Hello all!
Today I'm linking up with
Top Ten Tuesday, where we make lists about books. Today, we're talking about the books we read in 2016 that we feel are generally underrated and we want everyone to know about them.
Shall we begin.
1.
The Forbidden Library by Django Wesker
This is a book that my mother checked out for me at random when I handed her my
Overdrive account and asked her to find me something good to read. I went into it knowing very little about it beyond the fact that there was a forbidden library, and emerged quite in love with the story.
Basically, questionable book magic, warring book wizards, going INTO books, not-fairy-like fairies, half-cats, a dragon, and lots more awesome stuff in this book. The main character sometimes feels more like an observer than a participator, but she has her awesome moments, too. If you like book-related fantasy, why haven't you read this one yet?
2.
Cloak by James Gough.
Now this is a story that takes mythology and completely turns it on a scientific head.
You know all of those half-human half-animal creatures in mythology? Well, turns out that they were the result of some chemical that gives people animal features. It was awesome.
The book did lag in the middle, but if you love mythology, twisty plots, and high concept worldbuilding, this is the book for you.
3.
Adela's Curse by Claire M. Banschbach
This is a sweet book about a fairy cursed to do what no fairy ought to do. Kill. I read it for review, and, honestly, I think it needs more attention.
So go get it. And read it.
Not sure what else to say about it. It's short and sweet, characters are endearing.
I liked it.
4.
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R. L. LaFevers
This is another book for those who love mythology. Strictly Egyptian this time, and not from a sciency angle. In this book, Egyptian curses are real, and Theodosia, an 11-year-old girl in Edwardian times who lives in a museum half of the time because her father's a curator there and her mother's an archaeologist.
Theo has the unique ability to sense Egyptian curses, and it's her self-assumed duty to remove curses. About my only annoyance in this book is that the adults are generally incompetent, but such is a common issue in Juvenile fiction.
5.
Song of the Sword by Hope Ann
I love fairy tale retellings, and this retelling of Rapunzel instantly became one of my favorites. It is the second book of a series, but I read it first and it didn't cause very much confusion for me. The previous book is good too, so far as Beauty and the Beast retellings go, but I love this book more.
It is Christian Fantasy with allegory elements, but it's well done. If you like that sort of story, you'll probably love it - though there's also some pretty strong magical elements. My kind of story, basically.
Oh, and there's no romance, despite being a fairy tale retelling. Mmhm.
6.
Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain by Richard Roberts
I've been on a bit of a Superhero kick for a while now. I claim that it's in research for HaV Academy, my superhero dystopia, but, eh. Anywho, my favorites in the genre are ones that take the tropes and turn them on their head.
For instance, this book is about the daughter of Superheroes who, together with her two best friends, was in the wrong place in the wrong time and the trio are labeled as supervillains. Things escalate, and Penny really should have come clean with her parents after the initial incident, but it's still terrible fun. I highly recommend.
And I need to get my hands on the next two books.
7.
Joshua Dread by Lee Bacon
And while on the topic of Superheros, this one's the story of a kid who's the son of supervillains and accidentally becomes friends with the daughter of his parents' arch-rival. And then they have to band together and save his parents when they mysteriously go missing.
It's awesome. Go read it.
I, again, need to get my hands on this book's sequel. I think there's only one so far.
8.
Crannig Castle by Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
Okay, yes, I do consider this author one of my best friends, but hey! That doesn't mean that my opinion about her writing is invalid. I'm a mite stingy with my praise, and if I like a book, it's because I like it.
I do recommend reading the first two books in this series and the companion novel, Espionage, first. They're all good books though, with an interesting twist on the portal fiction genre.
I might be working on a fanfic for this series, but you didn't hear that from me.
9.
Dragon's Curse by H. L. Burke
Okay, yes, I like curses, apparently.
Mmm...
Anywho, I also like dragons, and this is the story of a herbalist (another thing I like) tasked with curing a king who has been poisoned by a dragon. And then a dragon moves into the mountain nearby and she befriends him.
It's awesome, and has brilliant plot twists. Go read it.
10.
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
And to end on the dragon note, I have
The Dragonet Prophecy. My cousin found it in the library a few months back, fell in love, introduced it to another cousin, he fell in love, and eventually they reached a point in the series that our library didn't have.
So they went to my mom, who helped them get it through Overdrive. And she decided to read it while she was at it, and then I read it, and I rather liked it.
Awesome dragons, awesome worldbuilding, and I might have a small crush on Clay. Even though he's a dragon. And has a potential love interest who has too much fire.
I should probably back away and leave him alone.
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And that's my ten books that I think that everyone should read and love.
Oh, and I plan to release the official information for Indie e-Con tomorrow - provided I can get rid of the headache I have right now, so stay tuned for that.
