Now normally I would do this right as the new year hit buuuuuut I mean... if you're really looking for some suggestions does it need to be right in January? Nope. Recommendations are great all year round. So I'm going to roll with this.
I personally had a rough reading year last year. Not sure why... but it was there. I had a HUGE reading slump for a good portion of the year. I didn't come out of it until a few months before the year ended and yikes...
I mean, honestly, there isn't a reason to really be upset about reading slumps. Like all slumps they happen. For me it was a very silly and *cough* totally unimportant aspect of it that bothered me.
Reading challenge. Yep, there it is. Since I had stumbled on Goodreads back in 2015 I have been a happy reader. No more skimming new books on library shelves or searching random terms in hopes of turning up a great book. And I get to keep track? Yep. Shelve them by type? Oh yes.
And since that lovely year I've always read over 50 books. 50 books is my standard challenge. I'm honestly just enjoying the journey and I didn't want to feel that I had to read to meet some goal. So despite usually getting around 65-70 done a year, I keep it at 50.
But then last year happened.
Needless to say it's the closest I've ever been to NOT hitting that 50 goal. I was back in the reading binge life but so far behind that at the rate I was closing the gap I really didn't think I'd make it. 53 books though and there we were.
In addition I did very little reviewing. Time time, never enough. So I will freely admit that I do not have the notes I'd like to have on these books and beg your pardon for not doing them justice in my comments. (I'm old and I lose a lot of little details by the end of the year when it comes to reading.) Without my notes that I usually make sure I get down RIGHT AWAY because I know if you ask me who the characters were 24 hours later you won't get names out of me.
All that to say that it FELT like a bleh reading year. I went to find 10 books for this post and the whole time I'm thinking, "I'll never find ten. There wasn't that many." Then I started thinking about it and I realized that while I read less than normal and was most definitely in a slump for most of the year I did read some really good books.
In fact I had the trying time of narrowing it down to 10!! So here they are.
10. The Call of the Sea by Mari LaRoche and Daphne Moore (4✯)
NA Fantasy Romance
When her father and brother go missing at sea, Nora finds herself at the whims of her stepmother, who would see her married to a high-ranking cousin in order to keep her father’s wealth in the family.
Torn between her duty to honor her father’s last request for a good marriage and her father’s example of marrying for love, Nora must decide what she values more. But there is power in a simple shawl and true love may finally be in reach – but will it be discovered in time?
Honoria Talbott is just a quiet Irish girl who loves to swim and tinker with her clockwork inventions. Until she meets Cathal mac Ler, a selkie lord charged with marrying a human female as part of a treaty negotiation between Fae and Humans.
When her father and brother go missing at sea, Nora finds herself at the whims of her stepmother, who would see her married to a high-ranking cousin in order to keep her father’s wealth in the family.
Torn between her duty to honor her father’s last request for a good marriage and her father’s example of marrying for love, Nora must decide what she values more. But there is power in a simple shawl and true love may finally be in reach – but will it be discovered in time?
The Call of the Sea is a historical fantasy that centers around Honoria, a girl who is trying to make all the choices a young lady of her time was expected to make, while still pursuing her own passions.
This book came at the time I needed it. I was stuck in the middle of that slump and here was this book on my bedside table. I thought... I can do this. It's already there. I'm going to try it.
It was refreshing and invigorating. It pulled me into the story and I swear I was lost at sea. It was like watching the rain outside your window. You just kind of sit there and watch and listen. It's mesmerizing, it makes you feel calmer and happier.
Odd review, I know, but that was how I felt. And I'm grateful to this sparking my drive to read again.
9. Blood in the Snow by Sarah Pennington (4✯)
YA Fairytale Retelling
Her destiny is decided — but betrayal breaks even the best-laid plans.
Baili, the princess of the Kingdom of Seven Rivers, has always known what her future holds. Declared the fairest of all by the fabled Dragonglass, she is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy and unite her homeland with its long-time enemy, the Kingdom of Three Peaks. And in doing so, she may save her country from death and ruin.
