UptownOracle in Books

Mid Year Freak Out Tag

So as it’s halfway through the year it’s time for the Mid Year Freak Out Tag!

Best book you’ve read so far in 2018.

I would have to say To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, although Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett and The Waking Land by Callie Bates come close as well.

I loved that it was a Little Mermaid retelling but it was much darker and had Sirens instead of mermaids. I also loved that both characters were killers rather than loved up teens who had love at first sight! The world building was great and I would recommend over and over again.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018.

I have two sequels which I read recently that I loved. Palom by L.L. McNeil was a wonderful read, and one I’d been waiting for since reading the first book. I’m now avidly awaiting the third in the series as I loved the world and characters Lauren created. I also loved Clockwork City by Paul Crilley as it’s just as witty and dark as the first book and reminded me as to why I loved it.

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

Currently on my Kindle I have many many newly released books that I want to read. One is A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G Drews as I absolutely adore her blog and want to support her writing too. Plus I’ve heard nothing but good things!

I also want to read Sea Witch by Sarah Henning as it’s another mermaid kinda book from what I’ve heard and after To Kill a Kingdom I think I’m hooked.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

I have a few books that I’m excited for. One is Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff because I adore all his books. I’m also super excited to read the second book that M.A. Bennett has wrote, The Island (which I was lucky enough to get at YALC!). Plus I also got The Lost Witch by Melvin Burgess at YALC which I’m super excited about because I remember reading a book from him that I loved when I was younger.

Biggest disappointment.

My biggest disappointment this year would have to be The Sword of Shannara. If you read my review you will remember how much I didn’t enjoy the book, even though I was so excited to be reading Terry Brooks. Unfortunately this book did not live up to the expectations I had.

Biggest surprise.

I loved The Zanna Function which was a big surprise for me. It’s a middle-grade book that I didn’t know much about before reading, but I turned out to love it. It’s a fantastic book that would be great to teach young girls to love science, and that they can do it as well! It’s also a nice and easy read which made me really happy.

Favourite new [(Debut or new to you).

My favourite new would have to be The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert. Although I had some problems with this book I absolutely loved the writing and the fantasy elements and world.

Newest fictional crush.

If you didn’t realise, I don’t really enjoy romance in books in general. So I don’t actually have a fictional crush.

Newest favourite character.

I absolutely loved Ciara from Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake. She was a fantastic female character who was both powerful, yet vulnerable. Plus I can’t turn down Celtic AND Norse mythology.

Book that made you cry.

I don’t think I have cried at any books this year. After looking through goodreads, I think most of mine have been more fantasy focused than emotional!

Book that made you happy.

I loved Switched by Jen Calonita. It made me feel super nostalgic for fairytales, and because it’s a middle grade it was a really nice light read in between the darker fantasy novels I’ve been reading.

Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year.

I haven’t yet watched an adaptation (that I can remember!) but I absolutely adore the Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin trailers. For both films I full on cry while watching the trailers so I’m sure I’ll love the films.

Favourite review you’ve written this year.

Even though The Sword of Shannara was a disappointment, it was my favourite review all year. As it’s such an old book it meant that I could research things and I could see whether other people had the same thoughts as me, or differing thoughts. I realised that when I’ve been reviewing new books I’ve really lacked being able to read other peoples thoughts on books because of lack of reviews and lack of discussions around different elements of the book. So this review also made me want to read older books more as well!

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year?

I’ve got to say that I absolutely adored The Wendy. I found the artwork to be beautiful as soon as I saw it, and it has a double exposure effect which is one of my favourites in photography.

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

I have so many books to read before the end of the year! I’m aiming to finish all my kindle books (before buying any more!!!) and I now need to read my YALC haul…

But some of my top priorities: