Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

It’s somehow almost the end of June, I know I am as confused as you. On one hand the year has gone in the blink of an eye, on the other hand it feels like it’s been millennia since January.

I was tagged by the lovely Laura @ The Book Corps for this tag so without further ado…

The best book of the year so far

That would have to be a tie between Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Los Nefilim by T Frohock. I love them for different reasons but both are amazing, full of wonderful characters and superb writing.

 

The best sequel of the year so far

Amnesty by Lara Elena Donnelly. Technically is the third book in the trilogy but I’m making it count because this is how you do a finale. It was just everything I could have hoped for, after Amberlough and Armistice, and more.

 

A new release you haven’t read yet but want to

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. It’s sitting on my shelf and I’ve been hearing such good things about it that the hype is real. I just need to find the time for the 800+ page epic that it is.

 

 

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

One would most definitely have to be Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. I mean. Leasbian. Necomancers. In. Space.
Also on the list is Heartsong by TJ Klune, I may not be ready but at the same time Heartsong and Brothersong are all I want from life.

 

Your biggest disappointment of the year so far

Enchantee by Gita Trelease. I was expecting to love it but it just really wasn’t my thing. I found it really slow and it was a long book as well, I felt like it could have been a lot shorter to help keep it from lagging.

Your biggest surprise of the year so far

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons. Going in I was excited but mostly intimidated because of its size and complexity but I really enjoyed it and it wasn’t anywhere near as difficult as I expected it to be. Plus Khirin was a unexpected disaster bi delight.

 

Your new favourite author

T. Frohock, author of Los Nefilim & Where Oblivion Lives and others. I discovered her books this year and promptly fell in love. She’s such a great writer and a lovely person to boot. And you can probably tell she’s my new favourite author by how many times she and her books appear here 😅

Your newest favourite character

Amastan from The Perfect Assassin by KA Doore. He’s such a soft wonderful character. Deadly, because that man is an assassin, but so soft. You can never have enough soft, ace, assassin marshmallows in your life.

 

 

Your newest fictional crush

I wouldn’t necessarily call it my newest fictional crush, but it was reignited with the release of Amnesty. Aristide Makricosta (on the left), he is an absolute darling with fingers in many different pies, having clawed himself out of nothing. I wish I had half as much style as him. Honestly, I think its a friendship crush than romantic but to brush shoulders with him would be an absolute riot. A Sinnamon roll.

Art by InkyDandy Tumblr ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

 

A book that has made you cry

Ravensong by TJ Klune. No one can quite break my heart and leave it full at the same time quite like Klune can. The Green Creek series leaves me in tears, both happy ones and sad ones.

 

 

A book that has made you happy

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan. It’s just a goddamn delight, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

The most beautiful book of the year so far

Where Oblivion Lives. I mean the cover is beautiful in and of itself but it’s the most beautiful book in terms of the writing. Frohock really has a way with words that casts a spell over you and has a dreamlike quality.

 

 

Some books you need to read before the end of the year

Ooh boy, is that a list. There’s so many and there’s no way I’ll get to them all but for the tag, here’s a random and very much nonexhaustive selection:

 

Tagging ~ Jamieson @ Jamishelves, Elise @ The Bookish Actress & Brooklyn @ Booklyn.the.bookworm, along with anyone else who fancies a tag!

What about you, seen any you’ve enjoyed here? What are you most looking forward to reading in the second half of the year?