Favorite Books of 2021

It's that time of year again, where I list my favorite reads of the year! These are books I read this year, but weren't necessarily published in 2021. 

Favorite fantasy:

   

 My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Strong language

 

After her capture at the hands of Grandmother and the Second Empire, Karigan G'ladheon is making halting progress towards recovery. Karigan takes on increasingly dangerous missions, haunted by the specter of her torturer, Nyssa, and sinking ever further into the mire of her recollections of the past and the losses she's sustained.

Meanwhile, the forces of the Second Empire are moving on Sacoridia and their primary target is a vulnerable garrison that guards a crucial mountain pass. Faced with new fatherhood and a country on the verge of war, King Zachary sends a contingent of soldiers and Green Riders to the pass--but his own recovery from the events of the north is not yet complete either.

Reunited with her fellow Riders at the pass, Karigan takes on a leadership role, but quickly finds that the Riders are not as she last left them. As tension mounts and war draws ever closer to the heart of Sacoridia, Karigan must discover what it truly means to be a Rider and a hero of the realm--and what sacrifices must be made to truly heal from her past.

 

I can't begin to tell you how much I look forward to these Green Rider books. It's so hard to wait 3 to 4 years between them, but also so worth it! So of course I was thrilled when I received an ARC of this seventh book in the series. After the events of the last book I was eager to find out what was going to happen next. Honestly it's like that after I finish every one of these books, and I was happy the book pretty much got right into things. 

This is supposed to be the second to last book in this story arc that's been going on for 7 books now, and it feels like there is still a lot left to be done in book 8. I'm curious to see how the author wraps things up. And don't worry, book 8 will not be the end of the series, just this story arc. I was very happy that some conflicts got resolved in this book, but we are still waiting for what will happen next with Mornhaven, although some set up was established for how they will deal with that conflict. I really can't wait to see how things will play out, especially now that dragons have been introduced into the world.

This book had me biting my nails a few times wondering what was going to happen to some of these beloved characters. There were several points of view covered in this book and some of them got a lot more attention than others, but that didn't bother me. I did really want to know more of what was happening with Captain Mapstone though! Obviously the next book will be more about that, but it's hard to wait. There are also a couple of points of view that didn't seem too important to the story line in this particular book, but I feel like the author is probably setting up some threads that will have something to do with the next story arc down the road. 

There were a couple of nice surprises in this book. I didn't expect the story to go the way it did regarding King Zachary and some of the choices he made involving Karigan, and I'm not talking about relationship stuff exactly, but just certain things he has her do in the book before and during the battle. I really loved seeing them fight together and I looked forward to their interactions throughout the book. I also really enjoyed how some of the relationship stuff played out, but I also have some mixed feelings about how it's being handled.

Overall this was my favorite book I've read this year, probably because I love this series so much. It included heartbreak and sorrow, and love and triumph, just like all the previous books, but this one, I felt ended on a lighter note than most of them. There was no huge cliffhanger, we know where the story is headed, even though there are a threads that are left dangling that involve some important people. But for the first time since I began this series, I didn't feel like Karigan was a complete punching bag. I was thrilled that despite all the trials that she has endured, some good things actually happened for her in this book and that made my heart happy.

 

 

Favorite Urban Fantasy:

 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Content: Strong Language, mostly off page sex, past abuse and rape is mentioned.

 

In the wilds of the Northern California mountains, all the inhabitants of a small town have gone missing. It's as if the people picked up and left everything they owned behind. Fearing something supernatural might be going on, the FBI taps a source they've consulted in the past: the werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham. But Charles and Anna soon find a deserted town is the least of the mysteries they face.

Death sings in the forest, and when it calls, Charles and Anna must answer. Something has awakened in the heart of the California mountains, something old and dangerous — and it has met werewolves before.

