Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week’s theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!
This week’s theme is ‘My Ten Most Recent Reads’ but, as May is Wyrd & Wonder time (woohoo!), all of my TTT posts this month will have a fantasy theme. Like I said last year, though, that’s not too different from how my TTT posts usually are anyway…
So today I’m going to talk about my last ten fantasy reads and, to be honest, I don’t think there will be any surprises here because my reading has been rubbish lately. I’ve read some brilliant books this year, but I’ve read quite a few books that have ultimately been ‘just fine’ and it’s sent me into a bit of a slump, which isn’t ideal when I want to read and review fantasy books throughout May. But we do what we can!
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: This f/f Asian-inspired YA fantasy has been on my TBR ever since I heard of its release, but I’d been putting off reading it because it deals with sexual assault. I did ultimately enjoy it, and I thought the author handled everything well, but I didn’t love it and I have no interest in continuing with the series.
A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha: I received a copy of this Portuguese-inspired historical fantasy from NetGalley and while there was a lot about it that really spoke to me, it still only ended up being a two star read for me.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black; narrated by Caitlin Kelly: I borrowed the audiobook of this follow-up to The Folk of the Air trilogy from my local library and I enjoyed it, but I was still left a little underwhelmed by it.
Jade City by Fonda Lee: Thank goodness, a five star read at last! This is not only one of the best books I’ve read so far this year, it’s one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read and more people need to give this series a go.
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison: I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy of this follow-up to The Goblin Emperor via NetGalley and I loved it. I didn’t love it as much as I still love The Goblin Emperor – but given that The Goblin Emperor is my all-time favourite novel, I didn’t expect to – but it was still such a lovely, quiet fantasy novel.
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard: Another disappointing one for me! I don’t think I get along with de Bodard’s writing, which is a real shame, but I’m glad I gave this novella a try.
Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova: I thought I’d love this YA fantasy inspired by the Spanish Inquisition but, unfortunately, I ended up DNFing it!
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo: I have very mixed feelings around this Grishaverse grand finale. I enjoyed it – in fact, I had a great time with it! – but I think it was too full. Look out for my review this month!
Jade War by Fonda Lee: The second book in this wuxia meets The Godfather trilogy ended up being another five star read for me. I can’t wait to get my hands on Jade Legacy.
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend; narrated by Gemma Whelan: Re-reading some of my favourite books via audiobook is something I tend to enjoy doing when I’m in a bit of a slump, so I decided to revisit the first Nevermoor book and I loved the audiobook. I’m planning to re-read Wundersmith and Hollowpox this way this year, too! I need something to tide my over until we have some book four news.
…and EVERY time I see a novel by Leigh Barduo, I’m reminded that I still need to try and read Shadow and Bone! 😀 Thanks so much for the visit to Finding Wonderland last week.
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I felt the same about Girls of Paper and Fire.
I really need to read Jade City soon. I’ve had a copy for ages!
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Glad to see that you loved Jade City! I’ve been wanting to read that one.
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I’m reading Rule of Wolves next, I’m quite curious, I’ve heard so many different opinions on it.
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I do love the Nevermoor series. I have had Jade City on my TBR forever now. Hopefully soon!
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I hope you enjoy Jade City when you get to it!
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I love the Green Bone Saga so far, can’t wait for book 3 in December. Happy reading, my TTT https://readwithstefani.com/my-ten-most-recent-reads/
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I’m so excited/terrified for the third book! Here’s hoping we both enjoy it. 🙂
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Jade City sounds fabulous, I want to read those.
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It’s excellent, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
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You’re not alone. I’ve hit a bit of a slump, too! I still need to read King of Scars, but I’m excited to get to Rule of Wolves eventually. Have you been watching the Shadow and Bone adaptation? I have a few episodes left, and I may need a rewatch to process it all. 😉
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It seems like quite a few people are slumpy this year!
Yes, I binged it last weekend! The Crows, in particular, have been really well cast; Kit Young stole every scene he was in. I hope you’re enjoying it!
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Jade City!!!! So glad you enjoyed it and your list just reminded me that I should probably pick up the sequel before the third book comes out.
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Ugh Jade War is something else. Prepare yourself!
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I need to read those Nikolai books! Need a break from the Grishaverse but I’m glad I’ve still got two to read 🙂
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I hope you enjoy them when you get to them! 😀
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Jade City is on my TBR, glad to hear you loved it so much!
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It’s fantastic, I hope you enjoy it!
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Nevermoor was a lot of fun! I need to get to the rest of that series one of these days…
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2021/05/04/top-ten-tuesday-quotes-from-my-ten-most-recent-reads/
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The other books are so, so good – I hope you enjoy them!
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Nevermoor keeps calling my name when I’m browsing my library’s website but that’s usually after I finish a different middle grade fantasy. I like to change genres up between one book and the next so I keep looking. I’m sure I’ll get to it soon though.
I’m in a slump too and as I’m visiting blogs this morning, I see we aren’t the only ones. So weird. I hope you break out of yours soon!
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Nevermoor is excellent, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
Yeah I think a lot of readers were able to escape into books last year and now we’re all just a bit done. That’s certainly how I feel anyway! I hope you’re out of your slump really soon. 🙂
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Jade City and Jade War absolutely blew my mind! You’ve got some other books on your list that I’ve been planning to read – I hope I enjoy them more than you did 😂
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They are two of the best fantasy novels I’ve read – SO good!
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Nevermoor looks cute! I rarely re-read anything, but doing it via audio is a good idea.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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It’s such a fun novel!
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I’m so excited to read The Witness for the Dead! And Nevermoors on my TBR too.
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Nevermoor is brilliant, I can’t recommend it enough, and I hope you enjoy The Witness for the Dead. 🙂
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I’ve also been having a bad slump this year so I feel you! I want to get to Rule of Wolves but I’m waiting till I’m out of my slump to read it because I don’t want that to colour my view of it. I also really want to read Jade City, it sounds super good.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/top-ten-tuesday-314/
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That sounds like a wise decision! I hope you enjoy it and Jade City when you get to them and that you’re out of your slump soon!
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Thank you!
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Everyone continuing to praise Jade City is making me want to read it asap 😭 Looks like a book I’d definitely love!
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I can’t recommend it enough! The third book’s out at the end of this year and I’d definitely recommend starting the series in plenty of time because I don’t think it’s a series you can binge. These stories need a bit more time to be savoured.
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In that case, I had better move it to the top of my TBR asap…
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Love seeing Jade City and Jade War on here 😁 Can’t wait to read them both!
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I hope you love them! They’re SO good.
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I just read How the King of Elfhame…, too. It was really unnecessary but still entertaining. I liked getting more Cardan background.
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Yes, that’s how I felt too! It was a lot of fun, but I’m not sure I really saw the point of it.
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Looking forward to your thoughts on Rule of Wolves—it’s a difficult one to review for just those reasons you stated!
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It really is! How do you even begin to review the 7th book in a fantasy series?
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I mean, I cheated by using bullet points and sticking to spoilers of what I liked. So I can’t answer 😂
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Of that’s some tough luck. I keep seeing Jade City everywhere, it very much does not seem like my thing but it’s getting so much praise I might have to give in and try it
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It’s such a fantastic novel, I’d have to say it’s worth a try. The audiobook is excellent!
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I’m looking forward to your review of Rule of Wolves!!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I really need to read Nevermoor sometime. It sounds excellent.
Thanks for stopping by earlier.
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It’s wonderful! I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up.
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Great list! love it.
here’s mine
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