Hello, fellow book junkies! It’s December, a fine time for reflecting on all the wonderful books read in 2016. For days 3 and 4 of @AnneReads’ “All the Books of 2016″ challenge , I’d like to share with you about my new (for the year, and possibly all-time) favorite author and my biggest reading surprise of 2016.
“New Favorite Author”
This past February I was blown away by a little tome of amazingness called A Darker Shade of Magic, written by V.E. Schwab. The writing, characters, and world-building were all outstanding. If you want to know how I felt about discovering this new author, imagine the scene in the movie Young Frankenstein when Madeline Kahn sings.
A week later, V.E. Schwab blew into my town to promote A Gathering of Shadows, so that’s when I decided to attend my first book signing. 🙂 I wrote about it here. In addition to adult fiction, V.E. Schwab publishes YA under the name Victoria Schwab. She’s super connected to her fans. Check out her honest, funny Twitter feed here.
“Biggest Reading Surprise of 2016”
Omigosh, there’s a revelation about one of the characters in Maggie Steifvater’s The Raven
Boys that took me by such surprise that it’s quite possible I may still be recovering from it. If you’ve read the book, you surely know what I’m referring to. If you haven’t read it, then by all means get started. The Raven Cycle series is so good!!!
— Eve Messenger
Eve Messenger 
V. E./Victoria Schwab is my FAVORITE new-to-me author of the year. I just love Shades of Magic, and I’ve had This Savage Song staring at me since I went to the Southern Festival of Books and got it signed. Someday soon….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t she incredible?!! I am dying to read the Shades of Magic finale!!! Must know where Kell comes from, the truth about why Lila’s missing an eye, oh, just everything. This Savage Song is further evidence of Schwabs great, dark imagination. That’s so cool that you got to meet her and have it signed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are SO many things to learn for Shades of Magic! I seriously suspect Lilah is Antari, too. At least this is what I hope…among many other things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha oh my god- you just quoted Young Frankenstein- I LOVE THAT MOVIE!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Young Frankenstein is the #1 most fun movie to quote from. xD
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have you to thank for introducing me to V.E. Schwab and all of her glory! I cannot wait to get to A Gathering of Shadows this month 🙂 And YES! I know what you are referring to in The Raven Boys… I was thrown completely off guard lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stiefvater totally, legitimately blew my mind with that plot twist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve gushed about how kind she is in person already, but I’m so glad you’ve grown to love her as much as I do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes, I’m Team Schwab all the way.
LikeLike
Looks like I’ll definitely have to check out Raven Boys soon! I liked Stiefvater’s other books so I’ve actually had the first two in the series on my shelf for awhile now, but, shamefully, kind of forgot about them these past few months. This post gave me a good reminder =)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re gonna love it. Speaking of other Stiefvater books, The Scorpio Races is coming up really soon on my TBR. Have you read that one?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It one of my favorites! I actually wrote a review on it recently too 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really? I’m even more excited to read it now. Must check out your review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Gathering of Shadows has jumped straight to the top of my reading list – I have to get myself a copy. I don’t know how I’ve managed to go this long without reading it?!
LikeLike
* Correction: I meant a Darker Shade of Magic – I haven’t started the series yet, but can’t wait to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad to hear it, Ellie!! Honestly, A Darker Shade of Magic has everything. I loved it so much, and I hope you do too. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person