When I’m not writing or editing, I often find myself in front of a good fiction book. I know it’s hard to wade through all of the books that come out every second, so I thought I’d give you some reviews from my 2014 reading list.
The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope by Rhonda Riley
Genre-Literary Fiction/General Fiction
-If you are looking for a book that is beautifully written, then Rhonda Riley’s debut novel is a must read. Her writing style is like beautiful music, and it’s hard not to get drawn in. The story is about a man that appears in the mud and has supernatural powers. Set in the 50’s/60’s, we follow Adam as he falls in love with the protagonist, and learns what it is to be human. The only downside is the focus on sex as a key element of this love story. The novel is not graphic, but I feel like the emphasis on sexuality is just too much.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Genre-Fantasy
-This is probably the greatest fantasy novel I’ve ever read. It is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. The writing is superb. Thank, Harry Potter (without the wizards) for adults and you get this amazing story about the life of a hero. Only downside is the book is quite long.
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Genre-Fantasy
-This is the second book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. Not quite as good as the first, but still a worthwhile read. And it will take a while, as this book is 1,100 pages long.
Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Genre-Teen, Sci-fi, Dystopian
-These books are all they are cracked up to be. They are quick reads filled with an amazing world and an all-star cast of characters. The first two books are hard to put down, and the third, though not as good, ties up the series well. It’s surprising how much you feel for the characters, and it’s hard to leave the world once the series is over.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre-Teen, Sci-fi, Dystopian
-I was not impressed with this book, and therefore could not finish the series. It was an alright read, but I honestly thought the movie was better. I know this isn’t a very popular opinion, but I just couldn’t get into it.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Genre-Teen, General Fiction
-This is a very quick read. Storyline is great, but the characters are not so lovable. In fact, the dialogue is very strange—they do not sound like teenagers at all. That being said, if you want a sappy love story with a very sad ending, this book will do that for you. Not my favorite, but worth a read.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Genre-Teen, Dystopian
-I like this book, but not enough to continue the series. I felt like the story moved too fast for me to get to know the characters and feel for them.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Genre-Sci-fi, Dystopian
-This is a man’s sci-fi book, filled with testosterone and grit. Set on Mars under a strange class system, you get a very “Hunger Games” feel without the boring aspects. I can’t wait for the second book to come out. Downside is that the language can get strong at times.
Untouchable by Scott O’Connor
Genre-General Fiction, Psychological
-Found this book in the bargain bin at B&N. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised. This book deals with a father and son, and the lasting effects after the death of their mother/wife. Not only do you get to see the dark aspects of loss, but the author paints a detailed picture of what it’s like to be a clean-up crew for murder sites (the dad works for the crew). Overall, this dark novel really sucks you in. If you are looking for action, though, this book is not for you.
~Brody
The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope by Rhonda Riley
Genre-Literary Fiction/General Fiction
-If you are looking for a book that is beautifully written, then Rhonda Riley’s debut novel is a must read. Her writing style is like beautiful music, and it’s hard not to get drawn in. The story is about a man that appears in the mud and has supernatural powers. Set in the 50’s/60’s, we follow Adam as he falls in love with the protagonist, and learns what it is to be human. The only downside is the focus on sex as a key element of this love story. The novel is not graphic, but I feel like the emphasis on sexuality is just too much.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Genre-Fantasy
-This is probably the greatest fantasy novel I’ve ever read. It is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. The writing is superb. Thank, Harry Potter (without the wizards) for adults and you get this amazing story about the life of a hero. Only downside is the book is quite long.
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Genre-Fantasy
-This is the second book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. Not quite as good as the first, but still a worthwhile read. And it will take a while, as this book is 1,100 pages long.
Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Genre-Teen, Sci-fi, Dystopian
-These books are all they are cracked up to be. They are quick reads filled with an amazing world and an all-star cast of characters. The first two books are hard to put down, and the third, though not as good, ties up the series well. It’s surprising how much you feel for the characters, and it’s hard to leave the world once the series is over.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre-Teen, Sci-fi, Dystopian
-I was not impressed with this book, and therefore could not finish the series. It was an alright read, but I honestly thought the movie was better. I know this isn’t a very popular opinion, but I just couldn’t get into it.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Genre-Teen, General Fiction
-This is a very quick read. Storyline is great, but the characters are not so lovable. In fact, the dialogue is very strange—they do not sound like teenagers at all. That being said, if you want a sappy love story with a very sad ending, this book will do that for you. Not my favorite, but worth a read.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Genre-Teen, Dystopian
-I like this book, but not enough to continue the series. I felt like the story moved too fast for me to get to know the characters and feel for them.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Genre-Sci-fi, Dystopian
-This is a man’s sci-fi book, filled with testosterone and grit. Set on Mars under a strange class system, you get a very “Hunger Games” feel without the boring aspects. I can’t wait for the second book to come out. Downside is that the language can get strong at times.
Untouchable by Scott O’Connor
Genre-General Fiction, Psychological
-Found this book in the bargain bin at B&N. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised. This book deals with a father and son, and the lasting effects after the death of their mother/wife. Not only do you get to see the dark aspects of loss, but the author paints a detailed picture of what it’s like to be a clean-up crew for murder sites (the dad works for the crew). Overall, this dark novel really sucks you in. If you are looking for action, though, this book is not for you.
~Brody
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