Okay this is a month late whoops, but better late than never, right?
1. Best book you’ve read so far this year?
As Many Souls as Stars, by Natasha Siegel.
This book. I don’t even know where to start. It’s definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s exactly my brand. I love messy and toxic relationships, and I’m also a sucker for Faustian bargains. This was the perfect blend of the two, a story of obsession, a delicious cat-and-mouse game, and two deeply morally gray women. All told in beautiful prose.
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year?
What Feasts at Night, by T. Kingfisher.
To be fair, this might be the only sequel I’ve read this year, but it was still a great read. Kingfisher really just never misses for me, and this was no exception. Delightfully gothic, with Kingfisher’s trademark wit sprinkled throughout.
3. New release you haven’t read yet but want to?
The Red Winter, by Cameron Sullivan.
This was a recent bookstore impulse buy that caught my eye, and it sounds fascinating. A dark historical take on the Beast of Gevaudan sounds right up my alley.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Astarion, by T. Kingfisher.
I’m showing my extra geeky side here, but the combination of a fave video game character with a fave author is a dream come true.
5. Biggest disappointment?
I am a person who will DNF pretty easily, so anything I wasn’t vibing with I didn’t get very far. The reads I went into the year anticipating have been hits, so nothing is jumping out at me.
6. Biggest surprise?
Palaces of the Crow, by Ray Nayler
I don’t usually enjoy books set during WWII, so I went into this a little leery, but it was highly recommended by a friend and they did not lead me astray. This was a deeply compelling book that gripped me all the way through.
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
Georgia Summers.
I picked up The Bookshop Below on a rec from a YouTube channel and absolutely loved it. The City of Starlight is now on my shelf and up soon on my TBR. I’m so looking forward to it.
8. Newest fictional crush?
Silas, the Saint of Silence, from Weavingshaw, by Heba Al-Wasity.
Listen, I’m a sucker for a Byronic hero who’s a total simp for the MC and a mess under the veneer, and he so perfectly fits the bill.
9. Newest favorite character?
Hester, from A Sorceress Comes to Call.
I just love her so much. It’s refreshing to see an older character, and she has such a sense of humor, compassion, but is also a little salty about her bad knees (relatable). Her relationship with her friends in particular was ridiculously fun.
10. A book that made you cry?
The Everlasting, by Alix E. Harrow
I don’t even know how Harrow managed to take me through a time loop multiple times and keep it feeling utterly fresh and gripping all the way through, but this book does it. The Everlasting has gotten enough amazing reviews that I’m not breaking new ground by saying I loved it, but it deserves the praise. The relationship between Una and Owen just got to me and I ugly sobbed at the end.
11. A book that made you happy?
The Keeper of Magical Things, by Julie Leong.
So sweet and adorable and heartwarming omg. This book has the perfect annoyance-to-lovers relationship, and a lovely ensemble cast of supporting characters. A hug of a book.
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
The Owlcrate edition of Strange Familiars, by Keshe Crow. It’s just so stunning. The stained glass sprayed edges are to die for.
13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I know she keeps showing up on this list, but I have a bit of a T. Kingfisher backlog (so many books!) I have a goal to catch up by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!
Amy Avery / Avery Ames 