Mid-year 2019 books review wrap-up

I'm a little bit late with my 2019 middle of the year wrap-up but I thought it would be interesting to look back at how my reading is going so far this year, what some of my favourite books have been and what I've been enjoying and recommending.

1. My reading tally.I set myself the challenge of reading 180 books in 2019. I had a bit of a blip last year when I had a lot of other things going on and didn't have quite as much time as normal for reading. I also went through a spell of not particularly enjoying a lot of the books I picked up. I was determined that this year would be different and so far it has been! I've read 109 books between January and July (yes, I'm a fast reader!) and have discovered some absolutely phenomenal novels and new authors. There are lots more fantastic releases due out during the rest of the year and I'm once again head over heels in love with books.

2. My favourites.
Choosing favourites is always hard but I've narrowed it down to a top 5 (in no particular order). These haven't all been published this year but I'm picking from the titles that I've read in 2019.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas (published by Bloomsbury)
An incredible end to the Throne of Glass series. 980 pages of pure enjoyment from one of my favourite authors.

 

 

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (published by Bloomsbury)

I'm loving the trend this year for fairy tale retellings. This is a brilliant twist on the traditional Beauty and the Beast story. Kemmerer's storytelling perspective is fresh and original and I loved this one. Read my full review here.  

 

 



Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly (published by Hot Key Books)

Another twist on a classic fairytale but this time it's an inventive take on what happened to the ugly stepsisters after Cinderella was whisked off by the Prince. A sheer delight to read and a book which made me so happy!

Read my full review here

 

 

 Viper by Bex Hogan (published by Orion Children's Books)

I am obsessed with this book! If I could only recommend you read one thing this year, then it would definitely be 'Viper' which has reignited my love for all things pirate.

Read my full review here

 

 



The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (published by Harper Collins)

The only adult read to make my top 5 of the year so far. A murder mystery thriller which is reminiscent of a classic Agatha Christie who-dunnit. Kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Read my full review here

 

 

3. Book/Author obsession

This has been the year that I've discovered and become obsessed with everything Agatha Christie related. I've been devouring her books and every week have come home with huge piles of her novels from the library. My favourite so far has probably been Poirot's very first case, 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles' but it's hard to choose because I have enjoyed so many. I now only have about 16 still to read (which I'm madly hunting for) but I don't know what I'm going to do once I've finished! 

 

4. Book miss

I was excited about reading 'The Record Keeper' by Agnes Gomillion but I really struggled with it. I do like some science fiction but this was quite heavily rooted in the genre and it didn't spark a lot of enjoyment for me. I've since seen some really positive reviews of the book from other readers that loved it though, so I always think it's worth giving books a go and making up your own mind. You can read my full review here

 

5. Surprise hit 

I picked up 'A Sky Painted Gold' by Laura Wood without knowing much about it. I thought that the cover was pretty and it sounded like my kind of book. I was really pleasantly surprised about just how much I enjoyed it. It's a wonderful read for summer, set in Cornwall (which isn't far away from me), features a dreamy romance and has brilliant characters that leap off the page. Laura's new book, 'Under a Dancing Star' has recently been published, so I'm desperate to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible.  

Books I'm looking forward to in 2018

I love the start of a new year because there are so many wonderful new books to look forward to.  Here are just a few of my most hotly anticipated titles for the first half of 2018.

A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens

Published by Puffin on 8th February

When Hazel Wong's beloved grandfather passes away, Daisy Wells is all too happy to accompany her friend (and Detective Society Vice President) to Hazel's family estate in beautiful, bustling Hong Kong. But when they arrive they discover something they didn't expect: there's a new member of the Wong family. Daisy and Hazel think baby Teddy is enough to deal with, but as always the girls are never far from a mystery. Tragedy strikes very close to home, and this time Hazel isn't just the detective. She's been framed for murder!

The girls must work together like never before, confronting dangerous gangs, mysterious suspects and sinister private detectives to solve the murder and clear Hazel's name - before it's too late . . .

The Prophecy by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published by Hodder on 8th March

The end has come.
Old gods will fall.
New ones will rise...
and Seth and Josie will need more than love to survive the final battle that could not only destroy them, but the world as they know it.

 

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

Published by Orchard Books on 27th March

 

After Maddie's Secret Service dad takes a bullet for the president, he takes Maddie somewhere he thinks they'll be safe - far away from the White House and the president's son, Logan.

But when Logan comes to Alaska, so does the danger.

If there's one thing Alaska has taught Maddie, it's how to survive. And now her best friend's life depends on it ...  

 

 

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Published by Bloomsbury on 1st May

 

Feyre, Rhys and their companions are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated - scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.