 

It's always a treat to get to read a Patricia Briggs book. I look forward to reading about either Mercy or Anna every year. In my opinion this is the best book I've read in this series so far. There were questions answered about Leah that I've had for a long time, and I feel like I finally understand her and her behavior, even if I don't agree with some of it. I'm glad for the different perspective on Leah now, and also Bran. Every time I think I know that guy I find out something new! He's such a layered character. especially for one we get such limited page time with. I would have loved to have gotten a little bit more at the end. I'm pretty sure I know what happened, but I wanted to read about it.

I loved the music stuff that was included in this book. The Mongolian band the Hu that was mentioned in the beginning is one of my husband's favorites, and I had to show him that part. It put a huge smile on my face when Charles starting playing one of their songs. I especially loved the part with Charles and Anna playing music together and how it showcased how happy and content they are with each other and their devotion to each other, which is evident throughout the whole series. This quote pretty much sums it up:

“With Anna he had no shield—Charles belonged to Anna with all his complicated soul and uncomplicated heart.”

Music played a big part in the plot overall and I loved how the book showed different aspects of music and the power it has over our moods and the mind, from the romantic, to the creepy, to the battle anthems. The whole part about the missing people from the camp and the singer in the woods was really creepy, and I loved how the tension got amped up after a certain thing happens to Anna. The whole cave scene had me on the edge of my seat, and also cringing at times! I was also not expecting the Lovecraftian influence. I did find it easy to figure out who a certain person was, although not everything about who this person was, and I liked that there was still a surprise there.

The end with Samuel was an unexpected surprise, but I was really sad for him that he had to do what he did. I'm sure this stuff with Samuel will probably play a bigger part in future books, but I kind of would like another spin off series about Samuel now! Also, I can't wait to read the next book to find out more about Sherwood Post and who he is and what he remembers. I have to admit that I was frustrated to have to wait for that information!

On a side note- The Roanoke Colony that disappeared and is referred to at one point in the book was not located in Virginia as the book states. It was located in North Carolina. Roanoke Virginia is a completely different place. This is a common mistake that people make. I made the same mistake myself until my daughter moved to Roanoke Virginia and I found out differently.

Favorite Space Opera or Sci-Fi:

  

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Sci-fi, Mystery, Space Opera
Content: Strong language

 

Smuggler Jordan McKell has partner Ixil, an alien whose two "ferrets" ride his shoulders and telepathically exchange simple messages. They take a job on the odd-shaped ship Icarus. But the ragtag crew was found at taverns, the secret cargo sealed tight, the employer missing, and a saboteur is aboard. After a beautiful crew member helps uncover the nature of their cargo for Earth, Jordan suspects they are in a vast conspiracy set to change human history. Unfortunately, he's right.

This book was highly recommended by a friend and it was also brought up twice as a possibility for book club. Needless to say, I added it to my to-read list, and I'm really happy that I finally got around to reading it. It was a good mystery set in space and I really like Zahn's writing style. I think he's best known for the Star Wars books he's written, and I could see some of that influence in this book. The opening scene in the bar reminded me a lot of the cantina, and the main character had some Han Solo type personality traits. I really liked his personality and sense of humor. 

 

“For a change, Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on me. Then again, maybe the fickle wench was just lulling me into a false sense of security while she reached for a rock.”

 

I wouldn't compare this overall to Star Wars though. I actually liked this book better than anything Star Wars, but that's just me. This is an interesting mash up of mystery, sci-fi, noir, and space opera, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story to keep you intrigued. I didn't see them all coming, so that was a real plus.

I loved that this was a standalone, but also hated that it was. It was nice to read something and just get to the end of it without having to read a lot of sequels, but at the same time I wouldn't have minded a sequel to this one. I'm definitely open to reading more books by this author.

 

Favorite Mystery/Suspense:

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Content: Strong language

 

The Stranger Game is a dark, suspenseful, and twisty young adult novel—perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and E. Lockhart—about fifteen-year-old Nico Walker, whose sister returns home after a four-year disappearance.

When Nico Walker's older sister mysteriously disappears, her parents, family, and friends are devastated. But Nico can never admit what she herself feels: relief at finally being free of Sarah's daily cruelties.

