10) Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
Some people grew up on Harry Potter, but Artemis Fowl was my literary go-to in my younger days. I still love the series to this day, and “The Time Paradox”, the sixth entry in the series, is the one I look back on the fondest. Perhaps it has something to do with the anchoring concept of time travel, as I’ve always loved time travel storylines. Perhaps it is because this book has some great character and relationship building moments between Artemis and Holly. It could also be from the surprisingly high stakes, tension-fueled ending, and Opal Koboi (my favorite literary villain) at her most terrifying.
Best guess? A combination of all of the above!
9) Psycome: Volume 4
If there is any single book series I would classify as a guilty pleasure, it would be the Psycome series of light novels. As the portmanteau name implies, this series places a heavy emphasis on psycho craziness and comedy, with a dash of romance. It’s a wild ride to be sure, and a pretty good one if you’re willing to take the plunge.
From the very first chapters of the first book, I was enamored by the character of Eiri Akabane. Eiri’s a sullen, apathetic girl unwilling to go the extra mile to make friends…but not too quick to push those away who want to be friends with HER. She slowly opens up over the course of the first three books, revealing her incredibly deadly fighting skills and acerbic wit. Book four finally gives her the solo spotlight, and Eiri blows reader expectations out of the park. The emotional growth and character arc she goes through in this book is stellar, and I find myself loving her as a character more and more each time I read it.
8) Vampire Academy: Blood Promise
Vampire Academy is a series that I read on a whim, because the entire set was sitting in a box at a used book sale. Well, I’m certainly glad that I picked it up, because the series is surprisingly awesome. All six books are really good reads, but I have to specifically tip my hat to entry number four.
The third book ended on a dour note, with several students dead and the main male character, Dimitri forcibly converted into a corrupted demon. The protagonist, Rose, breaks off from the titular academy and strikes out on a solo revenge mission against the evil forces that attacked, and desperately tries to save Dimitri. It’s a noticeably more somber, downtrodden book compared to the three before it, and Rose’s personal journey is heartbreaking on many levels. At the same time, those left behind at school have to contend with their own entertainingly manipulative villain, and the conclusion of the book is starkly despondent. A perfect set-up for the two-part finale to follow!
7) Legacy of Steel
So, I work in a library, and for several months a hefty tome entitled “Legacy of Ash” was sitting on the shelf collecting dust. It looked interesting enough, so I gave it a try, and loved every page of it. It’s excellent, and the second installment in the trilogy “Legacy of Steel” is even better!
“Legacy of Steel” doesn’t take any backward steps since the first installment, and instead organically and entertainingly carries forward with the plot and character momentum. Returning heroes and villains have their respective growth and arcs deepened, new characters each receive a turn in the spotlight, and the web of plot threads weave tighter and tighter. Just like the first book, this one also tells a compellingly self-contained story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, but also builds up to the bombastic final entry in the series. For real, the characters and worldbuilding in this series are second to none, to say nothing of the spectacular battlefield mayhem.
6) Throne of Glass: Queen of Shadows
Throne of Glass is my favorite overall book series of all time, and “Queen of Shadows” is the both the fourth entry in the saga and the first to solidify that saga as my favorite literary series. On the whole, Throne of Glass just keeps getting better with each new book, and that holds especially true here.
After the third book spent its time setting up the emotional and action-packed stakes for the kingdom and its denizens, everything comes to a head here. Aelin returns to the mainland with new allies in tow, the malicious king cracks down on his iron-fisted rule of the nation, central hero Dorian is a mind-controlled puppet, and the sadistic witch Manon is beginning to doubt the rightness of her cause. All of the characters are amazing here, and the twists and turns in the plot test their resolve and bonds time and time again.
5) Bloodlines: Silver Shadows
If Vampire Academy was a pleasant surprise, then Bloodlines, its sequel series, was a jaw-dropping bombshell. I loved reading through each and every Vampire Academy novel, but when the fourth in the series (ironically the self-same book in this very list) introduced the cynical alchemist Sydney, I was desperate to see more of her character. I also felt that the character of Adrian was mildly underutilized by the time Vampire Academy wrapped up. Color me flabbergasted when I both found out that a sequel series existed, AND that it starred Sydney and Adrian!
“Silver Shadows” picks up right after the devastating ending of the previous book, wherein Sydney’s own sister betrays her to the evil organization, and Sydney is captured and locked away in an underground prison. The book splits its time between Sydney struggling to cling to any hope amidst the dark prison and constant torture, and Adrian trying to overcome his insecurity, guilt, and drinking to mount a rescue. All of it is anchored by Grace Sheridan, a deliciously detestable villain given ample time to demonstrate her charming façade and cruel manipulations. This book reads like a movie, and its a fantastic one at that!
