10…of Mogsy’s Favorite Reads this Summer

It’s hard to believe we’re already past mid-September, how quickly time flies. I hope everyone got some great reading done this summer, because I sure did! This year saw me reading a wide variety of genres, subject matters and authors, and with the last day of the season coming upon us in a few days, here’s a look back at some of the top books I read in the last three months. Bring on autumn!

EMPEROR OF THORNS by Mark Lawrence
Read from July 17 to 22, 2013

“All reigns must end…” and I have to say, finding out what will become of Jorg Ancrath in this finale to the Broken Empire trilogy made this one of my most highly anticipated fantasy novels of 2013. I was not disappointed at all. Even though finishing this meant the end of the series and a good bye to Jorg, I actually found myself happy and satisfied with how everything wrapped up. Every story needs an ending, and for me, this one was perfect.

GENERATION V by M.L. Brennan
Read from July 29 to 31, 2013

Hands down, the best Urban Fantasy I read this summer. If you’re thinking this is gonna just be another run-of-the-mill vampire series, you’d be so so SO wrong! M.L. Brennan’s take on vampires in this book totally blew my mind, and I love her sense of humor. It’s so great to see fresh ideas and bold new directions in this genre, and I’ve been recommending this book to everyone I know who loves UF.  

HOLLOW WORLD by Michael J. Sullivan
Read from July 31 to August 7, 2013 

I was able to read this one early because I backed it on Kickstarter. Admittedly, reading something by Michael J. Sullivan that isn’t related to Riyria felt a little strange…but it was the best kind of strange. I can’t wait until this releases so everyone can experience its awesomeness. Without a doubt, the best part is the fact that this is light and enjoyable reading but at the same time will also make you think.

LOVE MINUS EIGHTY by Will McIntosh
Read from August 14 to 17, 2013

This is one very special, simply gorgeous book. It’s a sci-fi novel with a futuristic high-tech setting, but at its heart it is also a very human story, about love and that timeless, unshakeable desire to seek a connection to another soul. This one evoked such a strong emotional reaction from me, but hey, books like that are why I love to read!

THE GREYFRIAR by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Read from August 19 to 24, 2013

Steampunk and vampires — great combo! But that’s not the only reason why this stood out. What struck me was the relationship between the two protagonists. The book isn’t even a romance, but my heart completely melted for it. For someone like me whose pet peeve is a heroine who falls for guys that treat her like crap, the love and mutual respect here between Adele and Greyfriar is so refreshing.

THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
Read from July 13 to 17, 2013

I went into this with higher-than-high expectations, and ultimately I have to say even those were met and exceeded. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this summer, perhaps one of the best book I’ve read all year. The Thousand Names is just beyond epic, a flintlock fantasy at its finest with great characters that drew me in right away. Revolution and colonialism, military battles and gunpowder, what more could I ask for? 

MAYHEM by Sarah Pinborough
Read from September 3 to 6, 2013

I enjoy a good horror novel now and then, and this summer I read a good number of them. Not only was Mayhem my favorite one, it’s probably also a top book for this entire year as well. A historical horror with a paranormal angle, it just pushed all the right buttons for me. I also loved doing research for this when I wrote the review, because I also learned all this fascinating stuff about Jack the Ripper, the Torso Killer, and the Whitechapel Murders.

MOCKINGBIRD by Chuck Wendig
Read from June 11 to 12, 2013

Ah, Miriam Black, I seriously can’t get enough of you! The second book of Chuck Wendig’s twisted and dark series about a woman with the power to see how and when someone is going to die simply by touching them, and it was just as amazing as the first! It’s not every day that a book makes me squirm in this uncomfortable-yet-not-too-entirely-unpleasant kind of way, so that certainly made this one hell of a memorable read.

KINSLAYER by Jay Kristoff
Read from August 30 to September 3, 2013

The highly anticipated sequel in The Lotus War series where the kicker is the steampunk-meets-feudal-Japan setting. This one took my emotions on a roller coaster ride this summer, with crazy revelations and shock after shock, I swear my heart almost gave out in the last hundred pages. Darker, more visceral and violent than book one, I got an Empire Strikes Back vibe off of this, and trust me, that’s never a bad thing.

ANGELFALL by Susan Ee
Read from September 9 to 14, 2013

This one squeaked in just before the end of summer, and WOW. It could have easily gotten lost in my big pile of YA-post-apocalyptic-dystopian-paranormal-romance-starring-teenage-girl-protagonist-told-in-first-person books, but color me surprised, this angels-and-end-of-days story was fantastically well written. I understand now why this title has gotten so much attention, and it’s an indie too, which makes it even more impressive.