In order to fulfill her destiny, Baili must travel to the Kingdom of Three Peaks and marry its prince, Liu Xiang. But all Baili's plans and expectations are turned upside-down when her servants and soldiers, acting on her stepmother's orders, turn against her on the road. Baili narrowly escapes with her life, but she's left alone and adrift among strangers.
Fortunately, Baili finds refuge in the home of seven animal keepers: servants and slaves to the emperor of Three Peaks. Yet time is running out. Her servants' rebellion was only a small part of a much larger plot. Within weeks, her stepmother plans to unite the two kingdoms, not by contract, but by conquest. Baili must reclaim her rightful place and unite not just two kingdoms but many peoples in order to stop the plan. And if she fails, two kingdoms will be plunged into ruin.
I'll confess, my FAVORITE genre is fantasy, but beyond that when we get right into it... my favorite subgenre is fairytale retellings. So this will hardly be the only one on the list. There were two things that I think made this stand out from the start. The combination of both Snow White and the Goose Girl being one. The second is that it was Asian inspired.
We see a lot of retellings of one tale and usually in a western flavor. To find one that not only combines two but has a different cultural feel to it is always intriguing to me.
Beyond that what made this idea take off, in my opinion, was the characters. Pennington did a stellar job of creating a rich and vibrant cast that shone out. Beautifully written.
8. The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown (5✯)
YA Historical Fairytale Retelling
When the world doesn't want
you to be who you are,
you must become more yourself
than you knew you could be.
London. 1789. More than anything in the world, Wendy Darling wants to be the captain of a ship, but women aren't allowed in the Royal Navy. When she learns the Home Office is accepting a handful of women into its ranks, she jumps at the chance, joining the fight against the most formidable threat England has ever faced. Magic.
But the secret service isn't exactly what she hoped. Accompanied by a reimagined cast of the original Peter Pan, Wendy soon discovers that her dreams are as far away as ever, that choosing sides isn't as simple as she thought, and that the only man who isn't blinded by her gender might be the worst friend anyone could ask for.
Anyone, that is, except Wendy Darling.
Okay soooo this is a strange one for me because of all the fairytales that I enjoy reading retellings of I can honestly say that Peter Pan is not one of them. I just have yet to read one that didn't get way darker than I like. And even if it doesn't I just usually am unimpressed. Peter and the Starcatchers I believe is the only retelling of the story that I really love.
But back to The Wendy. We have not three siblings, but three "brothers-in-arms". Three members of the secret service. Only their assignment is... not typical. She signs up because she wants to help and this is the only opportunity open to women. But come to find out this isn't a regular company, this one is on the pursuit of the "everlost" oh yeah, and surprise there's magic.
Now Wendy has a job that only a woman can do (for reasons) but that doesn't mean that she has a lot of respect in the regiment. Her battle against the men who she works with, her discovery of what exactly is going on, and then the wondering.
Am I on the right side? Am I being told the whole truth?
And of course the everlost boys and their leader aren't quiiiiiiite normal. So even if she believes that they're not what Hook says they are, it doesn't mean they are safe... or innocent.
I felt like I really went along with Wendy and experienced a lot of the same emotions and frustrations and questions I'm sure she had.
7. Court of Shadows by Meg Cowley (5✯)
NA Fantasy Adventure
Evil returns to Pelenor. The Court of Shadows will reign. The revolution has begun.
Dimitri raised Saradon willingly; but now he realises that time, hate, and the darkest of magics have twisted a revolutionary into an evil that seeks dominion over all. Dimitri is bound to Saradon’s cause, no matter the abhorrent acts Saradon already commits.
The dwarven realm of Valtivar shall be the first to fall to the feral scourge of goblins, followed by the crumbling kingdom of Pelenor, unless Dimitri can somehow twist his orders to avert the death of both nations before it is too late.
Harper is thrust into the middle of the conflict when her dwarven companion Ragnar is taken by the goblin horde. But, the hands of fate play a melody she cannot begin to dream of. In the dwarven halls, she discovers her destiny, and her identity at the hands of a goddess-like prophetess. It could not be farther from what she imagines.
The truth will pit all against her, for Harper holds great darkness within her, but in her hands is the only chance for success - and it is nigh on impossible.