4) Supernova
An anecdote: Years ago, I was in an airport awaiting a flight, and was killing time in one of those little book stores all airports seem to have. On the shelf was “Renegades”, the first in a new trilogy of YA superhero fun. I was intrigued, but didn’t have any money on me, so I passed. Still, I kept a thought of the book locked away in my mind for the next few years, and by the time I finally came around to wanting to purchase “Renegades”, I found out that the entire trilogy was already completed. Awesome!
“Supernova” is the final book in the trilogy, and it sticks the landing perfectly. For the first time in years, I just sat around for about three hours straight while reading this book, desperate to see how it ended (normally I just read for an hour a day). The plot is tightly woven and full of shocking twists, action-packed fights, and revelations three books in the making. It also cannot be understated just how phenomenal the heroine, Nova, is as a character. Everything about her is perfect, and it all comes to a head here.
3) Prey
I’ve loved Michael Crichton’s works ever since I was young (which is interesting, considering how scientific-jargon heavy his work can be). While I am definitely a fan of “Jurassic Park”, “Sphere”, “Congo”, and “Pirate Latitudes”, it is his cautionary tale of microtechnology gone wrong that still sticks in my mind to this day. If you’ve never read “Prey, you have got to give it a try!
The science in this one never felt particularly impossible to grasp, perhaps due in part to our own society creeping closer and closer to the nanomachines and drones depicted in this thriller. The characters are likeable here, the villains are uncomfortably terrifying, the action engagingly jumps right off the page, and the underlying family drama is touching. It’s a breezy read not from its page count, but because you just want to keep going to see what happens next.
2) Throne of Glass: Kingdom of Ash
I’ve espoused on my love of Throne of Glass just a few paragraphs ago, so I will endeavor not to repeat myself. Just know that it was difficult not to flood most of this top ten list with JUST Throne of Glass titles. In the end, I had to give top marks to “Kingdom of Ash”, the unforgettable grand finale to this eight book series (and honorary winner of the longest book I’ve ever read award).
Every single facet of this book is just about flawless. The characters are still as amazingly-crafted as ever, a staple of Sarah J Maas’ work. The plot brings all of the threads together into a beautiful ending, and the numerous frenetic action scenes that pave the way are all epic in scale and personal in stakes. Every character receives the exact ending you’d want for them, and everything that happens feels earned. This war was fought tooth-and-nail, and victory and sacrifice abound in equal measure. You will cry…if not for the loss of life or amazing conclusion, then because a series ending this perfect comes once a generation.
1) Halo: Fall of Reach
For as much as I love lengthy series and epic sagas, I am just as much a fan of an extremely solid standalone story. I am also a huge fan of the Halo franchise. Marrying these two ideas together produces “Halo: Fall of Reach” the thrilling and enlightening prequel to the first Halo game that details the rise of Master Chief and the fall of humanity’s bastion of protection, the planet Reach. I read this book back in middle school and loved it then, and I still reread it at least once every two years. I only love it more each time.
Eric Nylund is a master of his craft, and this is the finest sci-fi work you are ever liable to read. Halo veterans and newcomers alike can comprehend and love this book in equal measure, and why wouldn’t they? The overarching story and growth of Master Chief, his fellow soldiers, and his supporters off the battlefield is incredible and impeccable. Every set-piece is more energetic and memorable than the last, and the space flight battles are better than any I’ve ever seen. The writing style is detailed and intricate, but never loses sight of the plot, and the quick and engaging pace will keep you up all night. There’s something in here for everyone.
In my opinion, of course, you should read every book on this list. But, if you can only make time for ONE, make sure it’s this one. You won’t regret it!
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
FUTURE OF THE BLOG UPDATE
(After much deliberation, I’ve decided to alter the schedule of this blog. I’m a writer at heart, and I’ve adored every second of writing this blog. However, with my full time job, grad classes, and keeping pace with this blog, I have had zero time to work on any other creative projects since I began this little venture two months ago. My creative juices are still flowing, but I’m finding myself with no time to pursue them.
As such, The Contrarian Corner will be moving to one article a week for the foreseeable future. These articles will be uploaded on Saturdays, so the Thursday article is being dropped. One article a week should still be fun, and you should expect an equal mix of full analysis articles, Top 10s, and Quickshots.
I hope that this news is not too disappointing, and that you are still able to enjoy my personal brand of contrarian opinions here at The Contrarian Corner!)
The Contrarian Corner 