Mid Year Book Freak Out 2017

The Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag was created by Chami @ ReadLikeWildfire (video here) and Ely @ Earl Grey Books (channel here) and even though I wasn't tagged, I thought it would be super fun to do it with my friend Izzy!

Questions:

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017.

Alexandra: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco. It was such an incredible, unique, and delightful debut! I absolutely loved all the banter and the mystery and atmosphere of the novel. Highly highly recommend (but definitely be wary of the gore).

Izzy: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2017.

Alexandra: Definitely Windwitch! It's actually the only sequel I've read so far this year, but it's one of my favorite reads overall this year. (I know some people liked Truthwitch more, but Windwitch is hands-down my favorite book in the Witchlands series thus far.)

Izzy: The Rose Society by Marie Lu. It is the only sequel I have read so far this year, but I don’t think my answer would have changed otherwise.

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

Alexandra: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli. I absolutely loved Simon Vs., so I'm super excited to read another Becky Albertalli book!!!

Izzy: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee.

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

Alexandra: The Tiger's Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao, and Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh. I AM LIVING FOR ALL THESE ASIAN-INSPIRED SFF BOOKS.

Izzy: So it says on Goodreads that Marie Lu's Batman novel is supposed to come out in 2017, but I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. I really don't think it'll arrive for another year, so Julie C. Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is my next choice.

5. Biggest disappointment.

Alexandra:

Finished - Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller. I did overall really enjoy it, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Unfinished - Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves. I got about a third into it and enjoyed the writing style and world (historical European fantasy!), but the plot seemed overdone and there was this weird part where the cousin was trying to make moves on the main character and I felt really uncomfortable.

Izzy:

Finished - Splintered by A.G. Howard was really fun at first and then devolved into emo fanfiction (sorry).

Unfinished - This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee had me scratching my head at lost potential and didn’t deliver on an interesting concept.

6. Biggest surprise.

Alexandra: First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy for sure. Honestly I was terrified that the book would be too creepy for me (I tried reading one of her other books and couldn't get past the first few chapters), but I ended up really enjoying it!

Izzy: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller. I was surprised by how much FUN I had with this book!

7. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Alexandra: Nic Stone. Dear Martin was such a poignant yet hopeful debut and it told such an important (and extremely relevant) story that is an absolute must-read for anyone and everyone. And I had the pleasure of meeting her at BookCon, and she is one of the nicest people ever. And I probably say that a lot, but it's true.

Izzy: Francesca Zappia.

8. Newest fictional crush.

Alexandra: Thomas Cresswell from SJTR. That is all.

Izzy: Magiano from The Rose Society. (UGH I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. -A)

9. Newest favorite character.

Alexandra: Maybe Merik (from Truthwitch/Windwitch)? Or Simon Spier (Simon Vs.)? Or Audrey Rose Wadsworth (SJTR)? I DON'T KNOW, OKAY?!? THERE ARE TOO MANY STAND-OUT CHARACTERS FOR ME THIS YEAR.

Izzy: Arsinoe from Three Dark Crowns.

10. Book that made you cry.

Alexandra: I've never been gladder to have a Goodreads shelf specifically dedicated to books that have made me cry. Apparently I cried reading the fifth volume of the Sailor Moon manga... And I cried reading Simon Vs., Death and Night (The Star-Touched Queen prequel novella), Daughter of the Burning City, and Love, Hate & Other Filters.

Izzy: Look - I don’t cry when I read novels.  I can tear up rarely, but I almost never cry when I read.  But Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia made me tear up and want to bawl.

11. Book that made you happy.

Alexandra: Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. IT IS SUCH AN ADORABLE BOOK AND THE CHARACTERS ARE SO LOVABLE I JUST WANT TO SMOOSH THEM ALL IN A GIANT HUG. AND IT IS ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK AND HAS AN AMAZINGLY DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS.

Izzy: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

12. Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year.

Alexandra: I haven't seen any movie adaptations yet this year (tbh I think I've only been to the movies maybe twice this year?)

Izzy: Do comic book movies count?  If so then Logan.  It totally counts.

13. Favorite review you've written this year.

Alexandra: I have been a horrible blogger this year and only published 5 reviews so far, but my best review is probably the one for Windwitch by Susan Dennard. Or my review for Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody, both of which are coming soon!

Izzy: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.

14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

Alexandra: Monstress by Marjorie Liu. The story is so intricate and gorgeously written, and the illustrations by Sana Takeda are the most glorious things I've ever seen *heart eyes*

Izzy: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard or Monstress by Marjorie Liu.

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

Alexandra: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, The Midnight Star by Marie Lu, the last two Shades of Magic books by V.E. Schwab, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, and (if I'm feeling particularly ambitious) all the Leigh Bardugo books.

Izzy: Monstress by Marjorie Liu, One Dark Throne and Antigoddess by Kendare Blake, Bonfire by Krysten Ritter, No Good Deed by Goldy Moldavsky, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, Atonement by Ian McEwan, and The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (sorry Alexandra).

And that's it! Thanks again to Izzy for joining me again today for this tag!

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