Top 10 Favourite Books of 2020 + Giveaway

I know I pretty much stopped posting again, but I promise that won't last long. I just fried my brain from writing so many final papers for school, and the idea of blogging sounded mind-numbing to me. That's why I didn't make any of my other Top 10 posts for the end of the year. I'm going to post this and then I'm going to take a break for maybe another week or two and then I will hopefully want to start posting again. So this is going to be the list of my favourite books of the year! As always there will be a giveaway so don't worry! Also, I know last year I had my least favourite books included but I just didn't read enough books that I disliked to make a top 10 list. 

1. Chain of Gold

I loved this book so much. I know I say this every time, but you can see so much improvement with every book Cassandra Clare writes. I've never seen an author who has managed to up her game so much with each book she writes. Honestly, you can't even know how surprised I was when this didn't win the Goodreads Choice award. I was the embodiment of the surprised Pikachu face. 

2. From Blood and Ashes

This was a complete surprise. You guys know I've loved Jennifer L. Armentrout's books a lot in the past. The first review I ever posted on my blog was for Obsidian. I've just felt in the past few years I had been outgrowing her books a little bit. But then. From Blood and Ashes came in and changed my mind. This book was New Adult and I felt so much joy when reading this one. Or rather listening. I listened to the audiobook for this one and it was so good. I finished it in maybe two days of non-stop listening.

3. Hunting Prince Dracula

I loved everything about this book from the setting to the vibes to the mystery. I also reading Escaping from Houdini this year, but I definitely liked this one better. I've said this before, and I'll say it again: I want to live in a possibly haunted castle in Romania in the middle of winter. That sounds exactly like my vibe. 

4. Nightfall

The finale to one of my favourite NA romance series' of all time. It was long as fuck but it didn't even feel that long. We had so many characters and so many different secrets and stories that it worked. There was never a part where I wished it was shorter or that I got bored reading. Everything was so intentional and it built to this crescendo. It was amazing and I would gladly wait for it all over again. 

5. A Discovery of Witches

They had me at Witches. You guys know. You know. I am who I am and I doubt I'll change. Mention witches and I'm there. I understand why they decided to make this book into a show. Not that I'm for sure going to watch the show. I mean I probably won't. There is so much going on, a lot of it we still don't understand. It's a pretty long book, but we've barely scratched the surface. It's got such a fascinating world and I can't wait to read the other books. 

6. Tunnel of Bones

This is currently the only middle-grade series I am actively invested in. Much like a lot of the previous books, this series just matches my vibe. I love what this series is doing. This series is about a, I think 12, a year-old girl travelling the world with her parents as they check out the most haunted cities for their ghost hunting show. Little do they know she can see and talk to ghosts. This series is just so much fun and every time I read a new book I find so much joy in the little adventures she has.

7. Brothersong

I still love Wolfsong the best out of all the books in this series, but this book is still one of my favourites of the year. We finally got to see a full circle moment where all the dramas from the past books were finally resolved even if they made me cry. I mean, it's not like it's very hard to make me cry. This was a very good final chapter to the story though.

8. Praying for Rain

I'm sort of including the whole trilogy in this one. This trilogy could have been one long book. I'm not really a dystopian kind of girl anymore, but this post-apocalyptic NA romance was just an A+. It had everything: The apocalypse, a sketchy but attractive love interest, the main character that has issues but is still very lovable. It was just a really enjoyable series. My mind is a little fuzzy on some of the details since I read this one at the very beginning of the year, but I still remember that I really enjoyed it. 

9. Crescent City

I was debating whether or not to put this on the list. There were a lot of things I loved about this book but also a lot of things I didn't love *cough cough* Hunt. I loved the main character and her relationships with her friends. Her friends made this book a 5 star. I was really close to giving it 4 stars because honestly, this book was heavy and sad and I really don't like Hunt. Who was unfortunately in this book a lot. However, the good won out over the bad and I would feel guilty not including this one because it did really impact me. Despite the things I didn't like I would still say this was one of my favourites. I just hope things get better in the next book.

10. Beyond the Sea

This was a last-minute favourite. I originally had another book in this spot, but after reading this one I had to include it. If you want a good gothic romance this is it. I love a good gothic, I especially love a good gothic romance. This book takes place in a seaside town in Ireland. There's a creepy house and a lot of mystery. So good. It's so good. I listened to the audiobook and I had a great time. Have I mentioned I love Irish accents? If you would like to listen to a nice Irish lady read this book to you I would highly suggest listening to the audiobook. 

Now onto the part that everyone is probably the most excited for: The Giveaway!

Rules:

• The giveaway is international as long as The Book Depository ships to you
• You have to be following my blog
• You have to be 18 or have parental permission
• There will be two winners who will receive their choice of one of the books off my favourites list or a book that is in the same series as one of the books.
• This giveaway will run from January 5th, 2021 to February 5th, 2021.

Enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Books I Have Preordered

I was sitting here thinking to myself "What kind of post can I make that isn't just a repetition of everything else I've done?" and I realized that I recently preordered a whole bunch of books and thought, why not make a post about that? So if you're interested in seeing which books I have preordered right now then keep reading! Also, in case you're wondering I have them all preordered with Chapters Indigo.

Kingdom of Ash

I've been waiting years to finally read this book and obviously, I want to get my hands on it as soon as possible. Also, I know that with Sarah J. Maas books there is usually a cool preorder gift that you can apply for so if there is one for this book I definitely want to get in on it.

The Darkest Star

I didn't realize I wanted a book about Luc until Jennifer released all the information on it. It sounds so good and I can't wait to see what has become of all my favorite Lux characters after the end of the series. Also, I've heard rumors that Luc might even be better than Daemon which I don't think is possible, but I'm excited to see.

The Golden Tower

The final book in the Magisterium series and I am so pumped! All the books in this series have such beautiful hardcovers and I can't wait to have the full hardcover set. Also, I can't wait to see how it ends. 

Two Dark Reigns

I wanted the signed edition of this so I preordered it when I preordered The Golden Tower. I'm gonna have an aesthetically pleasing row of black hardcovers and I can't wait.

Queen of Air and Darkness

Do I need to explain this one? I'm gonna lose my mind because I still have to wait 4 months for this to come out. The only way I could keep myself from just dying was to preorder it.

Catwoman: Soulstealer

I have the first two books in this series and I wanted the third one. I thought I would be able to get the preorder gift for this one, but I don't live in the UK or US so I get nothing which is sad. However, all the books have cool little posters in the back so at least there's that.

The Reckoning of Noah Shaw

I got really excited when I saw some cool things on Michelle Hodkin's Instagram page. And I swooped in and ordered a signed copy because I love Mara and Noah. 

Do you guys have any books preordered? Would you be interested in a preorder giveaway?

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The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

Since I see absolutely everyone doing this tag, I guess I’ll do it too. I will link the two creators here and here. 

Now that I am finally on Summer Vacation I promise I will actually have more content up for you guys. My next post will either be my June Wrap Up because I actually have one for June, or it'll be a Top 5 Wednesday. Pinky Swear.

1 - THE BEST BOOK YOU'VE READ SO FAR IN 2018

Wolfsong by T. J. Klune. I can’t even describe how much I loved this book. It's full of magic and emotion and it's extremely gay and I love it.

2 - YOUR FAVOURITE SEQUEL THIS YEAR

Leah on the Offbeat was by far the best I’ve read this year. I mean there are some others that are pretty good but this was my favorite.

3 - A NEW RELEASE THAT YOU HAVEN'T READ BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas. I preordered this book, it came in the mail, I read the first five pages, then I put it down and started reading other books.

4 - MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

This is a three-way tie between the Darkest Star by Jennifer L Armentrout, Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas, and Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare. I have all three preordered and I want them all in my hands right this minute.

5 - YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT 

Burn Before Reading Sara Wolf. Sara Wolf is one of my favorite authors and I expected so much more from this book. It just fell very flat for me.

6 - BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR

Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward. I put off reading this book for years and then I read it and loved it. I didn't expect much because when I looked at reviews the general consensus was that it wasn't as good as the others, but I wholeheartedly disagree.

7 - FAVOURITE NEW TO YOU OR DEBUT AUTHOR

Samantha Shannon. I read the Bone Season and fell in love. It was so well written and I can't wait to read the next installment.

8 - YOUR NEW FICTIONAL CRUSH

This was so hard because the older I get the harder it is for my book boyfriends to win me over. That's why I talk about all the same ones over and over again. However, if I had to choose one it would be Audric from Furyborn. I don't know what it is about him, but I feel like he's very Gryffindor and he's actually good and perfectly combats Rielle's anger.

9 - NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Rielle from Furyborn. I tried my best to not have any books repeating, but I honestly had to choose Rielle because although I know her future and what she does, I can't help but relate with her more than any of the other characters.

10 - A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

It Ends With Us because this was such a heartwrenching book. This is one of those books you have to go in knowing nothing about. Don't read the reviews, don't look at the tags, don't read any comments, just go out and read it.

11 - A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

Last Summer of the Garrett Girls, it was just such a short fun book about four sisters. I myself have a sister and I can say that I made a connection with it because it did remind me of my sister.

12 - YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION THAT YOU'VE SEEN THIS YEAR

Love, Simon because even though it wasn’t a perfect adaptation to the book it was still pretty fucking good and it meant so much to so many people so I could never say a bad thing about it.

