Mid Year Freak-out Tag

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019. 

The Tiger’s Daughter (Their Bright Ascendency #1) by K Arsenault Rivera

This is about two girls who grow to love each other in a mongol inspired fantasy land. One of them is destined to be Empress and the other is going to be a leader of her people.

It’s written in present tense when we are with the Empress but then switches to past tense when she’s reading the letter her wife has sent her. They can’t be together because the wife is on an epic quest. I don’t think I can say anymore because I’ll spoil it but everyone should give it a try. It’s a lot better than I made it sound.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019.

Kushiel’s Avatar (Phedre’s Trilogy) by Jacqueline Carey

I read this in January and I haven’t read a sequel that’s better since. While I was looking through the list of sequels I’d read it was really obvious which book would be my choice.

This was such a good end to the trilogy and the problems I had with the previous books were gone. For such a large book I got through it really quickly.

The first book Kushiel’s Dart had too much history and details that I didn’t care about. Then Kushiel’s Chosen was set in a place I didn’t like. They were homophobic and I didn’t find it as fun or interesting.

Where as Kushiel’s Avatar was so epic and Phedre really struggles with the things she has to do. It gets really dark towards the end. But it’s such a good end.

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.

In the Shadow of Spindrift House by Mira Grant

This year I’ve been really good about reading the new releases I’m interested in. So this is the only one I can think of.

I don’t even know what this book is about but I know it came out recently. It’s by Mira Grant which is a pen name of Seanan Mcguire. And so far I’ve loved all her books, with whichever pen name she’s using.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

The Warrior Moon by K Arsenault Rivera

This is the third book in Their Bright Ascendency series and comes out in september. I’m going to preorder it. 

5. Biggest disappointment.

Black Leopard Red Wolf (Dark Star trilogy #1) by Marlon James

A lot of my disappointment came from my expectations of what this book was going to be. And that came from the marketing. This is not an african version of Game of Thrones. The worldbuilding is nowhere near Tolkein. It’s mostly incomprehensible.

It’s a literary novel, there was no point in putting this in the fantasy genre other than to trick people like me into buying it. And all that does is piss me off. So I have no good feelings towards this book.

6. Biggest surprise.

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling

I thought I would like it but I gave this book five stars so that’s way more than like. I’m also dying to read the sequels but I’m trying to pace myself.

I couldn’t even tell you why I love this book. It was just a really good read that I couldn’t put down.

7. Favourite new author.

K Arsenault Rivera who wrote The Tiger’s Daughter

8. Newest fictional crush.

none

9. Newest favourite character.

There’s not one character that stands out to me above all the others.

10. Book that made you cry.

None so far.

11. Book that made you happy.

Luck in the shadows

Casual queerness and fun fantasy adventures.

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year.

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

The rest of the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb

At the beginning of the year I reread the Farseer trilogy.

I’ve now read The Dragon Keeper (Rain Wild Chronicles #1) for Book Junkie Trials and there are three more books in that series.

Dragon Haven

City of Dragons

Blood of Dragons

I’ve also got to reread The Liveship Traders trilogy and the Tawny Man trilogy.

Ship of Magic

The Mad Ship

Ship of Destiny

Fool’s Errand

Golden Fool

Fool’s Fate

Then I can finally read The Fitz and The Fool trilogy. 

Fool’s Assassin

Fool’s Quest

Assassin’s Fate

I don’t know if there are enough months left in the year.

I also want to read all of the Nightrunner series which is about seven books.

Stalking Darkness

Traitor’s Moon

Shadows Return

The White Road

Casket of Souls

Shard of Time

Then I want to finish Their Bright Ascendency trilogy because the first book, The Tiger’s Daughter, was amazing even though it’s written in an unusual style.

The Phoenix Empress

The Warrior Moon.

I’d also like to finish the Wayfarer’s series. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers.