Nevertheless, I was able to pull together a list of ten books I felt worthy of a mention. All are YA or adult and none were re-reads for me. Some are newer, but most are not - they are just books I never got around to reading before. But if you're looking for some good reads (IMHO) and any of these have not crossed your nightstand before, might I recommend...
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This book was just straight-up fun. Like 39 Clues or The Gollywhopper Games, but for teens. YA seriously needs more books like this. It is unapologetically teen, and I suppose it suffers from the standard flaws, but it was just such a quick, entertaining read that I didn't really care. And of course, just like Truly Devious, it is a mystery that doesn't get solved entirely in one book. The whole series is worth reading, like, now.
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
Myrthe is the Wishtress, each tear she sheds granting someone one wish. But when one of her wishes goes awry, she must break the resulting curse upon her by traveling to the Well. Bastiaan has his own talent - the ability to stop time with a snap of his fingers. An ability he has used to kill the king. He too must travel to the Well. Though each have their own agendas and secrets, they will find it hard to keep their emotions unentangled.
Wishtress was a really fun story because it felt familiar and unique all at once. The worldbuilding and character development are splendid, and the story is complex without bogging down. For fantasy and fairy-tale lovers, Wishtress will be a solid choice. Fans of Spindle Fire and Rae Carson aficionados would particularly enjoy this one.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
So, okay, honesty here. I had low expectations for this book when I went in, in spite of the hype because 1) I adore teens, but a lot of them like bandwagons (I work with them and there is no malice in this statement, it's just something that tends to be true) and 2) I had tried to read this book a couple times already, and couldn't get into it. But it's been on so many award lists that I make a point to read that I finally strapped in and made myself just sit down and read it.
I'm so glad I did.
If I'm being completely honest again here, it definitely has some flaws. But I gave it a five because the way Deonn pulled everything together in this story and twisted it was SO BLOODY EPIC that I can't even fully care about the flaws. I just loved the story, once it all came together and we could see how the author had been layering everything into place all along. Beautiful work.
CONS
Anything I say has already been mentioned, but the things that nagged at me the most...
- Slow starter -- it really is
- Instalove -- I feel like Nick and Bree were sort of justified in this because of the Arthur/Lancelot connection and I sorta shipped Sel and Bree from the start. AND there's so much info going on that they're already getting close to halfway through the book before the romance really starts, but it still did read a bit too much insta-love.
- Sel's mood swings -- is this just a demon blood thing because he blew hot and cold more than Katy Perry.
- (Worst fault) TOO MANY CHARACTERS -- I couldn't begin to keep everyone straight. I found the chart in the back and was all excited but it didn't associate any of the people with any of the Lines. When someone died, I wasn't even sure what to think because I couldn't remember who he was and if he was a Scion or a Squire or what.
- Info-dumpy -- I really wanted to understand everything that was going on, but there was a lot of explaining and not a lot of really showing in some of these areas. Or information was too vague, so Bree figured it out, but I'm a bit thicker and was still clueless about whatever revelation we'd just gotten.
- I know there were jokes about Sel being a bit Twilight-y, but oh man, even trying to make light of it, he was still so Edward it was cringey.
PROS
- Grief portrayal -- was massive spot-on and rightfully so, because the author based it in her personal experience. I loved that After-Bree was a bit more than grief but I also loved that portrayal of grief because it's so stinkin' accurate.
- Black history and culture -- not just the weaving in and the Rootcrafters but the gorgeous way she wove the horrors of slavery into the story and then TOOK OWNERSHIP of it and threw them right back at her persecutors by taking their most valuable "possession" from them. That was BRILLIANT; my head's still spinning. Also the potential setup that may very well provoke the discovery that the merlins are actually enslaved. Horrible, but fiction exists sometimes to show people the things that need to change and the wrongs that have been done. Again, just brilliant.
- Characters -- we didn't get to see enough of them *cough*Alice*cough* but her characters were really fun and I liked a lot of them (hearts to William just because he's so freakin' adorable.)
