Today, I'm taking part in The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag - which Cait of Paper Fury has kindly allowed her readers to steal from her. So, onwards, yes?
THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR
This is going to have to be Assassin's Fate by Robin Hobb. It's the final book in the Fitz and the Fool trilogy, but it's also the finale to a story that spanned 16 books - four trilogies and a quartet. This story has been with me since I was a teenager, and not only did it answer all left over questions, but it ended in a wonderful, satisfying ending. And though I know I'll always re-read these books, I'm going to miss these characters and this world, and going off on new adventures with Fitz and the Fool. This book will definitely stay with me for a very long time.
BEST SEQUEL OF THE YEAR SO FAR
As I'm trying not to repeat myself in my answers - and it would look bad if I repeated myself so soon - it has to be The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig. I absolutely love this duology! Not only is it exciting and original, but it asks wonderful questions about time and the future, and is full of that wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey stuff that I just adore. This duology is fantastic, and I'm so looking forward to whatever Heidi Heilig writes next!
NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO
I still have yet to read Roseblood by A. G. Howard, and I don't know why! Well, that's not strictly true. It's because I was waiting to see Phantom of the Opera, originally, and now I have.. I was just confused by the story. And I'm worried I RoseBlood may not answer my questions, or will be just as confusing. I'm still excited to read it, though! I'm just a bit worried.
I am dying to read Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han... and yet, I'm also a little nervous? I adored the first two stories, and I loved how P.S. I Still Love You ended. I was happy with that being the end of the story. And although I was super happy when I heard there will be a third, what if this ends badly? I'm worried! But I'm sure I'll love it when I Do get round to reading it.
I am so intrigued by American Street by Ibi Zoboi, and I don't really know why I haven't picked it up yet. No idea. It does sound so good, though.
Oh my god, I am so excited for Who Runs the World? by Virginia Bergin! The world is now a utopia of peace and happiness and security, in all ways, for all... because there are no men anymore. Or are there? I really need to read this very soon.
MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR AUTUMN / WINTER
I know this says Autumn / Winter, but I'm going to answer as if it says July - December, because this is a mid-year tag, so it should be talking about the other half of the year, and autumn is still a way off (I'm hoping it stays away for as long as possible). So yeah, July - Winter.
So both Heidi Heilig and Cait of Paper Fury have raved about The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Makenzie Lee, which comes out on 10th August in the UK, and I trust their judgement. An historical novel of the romps of a bisexual aristocrat! It's meant to be funny and moving, so I'm excited!
So looking forward to the A Change is Gonna Come Anthology, which is coming out on 10th August. Short stories by BAME authors about BAME characters. This book is so, so needed, and I'm so happy it exists!
Look at the gorgeous cover for A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars by Yaba Badoe! It comes out on 7th September, and is about people trafficking, living in a circus, and identity. I am so excited to read this book!
The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy, which comes out on 27th July, sounds incredible! About a curse, missing stars, dreams, reflections, and secrets. I am sold! It puts me in mind of Spellbook of the Lost and Found, but maybe taken a step further? So intrigued!
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR SO FAR
I'm sad to say that I found Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones to be pretty boring. The first part was predictable, and nothing much happened in the second, in my opinion. But also, it feels like a faery story, and I no longer like stories involving the fae. So it just wasn't my book. But I was so looking forward to it, and it was such a let down.
Seven Days of You by Cecilia Vinesse sounded so good, but was a huge disappointment. I didn't like the characters, I didn't believe the romance, and worst of all, for a book set in Japan, it didn't have a single named Japanese person. The main character didn't know anyone who was Japanese, nor spoke the language except for the basics. I just found it hugely problematic.
Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed had so much promise, and though it makes you think, it was a huge let down. I didn't get to know any of the characters, they were all one dimensional, and the story was rushed, jumping through time so quickly that there's no time to react to what's happening before weeks have passed. It was so disappointing.
BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR SO FAR
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is loved dearly but everyone I know who has read it. It's so hyped. And I did really enjoy reading it, but I wasn't as emotionally affected by the story I expected to be. I loved Death's narration, but when it comes to Liesel's story, I felt distanced from it, because Death was telling it, rather than Liesel. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't as affected by it as I expected to be. That's what was surprising. It's an amazing story, but I don't think I loved it as much as most.
NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR
After reading Sofia Khan is Not Obliged and The Other Half of Happiness by Ayisha Malik for the #RamadanReadathon, I will most definitely read whatever Ayisha Malik writes next. Her writing is funny and warm, but also realistic. I loved the Sofia Khan duology, and I'm looking forward to Ayisha Malik's books in the future. (I'm so glad she has a short story in A Change in Gonna Come. and I really want to read The Secret Lives on the Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain, which Malik ghostwrote.)
