I’m going to have to second Julie’s thoughts on this week’s question; it’s only March and I already have more than one favorite book of 2014. How is that even possible? LOL To help narrow it down, I’m only going to consider novels that were actually released this year, and then further break them down by genre because yeah, I still can’t pick just one.
If I absolutely HAD to decide, my first choice would be Anne Bishop’s MURDER OF CROWS. Words can not express how infatuated I am with this series. AND, it falls on the Fantasy side of the paranormal genre which means… I still have two more categories to select favorites from. 😉
The second spot belongs to BITTER SPIRITS by Jenn Bennett. I’ve been in love with her ARCADIA BELL series for several years now, and was excited to discover that her new Paranormal Romance books are just as good. There’s another installment due out later this year though, so there’s a chance that it might not stay there for long, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
As for the Urban Fantasy side of things, I’m torn between Jeaniene Frost’s UP FROM THE GRAVE, and Patricia Briggs’ NIGHT BROKEN. They are both strong installments, but neither of them wowed me to the point that MURDER OF CROWS did which can somewhat be considered to be UF as well…
And, if you ask me this question again in another three months I’m sure my answer will be completely different. LOL Well, except for Bishop’s book, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being my top read of 2014. But again, it’s only March, so I don’t want to get too ahead of myself.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Red Rising by Pierce Brown. It was epic 🙂
Apparently. I read your review. :p
UP FROM THE GRAVE is definitely one of my top picks for this year so far, but the number one slot would have to actually go to a series…Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin. I started listening to the audiobooks this year and have become obsessed!
Estep would have been on my list as well had she released an EA book earlier this year. But, I’m sure she’ll make the next cut once her upcoming title comes out. And yes, LOVE the audiobooks!
I have three so far this year that are my favorites: Back to You by Jessica Scott and All for You by Jessica Scott, and Claimed by a Demon King by Felicity Heaton. I loved the story of Claimed by a Demon King and King Thorne. I also love the secondary character Bleu. *sigh* =)
So happy to hear that so many peeps loved Felicity Heaton’s newest EM book. Bleu is my fav too. Can’t wait for his story!
I really, really need to read the Anne Bishop series Carmel! It seems to top everyone’s list of awesome series, and I can’t wait to read it for myself:) I’m super excited to read the last Cat and Bones book as well, I’ve been madly in love with that series from the beginning.
So far this year, I would say my favorite reads have been The Winner’s Curse and Lady Thief. Loved them so much!
Anne Bishop’s THE OTHERS series is a MUST! Don’t worry, I won’t let you forget about it. LOL
Hmm, Andy Weir’s THE MARTIAN and Ted Bell’s WARRIORS were both solid reads, but the one I had the most fun with was Mark Smylie’s THE BARROW.
I haven’t heard of any of those titles; I’ll have to check ’em out. Thanks for the recommendations!
Oh my you ask a hard question. I’ll have to go with a book released this year since its only March and I still have not read some books yet that I know will be my Fav.
So I’m going with …. Claimed by a Demon King by Felicity E. Heaton.
It’s crazy how tough this question is, eh? So many titles released in less than three months.
Carmel, are you, like, soulmate sisters or something? Because my favorite of 2014 so far is ALSO and DEFINITELY Murder of Crows (you hear that, Jessica? YOUR TWO FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LOVES MoC!! :P) There’s just something so brutal and endearing about that makes it so addicting! PLUS, this may be the only time I actually like a vampire. Ooooh, Vlad <3
Faye @ The Social Potato
Hahaha love the shout out to Jessica. I’ll have to email her to make sure she sees it. LOL
I’m on it, LOL. Next non-review book, I promise 😉
I don’t know if I have a favorite book published this year yet cause I’ve been catching up on previously published books but I do have WRitten in Red in audio book and will listen to it soon! I’m very excited 😀
But I didn’t answer your question lol….I think I will get back to you on this!
Fair enough! And, YES, you need to listen to Written in Red ASAP.
Great choices, Carmel! Funnily enough I bought Written in Red, Night Broken AND Bitter Spirits at some point, but still haven’t read them because I’m so behind on my reviews :)) Tragic! Hopefully I’ll start reading them soon.