 

 

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Published by Gollancz on 8th February

 

In the opulent world of Orléans, the people are born grey and damned, and only a Belle's powers can make them beautiful.  Camellia Beauregard wants to be the favourite Belle - the one chosen by the queen to tend to the royal family.

 

But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favourite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that her powers may be far greater - and far darker - than she ever imagined.

When the queen asks Camellia to break the rules she lives by to save the ailing princess, she faces an impossible decision: protect herself and the way of the Belles, or risk her own life, and change the world forever.
 

 

Are you looking forward to any of these too?

 

Which books do you have on your wishlist for 2018?

 

Review: A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, published by Bloomsbury on 3rd May 2016 

Goodreads synopsis:
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court - but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms - and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future - and the future of a world cleaved in two.

Review:

‘A Court of Mist and Fury’ far exceeded all of my expectations. It literally blew my mind! From the second I picked it up and started reading, I was hooked. Nothing else existed but the world and the characters that Sarah J. Maas had created. I was torn between racing through the book in one feverish sprint and taking my time to savour each chapter and make it last as long as possible. In the end, I opted for the latter, although I had to use a lot of restraint not to stay up all night until I had got to the last page.

I honestly now find myself waiting for the release of a new Sarah J. Maas book with a sense of anticipation that can only be matched with waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. She is one of my absolute favourite authors and always on my auto-buy list.

This second instalment in the series, picks up the story with Feyre having been reunited with Tamlin and now back in the Spring Court. Although she and Tamlin are finally back together, she is struggling to cope with her experiences Under the Mountain. She is a different Feyre to the one we are used to. Her spirit has been extinguished and she is now compliant and yielding, unable to assert herself and bowing to the commands of others. It was interesting to see how she had been changed and how, although she was free from Amarantha’s grip, she still wasn’t free in the real sense of the word. Tamlin is determined to protect her against all costs but his iron grip on her, only serves to remind her of the imprisonment she previously suffered. I wasn’t really sure which direction Maas was going to take the story but I knew that it was going to include Rhysand and boy, did it! He turned out to be an integral part of the book and quickly became one of my favourite characters. I will admit that in ‘A Court of Roses and Thorns’, I wasn’t too sure about him. I saw him as a rival to Tamlin who I loved and some of his actions in the last book were slightly questionable. This time around, the reader really gets to know Rhys and what makes him who he is. He has had to shoulder a lot on his own and yet he has managed not to be broken in the process. He has his own demons to bear, but his mind is strong. I loved the fact that he treats Feyre like her own person and not someone to be kept safe in a box. He challenges her and pushes her and ultimately I feel that he makes her into a better version of herself. I don’t want to say too much about Rhys and Tamlin, for fear of giving anything away, but I do just want to say that all of my feelings about them were turned on their head and I ended up with very different emotions about them than when I started the book.

There are some fantastic secondary characters that are introduced into the series too. Rhys’s inner circle were all interesting and unique figures. I really liked Mor and Cassian swiftly became a firm favourite too. Sarah J Maas’s characterisations are always spot on and the characters in this book are no exception. She writes them in such a way that they come alive from the page and allow you to really connect with them and experience everything alongside them.

The plot is typically brilliant with enough pulse-pounding moments to keep you well and truly on the edge of your seat. There is action and danger and suspense and a good pace to the story with some lighter moments of relief to balance out the story. There isn’t as much romance as in the previous book, but that’s okay because what we get instead is a slow burning flame which grows steadily stronger as the story progresses. You won’t be disappointed.

I can’t heap enough praise on ‘A Court of Mist and Fury’. It is a stunning read and I enjoyed every second of it. I was shocked and stunned by the ending and I don’t know how I’ll be able to bear the wait until the next installment. I need it NOW!

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, published by Bloomsbury on 5th May 2015

Goodreads synopsis:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Review:
'A Court of Thorns and Roses' should be on everyone's to-read list.  An epic fantasy with adventure, danger, drama and romance, it proves Sarah J. Maas's credentials yet again as the one author you don't want to miss out on.  She is on my auto-buy list and dare I say it (because normally I can't choose just one) may actually have taken the crown of my favourite author.  If you haven't discovered her yet then you must be living under a rock! 

The Throne of Glass series is one of the best fantasy series out there.  I didn't think anything would be able to come close to topping it until I read this book and was totally blown away.  Gripping and entrancing from start to finish, I loved every single second of the story.  It was even better than I'd imagined it would be. 

The story centres around main character Feyre who slaughters a wolf while out hunting.  Trying to provide for her father and two sisters, she will do whatever it takes to keep food on their table.  However, Feyre finds herself having to pay for her actions and ends up in the faeries world of Prythian - her prison or her salvation?

