Blogmas, Book Tags, Bookish Things

End of The Year Book Tag | Blogmas

End of The Year Book Tag Blogmas 2019

Hi friends! I’ve done this tag the last two years, so thought it was time to do it again. I’ve been really struggling with Blogmas this year as I’ve been super busy, but I’m doing my best! I hope you enjoy.

If you’re not sure what blogmas is, read my post for info and ideas on how to do it yourself! I’ve even included some keywords to help improve your SEO!

I did this post in 2017 and 2018, I found it on Drizzle and Hurricane’s blog and it was so much fun!

1. Are there any books you started this year you need to finish?

Yes. Yes yes yes. The most immediate are these:

Ancestral Night (White Space, #1) by Elizabeth Bear
Published by Gollancz on March 5, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 499
Goodreads

Haimey Dz thinks she knows what she wants.

She thinks she knows who she is.

She is wrong.

A routine salvage mission uncovers evidence of a terrible crime and relics of powerful ancient technology. Haimey and her small crew run afoul of pirates at the outer limits of the Milky Way, and find themselves on the run and in possession of universe-changing information.

When authorities prove corrupt, Haimey realizes that she is the only one who can protect her galaxy-spanning civilization from the implications of this ancient technology—and the revolutionaries who want to use it for terror and war. Her quest will take her careening from the event horizon of the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s core to the infinite, empty spaces at its edge.

To save everything that matters, she will need to uncover the secrets of ancient intelligences lost to time—and her own lost secrets, which she will wish had remained hidden from her forever.

I just wasn’t in the headspace for this. Will definitely have to pick it back up!

Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta, Cori McCarthy
Published by jimmy patterson on March 26, 2019
Pages: 368
Goodreads

I’ve been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I’ve always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur.

Now I’m done hiding.

My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind.

No pressure.

I have NO idea why I didn’t finish this?! What is wrong with me. I was really enjoying it too haha.

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Published by Tom Doherty Associates on January 5, 2016
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Wizards & Witches, Epic
Pages: 384
Goodreads

On a continent ruled by three empires, everyone is born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Now, as the Twenty Year Truce in a centuries long war is about to end, the balance of power-and the failing health of all magic-will fall on the shoulders of a mythical pair called the Cahr Awen.

The biggest thing on Safi and Noelle's minds is saving money for their planned future in the Hundred Isles. Noelle, a Threadwitch, can see the emotional Threads binding the world. Safi, on the other hand, is a Truthwitch-she always knows when a person is telling a lie. A powerful magic like that is something people would kill to have on their side-or to keep off their enemy's side-and so Safi cannot even admit what she truly is.

With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and privateer) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must rise above their doubts and fight to learn who they are and what they are made of, if they are going to stay alive and preserve the balance of their world.

"An instant new classic."--Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of Throne of Glass, on Susan Dennard's Truthwitch

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

I didn’t not like Truthwitch… just didn’t keep me hooked. I’ll carry on one day…

The Queen's Rising (The Queen’s Rising, #1) by Rebecca Ross
Published by HarperTeen on February 6, 2018
Pages: 464
Goodreads

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

The only reason I didn’t finish this was because I had it on loan as an audiobook from my library and had to return it before I finished! Will have to request it again as I’m listening a lot more now!

We Are Blood and Thunder (We Are Blood and Thunder, #1) by Kesia Lupo
on April 4, 2019
Pages: 448
Goodreads

In a sealed-off city, it begins with a hunt. A young woman, Lena, running for her life, convicted of being a mage and sentenced to death. Her only way to survive is to trust those she has been brought up to fear - those with magic.

On the other side of the locked gates is a masked lady, Constance, determined to find a way back in. She knows only too well how the people of Duke's Forest loathe magic. Years ago she escaped before her powers were discovered. But now she won't hide who she is any longer.

A powerful and terrifying storm cloud unites them. It descends over the dukedom and devastates much in its wake. But this is more than a thunderstorm. This is a spell, and the truth behind why it has been cast is more sinister than anyone can imagine ... Only Lena and Constance hold the key to destroying the spell. Though neither of them realise it, they need each other. They are the blood and they have the thunder within.

Not sure why I wasn’t hooked with this one. I was liking it but I just didn’t finish?

Lord of Secrets (The Empty Gods, #1) by Breanna Teintze
on August 8, 2019
Pages: 336
Goodreads

Magic is poison. Secrets are power. Death is . . . complicated.

Outlaw wizard Corcoran Gray has enough problems. He's friendless, penniless and on the run from the tyrannical Mages' Guild - and with the search for his imprisoned grandfather looking hopeless, his situation can't get much worse.

So when a fugitive drops into his lap - literally - and gets them both arrested, it's the last straw - until Gray realises that runaway slave Brix could be the key to his grandfather's release. All he has to do is break out of prison, break into an ancient underground temple and avoid killing himself with his own magic in the process.

In theory, it's simple enough. But as secrets unfold and loyalties shift, Gray discovers something with the power to change the nature of life and death itself.

Now Gray must find a way to protect the people he loves, but it could cost him everything, even his soul . . .

With the humour of V.E. Schwab, the scale of Trudi Canavan and the deftness of Naomi Novik, Lord of Secrets is a heartwarming fantasy novel about saving the people you love without destroying the world (or yourself).

Okay I KNOW that I’ll love this one. I got busy and forgot about it but was really enjoying it.

Wastelands 3: The New Apocalypse by John Joseph Adams
on June 4, 2019
Goodreads

The brilliant new post-apocalyptic collection by master anthologist John Joseph Adams, for the first time including new stories by the edgiest modern writers.

New short fiction by many of the edgiest modern authors, offering tales of life after the apocalyptic event or events that end society as we know it today. In addition to a selection of newly reprinted works, WASTELANDS 3 will feature original, never-before-published stories by a group of writers hand-picked by master editor John Joseph Adams. Original stories by Veronica Roth, Hugh Howet, Elizabeth Bear, Seanan McGuire, Tananarive Due, Wendy N. Wagner and many more. Reprints will include works by Carmen Maria Machado, Charlie Jane Anders, Paolo Bacigalupi, Ken Liu and Cat Valente amongst others.

The trouble with books of short stories is that I feel like I’ve finished when I haven’t?

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition to the end of the year?

Two years and I STILL don’t know what this means..

3. Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

You know what? Not really. I was SUPER hyped for Queen of Nothing and Starsight. Have read them both and LOVED THEM! OH and The Toll!

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

I already covered this in my TBR post, but basically, Harrow Lake, Inside Out and CTRL + S!

5. Is there a book that you think could still shock you and become your FAVOURITE???

I think Inside Out is gonna be a favourite.. or Red Rising. I just started listening to it on audio and I LOVE it. The narrator has an amazing Irish accent and I’m in love.

6. Have you already made reading plans for 2019?

BE MORE ORGANISED. This year saw me get like 60 books in the first couple of months and it was SO INTENSE. The pressure got to me and then I barely read the rest of the year…

I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know if you’ve read any of these below!