Wrap-up | December 2017

Hey friends,

I can’t believe this is going to be the last wrap up of 2017. Getting back into reading this year has been freaking amazing. I’m still blown away that I was able to get so many books read. This last month I was able to read 11 books, for a grand total of 94 books read in 2017! Honestly, I’m thrilled with this number.

When deciding to get back into reading, I set my goal to be 17 books. I have since upped my goal several times, ending on 100 books. Though I didn’t achieve that 100 book goal (totally would have if I wasn’t socializing with family and friends over the holidays), I’m still super proud with everything I read in 2017.

BookTube Wrap Up:

---

Stats:

Ratings:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ –  1

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 or 4.75) – 2

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 3

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5-3.75) – 4

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 1

Genres:

YA Fantasy – 4

YA Sci-fi – 1

YA Dystopian – 1

YA Contemporary – 1

Graphic Novel – 2

Cross Genre – 2

Book Format:

Audiobook: 8

eBook: 0

Physical: 3

Total pages read: 4,171!

---

Books read in December:

Geminia by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5/5

Review: I’m officially obsessed with these books. I read Illuminae back in August and really enjoyed it. This book was better. The story was gripping and action-packed. I loved the new characters we met and the cameos from some of the characters from the first book. I can’t wait to see how the story continues in Obsideo.

 

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 4.5/5

Review: One of my new favorites. Full review here.

 

 

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 3/5

Review: This was a book I really wanted to love. The book started off so strong. There was so much mystery surrounding the characters as we were just thrust into the action at the beginning of the story and the plot began to unveil itself from there. The problem was that by the end, there was too much going on and I don’t feel like the book had a satisfying conclusion. I thought some things were rushed and that this book would have benefitted from being a trilogy or duology. Great start, meh end. I may pick it up again, I don’t know if I missed something when reading it the first time or the audiobook format was the wrong one for this book, I just know I wasn’t blown away on this first read.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 3.75/5

Review: The concept behind this book was so cool, I just wanted more. The book centers around a matriarchy where a set of triplets is born and need to fight each other to the death for the crown. I really enjoyed how this first book took the time to build up the sisters so you actually got to know them and decided which one to root for, leading to the inevitable battle being action packed and a bit of drama. I wanted more from this story, but still really enjoyed this book. The middle part got a bit slow, but the final twist of the book was really interesting! I know this series was supposed to be duology but got extended to a quartet, so I’m hoping the completed series amps up. Oh and Joe sucks.

One Dark Crown by Kendare Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 3.5/5

Review:  [BABY SPOILERS FOR THREE DARK CROWNS] Okay, so there were some really cool things that helped develop the characters and move the story along. The problem is, doing this left me with SO many more questions. I’m still questioning what exactly happened to Katharine in that well and if there were actually 2 poisoners in the family or if she was supposed to have a different power. I felt like this story was a bit slower than the first one and I was expecting more. My biggest complaint is that the story is starting to feel like its been intentionally stretched out to fill two more books and currently that’s decreasing the quality, at least in my opinion. Here’s to hoping books 3 & 4 expand the story and add to the overall narrative.

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4/5

Review: This story definitely fell victim to second book syndrome. The story needed to be expanded and some of the larger things from the first book needed to be addressed, but not everything could be wrapped up due to the fact there is a third book coming. Overall, I thought this book was still good, but not as good as the first one. I am intrigued with the final twist of the book and for the big reveal we’re definitely going to get from that. I cannot wait to pick up the concluding book when it comes out this summer.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Maraget Rogerson

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 3.5/5

Review: I wanted more from this book. I wanted another 100 or so pages or even another book so the world and the characters to be expanded. There was a lot of build up and not that much pay off and by the end, several things just felt rushed (espically the fight with the big bad). I loved the writing style of this book, it was simplistic yet lyrical and the audiobook did hold my attention through the end. One that could have been stronger, but is still worth the read.

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 3.75/5

Review: Full review here.

 

 

Everless by Sara Holland

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ – 4.75/5

Review: I really enjoyed this story. The world and the mythology was gripping. I loved the twists that this story threw at us. Some of them were ones that I guessed and others actually took me by surprise. The ending of this book will leave you begging for the next one. I highly recommend this book!

Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Brian Lee O’Malley

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4/5

Review: Reread this one again. Still enjoyed it, but my thoughts from last month still hold up.

 

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Brian Lee O’Malley

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4/5

Review: Moving along in the series. I’m not going to lie, I spead read this one on New Year’s Eve trying to finish it so I glazed over many details. But I still enjoyed this story a lot. I’ll have a more comprehensive review coming soon.