2015 Book Round-Up

Happy New Year, everyone! I didn't read as much as I would have liked in 2015, but I still found some wonderful books throughout the year. So, I decided to join in on the recap fun and post my own favorites of 2015, plus throw in my 2016 current to-read pile and anticipated reads. I'll link to my own reviews on the favorite list and goodreads links on the unread ones. Onward!

Nikki's 2015 Favorites

• I read Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi before I started this blog, so I never got a chance to review it here. I can tell you though that the Shatter Me series is one of my absolute favorites. Mafi's writing is poetic and beautiful and Juliette, the main heroine, is an incredibly inspiring young woman. It's a YA dystopian read that I would highly recommend!

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer is also one I read before the blog. I'm a sucker for fairy tale re-tellings, and I loved the imaginative, new world in this series. It's futuristic and compelling and there's lots of adventure. I haven't gotten a chance to read through the whole series, but I've heard only good things about the last book, Winter. I would also highly recommend it!

• My review for The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski is here. Kestrel is an amazing character that is the epitome of badass princess trope.

• My review for Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen is here. I'm more of a fantasy than contemporary reader, but I'm always first in line for Sarah Dessen novels.

• My review for The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is here. I loved this novel, an Arabian Nights re-telling, and I absolutely can't wait for the sequel in 2016 because there are so many questions I need answered.

• My review for Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is here. This novel was hilarious, intricate, complex which made for a very entertaining ride.

• My review for A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is here. This novel was massive and packed with great writing, romance, and adventure.

Nikki's 2016 To-Read Stack

And this is just currently—it'll triple by the end of the year!

• Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier 

• Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

• All I Know: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully by Carrie Hope Fletcher

• The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

• The Rose Society by Marie Lu

• Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

• Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Nikki's 2016 Anticipated Reads

• Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

• A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

• Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

• The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

• The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

• Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

• Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

And that's a wrap! Look out tomorrow for a new review. I got an ARC of one of the above 2016 anticipated reads! Here's to 2016.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo | Spoiler free review

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... 

A convict with a thirst for revenge. 

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. 

A runaway with a privileged past. 

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

Rating: 4.5/5
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance

I have a love-hate thing going on with novels and why-didn't-I-see-that-coming twists. Like Harry Potter being a horcrux? And having to "die" in order to destroy it? I don't think I'll ever get over those two especially. And I'm adding more to that list because Six of Crows was so clever it made me feel inadequate. But then again Kaz, the mastermind main character, just has a way of inspiring that in people.

But seriously, this book is a delicious, layered cake of twists and turns and complicated yet organic relationships that make it so fun to read. It's easy to lose yourself in the smooth pacing and suspenseful moments that lure you in for more. The world-building is pretty solid as well, but I've heard that Bardugo had a whole other series to practice on beforehand. The Grisha Trilogy, from what I've gathered off of other bloggers, is set in the same or similar world. Either way, it's done well in Six of Crows.

And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really enjoyed the multiple points of view. Each character has such a distinct voice and unique story that I was somewhat grateful we got a glimpse into all of their heads. It really allowed a personal connection to grow between book and reader. The best way I can explain this is that it almost felt like there were no minor characters. Which, in many cases could go horribly wrong, but in this case it just worked. It's like when your favorite supporting character upgrades to a series regular and you go with it because you're just so excited you'll be able to see their face more. You get me? It was just nice to read, okay.

My only complaint is that I really think this book could be a standalone—at least it had the feel of one. The epic quest plot came pretty much full-circle, with just a few loose ends that alluded to sequels, and I think it could have been great even if those lingering questions were taken out. To put it simply, the ending felt kind of forced, but I can still see all the connecting dots that led to it.

So, I'll leave you guys with this: if someone demanded a one word definition for Six of Crows, I would pick "thrilling." If anything, Bardugo knows how to capture her readers with memorable characters. And maybe, in retrospect, using that word is a bit worrying since most of the characters are young, gang members who have killed lots of people, but I'll take what I can get. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a captivating adventure tale with terrific characters and who is comfortable with a good amount of violence.