Best Books I’ve Read in 2015 (@jessicadhaluska, @naominovik, @ilona_andrews, @AceRocBooks)

Posted December 21, 2015 by Jessica in Miscellaneous / 19 Comments

Top 10 of 2015



I can’t believe 2015 is almost at its end, but it is, and Carmel graciously let me in on the list action (b/c LISTS, I love ’em) put together in Two Chicks On Books, Fiktshun, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and Tales of a Ravenous Reader‘s annual TOP 10 OF 2015 week-long meme. I’ll be posting a few of these in lieu of reviews this week as I’m heading to Canada for the holidays. MUAH.

*Click on book cover to visit Amazon / GoodReads for more info.


Cuckoo Song 10. Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge


This was the first middle grade book I’ve read and LOVED since Harry Potter. Hardinge is a truly gifted storyteller, and she captured both the creepiness of the Fae and the ups and downs in sibling relationships. ~My Review
Silver in the Blood 09. Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George


This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last. I loved the plot, I loved the characters, and I especially loved the subtle humor. It had everything I enjoy about Victorian society without boring filler—a parasol was simply a parasol, not a parasol plus a paragraph or two of fluttery, unnecessary detail. ~My Review
Sorcerer to the Crown 08. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho


This is the book I’m most happy I stuck with. It took awhile to really get its hooks in, but once it did, it was delightful. Like an Austen novel with magic and DRAGONS. ~My Review
Soundless 07. Soundless by Richelle Mead


SOUNDLESS was beautiful in its simplicity. A folk story is meant to relate to Everyman, and I felt Mead did an excellent job in creating a brand new tale that captured everything I loved about many childhood favorites. ~My Review
Walk on Earth a Stranger 06. Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson


This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and I was not disappointed. Carson is fantastic. Both the paranormal elements and the romance were mere details to the big picture, but her story was strong enough to stand on its own two feet. ~My Review
Six of Crows 05. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo”


This was another anticipated read, but I have to admit . . . I was a bit disappointed initially. I was bored. Until I wasn’t. Then it took off with wings for feet and didn’t slow down until it was over. What came after more than made up for the slow start, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. ~My Review
Magic Shifts 04. Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews


Umm . . . Kate Daniels. *doesn’t whisper* MY FAVORITE. The end. ~My Review
Alice 03. Alice by Christina Henry


That I read this one at all was a fluke. I don’t like Alice (the character or the original book), I hadn’t had much luck with this author in the past, and I’m not a fan of horror as a genre . . . And yet . . . *shrugs awkwardly* Sometimes things just work. Inexplicably. This was one of those times. ~My Review
Tower of Thorns 02. Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier


Last year I loved Dreamer’s Pool. This year TOWER OF THORNS destroyed me. Glorious destruction. *sighs wistfully*

Blackthorn and Grim are quickly becoming one of my all time favorite literary duos. ~My Review
Uprooted 01. Uprooted by Naomi Novik


UPROOTED was one of the first books I read this year, but it remains my favorite. Novik created a story that was so fantastic from the first page that if you told me the ending made all that came before it look MEH, I wouldn’t have believed you. And honestly, nothing could make any part of this book look MEH, so I would’ve been right, but, man alive, the Wood, the WOOD! Read it. Immediately.

If you haven’t already, we’ve got (another) buddy read scheduled in January in Buddies Books and Baubles. Shoot me a PM on Goodreads if you want to join. ~My Review



Honorable Mentions – Novellas

Magic Stars Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews


This is the first independently published novella from the KATE DANIELS world, and it’s also my new favorite. Read it before Kate #9 is released. That is all. ~My Review
Elephants and Corpses Elephants and Corpses by Kameron Hurley


If you aren’t already aware, Tor.com releases free fiction on a weekly basis. This one can be read here: Elephants and Corpses: A Tor.Com Original by Kameron Hurley

It’s creepy and fantastic. And short. And FREE. ~My Review


Were any of these books your favorites?



Jessica Signature

My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.

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19 responses to “Best Books I’ve Read in 2015 (@jessicadhaluska, @naominovik, @ilona_andrews, @AceRocBooks)”

  4. Haraiah  

    I haven’t read any of these books but they’re all in my TBR. You’re a fan of fantasy, obviously 🙂 I hoped to read Uprooted before this year ends but that’s probably not gonna happen anymore. This 2016 for sure. Dreamer’s Pool and Walk on Earth a Stranger, too! I love Rae Carson’s Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy so I’m really excited for her new book.
    Haraiah recently posted…Top 10 of 2015: Best Books I’ve Read in 2015

  7. Pili from In Love With  

    Six of Crows and Uprooted also made it into my top 10 (ahem, top 15, but well…) and I also really liked Walk on Earth a Stranger although it was more of a 4 stars read for me.

  13. Micheline from Lunar Rainbows Reviews  

    Uprooted was definitely a favorite of mine this year too ♥ Out of your other picks, I still need to read Sorcerer and the Crown, Six of Crows, Walk on Earth a Stranger and Soundless but they are all on my tbr and I own most of them so hopefully soon! Seeing them here got me even more excited to dig in 😀
    Micheline recently posted…Fandom Mashup #32

  17. Bookworm Brandee  

    Great list, Jessica. Books 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1 are on my tbr because of you. Well, Magic Shifts isn’t on there solely because of you. I am an Andrews fan after all. 😉 Here’s to hoping 2016 brings you many, many fantastic reads!! <3