Fortnight of Guests: Amy's Adumbrations (My Top Ten YA Reads of 2011)

Hey! I'm Amy from Amy's Adumbrations.  I write reviews and look for jobs (just finished uni).  The lovely Megan has allowed me a guest spot. So here goes my Top Ten YA Books from 2011. Happy readings!

A list of books I have really enjoyed this year

Die For Me

Amy Plum

Die for Me is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. The plot is original. Amy Plum has brought a new kind of supernatural being to the YA world, and for this I give her much praise. In addition to this Vincent is possibly the dreamiest love interest yet.

Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed again is one of my favourite reads this year. It has received much criticism over similarities to Twilight. However, I think this is what Twilight should have been. The plot is intense and I loved the mythology, even if it isn’t necessarily accurate. You definitely get your moneys worth with this one.

 

Haunting Violet

Alyxandra Harvey

What can I say about Haunting Violet. It’s possibly my favourite book right now. I love ghost stories. It has everything. Romance, a good whonuit, and all the things that Jane Austen would have approved of.

 

City of Fallen Angels

Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments is my favourite series. Cassandra Clare is genius. I don’t know whether I am bias, but I adored City of Fallen Angels. It was another great instalment of Jace and Clary.

 

Sleight

Jennifer Sommersby

I was pushed into buying this by a good friend. I’m so glad I did now as it’s brilliant. Circus, ghosts and romance. I adored it. In addition to this is really dealt with suicide in a realistic way. I find suicide is sometimes romanticised which is a little disconcerting. Sleight is definitely worth a read, as is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

 

Delirium

Lauren Oliver

Again I wasn’t so sure about Delirium as not usually my kind of thing. However once I started reading it I feel in love. The plot very original. I loved the way we were involved with realisation. Furthermore, the end was so sad I actually had to get a tissue. Really beautiful story.

 

Red Glove

Holly Black

Ah Holly Black one of my favourite authors. Red Glove does not disappoint. Well thought out and even better than White Cat. I fully enjoyed every single page of this book. The plot was amazing, and it’s nice to read from a male point of view on occasion. Definitely one of the best reads of 2011.

 

Dead Beautiful

Yvonne Woon

I was told I wouldn’t like this. How wrong they were. It’s got its flaws, but I really enjoyed it anyway. The sequel is on net galley at the moment. If you know your philosophy it’s probably best left alone. However, it’s nice to see a YA book that aims high. It reminded me of the Evermore series, which I’m not a fan of. This is far better.

 

The Goddess Test

Aimee Carter

One of my good friends got me this for my 21^st. I’d read it within a few hours of opening it. I loved it. Mythology and romance. You can’t really go wrong. I also adored the spin on Hades and Persephone. A very beautiful story and I cannot wait for the sequel Goddess Interrupted.

 

Ultraviolet

R J Anderson

Ultraviolet is a great book. It grips you from the start, and the end leaves you with a feeling of hopefulness.  There are some very interesting twists, and very original elements. Therefore it definitely belongs on this list.

 

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Four of these I have.  The rest I'm all desperate for.  And I saw a few I didn't even know about!  Thanks for the list, Amy!