Five Star Predictions Results: 2019 Release Edition

November 8, 2019November 4, 2019 fangirlfury5 Comments

Back in January, I predicted what books that came out in 2019 would earn a five star rating from yours truly. I didn’t start doing five star predictions until this year (my backlist predictions results will be coming shortly), but I definitely foresee myself doing them more in the future. I’ve divided my results by my correct predictions (aka the books that received 5 stars) and my incorrect predictions, going from highest to lowest ratings.

Out of the 11 books on my list, I only read 10- but I have a good excuse, I promise! Siobhan Vivian’s We Are the Wildcats was originally slated, according to Goodreads at least, to come in 2019 but was pushed back in March 2020- here’s a spoiler for one book that will be on my 2020 Release predictions. It also helped that I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Emery Lord’s The Map From Here to There and read it this year, since the book comes out in early January 2020.

Correct Predictions

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks- In short, Pumpkinheads was nearly everything I wanted from a fall-themed graphic novel by my favorite author. And where it didn’t exactly meet my expectations, it replaced them for more autumnal goodness. For example, I thought the book would be more about best friends Deja and Josie working in an actual pumpkin patch (picture rows and rows of pumpkins), but instead they work at different types of food and activity booths at a pumpkin patch/fall festival.

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett- Serious Moonlight was my most anticipated contemporary release of 2019 and it is easily my favorite contemporary book of the year! This book delivered in every single element, from the character development to family to romance to the cravings-worthy pies from the Moonlight Diner.

Maybe This Time by Kasie West- Maybe This Time completely delivered on its synopsis, following a girl who works for her town’s floral shop and nine events over the year (hello Four Weddings and a Funeral vibes). The unique setting completely sold for me. I loved Sophie for her snarkiness and interests in design and fashion. This book is the perfect five-star bing-read because you won’t be able to part from it for too long.

Top Five Wednesday: End of 2019 TBR

November 6, 2019October 31, 2021 fangirlfury5 Comments

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” andddddd my TBR is still (wonderfully) going to likely topple over me.

Christmas-themed jokes are always the best way of evaluating what books you need to get to by the end of the year, at least in the Fangirl Fury handbook. I am perfect content with the amount of books that I have read so far this year, but there are definitely some specific books that I need to read before the end of 2019.

I create a decent amount of TBR posts (that I don’t end up following too closely 50% of the time), but I am for sure reading all 5 books on this list before the end of the year. I actually read all the books on my end of 2018 TBR before the new year okay, I Capture the Castle did go into January, but it still counts! I’ve been somewhat planning out my monthly TBRs this fall, thanks to my hectic school schedule, so I can say that I am 100% committing to this one. Since I can dedicate more time to reading in December, I also love knowing what books I want to dive right into once the school break begins

The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman- I’m not going to say too much above this one because everyone knows how much I have been anticipating this book since reading Thunderhead back in February 2018. I am for sure making sure I have The Toll on my end of 2019 TBR checked out from the library for my Thanksgiving break.

The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black- My end of 2019 TBR is apparently somewhat about trilogy conclusions, of course including The Queen of Nothing. This is another trilogy case in which I loved the sequel so much (The Wicked King) that I need book #3 ASAP.

Renegades (Renegades #1) by Marissa Meyer- Renegades is not allowed to show up on any future TBR posts of mine. I usually bring books back to school with me after weekend visits home, and you better believe Renegades came back with me after my latest trip. I am SO committed to finally getting to this one, with the trilogy conclusion, Supernova, out in the world. If I enjoy Renegades enough, I definitely see myself binge-reading Archenemies and Supernova before the new year.

One Day in December by Josie Silver– I think I tried getting my hands on One Day in December from the library last December, but I was still on the holds list in January. I love reading as many Christmas/holiday-themed books as I can between October and December.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren- A book that I tried reading this summer, but another book that sat on my library on-hold list for too long and then I was back at school for the fall. The Unhoneymooners is many of my friends’ favorite Christina Lauren book.

Top 5 Wednesday is a collaborative group of book bloggers from various platforms who love sharing lists on Wednesdays. The T5W group can be found here on Goodreads.

What books do you want to read before the end of the year? Have you read any of the books above? Share in the comments!

My Favorite Fairy Tale Retellings: Inspired by Sea Witch Rising

November 4, 2019October 31, 2021 fangirlfury1 Comment

With the colder weather, aka cozy season, approaching, I always find myself reaching for more fantasy this time of year. Fairy tale retellings are among my favorite genres in fantasy, and we fortunately have had some amazing retellings in the YA world over the past few years. I am currently reading the sequel to Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch, Sea Witch Rising. With major The Little Mermaid vibes, Sea Witch Rising continues Sea Witch’s villainous origin story and emphasizes sisterhood, love, and magic.