13 - FAVOURITE BLOG POST YOU'VE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR

After perusing my blog posts I decided on a book tag that I created called The End book tag. I just had such a good time creating it and I was so proud of myself because I had never seen anything like it that I know of. The post itself didn't do as well as I had hoped but I had a fun time making it.

14 - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE BOUGHT/RECEIVED THIS YEAR

(Credit)

The Cruel Prince because wow. If you take off the dust jacket there is the most beautiful imprint on the book.

15 - WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BOOKS THAT YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

Honestly, just look at question 4. Those are the books I for sure need to read this year. Plus It by Stephen King.

Also, if you were not already aware, I have a mid yeaar favorite giveaway happening on my blog! Anyone can enter I'll leave a link for you to check out here.

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The Cruel Prince Spoiler Free Review

The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black

Release Date: January 2nd, 2018

Synopsis:

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I’ve only just finished it so my judgment may be clouded as of right now so I might change it in the future. But for now, 4.5 is a good place for it.

I’ve read a lot of books that remind me of Paper Princess, but I have never liked any as much as Paper Princess, until now. So this book isn’t overwhelmingly similar to Paper Princess and that may be why I enjoyed it so much. It didn’t feel like a copy of the same story. It was fresh and exciting, and most importantly, fantasy.

This book wasn’t that high on my radar even though everyone and their mother has read and loved this book. It’s just so hyped and I’ve read Holly Black books before and wasn’t that amazing. This book though was pretty fricken great. I haven’t been reading a lot of physical books lately, so it’s been a bit of a slow journey when it comes to my actual TBR pile, but I got through this one so fast. The Cruel Prince is full of so many interesting characters and a lot of them I don’t really understand, which goes to show just how good Holly Black is at writing fairies. They are so often morally ambiguous and hard to read. They are one of the harder mythical creatures to write about and I applaud Holly Black and her ability to bring so many of these characters to life.

I pretty much did not like Jude’s twin sister Taryn from the beginning. She was so fucking annoying. She was honestly such a wet blanket and spineless on top of that. She did so much fucked up shit that you should never do to your sibling. She has no sense of loyalty and that’s probably one of the things I hate most in a character. 

Now, Jude, she wasn’t exactly my favorite character. She’s ruthless. There were a lot of things she did in this book that I myself would never do and it was kind of hard to tell what her motivations were. I liked her ten times more than her twin though, so that’s definitely something. Jude is still a hard character for me to read, so I hope that in the next novel we get more character development. I don’t think I know her as well as I should.

Cardan was a difficult character to like, but much like all the other hate to love romances, we find another side to him we didn’t realize was there. He started out the novel as the pompous rich prince who had the world at his fingertips, but throughout the novel, we get exposed to more and more that shows that that isn’t exactly true. There is more to him than just a pretty face and cruel smile. 

If you’re interested in reading some dramatic shit, this book is for you.

Book Theories

I'm so sorry I've been posting so sporadically lately. This month has been pretty horrible for reading and blogging. I've honestly only read 2 books this month and that's an all-time low for me. I've just had something that's needed my full attention and I hope to get back into it in this coming week, so please hold me to it.

For my post today I have a few theories for ongoing series's I have been reading. I decided to spit this post out as I have included the final Throne of Glass book on here and it is coming out soon. I wanted to get this out there before it's too late.

In case you didn't already guess, there will be SPOILERS.

1. Nix

I've been thinking about this a lot. Kresley Cole said that she plans on writing Nix a book but that book is going to be one of the last if not the last book in the series so I do have a while to go before finding out who she ends up with. I do have on very strong theory though. I feel like Nix deserves someone who is incredibly powerful to match her and I don't think any characters other than Lothaire has been as powerful as Nix, except for one. My theory is that Nix is going to end up with Orion. The guy that is endlessly powerful. I feel like anyone else would just be an injustice to Nix as they do have that whole enemies thing going on.

2. The Cadre

My theory is that the Cadre, or at least two of its members, are going to help Aelin get out of Maeve's control. This one isn't shouldn't be much of a shock. I thought of this months ago and I think a lot of people agree with me. My theory is that the Cadre are going to work to break their bonds with Maeve, get Aelin, and then get the hell out of there. The twins obviously hate Maeve and Fenrys did seem to have a huge crush on Aelin. 

3. Maddox

This one is a bit outlandish, and I feel like you should also know that I've only read the first three books in the series, but still. I have voiced this theory before, but I felt like it still needed to be in this post in case you missed it last time. My theory is that Maddox survived the assassination attempt. He survived and he's now in hiding to prevent another attempt. I also think he's been helping his friends piece things together by being deepthroat. He's been sending people in his place to feed information to his friends while still maintaining his distance until it is safe to come back to life.

So those are my bookish theories. Do you guys agree with these, have anything to add, or have theories of your own? Let me know in the comments!

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