- Worldbuilding -- even when I didn't understand some of it, other reviewers have used the terms "robust" and "majestic" for this story and overall, I'm going to agree. This fantasy had so much substance and depth to it that is lacking sorely in YA lit right now.
- Ending -- I don't even know how to put this into words. I would complain about Bree being special or some kind of chosen one (which I generally loathe) but Deonn built it SO WELL that I bought it and loved it. The whole end was magnificent and MAN, I'd love to see it on film. The moment of truth is going to stay with me a looong time because it was glorious.
- All the reveals -- they were spectacular. I didn't see any of them coming, to the point where I didn't even know a lot of them could even be on the table. And yet they worked SO well within the framework Deonn built.
I suppose eventually I might lower it to 4.5 (retroactive flaw annoyance) but it's still not going to stop me from keeping this one HIGH on my list of favorites and recommendations this year. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for?
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Orphaned just before his final exams in veterinary school, Jacob Jankowski jumps aboard a circus train instead of facing the circumstances that present themselves. Though struggling for acceptance among the circus crew, Jacob lands himself a job caring for the animals. Along the way he is smitten by the lovely equestrienne, Marlena, who is married to the cruel and unstable August. And of course, we must have the elephant - Rosie - who is being terribly abused as Jacob tries to help her.
It's taken me a while to getting around to this one -- I had started it as an audio but it didn't take well for me in that format. I am very glad that I tried again. It's one of those stories where the plot does move, but it doesn't feel plot-driven; we're far more focused on the characters and their relationships. Some of the action in it is brutal, even horrific, and the story is dark to the end. The resolution may technically qualify as a "happy ending," but with that all-too-human flavor that reminds us nothing is perfectly happy. Worth reading and will prompt discussion.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
This is seriously one of the best stories I may have ever read. The audio is PHENOMENAL, and I am generally not an audiophile. For people who may shy away from King automatically because they do not like horror, this is NOT a horror story. It does have a few macabre elements and scenes, but it is most assuredly a fantasy.
Many people have talked about this feeling almost like two books, and that is completely true. We have the "before" story with Charlie and Howard Bowditch, as Charlie cares for Howard and his dog, Radar. This is a very realistic fiction segment for the most part and focuses on the relationships Charlie is building. It is long but engrossing. The second half occurs after Bowditch dies and Charlie discovers the entrance to a parallel universe that Howard has been guarding. This moves the story into the realm of the fantastical, and feels very much like a different story. People have complained about this and some have basically suggested King phoned it in for this one, but I disagree heartily. I loved this story like fire and it has stayed with me and impressed itself into my memory. I read a lot. Many books that I read, even ones I really like in the moment, end up being forgettable. I can tell you a year later that I enjoyed X book, but I won't be able to tell you even one thing about it - who the characters were, what they did... nothing. This one I can remember multiple scenes from and can absolutely give any would-be reader a plot summary without even thinking twice. Any book that can
I hope it did make Stephen King happy writing it, because it is certainly making readers happy everywhere. Don't miss this one.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
This book is exactly everything a teen rom-com should be right here. Yes, it's a little silly in places. Yes, it's probably a little over-the-top in spots. Seriously, has no one ever seen While You Were Sleeping? Rom-coms do not exist to be serious, reflective or even truly realistic. They are candy! They are Monster Cake! And this one is just too ridiculously cute to be believed. I could have sat and picked it apart, and if I sit and do so, I'm sure I will find thousands of flaws, but I didn't notice them because I was too busy enjoying the story. It's like You've Got Mail for Gen Z with enough substance and twist to make it really fun. If you are a young rom-com fan, why are you not reading this book right now?
Oh, but I'm totally docking half a star because WHERE ARE THE RECIPES??
Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds
A lightweight YA rom-com that takes place over Hanukkah. Shira is determined to snag herself a boyfriend and she already has him picked out. Isaac is perfect: organized, successful, gorgeous and already an overachiever. Unfortunately, her old crush, Tyler -- who definitely did NOT return her affections way back then -- has been snowed in with her before the family can arrive. While Shira's in no mood to give into his charms, she does decide that Tyler would be a good candidate to teach her how to flirt. He agrees in exchange for some favorable introductions, and the game is on. But like any good rom-com, pretend romance inevitably leads to confusion and feelings.
There's not really much special about this book. It does what rom-coms are supposed to do, and it does those things well. I loved the representation of a non-mainstream holiday and culture. The story was adorable for anyone who enjoys fluffy holiday reads (and I do). It did suffer from a few common flaws - Isaac was never quite given enough substance to be believable as a foil. Shira was the quintessential "doesn't know she's gorgeous" average heroine wooed by the incredibly gorgeous boy who could have any girl. None of these stop the story from being a fun little romp through the holiday and a great addition to your cozy YA reads this winter.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
I didn't even want to write a review for this book. I just sat with it and let it be in my head for a while, so I could tuck it away where I can pull it out again and look at it sometimes. This book is worth every accolade it's receiving.
PROS
-- Wordsmithing. V.E. Schwab may not be quite the wordsmith that Erin Morgenstern or Franny Billingsley are, but she crafts words and characters like they are art.
-- Characters. They are real people. They are not always exciting. Sometimes they get stuck or drift. But real people do that. If they had wonderful, exciting lives, they would not have made the choices they did. I forgot they were created and written by someone - this was like watching their lives through a glass. This book is also tagged LGBTQ a lot, but again, that's not the focus. It's just about these people who are being people.
-- Introspective. This is not a plot-driven novel. For people expecting this to be a romp through time or an exciting adventure, it isn't. This book is a slow burn -- you don't tear through it in an afternoon, you read it piece by piece by piece. The curse Addie is under is not the focal point of the story, it's always about her humanity, her adaptation, her process of learning to live. And Henry's too. It's much more about our motives, emotions and relationships than it ever is about the supernatural or the action.
-- All the feels. This might be one of the saddest books I've ever read, but it's nothing like reading a sad story where the dog dies at the end or even where a parent or sibling loses a child. Plenty of books have made me cry, but this one was special (and don't ask me how because I will probably never fully process this book.)
-- Plot craft. Which makes no sense because I've just spent all these words talking about how it isn't a plot-driven book. That doesn't mean the author did a poor job with the plot, quite the contrary. It's woven beautifully with twists and turns that are clever and lovely and surprising even when they're expected or you think you know what will happen. The last chapters are an entire journey in themselves.
CONS
-- Inconsistency. I think it would be very hard to nail down the edges of a curse as complex as Addie's perfectly through the societal and technological changes over centuries. So there are definitely a couple things that don't quite make sense. As nice and symbolic as Estele's yew tree is, there is no explanation for how Addie could plant it, and it makes no sense.
-- Wordy. There is a part in this book, probably somewhere through the middle third, where it bogs a bit. It meanders a little and gets too circular. I definitely hit that part where it was... not HARD to pick up, but there didn't seem to be any urgency to get back to it, and I've seen in group chats and other reviews that many others feel the same. But I'm very glad I pushed through it because it does pick up and improve.
Overall, a surprise gem I wasn't expecting. I loved it and it is very possible this will be a story I revisit again many times. One thing is certain, I will not be forgetting the name of Addie LaRue.
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
I was apparently on a rom-com binge this year. The nice thing about YA rom-com is that it isn't meant to be deep or pithy or unique; it just has to tell a sweet story in such a way that you root for the two main characters to fall for each other and like them while they're doing it. If there are misunderstandings or one of them thinks they hate the other first, even better.
