I've been on a bit of a rampage lately...
The Queen of the Tearling series by Erika JohansenThe Queen of the Tearling &
The Invasion of the Tearling by
Erika Johansen were both quite enjoyable despite a few logic issues at the beginning of
The Queen of the Tearling. I haven't finished the trilogy (waiting for the last book to arrive), but I've read some disappointing reviews of it. Regardless, I'd highly suggest it; Johansen's character development around Kelsea, specifically, is really engaging. Everyone else... meh.
Avalon series by Mindee ArnettAvalon &
Polaris are two books in
Mindee Arnett's
Avalon series. I've only just started
Polaris, but
Avalon was an exciting book from beginning to end. The mystery aspect of it seemed a little lacking (I guessed one of two major plot points really early), but the overall payoff was fantastic. Additionally, the secret sauce here is in the characterization. You come out of the story knowing the characters in a way that just doesn't happen a lot in Speculative Fiction. Also hooks. Arnett hooks like an expert angler. I devoured
Avalon in one sitting... my cheek still hurts.
EDIT: Just read the Goodreads reviews and people are really annoyed by these books. When I go into a book, I try to do it as blind as possible, so I was unaware of the negative reception. I still stand by my statement on characterization, but yeesh... tough crowd. (Also, these books are on Scribd, so...)
And I enjoy the hell out of pretty much anything
C.S. Friedman writes.