Mid-Year Book Freak Out - TAG

HELLO!
We are officially halfway through 2018, so what better time is there to reflect back on the books I've read so far this year.
2018 isn't shaping up to be the best reading year for me. In 2016, I had read about 50 books by the end of June, but two years later within the same time frame, I have only read 26 books. 🙃 University is a real time consumer guys! But nonetheless, I've managed to enjoy most of the books I've read, so let's talk about them and break them down.


Best book you’ve read so far in 2018

My favourite book of the year so far has to be The Song Of Achilles. This particular book has been on my TBR for so long. All I ever see are raving reviews and people voicing their love for Achilles and Patroclus. And I have now become one of those people.
This book was everything I expected it to be and more. It was so beautiful. The Characters. The Writing. All of it. I loved it.
And it made me cry like a baby - you know a book is good when it evokes such emotion.



Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018

This should come of no surprise to anyone who follows me on twitter or my blog.
Legendary was a fantastic sequel. Everything I loved about the first book was present in the second. I finished this book craving more of the story and more of the characters (Dante and Jacks especially) and I'm so happy that my craving will be filled next year. If you haven't heard the news, Stephanie Garber is writing a 3rd Caraval novel & I am over the moon!
Here's 5 Reasons Why I Loved Legendary




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

So many books. There are so many new releases that I want to read, but haven't yet!
On the top of that list is definitely, Children of Blood and Bone. This book sounds fantastic. Everyone seems to love it. I have a strong feeling I will also love it. But for some reason I haven't read it yet. Don't ask me why, because I don't know.





Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Surprise, surprise. If you follow me on twitter *cough* @ABookishFantasy *cough* you're probably annoyed by my tweets about Muse of Nightmares - I have a countdown for the release of the book, which I update daily.
I absolutely LOVED Strange the Dreamer, it was my favourite book of 2017, and the ending broke me. Ever since finishing that glorious book last year, Muse of Nightmares has become my most anticipated read.
I will probably cry the moment I get my hands on this book




Biggest disappointment

I haven't read any *bad* books this year and I haven't rated anything below 3 stars, but if I had to pick a book that disappointed me, I would pick The Cruel Prince.
I rated The Cruel Prince 3 stars, going in to it thinking it would be a 4/5 star read. And the reason for that was the hype. The hype surrounding this book was huuuge, so I expected the most amazing things and it did not deliver. It was in no way a bad book, and I actually enjoyed it, but the hype definitely let me down.



Biggest surprise & Favourite new author (debut or new to you)

2 in 1 special
To Kill a Kingdom was such a good book! I kind of just randomly picked it up one day. It was a fairly average sized book, so I thought it would be a fun, quick read. And then very quickly, I found myself in love with the characters and the story, wishing that the book was a bit longer, so it wouldn't end as quickly. I can't wait to see what Alexandra has in store for us next.




Newest fictional crush

I finally read The Grisha Trilogy this year and it was fantastic. One of my favourite characters, who I can't wait to learn more about in his own duology is, Nikolai Lantsov.
To put it simply, Nikolai was a dream. Such an amazing, complex character. As soon as he was introduced in Siege and Storm, I just wanted him to be in every chapter and every scene.
Bring on King of Scars!!




Newest favourite character

THE DARKLING!!!!!!
I could have interchanged or picked both Nikolai and The Darkling for both Newest Fictional Crush and Newest Favourite Characters.
The Darkling lived up to the hype 100%. He was dark, mysterious and oh so charming. I know I shouldn't, but I love him.
Him and Nikolai were my favourite aspects of The Grisha Trilogy. Hands down. Give me a Darkling prequel or spin off. PLEASE

 

Book that made you cry

Victoria Schwab is evil. Pure evil.
For the entirety of this book my heart was in my throat. My emotions were all over the place. And I cried.
I can't deny, A Conjuring of Light was a brilliant finale to the Shades of Magic Trilogy, but boy did Victoria Schwab play with my emotions.

P.s. I love Holland & I will fight anyone who says anything remotely negative about him


 
Book that made you happy

This was a reread for me.
Carry On is one of those feel-good books that I can reread over and over again. Any time I read this book, I'm left with the biggest smile on my face. Simon and Baz are so frigging adorable, they make me ridiculously happy!
And the best thing? About a month after my reread, Rainbow Rowell announced a sequel called Wayward Son! BEST NEWS EVER


 


Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

Obviously I had to pick my ARC/proof copy of LEGENDARY!
It's personalised. My name is PRINTED on the book. I'm still not over it. I will never be over it.
This copy has become my most treasured book.
I cannot thank Hodder & Stoughton enough for surprising me with this gorgeous book .





What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
So many books. Muse of Nightmares (duh.) Children of Blood and Bone. Ace of Shades. A Reaper at the Gates. Save the Date. Mirage. I could go on...


And there we have it! I have completed my first tag. I wasn't actually tagged to do it, but I wanted to do it so I tagged myself. That counts right?
I know this is the part where I'm supposed to tag other people, but I have no idea who to tag, so I guess this is it (unless you want to also do it. In that case, consider yourself tagged)
Would any of your answers been the same as mine? Let me know!