Disappointing Books of 2020

This is five books I read this year that disappointed me for one reason or another. These aren’t necessarily books I hated, I just might have been underwhelmed by them or they didn’t live up to the hype.

My most disappointing books are:

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

I have loved all of Leigh Bardugo’s books so far but this was severely underwhelming for me.

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Didn’t live up to the hype in my opinion.

Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo

I really thought I was going to love this book but I found it kind of mediocre.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

I just didn’t gel with the premise and storyline of this book. Sanderson’s prose was of course immaculate though!

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Again I expected a bit more from this book, a little let down.

🔔 Jingle Bell Tag 🔔

I was in the mood for a nice Christmassy tag and I did this one around this time last year so I figured why not redo it again! See the original post HERE!

1What book do you want to see under the Christmas tree?

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

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2What book that you have read this year have you enjoyed the most?

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

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3Which book has the most festive look to it?

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

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4What book unleashes your inner child?

Morrigan Crow reminds me so much of myself at her age I have to go with Hollow Pox by Jessica Townsend.

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5Your favourite villain…

From what I’ve read recently it would have to be Azad from Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

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6Name your favourite TWO couples…

Ryann & Alexandria and Zayneb & Adam

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What book would you like to give as a present to your followers?

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour – it’s short, impactful & this cover is beautiful!

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☀️ Summer TBR ☀️

So I’m a week early for Top 10 Tuesday but it is time again for our seasonal TBR’s. I have been going pretty well with these over the year, I usually end up reading at least 50% of the books I pick over the course of the three months. So for this summer, I am not really buying many new books I am going to try and get to my physical TBR which are:

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Heart of Flames by Nicki Pau Preto

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence

Queen of Volts by Amanda Foody

The Deck of Omens by Christine Lynn Herman

Hold Back the Tide Review

Everyone knows what happened to Alva’s mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future – and question everything she thought she knew about her past.

I was pleasantly surprised about this book. Right from the start I intrigued and eager to find out what was happening. I thought it was just going to be like this familial psychological thriller but it quickly took a turn I was not expecting and became quite fantastical and otherworldly.

Alva’s character at times acted a little older than her age. I think because she was so sheltered in the mountains and constantly trying to maintain her helpfulness to her father so he wouldn’t kill her might of accelerated her maturity. But we also see some of the naivety of her age come out when she is talking to any of the boys from the village, Ren especially.

The overarching storyline about her mother’s death and these creatures was very well done and wove together seamlessly. I like that its based upon the myths and legends of this town and the loch and how it resurfaces and comes to life, that’s definitely one of my favourite literary devices for sure.

There was a great amount of detail and also action and mystery that really kept me entertained and eager to read on. The pacing at times though felt a little stagnant and there were periods where I felt like it dragged.

I honestly picked this up randomly and I was quickly taken with the story and Alva. It felt highly original and was overall a pretty fast read that I was unable to predict anything that was going to happen. The ending I can appreciate although I am not that much of a fan of. I don’t want to spoil anything but I was left feeling unfulfilled I guess.

⭐️3/5 overall entertaining, gory & creepy!

Most Surprising Books of 2020

These are the 5 books that I either picked up on a whim or had heard some bad things about and I was surprised I actually ended up really liking them!

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Picked this up on a whim and LOVED it!

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Surprised it affected me the way it did!

Into the Drowing Deep by Mira Grant

Hadn’t heard much about this book but I highly enjoyed it!

A Winters Promise by Christelle Dabos

For some reason I had low expectations about this book but again I really liked it!

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman

Another super hyped book that I didn’t think I would like.