YOUR NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER
Nona from Red Sister by Mark Lawrence. She's a tiny, little badass learning how to become an even more deadly badass, and a badass nun at that. We first meet her when she is seconds away from being hung for murder (which she isn't guilty of), and she's only 10! I loved her, and I loved her world and her story, and I am so, so excited to see where the story will take her in the second book! Seriously, she's just fantastic!
BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY
Naondel by Maria Turtschaninoff didn't actually make me cry, but it affected me so much - I was hurting for the characters so much - that I was just beyond tears. All of the six women Naondel follows are treated so terribly by Iskan, their husband or slave master. Their lives are hellish; abused, raped and mistreated over decades. But they are also brave, strong, and have such hope. This book was such a difficult read, so heartbreaking, but it's also powerful and empowering, and has such strong feminists messages about the worth of women. It's just incredible.
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY
Spellbook of the Lost and Found by MoΓ―ra Fowley-Doyle is the story my teenage self would have completely adored. Reading this book, I was in my happy place, full of fascination about the occultism in the book of spells and lost things, and things found. The mystery, the unexplained, the creepy atmosphere - oh my god, it was just incredible! I absolutely loved it! It made me so happy!
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK SO FAR
Without a shadow of a doubt, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Taylor's writing is always, always so beautiful, but I think she surpasses the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy with Strange the Dreamer, because it's high fantasy, a completely made up world. I adored the characters, I adored the world building, I adored Lazlo and his love of books and reading, and his fascination in the mysterious lost city of Weep. I loved Sarai, and the impossible situation she was in. I loved the dreams. I loved the grey areas Taylor took us to when asking questions about what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad. This book was just absolutely beautiful, and I cannot wait for the sequel, The Muse of Nightmares.
That's me done! What's been the most beautiful book you've read so far this year? Have you read any of the books I've listed? If you fancy doing the tag yourself, consider yourself tagged!
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So many great books! Nice!
ReplyDeleteHannahCassie @ www.pilovethatbook.com
Thanks!
DeleteSo many great books. I also completed this tag on my blog Rachael Turns Pages. I really need to read the last Lara Jean book. I'm excited and sad to finish the series.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I look forward to looking at your answers! :) Exactly! Ending the Lara Jean series is going to be so sad! But those books are just wonderful! I'm really looking forward to reading it!
DeleteAha so sorry to hear Wintersong was a disappointment! It's one of my favourites of the year but I have heard that many people weren't fans! AND yes I totally agree Strange The Dreamer is the prettiest book ever!
ReplyDeletexx Anisha @ Sprinkled Pages
Yeah, I know a lot of people loved Wintersong, it just wasn't for me. I think it's less that the story wasn't great and more that it wasn't a right match, me and Wintersong.
DeleteStrange the Dreamer was just SO beautiful, wasn't it? God, so gorgeous!
Oh, I so hope you get to RoseBlood it is absolutely mesmerising! I've heard so many good things about the Book Thief as well but for some reason I still haven't picked it up π and Wintwrsong is just repellant to me at this point haha because I don't really know anyone who liked it??? Ha π
ReplyDeleteOhhhh and Strange the Dreamer π I just have no words for how perfect the book is!!
I have heard so many good things about RoseBlood! I really should pick it up soon. God, isn't that awful? I know I hate it when a book sounds so good, but every review I read is negative. And yes! Strange the Dreamer was just so wonderful! So beautiful! I adored it! :)
DeleteSeriously - all your books have gorgeous covers! How does that happen :-)
ReplyDeleteTanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
Haha! There are talented cover designers working for our UK publishers, I guess :)
DeleteEeep I LOVE your answers!! All the Lazlo Strange appreciation.π *flails for 900 years* And I just bought Spellbook of the Lost and Found and I'm totally wildly excited for it.πI LOVE THAT AUTHOR.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm never going to stop squeeing about The Gentleman's Guide, am I?!? I can't wait for it to come out so I can buy a copy and reread.❤️π Some books are so perfect omg.
Also that's sadness about Wintersong! Although I'm not super surprised? And I hope you like Roseblood! It's a little cliche in places but I honestly still loved the spin on the original. <3
OH MY GOD, CAIT! I can't wait to hear what you think about Spellbook of the Lost and Found! I absolutely loved it! Really hope you do, too!
DeleteAah, I'm really looking forward to The Gentleman's Guide! It sounds so quirky for a historical. I'm really hoping I enjoy it! :)
Wintersong and I just weren't meant to be, I'm afraid. Haha! Aah, I have high hopes for RoseBlood! Looking forward to it! :)