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This book tag is one that I've enjoyed doing over the years. Last year, due to
my reading slump, I skipped doing it as I couldn't answer all of the
questions. However, I have read a lot more this year so I'm actually able to
finish this tag. I've read some great books this year but I've also reread a
lot of books. So I realistically only have about half the books I've read
overall to chose from. Anyway, without further ado, let's go ahead and dive
into the tag!
1. Best Book You've Read
When I originally drafted this tag, I had two books tied for first in this
category: House of Sky and Breath and Foul Lady Fortune.
While I loved both of those books, I read a book after I'd drafted this post
that is my definite favorite of the year so far over both of those. And that
book is City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards.
2. Best Sequel You've Read
I've decided to go with two for this one. The first is going to go to
Namesake by Adrienne Young. I absolutely loved this duology with
my entire heart. It was so much fun and I was engrossed from the beginning to
end. I love nautical stories and this one felt so vivid. I felt like I was the
one swimming below the surface, the one standing on the boat deck with the
wind in my hair, the one sneaking through towns. It was amazing. I truly think
this is some of Adrienne Young's best works and I can't wait to reread it in
the future.
The second is going to be House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J.
Maas. I truly couldn't put it down and, even though there were some
complicated plot lines, I overall just loved reading it. The ending especially
was absolutely insane and I'm so excited to see where the series goes in the
next book. I just love the characters in Crescent City and it was a great time being back with them. Though I will say that there were some elements that could have been better, overall this was an excellent sequel from SJM.
3. New Release You Haven't Read but Want To
There are so many but I think a recent one on my high-priority TBR is
The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I loved the first
three books in this series and I'm very much looking forward to continuing on
with the series, though I have heard mixed things about this installment. I
also know that I want to read A Shadow in the Ember, the first book in
the spin-off/prequel series to From Blood and Ash first as that's
what has been recommended. Either way, plenty of content to get through
soon.
4. Biggest Disappointment
My biggest disappointment so far would have to be Priest by Sierra
Simone. I truly wanted to love this book, I'd heard such good things, and it
was so hyped up. I was so bored, I hated the characters, I had zero connection
to the story, and it was just overall a poor time. I think that was partly on
me for not having the right expectations as to what type of story it was. But
I think the way it was hyped and discussed led to that. It just...I hated it.
But I think part of that feeling is just because I so badly thought I was
going to love it.
5. Biggest Surprise
On the other hand, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is one
that really surprised me. I was hesitant about this but not because of the
extreme hype. Well, I always take hype with a grain of salt. But the main
reason I was hesitant is because this originally was a
Star Wars fanfiction for a pairing I don't much care for. However,
I was able to look past that fact and could picture the characters as their
own person and not a fanfiction portrayal which meant I was able to enjoy it
for what it was: a fun romcom. While there are certainly some aspects that
aren't perfect, overall I just had an amazing time and loved reading
it.
6. Favorite New Author
A favorite new author I think is going to be Katee Robert. I've only read one
book by her so far, Neon Gods, but I loved it. I am so excited to read
the rest of the series and I cannot wait to see how it continues on. I'm even
excited to read some more of her backlist that I've heard great things about.
I don't think I will read every single thing she's written but I do think that
I'll enjoy what I do.
7. Newest Fictional Crush
I don't really do fictional crushes, which I guess sets me apart from a lot of
readers. I can love a character but not be attracted to them in a crush way? I
guess when I was younger (like elementary/middle school) that might have been
different, but I've not really gotten fictional crushes in ages. However, I'll
take this prompt to talk about one of my favorite new fictional relationships
instead: Zetian, Li Shimin, and Gao Yizhi from Iron Widow by Xiran
Jay Zhao. They are a polyamory trio and just a great set of characters to read
about. They all just seem to fit really well together and I am so excited and
nervous to see what happens in the next book.
8. Newest Favorite Character
I think for this one I'm going to pick Fable from Fable by
Adrienne Young. As I said earlier, I just absolutely loved this duology and I
loved getting to read about Fable. She's such a fun protagonist to read from.
I definitely will be revisiting the duology soon just so I can be reunited
with this character.
9. Book that Made You Cry
For this one, I'm going with
Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers by Brandon Mull. This is
the fifth book in the Dragonwatch series and the tenth book
overall within the Fablehaven world. I had a blast reading this
series. For me, it was so nostalgic to return to the world and go on new
adventures with characters I've been reading about for almost fifteen years. I
loved every second of being back in it and getting to explore new magic and
creatures. When I finished, I cried. Not because it was a sad ending but
because this is now truly the end of these books. While Brandon Mull has said
he might return to the world, it would be in books that focus on different
characters or adventures. I would love that. But at the same time it was very
emotional to truly be done going on new adventures with Kendra and Seth, who I
felt I've grown up with. Anyway, a bit of a sappy answer there but it's
true.
10. Book that Made You Happy
On the flip side, to keep from repeating individual books in this tag, a book
that made me happy is Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull. Well, the whole
series really. Like I said in the previous question, this series is so
nostalgic for me. I didn't realize how exciting it really was going to be
getting to return to this world with characters I love so much. I just
realized how much joy I felt while binging these books and I cannot wait to
return to them in the future.
11. Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation
I have to go with Heartstopper for this one. It was adapted by
Netflix from the graphic novel/web comic series by Alice Oseman. I love this
series so I was very interested to see how a show would be. I have to admit, I
was nervous. But I loved every second of the show and I cannot wait to see
more seasons and just more of these characters. I also am 100% going to
finally finish reading the comics because I am a bit behind the published
ones.
12. Favorite Review You've Written
I think this is going to be my
review of The Love Hypothesis. I just find, looking back, that it is a very well-rounded review. Sometimes
I ramble on my reviews but I like the balance on this one quite a lot.
13. Most Beautiful Book you Bought
Hands down this is going to be the Fairyloot edition of Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. I got this in my February Fairyloot box and it is so
spectacularly stunning. It features a redesigned cover in a blue and purple
pallette (which are two of my favorite colors), embossing on the hardcover,
artwork on the endpages, stunning stencil sprayed edges, and is signed. I
haven't yet read this one, but I am obsessed with this gorgeous edition. It
has to be one of the most beautiful books that I have on my shelves.
14. What do you need to read by the end of the year?
There are so many books that I need to read by the end of the year. I doubt I
will get to all of them, but my hopes are to get through a good number of
them. I just have to hope that I am able to make the time to read them and
that I can get my current mood reading self to give them a go. The majority of
this list is for books that will finish out series I've already started, but
there are also some new books I'm hoping to get to as well. Here's a brief
list of what I'm hoping to tackle (excluding any potential rereads):
- Queen of Volts by Amanda Foody
- Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin
- The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
- The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
- Lightbringer by Claire Legrand
- Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova
- Husband Material by Alexis Hall
- The Weeping Tide by Amanda Foody
- It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
- Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
- All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman
- Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco
- Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
- Electric Idol by Katee Robert
- A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
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