Now, Harper finds herself in a race to not only save her friend, but the future of Valtivar and Pelenor.
Will Harper and Dimitri be able to work together to defeat Saradon?
Evil returns to Pelenor. The Court of Shadows will reign. The revolution has begun.
Dimitri raised Saradon willingly; but now he realises that time, hate, and the darkest of magics have twisted a revolutionary into an evil that seeks dominion over all. Dimitri is bound to Saradon’s cause, no matter the abhorrent acts Saradon already commits.
The dwarven realm of Valtivar shall be the first to fall to the feral scourge of goblins, followed by the crumbling kingdom of Pelenor, unless Dimitri can somehow twist his orders to avert the death of both nations before it is too late.
Harper is thrust into the middle of the conflict when her dwarven companion Ragnar is taken by the goblin horde. But, the hands of fate play a melody she cannot begin to dream of. In the dwarven halls, she discovers her destiny, and her identity at the hands of a goddess-like prophetess. It could not be farther from what she imagines.
The truth will pit all against her, for Harper holds great darkness within her, but in her hands is the only chance for success - and it is nigh on impossible.
Now, Harper finds herself in a race to not only save her friend, but the future of Valtivar and Pelenor.
Will Harper and Dimitri be able to work together to defeat Saradon?
After thoroughly enjoying the first book, I HAD to get the second book. I'm happy to say that it did not disappoint! The characters of this story are very well-written. You'll definitely never get them confused with each other. But also the STAKES like... it's only the fate of the world at this point.
I really don't want to spoil it for anyone since it is the second book. But wow, like this has hints of LOTR for me. Epic fights with a company that okay maybe they don't always get along or even fully trust each other, but when things go south they're back to back willing to go down defending their companions. An epically evil villain.
And everyone has a reason why they landed where they did. Even the antagonists have clearly defined motives and we see how they got where they are. What brought someone to the point of creating this impending doom.
6. Exile by Melion Traverse (5✯)
NA Fantasy Adventure
Vengeance. Atonement. Exile.
After killing a paladin in revenge for her family, Squire Bryn is cast out by order of the god Avgorath himself. Now she seeks atonement with the father of the dead paladin. But machinations far greater than a disgraced squire are at play. Unicorn riders—believed to be only legend—ride through the land. A young sorcerer needs help in finding his father, and a mystery brews that could hold the fate of two worlds.
Will hatred prove stronger than the need to preserve a crumbling world?
I love journey stories. It'd been awhile since I'd read one too so this was a refreshing change of pace. The story revolves around two people who hate each other. They've lost what was most important to them thanks to the other. Due to taking revenge and so on they've been stripped of their titles and sent on a quest for redemption.
I was really not sure how Traverse would do this. How do you write two people that hate each other but have to travel together? How do you give them strong enough motives to warrant the hate and punishment but have those same reasons be something you understand them working past.
She managed to find crimes that were both serious enough to explain the situation both were in but also the reasons for how and why of the crimes for us to understand how maybe by the end they'll have forgiven each other.
5. Sister to Beauty by Roxanne McNeil (5✯)
NA Historical Non-Magical Fairytale Retelling
What if Beauty tricked her sister into taking her place with the Beast?
Henri needs a pretty wife to help his business associates overlook his disfiguring scars and eye patch. Conveniently, the father of the most beautiful girl in Provence owes him an enormous debt and agrees to allow Henri to court her as partial payment.
When Celeste is tricked into going to Henri’s home in her sister’s stead, she believes she’s only there to be his housekeeper. Thrilled to leave Marseille and her beautiful sister far behind, and intent on keeping her father out of debtor’s prison, she throws herself into repairing Henri’s chateau and reputation.
When Celeste’s work uncovers the secrets of Henri’s self-banishment, she must choose between her growing love for him and her own safety. And until the right daughter arrives to help him save his livelihood, Henri must fight his growing attraction to his infuriating future sister-in-law, who seems intent on transforming his heart along with his household.
I had some amazing luck with BatB retellings for this year. This one was centered around Beauty's sister, but besides the fact that her sister was the "beautiful one" the qualities we normally associate with Beauty were evidenced in the main character.
