Books that Ruin

Books that ruin us. We all have them. Be a beloved character is killed off, or the plot doesn’t go the way you want. The books you are never the same after reading. This week I’ve recruited my #WriteNight girls to share with me the books of 2014 that ripped our hearts out.

For me, the book that ruined me was Mary Weber’s Storm Siren. Think of all the twist, turns, and awful things that can happen in a book/to a character and it happened . . . in the last chapters of the book. My heart was taken and completely shredded. So much so that after reading I started and didn’t finish at least 6 different books. I really pray I am as effective ripping my readers hearts out as Mary was (bravo, Mary, bravo)!

Sara:

The book that ruined my life in 2014? Two words—Aaron Warner. Oh wait—blush—that’s a character, not a book. Fine then, let’s just say the entire Shatter Me series had me holed up in my room for three days. I did not sleep. I ate way too much chocolate. Of course this couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was on the brink of attending my first writer’s conference. My time was supposed to be spent preparing for this epic event, and yet there I was, curled up in bed with bloodshot eyes and sweats that really (I mean REALLY) needed to be washed. But I couldn’t help it. Tahereh Mafi is a genius, to put it frankly. I mean, if you can put her books down, you must have some sort of super power. When I finished Ignite Me (book 3), I was so depressed the series was over I started reading it from the beginning. That’s right, ladies and gents, I read through the series twice within two weeks. Granted the second time around I skipped over Adam’s scenes and sped straight for Warner Town, where I gladly camped and dreamed about “the secrets tucked between his elbows and the whispers caught behind his knees” (Unravel Me). Yep, in 2014 Aaron Warner destroyed me. And I’d gladly let him do it again.

Neysa:

There were SO many titles in 2014 that were captivating! It was so hard to chose who’s story grabbed on and wouldn’t let go. While I would chose all the books . . .I ended up deciding Doon was one that wouldn’t let me be patient. It just kept saying: “You need to read Destined for Doon, but . . . YOU CAN’T . . . yet.”

What a tease.

Anyway, in Doon we meet Veronica and her best friend Kenna who are both strangers in the land of Doon. Veronica feels called to Doon, but she has to fight perceptions, a witch, and even her own heart to prove it to the guy of her dreams—and the crowned prince—Jamie.

Finally, they have the sweeping romance, and evil is thwarted, but what about her friend Kenna? That is what drew me in. The voice and story of Kenna, and her handsome pursuer Duncan. Their story locked me in as a fan of this series.

Kenna is witty, sharp, and real. She has clear intent and goals, but her own ideas of the perfect future backfire. She keeps being called to Duncan, but is ignoring it. Badly, I might add.

You have to check this series out. It is clean and positive while still being sweet and romantic. It is also a great reminder to listen to God’s voice in your life. I appreciate and love this series for being an encouraging read this year. It will “wreck” you in a good way!