Then the best and worst thing happens: four years later, after dozens of false leads, Sarah is found.

But this girl is much changed from the one Nico knew. She's thin and drawn, where Sarah had been golden and athletic; timid and unsure, instead of brash and competitive; and strangest of all, sweet and kind, when she had once been mean and abusive. Sarah's retrograde amnesia has caused her to forget almost everything about her life, from small things like the plots of her favorite books and her tennis game to the more critical—where she's been the last four years and what happened at the park on the fateful day she vanished. Despite the happy ending, the dark details of that day continue to haunt Nico, and it becomes clear that more than one person knows the true story of what happened to Sarah...

 

I had already read and loved the book Blink Once by this author, and decided I wanted to try another one of her books. It took my a few years to get around to it, but I finally read this one, and I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery of what happened to Sarah was so compelling that I had a hard time putting this book down.

There were a couple of things that happened in the book that I questioned. One being the way the police brought the family over to the site where they found one of the bodies to identify it. Wouldn't they have waited until the body was at the morgue? Another was the way the family was informed of every little lead that came in. Wouldn't they have only been told of the most promising ones? Other than that, I really thought this was a well done book and I love the author's writing style. She is very good at writing a mysterious atmosphere that just permeates the whole book. Just like in Blink Once, the twist was very well done. There was a certain point where I started to suspect, but still wasn't sure, and liked the way the author kept me guessing. I would love to read more books like this from this author.

I also want to mention how much I really like this cover. It's someone floating in water with the trees overhead reflecting in the water. There is a part in the book that this cover is taken from and I always like and appreciate when the cover artist uses a scene from the book for the cover. 

 

Favorite Women's Fiction/ Romance:

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Content: Clean

 

Two widows, six kiddos, and a will that leaves them a massive cattle ranch, but only if they work it for a year.

Abigail and Amanda may have married brothers, but they have almost nothing else in common (and really, they never did get along very well). After their husbands both pass away within a year of one another, they have no reason to interact. Their connection drops to an awkward phone call on birthdays and an exchange of holiday cards.

Until an eccentric uncle of their husbands' leaves a massive cattle ranch to the women's minor children. . . if they work the ranch themselves. A ranch that's located near a small town on the Wasatch front that isn’t too keen on outsiders.

They're both going to turn the bequest down, clearly. It’s not like either of them could properly raise their kids or find love again in a backwater province like Birch Creek. But when things at home change dramatically—for both moms—they decide to give it a try. . . just for the summer.

What could possibly go wrong in a mere three months? (Or more importantly... what might go right?)

 

After reading Bridget's Finding Home series I was looking forward to seeing what other adult books she would come up with, and let me tell you, The Bequest did not disappoint me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's contemporary women's fiction with romance, set mostly on a ranch. Just like her finding series, it reads very much like a Hallmark type movie, but it also has more depth to it than that.

One of my favorite things about Bridget's writing is the way she writes such nuanced characters. In the beginning, both Abigail and Amanda had things about their personalities that I disliked. There were also some things that I did like, but I wondered how I would feel about them over the course of the whole book. This is also why the book pulled me in, because as always, Bridget was able to show me different sides of these characters, and I was able to like them despite their flaws. They felt real, and if they had been perfect they wouldn't have. 

I enjoyed getting the different perspectives of both of the ladies in this book and how it showed that we don't always know what's behind the actions of others, and what life has been like for them. There was one part that I thought illustrated this really well, where Amanda thinks Abigail has given her the master bedroom for a not so good reason, but then we learn from Abigail's perspective that it wasn't that reason at all. There are so many times that we as humans make assumptions about other people that are wrong, and this made me examine the many times I may have done this. I'm trying to do better and always give the benefit of the doubt others, even though sometimes it's not easy.

I enjoyed the growth of the characters in this book and reading about how they were able to make changes to their lives and let go of some preconceived notions about each other, and also about other things as well, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend if you enjoy women's fiction, contemporary romance, or light family drama reads.