It's that "Best Of" time of year. You know the drill. Lists galore featuring the best fill-in-the-blank of 2016. And, as always, I will cave to peer pressure and list my best reads from the past year. I didn't get as many books under my belt as I would've liked, but of the 14 titles that I read, I narrowed it down to the top 3. Today, I present to you the 3rd place winner.

Awe

by Travis Thrasher

BACK COVER:

The mystery only deepens. After his best friend disappears and his girlfriend abandons him, Brandon finds himself alone with few answers about what's happening in the small town of Appleton. Nobody knows the whereabouts of Devon, so Brandon decides to get the help of a private investigator who warns him of bad things ahead. At every possible turn, Brandon seems to meet a roadblock. With Marvel's dangerous uncle, Carlos. With the mysterious Otis Sykes. Even with Marvel herself. What darkness awaits them as the story unfolds? The third in The Books of Marvella series after Marvelous and Wonder.

MY REVIEW:

Gah! Be forewarned: this one leaves you hanging in a beautiful yet must-have-the-next-book kind of way.

In usual Thrasher style, the writing of Awe is quick-paced yet connects you to the characters so much, you feel like you're one of them. Brandon and Marvel's relationship is so right and so wrong at the same time. Without giving any spoilers, there are a lot of answers in this 3rd installment of the Marvella series, but not all -- and even leaves you with a few new what-the-heck's by the time you close the book.

God's love is clearly portrayed through story in this dynamic sequel to Marvel and Wonder. If you haven't read the first 2 books, don't start here. Snatch those up and then grab this one. -- and then join me with my nose pressed against the glass door of the bookstore while waiting for the next one!