I loved the historical twist on this. No magic, no curse. A disfigured man who just wants a pretty wife to help with his business negotiations. A woman who is unappreciated by her family and not afraid of getting her hands dirty.
I loved the romance, the setting, and dialogue of this story.
4. The Heir and the Spare by Kate Stradling (5✯)
NA Non-Magical Fantasy
An evil princess, a ruthless persecutor, a wretched match.
Tormented at home and bullied during her studies abroad, second-born Iona of Wessett hides in the quiet corners of her father’s castle. Her art and music provide refuge, but her cruel sister Lisenn ever lurks like a monster stalking its prey.
Such has been her life for twenty years.
However, a promise of reprieve and retribution arrives when the neighboring kingdom of Capria proposes an alliance between their new crown prince and Wessett’s heir to the throne. The treaty will rid Iona of the toxic Lisenn, and the potential groom is none other than her erstwhile bully, Jaoven of Deraval. The marriage could not be more poetic: each deserves the misery the other might inflict.
Except that Jaoven, humbled by the war that elevated his rank, appears to have reformed, and the fate of both kingdoms now hinges on the disastrous union he’s about to make.
Wow wow wow. The tension throughout this story. The evilness of certain people. Like.... honestly this was just one that had me on the edge of my seat. We have two princesses but the second born one is severely bullied by the eldest. Iona better not love anything because you can guarantee Lisenn will destroy it.
NA Non-Magical FantasyAn evil princess, a ruthless persecutor, a wretched match.
Tormented at home and bullied during her studies abroad, second-born Iona of Wessett hides in the quiet corners of her father’s castle. Her art and music provide refuge, but her cruel sister Lisenn ever lurks like a monster stalking its prey.
Such has been her life for twenty years.
However, a promise of reprieve and retribution arrives when the neighboring kingdom of Capria proposes an alliance between their new crown prince and Wessett’s heir to the throne. The treaty will rid Iona of the toxic Lisenn, and the potential groom is none other than her erstwhile bully, Jaoven of Deraval. The marriage could not be more poetic: each deserves the misery the other might inflict.
Except that Jaoven, humbled by the war that elevated his rank, appears to have reformed, and the fate of both kingdoms now hinges on the disastrous union he’s about to make.
Wow wow wow. The tension throughout this story. The evilness of certain people. Like.... honestly this was just one that had me on the edge of my seat. We have two princesses but the second born one is severely bullied by the eldest. Iona better not love anything because you can guarantee Lisenn will destroy it.
Now there's a promise of a marriage alliance between Lisenn and a prince from a nearby kingdom. Iona recognizes Prince Jaoven immediately as her childhood bully that made her life miserable when her mother had hid her away for a time to avoid her sister's cruelty. It's perfect. The two people in life who've made her the most miserable are now looking to marry. Iona knows that Lisenn departing the kingdom would allow her the ability to not only step up and help her people but also to no longer have to cower in the shadows waiting for Lisenn to strike.
The only problem she can see? Maybe... just maybe Jaoven doesn't deserve Lisenn. And can she really be okay with passing a princess over to another kingdom where she will use her power to bring about greater suffering than she does now.
3. Soot and Slipper by Kate Stradling (5✯)
Eugenie lives in isolation on her father’s estate, with only her elegant stepmother and two stepsisters for company. When the crown of Jacondria announces a series of royal masquerades, she yearns to go. However, her stepsisters’ fortunes hinge on them finding wealthy husbands, and Eugenie doesn't want to interfere with their odds.
Enter a mischievous fairy who has other plans.
A scant few hours of light-hearted revelry seems harmless enough. By the fairy’s own rules, Eugenie can’t stay the whole night, and with everyone in costume, her stepfamily will never know she was there.
Really, how much trouble can result from attending a masquerade or two?
Great story. A take of Cinderella that I actually LIKE. Normally I can't stand the Cinderella character but this one I genuinely liked.
There was plenty of twists in this and I'll be honest the final one I did NOT see coming. Not at all. Totally floored. And if there's one thing that's super exciting in a retelling is an element that you couldn't call ahead of time.
My goodness the Stepmother too. What a great take on that character as well.