What!? You have THREE of my favourite reads just collecting dust on your shelves? Shame on YOU! 😉
Oh goodness not only is this an impossible question for me already this year (maybe even just this month which is only 13 days in!!) but all the books you picked are on my dying to read list. I have my copy of Night Broken that just arrived a couple days ago but I haven’t been able to read it yet. I bought Bitter Spirits back when it came out, but again, haven’t been able to read it! I’m slowly working my way through the Night Huntress series, but probably won’t get to the end until Nov/Dec. And I don’t even want to talk about how frustrated I am that I haven’t had time to start Anne Bishop’s series LOL! There’s just too many good books!
Thanks for the rant… err… I mean comment Kimberly. Hehe 😉
I have not read any of the books, yet. I have seen some of them around and I think I will have to check out Bishops books after your raves. My favorites – I couldn’t tell you. Just too many books. ^_^
Glad to hear that my reviews have convinced you to give Anne Bishop a try. I’m not sold on her The Black Jewels series, but The Others is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! I hope you enjoy them!
Written in Red and Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop hands down!!
YES!!!
Hm, well the one that stands out was Impossible Things by Kate Johnson cos it was just so cool
Good to know. Thanks!
My top three reads of 2014 so far: Written in Red by Anne Bishop, Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett, The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison. Murder of Crows follows as number four! 🙂
YAY! So happy you loved Written in Red too! Now I can cross you off my “bloggers to harass about reading Anne Bishop” list. LOL
I have to go with Red Rising. I have a feeling it’s going to stay there all year, at least high on the list. I also loved Kiss the Sky, which is a totally different type of book.
Cool. I don’t plan on reading that one, but that may change if I read too many more glowing reviews for it. 😉
Red Rising by Pierce Brown. You need to read it. 😉
Oh no! Not you too! LOL
Has to be Spider’s Revenge by JEstep
You can never go wrong with Gin Blanco. 😀
Love these choices! Oh I still have to read the first Bishop book and I have it as well as Bitter Spirits (can’t wait to get that one). I still have great books to read and so I’m refraining from choosing. 🙂
Quit procrastinating and pick one already! LOL
The winners curse, we were liars, and I still need to read Murder of Crows but I know that I will love it. There have been some amazing books this year 🙂
I know! And, it’s only March! I’m going to have a hard time picking my top 10 reads of 2014 if this keeps up.
DEFINITELY Murder of Crows (*whimpers for more*), Night Broken and The Undead Pool. Top three reads. Definitely.
Nice! I haven’t read The Undead Pool, but I agree with both your other picks.
Written in Red and Murder of Crows are tied for the top space so far.
I think I liked Written in Red slightly better but it’s hard to say for sure. I might re-listen to both before book 3.
Top three for me are Written in Red, Murder of Crows, and Night Broken but can’t wait for Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews.
Get in line! LOL I am counting down the days ’til the next Kate Daniels book.
It was Reaver but unless something stupid happens the last 6 chapters, it is going to be Murder of Crows.
I’ve been tempted to check-out Reaver, but I think I’m a few books behind… *sigh* I hate playing catch-up.
Oh gosh I have too many already as well. unhinged was amazing and I also really loved The Murder Complex and The Taking. I really need to read Written in Red!
I didn’t like Unhinged as much as Splintered, but I have high hopes for book 3.
Murder of Crows, and a Historical I’m listening to right now.. I’ll see at the end..lOL
I look forward to reading your review! If it’s as good as you say, I just might be adding yet ANOTHER audiobook to my pile cuz of you. LOL
I haven’t read too many awesome books this year, sadly! Maybe I need to read some of what you recommended? 😉 My favorite so far would probably be Crown of Midnight.
Oh no, really? Most of us seem to be having the opposite problem!
I really loved Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen. Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens was fantastic as well! I haven’t given any book 5 stars this year, though. D:
Sounds like you’re a tough sell! I’m usually a little more stingy when it comes to giving books 5 stars, but it seems like I’ve been handing out a lot of them this year… Either I’m getting soft, or the novels are getting better.
I haven’t read an outstanding book yet this year but Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep was pretty awesome.
I enjoyed Killer Frost too. It was a good way to end the series.
This is a super hard question. I’ve already loved 5 books this year. I think the prize would have to go to Night Blade by JC Daniels because I had to immediately buy the next book in the series.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell has been one of my absolute favorites this year but 2014 is still young and there’s still room for more! 😉
My favorite read this year so far has been the entire Vampire Academy series! I ordered the complete series and eventhough I planned on reading other books in between I just couldn’t stop reading them. I read one after the other and finished the series in one week…