Robots and Vamps

It is time for the first annual RaV awards, where we run down our top 5 favorites for the year in several categories. The only criteria for the top 5 reads in 2009 is that the book had to be read in 2009 but does not necessarily need to be published in 2009.

Limiting my favorite reads of the year to 5 was really tough.  There were several books that I read and really liked that didn’t make the list but were serious contenders.  To name a few, Red headed Step Child by Jaye Wells , The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter,  The Phoenix Chronicles by Lori Handeland, The Hollow’s series by Kim Harrison (but I am only on book 4), and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl and of course the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris.  But the 5 listed below really stood above even some of my favorite series’ this year.

Like Matt I ranked novels on a pure enjoyment level.  How much did I did I enjoy reading the novel? How much did I get involved in the plot? Did it hold my interest throughout the entire novel?

5th Place -  Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor with Illustrations by Jim Di Bartolo

Quotes from review: “All 3 stories are wonderful and they don’t always lead where you think they will. My favorite would have to be the last story Hatchling, it was complex, surprising and creative. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and enhance the overall experience.”

Normally, I am not a fan of books that are a collection of novella’s.  But Laini Taylor has quite possibly changed my  whole perception of  novellas.  The stories in Lips Touch Three Times are insightful and entertaining.  A pleasant surprise when I wasn’t really expecting much of anything when I picked up this book to read it.

4th Place – Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Quotes from Review: “I still like the way Ms. Briggs writes Mercy’s character. She seems realistic to me even though she is a supernatural creature. She is tough and vulnerable all at the same time. This story has twists and turns that keep it interesting.” and “Ms. Briggs delivers yet another fun and exciting read. An action packed adventure with magic and supernatural creatures of all sorts. Right up my alley. I don’t know if I would call this one my favorite of the 4, but it was definitely worth the trouble of sending my husband all over town looking for it!”

I just really love this whole series.  Patricia Briggs crafts a intriguing tale of a tough young shape-shifting woman, living amongst a pack of Weres trying to lay their claim on her.  But all she wants is to run her business (a garage), fix cars and remain mostly independent.  Amidst troublesome circumstances, she has to learn that sometimes it is OK to depend on others.  I like the way Ms. Briggs shows her main character’s vulnerabilities. She is tough but she isn’t invincible.

3rd Place – Marked series by S.J.Day

Quotes from Review: “I have thoroughly enjoyed these books over the past 3 months. I can now say this is one of my favorite series’. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it is the play on the whole Cain & Abel story. Maybe it is the way the Archangels are depicted as ruthless business men and women. Maybe it is the multiple layers of problems the characters have to deal with. You can feel their tension as they try to work together but have underlying animosity towards one another. Perhaps it is all of these things wrapped up in one nice little package.”

Eve of Darkness, Eve of Destruction, and Eve of Chaos were released over a 3 month period and I devoured each installment as it hit the shelves.  I had to pick the entire series because so far I loved them all.  New and refreshing ideas make this kick ass heroine tale, interesting and fun to read.

2nd Place – Fool by Christopher Moore

Quotes from Review: “love tales that are based in a historical time period. I especially love it when the author uses a time in history but adds a bit of modernness. For example, even in fictitious medieval England, I am not sure they would have known about Green Eggs and Ham(let).” and “This book is the dog’s bollocks! A bloody buggering humorous tale with loads of political strategy, tragedy, and did I mention, shagging? Fool is not an exact retelling of King Lear, but is based on the play and has bits from several of Shakespeare’s other plays thrown in. Mr. Moore’s take on the black fool is hilarious and Pocket is a treat as a narrator.”

First of all, Christopher Moore is a sarcastic, literary god.  His books are hilarious, with a bit of wit and sometimes you get a dose of the supernatural. I have yet to read a book by Mr Moore that I didn’t like!  Fool is no exception, in fact I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Christel’s RaVon winner for best novel of 2009: The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, book 1) by Marjorie M Liu

Quotes from Review: “I liked this book a lot. Ms. Liu has written a very interesting tale that stretches the imagination. It is smart and original, mixing together demons and fae mythology. Combine that with a labyrinth and other supernatural creatures, who live in other dimensions outside the veil, and you have quite a story.” and “I decided to listen to the audio version so that I could get to the sequel a little quicker, and I am glad that I did. I love the way Marguerite Gavin narrates. She has a way of making the story come to life and I always know when I listen to a story read by her, I will be entertained. There was a part in this book where Maxine is trapped in darkness. Unfathomable, endless darkness. And Marguerite made me feel like I was right there with her.”

Matt was shocked when I told him this was my favorite read of the year.  Probably because I didn’t gush about it aloud.  I think that is because this tale was more complex than what I usually read and it really gave me something to think about.  Perhaps it isn’t fair that I chose an audio book as my top read in 2009, but I really did enjoy it and I am currently reading the sequel.  Marjorie M. Liu has crafted a very imaginative, intelligent tale and the creativity that went into Maxine’s story is a rare and wonderful thing.

Bean’s favorite book of 2009

My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie) by David Lubar

Quotes from Review: Christel -  “Being that Bean just started a new elementary school, this book was quite relevant. It addresses social issues of the cool kids vs. the nerds and how a regular person finds a way to fit in. Not that you have to become a Zombie or anything, but you just have to become comfortable with yourself and you stick by your friends. Even if the cool kids take notice of you, you shouldn’t just dump your friends, who have stuck by you though thick and thin, just to move up the social ladder.”

Bean – “I liked the picture on the cover where Nathan lost his thumb. I was waiting the whole book for him to loose his thumb. It was so cool when he did. And I liked it when Nathan removed his band-aid to save his friend. Mookie liked the chocolate fountain at the party. I love chocolate too! Zombies are Awesome.”

Bean loved this book from the moment she received it in the mail.  It was fun to read aloud and watch her follow the story so closely.   Oh and if you didn’t get it before.  She liked the fact that Nathan lost his thumb. Oi!