2. The Most Beautiful One by Elise Spencer (5✯)
NA Fairytale Retelling
Something terrible is happening to all the beautiful maidens in the kingdom.
For years, there has been an odd notice posted every so often in the town square calling forth the most beautiful maiden in the land to serve the kingdom. The Queen decides which of the eligible ladies earns the feared and elusive title. After that, the chosen one disappears, never to be seen or heard from again. A few months later, the game is played all over again. Some say that the Queen boils the women alive to steal their youth, and others insist that they are sacrificed to a great dragon in the North to stop him from invading. The only certain thing, however, is that being beautiful is now a curse.
Belara has been terrified of coming of age for years now. Ever since she was little, people have been telling her that she is a beauty beyond compare. Over the last few years, they have said this with pity rather than admiration. Right after her birthday, the same notice is posted again. No one is surprised when Belara is sent to the palace and declared to be the most beautiful of all. She is dispatched to fates unknown by the Queen, who gives her one piece of advice: not everything is what it seems. Armed with years of careful education and everything she learned from her father's library, Belara is determined not to meet the same fate as all the others.
I was so close--SO CLOSE--to not finishing this. To giving it up at the start. I really did not think I was going to like Bela. I pushed ahead though and ended up reading one of my favorite BatB retellings I've ever come across.
Bela is gorgeous and oohhh does she know it. She is one of those beautiful people who is fully aware that she's a knock out. She's concerned about her appearance, she wants to look nice, she is not the type to pick the sensible gown but instead will grab the most elaborate dress in the wardrobe. And of course the matching shoes and hair piece to go with it.
But you know what? The world is full of practical Beauty's. The ones we admire because they want to grab the plainest dress from the stack. The ones who have no idea they're beautiful.
What about one that's not blind to the obvious. She's not bragging or vain, just realizes that YES she is very beautiful. What about one that really loves dressing up and wants to experience the best dresses that are offered.
That is Bela. She's unique and refreshing. She was vulnerable and bold. She had a beautiful heart.
I love the time spent on having the characters get to know each other. The building of the romance was well done.
Both characters grew by the end. I loved that you could see they were still them but that they'd become stronger versions of themselves. More sure of themselves. Bela cared less about being what other people wanted to be.
1. Linnet and the Prince by Alydia Rackham (5✯)
Sixteen-year-old Linnet has been given a grave task. If she succeeds, it could end her life. If she fails, it could destroy her people.
She must kill a prince.
But first, she must marry him.
Prince Rajak of the Badi, son of the tyrannical desert king, has given Linnet’s Highland kingdom of Hilrigard an ultimatum: give him a princess for his bride, or be slaughtered. Linnet’s older sister is his first choice, but when she begs not to be sent, Linnet volunteers, to save her people.
Her mother, however, sees an opportunity. She secretly instructs Linnet to gain Rajak’s trust and then assassinate him, before he discovers the legendary chamber that will resurrect the Badi’s greatest king.
Linnet is united with Rajak and goes to his court determined to obey her mother’s command, though repulsed by the strange customs and bizarre foods. But the more she learns of the prince, the more she realizes that his brooding exterior conceals a good heart. And the more she learns of the chamber, the more she suspects that the legend is not what it seems.
But time runs short when Linnet’s mother sets the coup in motion, and Linnet is faced with a heart-rending choice—for the one sent to kill the prince is now the only one who can save him.
My goal near the end of the year was to just charge ahead and choose books off my list regardless of cover appeal. I like to put books on my list until I forget what the snippet says so that when I read it I'm completely surprised. Which means I pick which one based off the cover. And the covers this has are mmmm, I don't think they recommend the book well.
WHICH IS AWFUL. Because this book was AMAZING. My sister and I will often read similar books and yet very rarely do we find one we both end up crazy about. This was a solid hit for both of us.
I was up until nearly 4:00 because there was no way I wasn't going to finish it. I'm sure the world could've ended and I never would've known.
It left me wanting a second book to experience the healing that both characters needed. I wanted to see them grow in their relationship, learn to trust more, and really flourish. GOSH I NEEDED A SECOND BOOK.
A story so beautiful it really left me wanting more.
