The First Half of 2014 Part I - Top Five Historical Fiction and ScienceFiction

Today I'm starting a new mini-series celebrating the fact that we are halfway through 2014, and I have discovered some really great books this year that I'd like to share with you all! Today I wanted to start with Science Fiction and Historical Fiction. These are two genres that I haven't read as much of before 2014, but thankfully this year I found quite a few that I've loved within the first six months of 2014. Historical fiction particuarlly was a genre that generally hadn't appealed to me, so I'm really happy to have several new beloved historical fiction YA to share with you.

In no particular order...

no. 1 - These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

My first completed read of the year, and what a fantastic start to 2014. I've reviewed this on both Goodreads and the blog, and basically this is a great science fiction that's intense, a tale of survival and excellent character development.

no. 2 - Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

I don't know why I delayed picking this sequel up for so long. Dark Triumph is the second book in His Fair Assassins series, and Sybella's tale was beautifully written. I loved seeing more of the story that had started in Grave Mercy, and especially meeting the new characters and seeing the returning ones once more. I adored this book and reviewed it on Goodreads.

no. 3 - Alienated by Melissa Landers

I read this as part of a readalong that A Book Utopia hosted, and it came at the perfect time for me. I had read a book that I was feeling very disappointed in, and it was a series ending book so I'm sure many readers can agree how pivotal those can often be. I felt as if I were in a reading funk- not a slump but just not as engaged with what I was reading. This science fiction with a lighthearted feel and witty writing and characters instantly cured me, and I thought it was a great sci-fi read.

no. 4 - The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner

This is a historical fiction set in the dramatic period of the French Revolution. The writing, characters, and intricate weaving of magic and history in this book completely captivated me. I had never heard anything about this book but it's really wonderful and part of a duology if I'm not mistaken. 

no. 5 - Sekret by Lindsay Smith

This 2014 debut is unique, as it's about a girl with supernatural abilities set in Soviet Russia. Yulia is interesting, resourceful, and has a dry wit and style that makes her narration memorable. I loved the group dynamics in this story, and also how the setting and time period are so unique.

So, here is the start of a series where I can look back at the first half of 2014 and share some of my favorite reads with you all. Let me know what your favorite sci-fi and historical ficiton reads were down in the comments below!

From the paper world,

V