Smugglivus Day 22 – Guest Blogger: Kristen of Fantasy Cafe

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 22!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: Kristen of the speculative fiction book review blog Fantasy Cafe. Kristen is a Book Smuggler Regular – we’ve had her over for Smugglivus last year, for a guest dare, and heck, we’ve even posted over at her spot on a counter dare. Kristen’s one of our very favorite bloggers, always turning us on to new books, so we’re delighted to have her over for Smugglivus 2009!

Please give a warm welcome to Kristen!

It’s that time of year again – the time to look over all the books read and decide which ones had that something special that made them the best read. Out of the 55 books I’ve read so far this year (still hoping to squeeze at least a couple more in!), here are the 10 that stood out above all the rest as my favorites. This includes all books read no matter what year they were originally published – I wouldn’t want to discriminate against the older books I really loved just because they aren’t shiny and new anymore.

The Last Hawk by Catherine Asaro

Although I have very much enjoyed all the books I’ve read in Catherine Asaro’s Skolian saga, none of them have impressed me as much as this one. It has some of everything and excelled at all of it – there was politics, action, focus on character relationships with some romance, a unique society, and some elements of hard science fiction. The pacing was well done and I loved the characters as well as the premise involving gender reversal. A man crashes onto a planet ruled by women and becomes coveted by all of them for his exotic beauty and skills at playing a game that plays a prominent role in their culture.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

This ended up being one of my favorites because it was just so engaging. I was completely invested in Fire and her story, and in spite of seeming a bit like a Mary Sue, she had enough problems that she was a sympathetic character. In fact, all the characters were wonderful (at least, the ones that were supposed to be) and the world was very interesting.

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

Laini Taylor is one of my new author discoveries from this year. I had a lot of fun reading her two Dreamdark books about fierce fairies that hunt devils, but her newest book is the best so far. This book containing three dark stories involving dangerous love was nominated for a National Book Award this year, and it’s easy to see why. Taylor’s writing voice is phenomenal and the last two stories in this book are easily among the best I’ve read this year. Even the first story, which was not to my taste, was beautifully written with some very memorable passages.

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

Thanks to Thea’s praise of this novel, I finally took the plunge and read this dense 900-page-long novel – and loved it. Carey managed a great balance between character and plot, and the alternate earth in which some humans were descended from angels was very well-developed.

Corambis by Sarah Monette

The conclusion to The Doctrine of Labyrinth series was not my favorite of the four books (as any of the others would have been first on a list such as this), but it was still one of the better books I read this year. The story was not as good as the first three books and I missed Melusine, but it did still contain some amazing characterization just like the other books in the series.

By the Mountain Bound by Elizabeth Bear

Even though this is the second book in The Edda of Burdens series, it’s a prequel to the first book. As much as I loved the beginning of the series, I also thought this novel was an improvement. Something about Bear’s writing just really appeals to me – her tormented characters, the spare but beautiful prose and the mythological basis of the story.

My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due

This was one of the most gripping, suspenseful novels I read this year – one of those that keeps you right on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end. I did have some problems with character believability, but it didn’t matter that much in the end because they were still likable yet flawed and complex. The ending was very daring and even though it was set up earlier in the book, it was still a bit of a shock that it actually happened.

Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale

Ginn Hale’s first novel was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in the Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror category in 2007 and it won the Spectrum Award for Best Novel of 2008. It reminded me of Sarah Monette but less in depth, and I’m very much looking forward to the sequel.

The Orphan’s Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne Valente

This novel is written in the same style as The Arabian Nights with stories within a story that tie together. It’s very imaginative with some wonderful prose, some fascinating characters (even if there isn’t quite enough time spent with some of them) and some humorous moments. It’s a brilliant book – highly recommended for fans of fairy tales.

Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Before this year I had never read a book in the Mercy Thompson series and it ended up being one of my favorite new series finds of the year. All the books were quick, fun reads and I loved the main character. Mercy has a very strong narrative voice and she’s a great character – practical, down to earth and loyal.

Next year there are several books that are coming out I’m really looking forward to. Of course, there are the same two that were on my list of hopefuls last year that I’d like to see come out this year: A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin and A Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch. Who knows whether or not either of those will be out in 2010, but here are some books that are that I am also excited about:

The Sea Thy Mistress by Elizabeth Bear

Of course I cannot wait for the final book in The Edda of Burdens trilogy since I loved the first two.

Stealing Fire by Jo Graham

This year I read my first book by Jo Graham (Black Ships) which just missed being on the top 10 list. So I’m very much looking forward to reading this novel featuring Alexander the Great.

The Spirit Lens by Carol Berg

Transformation by Carol Berg is one of my favorite books of all time (in spite of the horrifying cheesy cover), and I’ll be snatching this one up as soon as I can find it.

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb’s three connected trilogies (Farseer trilogy, Liveship Traders, and Tawny Man) are among my favorite books of all time. This book is the first of a duology set in the same part of the world as Liveship Traders and it’s a definite must read for me.

Thank you, Thea and Ana, for the opportunity to ramble on about some of my favorite books for a while. And Happy Smugglivus to all!

Thanks Kristen!

Next on Smugglivus: The Lusty Reader of Lusty Reader