Feyre has all the best traits and characteristics of a Sarah J. Maas heroine.  She is incredibly strong - not necessarily physically, but she is strong in mind.  She is a survivor and will always find a way out of the most difficult situations.  She is brave, fearless and adaptable.  She is someone to admire.  Her relationship with High Lord Tamlin was one of my favourite things about the story.  Although their first meeting sees them not exactly getting off on the right foot, they soon become more to each other.  I enjoyed watching their bond deepen and grow as they begin to understand each others character.  Another interesting relationship is set up near the end of the book between Feyre and a new character.  I'm intrigued to find out how this is going to develop and how it will affect Feyre's romance with Tamlin. 

This book had it all!  The second half was so exciting that I couldn't put it down.  While I wanted to make the story last, I also just had to race through it because I needed to know desperately what was going to happen next.  A stunning read with a heart shattering romance at it's centre.  I adored this book.  It was phenomenally brilliant and I'm dying to read it all over again.   

The first in a trilogy, I can't believe that I have to wait until I get more of Feyre and Tamlin.  It's going to be so hard but I shall be counting down the days until publication day for book two. 

Review: Heir of Fire - Sarah J Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas, published by Bloomsbury on 11th September 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Review:
As a Christmas treat to myself, I managed to avoid reading this a few months ago when it was first published and I saved it to read when I was on my Christmas break.  To do that, I had to bury it under a pile of other books so that I wouldn't be tempted to delve into it immediately.  Boy, was that hard!  This meant that I could sit reading it for as long as I liked without any interruptions.  And what a stellar book it was!  This is shaping up to be one of my favourite YA series of all time. 

The story got off to a slow start but not in a bad way.  It gave me a chance to remember all the things that had happened in 'Crown of Fire' and to become reacquainted with lots of familiar and well loved faces.  Although it was very strange not to see Celaena, Dorian and Chaol all together and I did really miss that, it was also interesting to see them forging their own paths and having to stand alone.  All of them have their own demons to face before they can get a happy ending. 

I really, really missed the romance between Celaena and Chaol and I'm still hopeful that they will get back on track in the next book.  I'm firmly of the opinion that they make each other a better person and that their best qualities definitely compliment each other.  All the best romances have to overcome adversity first!   

Celaena is an incredible hero.  She is self-less, determined, brave and unbroken and I've enjoyed joining her on every step of her journey towards redemption and self-discovery.  There are lots of new sides to her character in this book and I like the fact that there are so many different aspects of her personality still to explore. 

As well as all my favourites there were some great new characters added to the story.  Rowan was amazing and I loved learning all about him but I also enjoyed seeing Sorscha the healer and Manon the witch.  Be prepared for plenty of surprises when it comes to these guys.   

This is the kind of book that you can get lost in and wish that you'll never have to find your way out of again.  Brilliantly written, Sarah J Maas has a lifelong fan in me (and I'm sure other readers too!)

Cover reveal: Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas

Take a look at the stunning UK cover for 'Crown of Midnight' by Sarah J Maas which Bloomsbury will be publishing later this year.  This is the second book in the Throne of Glass series.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

My favourite reads of 2012

2012 has been a fantastic year for young-adult books with some incredible titles storming onto bookshelves around the world.  I've put together my top ten list of favourite books I've read (although not necessarily published) this year.  These are in no particular order because I loved them all equally!

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

 

Stephanie Perkins is one of my favourite YA writers.  Her writing style is fresh and original and I've adored both of her books so far.  I simply can't wait for 'Isla and the Happily Ever After' which will finally be published in 2013.  I loved the characters in 'Lola and the Boy Next Door' and I fell hook, line and sinker for the adorable Cricket Bell.

 

2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

 

This is the second book in the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand which is a contender for one of my all-time favourite series of YA books.  The story was gripping and engrossing and I loved reading about Clara and the two boys in her life, Tucker and Christian.  I'm on tenterhooks waiting to find out which boy she'll eventually choose (I'm secretly hoping for Tucker!).  

 

 

 

3. Everneath by Brodi Ashton

 

One of the best debuts of 2012.  This was a five star read which blew me away.

 

 

 

4. Legend by Marie Lu

 

An incredible debut by Marie Lu loosely based on the plot of Les Miserables.  In my review I described it as a book which 'delivers the goods in spades'.  Dystopian fiction is one of my favourite genres and 'Legend' is one of the most thrilling stories I've ever come across.      

 

 

 

5. The Demon Trappers: Foretold by Jana Oliver

 

I had high hopes for the last book in The Demon Trappers series and Jana Oliver did not disappoint.  A truly fitting end to what has been an incredible ride. 

