The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
Most series novellas I have read just seem inessential and underdeveloped. But Sarah J. Maas breaks the mould with The Assassin's Blade. Now THIS is how novellas should be done. Each of the prequel Throne of Glass novellas are not only significant to the overall series story, but they are also each as strong as an actual full-length novel. Sarah J. Maas excels as a storyteller: tension-ridden romances, no-holds-barred action scenes, gut-wrenching heartbreak and feels. This woman is a genius!
Scarlet and Cress (Lunar Chronicles #2 and #3) by Marissa Meyer
I was a bit late to the party with this series, but now I'm all caught up and ready for Winter! THIS SERIES, GUYS. As with Cinder, Scarlet and Cress were both compulsively readable, thrilling, and altogether awesome. I don't know how Marissa Meyer does it, because you would think the multi-layered storyline and numerous POVs would feel convoluted, and yet it never does. It's like each instalment has more and more to offer than the one before it and that is impressive indeed!
Night of Cake and Puppets and Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2.5 and #3) by Laini Taylor
Oh, Laini. I bow down to you. Laini Taylor took the finale of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy to a whole new, unexpected, and brilliant level in Dreams of Gods and Monsters. And though I was left wanting so much MORE (I need a spinoff!) after the close of Dreams of Gods and Monsters, I was also pleased that I got the sense of closure that I craved for this series ending. Also, shout out to the Zuzanna/Mik novella Night of Cake and Puppets, which was simply WONDERFUL!
The Books of John Green
And finally, in the month of May I read all five of John Green's novels for the first time, back-to-back, in chronological publication order, in what I have dubbed, The Great John Green Read of 2014. It was a fantastic experience and I can honestly say that all of John Green's novels were memorable and meaningful to me in their own way. John Green has a way of writing profoundly thoughtful books that make you THINK and stay with you long after the book has ended. Loved this experience!
Wow you had an awesome May!! I still need to read Abundance of Katherine's and Paper Towns. I'm sure I'll love them though. I was late to the Lunar Chronicles party too. I just read Cinder a few months ago... and then I had to immediately read Scarlet and Cress of course! I'm so ready for Winter :)
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I swear The Lunar Chronicles series just keeps getting better and better. Fantastic list :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome list, you have so may great books on here! =) I loved Night Of Cake and Puppets! I haven't read Assassins Blade but I want to so bad!
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Great list! I keep hearing so many good things about the Throne of Glass series; I really want to read it! And I'm ashamed to say I still haven't read a John Green novel. Must remedy that soon.
ReplyDeleteNo need to be ashamed!
DeleteI loved Scarlet and Cress, too! I enjoyed TFioS, but didn't quite love it. I've tried Green's other books, but they just aren't for me. I love it when a novella adds to the story! I actually haven't read the Throne of Glass trilogy, because I heard there's a love triangle and I absolutely cannot stand them.
ReplyDeleteAww, well the love triangle doesn't persist if that makes you feel better!
DeleteYOUR LIST IS EPIC AND I LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I love, love, love Dreams of Gods and Monsters so much and we all know that The Fault in Our Stars is amazing and that Sarah J. Maas kicks ass (though, I've yet to read The Assassin's Blade) and lastly that Marissa Meyer has created a gem with The Lunar Chronicles series and that is all. =D
YAY!! It feels good to know you feel so passionately about it because these books are obviously quite dear to me!
DeleteAwesome list! These are are all amazingly awesome (Lunar Chronicles) or on my TBR (everything else)!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I really need to read more John Green, I loved The Fault in Our Stars but that's all I've read. I'm planning to read more of his stuff this summer, I'm just not sure what.
ReplyDeleteCassi @ My Thoughts Literally
YES! I just read Scarlet few weeks ago and can't wait to pick up Cress! Great list
ReplyDeleteI was late to the Lunar Chronicles party as well don't feel bad. I still need to start Scarlet and of course read Cress but I really liked Cinder so I have high hopes for the rest. Great list.
ReplyDeleteI swear they just get better and better!
DeleteCan you believe I STILL haven't read any John Green? I think the hype keeps putting me off. :D I'm glad to hear you enjoyed these ones though. And I'm super pleased to see Laini Taylor on your list. Night of Cake and Puppets was pure delight. I can't wait to re-read it one day. :)
ReplyDeleteI can believe it if you get turned off by hype! It's too bad really, how hype can turn some people off reading a really good book or author. And I really want to reread it too!!
DeleteGreat list! Is it terrible that I own 4 John Green books and have only read 1? Probably. I am very happy to see that they all made your list, I should really hurry up and get to them all. I started the Lunar Chronicles this year and am loving it. Still need to read Cress but have heard it's the best of the three so I am excited to get to that one. I also want to start the Throne of Glass series, it looks so good. Nice picks!
