison book, so that's expected if you are a fan of the Hallows series. Loved the book!
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