 

 

 

6. We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

 

Yet another marvellous end to a series.  Readers finally got to find out if Belly would choose Conrad or Jeremiah, a question everyone has been pondering over since the series started.  I adored this book which gave me everything I wanted and more! 

 

 

 

7. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

 

I'm a huge Robin Hood fan so I thought this retelling from the point of view of Scarlet was fantastic.  I'm looking forward immensely to more from this extremely talented author.

 

 

 

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 

There have been so many incredible debut novels in 2012 and this is another of the best.  Ten years in the making, 'Throne of Glass' is an epic fantasy adventure with wonderful characters and a fast paced and innovative plot. 

 

 

 

9. A Witch in Love by Ruth Warburton

 

Second books in a series can sometimes be a let down but not 'A Witch in Love'.  I described it as 'combining excitement, sadness, sorrow and hope' and it's one which left me begging for more.  The final book entitled 'A Witch Alone' is due out in 2013.

 

 

 

10. Revived by Cat Patrick

 

I count Cat Patrick among my favourite authors and her debut novel 'Forgotten' was one of my top reads of last year.  She's done it again with 'Revived' which yet again ticks all my boxes.  Gripping, engrossing and exciting, I absolutely loved it.

 

Review: Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, published by Bloomsbury on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Celaena Sardothien is a daredevil assassin with unrivalled fighting skills. After a year’s hard labour in the salt mines of the kingdom of Adarlan, Celaena is offered her freedom on one condition—she must fight as handsome Prince Dorian’s champion in a contest sponsored by the king, facing the deadliest thieves and assassins in the land in a series of set-piece battles in the country’s stunning glass palace. But there is more at stake than even her life—for Celaena is destined for a remarkable future...

Review:
To describe 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J Maas as epic would be an understatement.  This extraordinary well crafted story is a book lover's dream.  After finishing the last page it will linger on long in the memory.

The book actually first began on the Fiction Press website where it gained legions of avid readers.  Ten years later and it's finally being published as a full length novel and is sure to garner many more devoted fans.  Maas's inspiration for the book interestingly enough came from Cinderella but the fairytale has been reimagined and reworked to create something entirely new.

This is a book which I found impossible to put down and which won me over heart and soul.  Every second I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.  The characters became like friends which meant that I worried about them, laughed along with them, smiled and loved alongside them and didn't want to say goodbye to them when their adventure came to an end.

'Throne of Glass' perfectly combines elements of fantasy, adventure and romance.  All the things that I look for in a book were there and it has earned a permanent spot on my shelf of favourite books.  If I could make everyone I know read just one book then this would be it!

The actual story centres around Celaena Sardothian, otherwise known as Ardalan's Assassin.  Having been imprisoned in the mines of Endovier, she's given a chance at earning back her freedom by competing in a tournament where there can only be one victor.  Her opponents are other assassins, thieves and murderers, all attempting to escape a death sentence.  This is a brutal to the death tournament unlike any other and only the strongest and the smartest contestant has a chance at survival.

Celaena Sardothian is fierce but fragile at the same time.  She has faced terrible things in her life and survived.  She has been beaten and half-starved but her spirit is still intact.  She's extroverted and witty and she has an aura which seems to draw people towards her, not least Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Guards and Dorian, Crown Prince of Ardalan.

Usually in books which have two strong male figures, you end up rooting for one or the other but what's so great about this story is that Chaol and Dorian both come across as equally wonderful characters.  Dorian is the more overtly romantic figure but there's something interesting about Chaol which intrigued me and attracted me to him so that I looked forward to his appearance in each chapter. 

There is however much more to this book than just tangled affairs of the heart.  There is also a struggle between countries for freedom and power, as well as traces of magic and the supernatural which are central to the story.

I adored 'Throne of Glass' and I fell in love with the book!  Maas's writing is so vivid and powerful that I was drawn into the story and never wanted it to end.  With a storyline that has plenty of twists and turns and with characters that will steal your heart, this book is a winner on every level.

Cover reveal: Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas

On August 2nd 2012, Bloomsbury are publishing one of the most exciting releases of the year, 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J Maas.

Here's the fabulous cover for the book with the main character Celaena looking very fierce!

Celaena Sardothien is a daredevil assassin with unrivalled fighting skills. After a year’s hard labour in the salt mines of the kingdom of Adarlan, Celaena is offered her freedom on one condition—she must fight as handsome Prince Dorian’s champion in a contest sponsored by the king, facing the deadliest thieves and assassins in the land in a series of set-piece battles in the country’s stunning glass palace. But there is more at stake than even her life—for Celaena is destined for a remarkable future...

I was extremely lucky to have been sent a pre-publication proof of the book so expect my review to be up on the blog in the next few weeks.  If you're already dying to know more about it then click here for an extract from 'Throne of Glass'.