My Top 5 for 2010

1) The Blood Countess by Tara Moss – Vampires with counting obsessions. Just genius.

2) Nightshade by Andrea Cremer – Wonderful new spin on Werewolves.

3) Monster High by Lisi Harrison – One word: FRANKIE!!

4) Mister Monday by Garth Nix – Love Garth’s work and had the pleasure of sharing this with my  boy.

5) Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr – Very visually stimulating.

My Five Most Anticipated for 2011

5) Enticed by Jessica Shirvington – Violet’s story is just getting started.

4) The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High) by Lisi Harrison – More Frankie please!!

3) Wolfsbane by  Andrea Cremer – Nightshade left me hanging out for what happens next.

2) The Spider Goddess by Tara Moss – Bring on more Pandora.

1) Burn Bright! – Marianne de Pierres

1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

A thrilling, violent and emotional ride that will have you on the edge of your seat, flawlessly winding up The Hunger Games trilogy.

2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

The first in a prequel trilogy to Clare’s Mortal Instruments series; this time, an earlier generation of  Shadowhunters are at war with the Downworlders in a Steampunked London.

3. Eon (aka The Two Pearls of Wisdom) by Alison Goodman.

The stunning, visual tale of Eon and her struggle to hide her true nature as Eona while training to become a powerful Dragoneye, mastering wind, water and protecting the land in an alternative ancient China.

4. Tallow by Karen Brooks.

In the first book of The Curse of The Bond Riders series, Brooks introduces Tallow, a candlemaking apprentice whose special talents make her a target for the evil lurking around every corner (or canal, as is the case in this beautiful Venetianesque world).

5. The Gathering by Isobelle Carmody.

First published in 1993, I admit I was slow getting my hands on multi-award winning The Gathering – but wow, just WOW – no-one can create a heart-thumping, sinister atmosphere like Isobelle Carmody.

Honourable mention:

6. Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr.

The fourth book in the gritty urban fantasy world of Marr’s Wicked Lovely Series deals less with the political upheavals in the Summer Court, and more with the life of Ani, daughter of The Gabriel as she struggles with her own emerging power.

Top 5 Most Anticipated for 2011

1) Burn Bright – Marianne de Pierres (of course!)

2)  City of Fallen Angels – Cassandra Clare (4th in the Mortal Instruments series, due May)

3)  Eona – Alison Goodman (sequel to Eon, due April)

4)  Darkest Mercy – Melissa Marr (4th and final book in the Wicked Lovely series, due February)

5)  Clockwork Prince – Cassandra Clare (2nd in the Infernal Devices series, due August)

Honourable Mentions:

The Spider Goddess – Tara Moss

The Sending – Isobelle Carmody

5) Malinda Lo – Ash

A fresh, interesting take on the classic Cinderella fairytale.

4) Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely

A deftly-spun tale of one girl’s struggle against the allure of the faerie kingdom.

3) Michelle Zink – Prophecy of the Sisters

A unique, compelling story of the battle of wills between two sisters, set in the late 19th century.

2) Scott Westerfeld – The Midnighters Trilogy

Fantastic, dark series about the twenty-fifth hour, which is only perceptible to those born at midnight.

1) Kelley Armstrong – The Darkest Powers Trilogy

Set in the author’s established Otherworld universe, this teen trilogy stands alone, and stands out for me as the best YA of 2010.

My Top 5 Picks for 2010

5) Wolfborn – Sue Bursztynski

4) Once Dead, Twice Shy – Kim Harrison

3) The Fitzosbournes in Exile – Michelle Cooper

2) Meridian – Amber Kizer

1) Infinity – Sherrilyn Kenyon

Top 5 Most Anticipated Books for 2011

5) Invincible – Sherrilyn Kenyon

4) Wildcat Fireflies – Amber Kizer

3) The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High) – Lisi Harrison

2) Something Deadly This Way Comes – Kim Harrison

1) BURN BRIGHT – Marianne de Pierres!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cels Says:

So, it seems vampires have well and truly had their day. And when you hear pre-teen girls (especially) starting to dis the Twilight saga in the schoolyard, it leaves me wondering just what the next big supernatural phenomenon will be.

Angels also seem to be bandied around a little, though you have to wonder how many versions there can be and how far that theme can be taken. Could it be a chance for shape-shifters to step out from the secondary role they seem to play? Novels, such as Nightshade, could certainly push their campaign. With the huge success Monster High has enjoyed in the U.S, and with the release of the second instalment in April, we might all be saying ‘vampire who’? and’ monsters away’!