Inspired by Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch Rising, today I’ll be discussing my favorite YA fairytale retellings.

Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston (Once Upon a Con series #1 & #2)- Most fairy tale retellings take place in fantasy books, so I really love how Ashley Poston’s Once Upon a Con companion series takes on the contemporary genre. The series follows a set of characters who are fans of the fictional Starfield franchise and attend the fandom’s annual convention. Geekerella takes on Cinderella, while the Princess and the Fangirl is a Princess and the Pauper retelling. I’m so excited that there is going to be a third book in the series out in 2020 inspired by Beauty and the Beast!

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer- Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles series is deservedly everyone’s go-to recommendation for YA fairy tale retellings with its sci-fi twist. The four main books in the series, Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter, each introduce a new fairy tale heroine while also featuring the cast from the previous installment. Cress (aka the Rapunzel-inspired retelling) is my absolute favorite out of the series because I love the title character so much ,and this installment really brought the world-building and politics (and all the twists and turns) together.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas- I think a few readers, myself included, often forget that ACOTAR was inspired by Beauty and the Beast! While ACOTAR isn’t my favorite in the series (helloooo A Court of Mist and Fury), it’s such a solid first installment and it’s actually one of my favorite books to reread (I think I’m at three times) given how the plot and romance interest changes in ACOMAF.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely & A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers #1 & #2) by Brigid Kemmerer- Another Beauty and the Beast inspired story, A Curse So Dark and Lonely has received much love in the YA community. While I really enjoyed the first book, I have even more love for the upcoming sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, thanks to its plot and character development and world-building.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer- Marissa Meyer is seriously the queen of retellings, not to mention villainous origin stories. Following the future Queen of Hearts, Heartless takes place in Wonderland and features ALL the delicious-sounding treats. I still need to learn how to make Cath’s lemon tarts!

About Sea Witch Rising:

Runa will not let her twin sister die. Alia traded her voice to the Sea Witch for a shot at happiness with a prince who doesn’t love her. And his rejection will literally kill her—unless Runa intervenes.

Under the sea, Evie craves her own freedom—but liberation from her role as Sea Witch will require an exchange she may not be willing to make. With their hearts’ desires at odds, what will Runa and Evie be willing to sacrifice to save their worlds?

Told from alternating perspectives, this epic fairy tale retelling is a romantic and heart-wrenching story about the complications of sisterhood, the uncompromising nature of magic, and the cost of redemption.

I received a copy of Sea Witch Rising from the publisher. By no means did receiving this book affect my thoughts or opinions.

What are some of your favorite fairy tale retellings? Have you read Sea Witch or Sea Witch Rising? Share in the comments!

HOLIDAY MOOD: 10 Blind Dates Review & Most Anticipated Christmas Movies 2019

November 1, 2019October 26, 2019 fangirlfury3 Comments

Summary (from the publisher): Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

Ashley Elston’s 10 Blind Dates made my TBR radar earlier in 2019 thanks to its holidays-inspired premise. As many as you know, I love when books incorporate one of my non-bookish faves. And Christmas is definitely a favorite interest of mine. I am proud to admit though that I have been fully embracing fall and Halloween this year by decorating my dorm room and purposely buying a Halloween costume. But never fear, my Christmas decorations are at the ready. Anyway, I also wanted to read 10 Blind Dates because I wanted to read more of Ashley Elston’s work. Although I enjoyed it, I wasn’t a super fan of her This Is Our Story as much as I hoped to be given the hype. However, I was really excited to embrace her first true contemporary story.

10 Blind Dates follows Sophie’s holiday break at her grandparents’ house in the next town over, after deciding to stay home while her parents visit her very pregnant sister three hours away in South Louisiana. Sophie couldn’t wait to get some alone time with her long-time boyfriend, Griffin- until she’s overhears him talking at a party about breaking up with her. With a big family who wants nothing but happiness for Sophie, her cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles set Sophie set her up on ten blind dates.

One of my favorite parts of 10 Blind Dates was of course Sophie’s crazy extended family. There are a lot of family members, but Ashley Elston does a really nice job of reminding readers who is who and focusing on the ones who are most central to the plot. Sophie’s Nonna was my favorite family member, creating the blind date idea and having homemade cannolis ready at the go. Living with her grandparents also allows Sophie to reconnect with her childhood best friends and cousins Charlie and Olivia (not to mention their best friend and neighbor, Wes).