I started May with an intense and incredibly absorbing fantasy binge, then moved on to an issue-based contemporary, and wrapped up the month with a gripping and very scary post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure. All in all, it’s been a month of fantastic reading. Here’s my wrap-up…
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta – Finnikin of the Rock is everything I look for in a story: a sweeping, sizzling romance, an intricately layered, breathtakingly twisted plot, unique and vibrant characters who leap off the page and demand that I care deeply about them, and emotionality that is genuine and profound. A new favorite fantasy to add to my list. Finnikin of the Rock is a big ol’ recommend. My full review is HERE.
Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta – Though Froi of the Exiles was my least favorite of the Lumatere Chronicles, I still loved it. I didn’t care much for Froi in Finnikin (he does something really, really awful), but he managed to redeem himself against all odds. He became a narrator I adored, one who was easy to relate to and root for. And I loved watching his relationships with Quintana, Gargarin, and Lirah grow and change. Another recommend!
Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta – Quintana of Charyn is a stunning conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Despite its considerable length and complicated storyline, it is a fast read. I had a hard time putting it down, and when I did, I was still thinking about Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, Lucian, Phaedra, and the many other vibrant characters who populated this book and its predecessors. I’ll go so far as to declare Quintana one of the most gratifying finales I’ve read. My full review is HERE.
The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher – The S-Word is very much an issue book. Suicide, homosexuality, date rape, child molestation, slut-shaming, bullying, and cutting are all given varying degrees of attention throughout the course of the story. My favorite thing about the novel is protagonist Angie’s voice. She reads as so spot-on eighteen, it’s hard to believe the author isn’t a teen herself. If you’re a fan of issue books with authentic teen voice, or of serious contemporary YA, you’ll probably enjoy The S-Word. My full review is HERE.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey – I’m so glad I bent to all the buzz this one’s been getting because the hype is well-deserved. As I recently mentioned, I’m not a big science fiction reader, but The 5th Wave may change that. This story is freaking amazing. Protagonists Cassie and Zombie are both completely real and totally awesome. The writing, the plot twists, the way everything — everything — circles back together… I can find no flaws within the pages of this book. I most definitely recommend it. To everyone!
Tell me: What’s the best book you read in May?
katyupperman.com 
Sounds like you had a great reading month! I just read two books I adored–This is What Happy Looks Like, which I posted about earlier this week, and Rose Under Fire (probably the most excited I’ve ever been to get something through Netgalley) which I’ll post about this weekend. (It’s the companion to Code Name Verity–it’s so wonderful. Very different from This is What Happy Looks Like, though!!!)
I loved THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE too, Jess. Such a sweet, summery contemporary… Just my style! I haven’t read CODE NAME VERITY yet (I know!) but I hope to remedy that this summer. I’ve heard such wonderful things about that book.
I’m just about to start THE 5TH WAVE, so I’m really happy to hear you loved it so much. I have to say that FINNIKIN was probably the best book I read in May. I still have to get to FROI, but I figure that will happen sometime in June. {I’ve been on a bit of a contemporary kick these days, so I stepped away from the fantasy temporarily.} Thanks for the great recommendations.
Have a great weekend, Katy! 🙂
I’m taking a fantasy break now, Jaime. I loved the Lumatere Chronicles fiercely, and I ended up so consumed with that world it was hard to pull myself out when I was finally done reading. I’m reading a light, beachy contemporary now (NANTUCKET BLUE), which is a nice change of pace. 🙂
FINALLY ordered Finnikin, and you played a big role in that. :0) Can’t wait to read it– it should be here next week. I am so sold on the fifth wave. May have to break the budget and order it on kindle for the weekend.
I hope you love FINNIKIN as much as I do, Kat. (I totally think you will!) And I don’t mean to be an enabler, but THE 5TH WAVE is *really* good!
These all look good, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on them. My poor TBR list is so jam-packed it’s going to explode!
Same with me, Erin! Not a terrible problem to have, though. 🙂
These all sound amazing..And I already bought some of them. Usually if you recommend a book, they end up on my favorite list, so I need a paperback or hard copy version of them 😛 Thanks so much for sharing…
As you know I´ve been reading STOLEN and as weird as it sounds, I don´t want it to end while wanting it to end. I´m so immersed in the story and the voice and the nature and…him. Pretty amazing how conflicted I feel.
I cannot wait to discuss Ty with you when you’re done reading. He is one of my all-time most memorable characters. It’s crazy (and kind of scary) to swoon over someone who’s clearly unhinged. *sigh* I love that book…
And I feel the same about your book recommendations. I’ve got DARE YOU TO in my online shopping cart (but don’t tell my husband!).
I promise I´ll keep your secret 🙂
I finished STOLEN yesterday. And yep. Ty. Definitely memorable.I´m soooo conflicted about him. And it is bad that I want a sequel?
I know… I was so conflicted about Ty too, and I hated myself for it! I think the fact that Lucy Christopher makes me ignore all all rational thought when it comes to her “villain” says A LOT about her writing. Awesome.