I have a particular soft spot for this one because Lily meets her secret crush via notes passed to each other on top of and then hidden in the frame of the classroom desk they each sit in through the day. (While I never met a crush this way, I did exchange notes and become friends with several people this way during a particularly tedious history class in high school.) Lily falls for this other person through his writing as they get to know each other without their looks or popularity being factors, another plus. So while this book, as all of them, has its flaws, it had a unique framing device and was an engaging read for the genre.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
This one snuck under the radar. I was actually somewhat determined NOT to like it. Why? 1. Way too much hype. 2. When I talk about books today needing an editor, I am talking specifically about this book. The writing in the beginning was stilted, slow and awkward. It was hard to really get invested up front. And, not to be the grammar police, but I would love to know how any book put through even the most basic grammar check could include run-on sentences that literally were an entire paragraph. I feel sorry for anyone narrating this for audio.
That said, the story was magnificent. It follows pretty standard lines of dragon stories because if you have a dragon in any universe, then of course it is going to follow that you are part of your country's military force. Because that's what dragons are for, no? However, as I said about a lot of Mercedes Lackey's earlier work, it's not that it's never been done before, it's just that she does it better than everyone else. And I really rather loved Yarros' iteration of this type of story.
I loved that the dragons were portrayed as unpredictable and menacing. Hello, they're dragons! They should be scaring the holy stink out of everyone. Anyone associated with them should absolutely be, at some level, always slightly afraid one of the dragons will become annoyed and just snap them out of existence for a snack. Sgaeyl was my favorite dragon for this reason; she was glorious.
I loved that training was so fraught with danger and that a lot of people simply did not live through it. This felt realistic and meant that our characters actually had something at stake. Unlike other writers who suggest that everyone could die in training or battle or something else, Yarros actually went ahead and killed people off on a regular basis. And some of those deaths hit close to home. This worked for me.
While I liked Andarna, I think she was a little too anthropomorphic. She sounded like a little kid. "No problem!" She did not sound like a young dragon. She was a little too Wings of Fire-y for my taste, even though I love the concept, and I liked the way the author resolved her situation. That the dragons keep so much of their life and culture a secret even from the riders feels correct. One of the hardest parts about writing them is to make them alien enough consistently. They are not people, they are not pets -- they are ancient, sentient, highly intelligent creatures who may or may not have much patience with puny humans. Writing this effectively, especially when your dragons all speak English, is very difficult. While Yarros succeeded to a decent extent here, I would like to see her head even further in this direction.
The same is really true of Tairn. I liked him, but we don't have a lot of explanation for why he favored Violet so completely other than that she stood up for Andarna. Sometimes he was a little too human. I didn't want to see the most powerful dragon in the kingdom just be a curmudgeonly old softie. This is an issue that Lackey's Companions fell victim to, but it wasn't as big an issue because they were horses. Not dragons.
Saddles. Okay, this is a relatively minor issue but even though one should probably be able to stick their dragon bareback, why in the WORLD are not all the riders using saddles in battle or for long campaigns? Dragons would be hard to stick bareback in bad weather or when fighting. They are huge; you can't grip them around the way you do a horse. And while bareback riding a horse is a great exercise to build muscle and bond with your animal, even exceptional riders pretty much always use a saddle when riding all day, doing very risky things like racing or jumping, or riding into a fight or in bad weather on a ranch. It's better for everyone. This just seemed really stupid to me and I don't understand why the most powerful dragon around saw fit to humble himself for this but lesser dragons didn't.
That touches on a bigger issue, which was the bond between the riders and the dragons. We are sent really mixed messages about this. It's supposed to be weaker at first so I suppose if a dragon decides they've misjudged their rider, it might be realistic to toss them to their death and go pick an unbonded, but long-tern pairs are supposedly so bonded that riders will die if their dragon does. And they communicate mind-to-mind and are soul-bonded. Sometimes this seemed true and other times it felt as though the dragons really didn't like their riders that much and only tolerated them. Again... makes no sense; I would like clarity here.
So, yes, some sizeable flaws in this book, but it was a good read. It is written for that "New Adult" category, which is basically a YA novel but with explicit sex involved, like Court of Thorns and Roses and Jennifer Armentrout's From Blood and Ash. If you are a dragon fan, this book will fill your dragon-loving heart to the top.
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