ReplyDeleteChar @ Reviews from a Bookworm
Bah, that's not terrible! You should see how many books sit on my shelf unread... yikes.
DeleteI really should get on the Sarah Maas books. I have heard a lot of good things. I just don't like that there are six planned books and the third one isn't even out yet. I hate waiting! I also need to get on it and read Dreams on Gods and Monsters. I don't know what I am waiting for.
ReplyDeletePs- I love that half your list this is contemporary!
I feel you. I only found out recently that there would be six books in the series and my thoughts were conflicted because more books (yay), but longer wait (nay).
DeleteGreat list! I really agree about the Assassin's Blade- I'd never read very many novellas before reading that because I'm hesitant when I feel like I'll be thrust into a different place after a short amount of time, but that was done SO well! It was just so brilliant, and moving.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to read Paper Towns next month. I'm going to HAVE TO.
Uhm HELL YES, top spot to The Assassin's Blade ♥ I still need to read Cress but Scarlet totally belongs here too!! Oh and of course Night of Cake & Puppets and Dreams of Gods & Monsters :D And seeing your John Green collection ere just keeps pushing me to read them so keep it up haha Brilliant list Aylee xxxxx
ReplyDeletehaha, okay I will!!
DeleteWow you had a pretty epic reading year so far! Laini, John and the Lunar Chronicles, all favorites of mine! :-) I need to go back and read the JG books I've skipped. And I need to read The Assassin's Blade too, I adore that series.
ReplyDeleteI really need to start Maas' books. Nearly everyone seems to love them and with them being my favorite genre and all, I'm feeling really left out here! I hope I end up loving them as much as you do, Aylee. :) Cress was really good - I almost added it to my own list. So excited to read the conclusion to it next year!
ReplyDeleteI love how so many of your books are from the same authors - always nice when a beloved author continues to deliver.
Oooh I would be SO curious to hear your thoughts on the Throne of Glass series because I know you'll tell it like it is. You should start with the prequels.
DeleteI still need to read Laini and Marissa's books. I'm glad to hear you love them so much. I also want to read the two John Green books I still need to read as well. I do love the way he writes; and with Paper Towns being his next film, I really need to read it finally! :)
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Woohoo!! Can't wait to hear what you think of Paper Towns because I loved it!
DeleteDude, I've been seeing The Assassin's Blade EVERYWHERE for this TTT! Looks like I have to get my hands on it now, even though I don't usually read novellas for the same reasons you mentioned. But I like that these mini books are actually significant to the overall plot! So it won't feel like a waste of time/money, hah.
ReplyDeleteOh, Dreams of Gods and Monsters... I NEED to finish this series ASAP. I read the first book and really enjoyed it, but for some unknown reason never got around to reading the second one. There're just so many books I need to be reading right now, it's crazy! D: And haha, yet another awesome title for a novella. Laini Taylor really comes up with the most kickass and epic titles.
I'm glad that you liked John Green's novels! I've only read The Fault in Our Stars by him and honestly, it was nothing special, just like your average contemporary with just the cancer bit mixed in. I liked the characters though, and I cried at the end, so I guess that means that it was a good book? I don't know, lol. All I know is that I don't see what the huge fuss surrounding it is all about. Or maybe those fangirls are just a little extreme.
Great list!
OOOH YES!! PLEASE read The Assassin's Blade and I promise you won't regret it! They will make you a believer of novellas, I swear.
DeleteDitto for Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Days of Blood and Starlight was my absolute FAVE of the series, it was just SO. FREAKING. GOOD. and I can't recommend it highly enough.
And I can see what you mean about The Fault in Our Stars. I'm not someone who usually experiences the negative aspect of massive hype, but I know most people do. And YES, those fangirls are WAY extreme. Sometimes it's like they just saw it as a love story and that's it, without taking in any meaningful messages of the book...
The assassin's blade is also on my list! Such a beautiful collection of strong novella's, exactly how I like them to be :) I'm not much of a novella fan, because most of the times they are too short and they don't speak to me, but Maas is a genius :)
ReplyDeleteCinder, Scarlet & Cress <3 Some of the best retellings there are.
I need to catch up with Days of blood and starlight. I can't wait to read Dreams of Gods and monsters :D
I need to read Scarlet and Cress pronto! I really enjoyed Cinder, and I don't know why I've put off reading the other two for so long, as I've heard good things. And wow! You really did read a lot of John Green. I've only read Looking for Alaska and TFiOS, and while I didn't love them, I did really enjoy them and can see why he has so many fans. And of course, Laini Taylor = amazing! I'm glad you had so many amazing reads so far this year! Great post, Aylee :D
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