Search Results for: juliet marillier

• Book Review: “The Harp of Kings” by Juliet Marillier (ARC)

  Posted at 7:45 am by Laura, on October 24, 2019

  The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier

  Publisher: Ace
  Published: September 2019
  Genre: fantasy
  ISBN: 9780451492784
  Rating: ★★★★

  Eighteen-year-old Liobhan is a powerful singer and an expert whistle player. Her brother has a voice to melt the hardest heart, and a rare talent on the harp. But Liobhan’s burning ambition is to join the elite warrior band on Swan Island. She and her brother train there to compete for places, and find themselves joining a mission while still candidates. Their unusual blend of skills makes them ideal for this particular job, which requires going undercover as traveling minstrels. For Swan Island trains both warriors and spies.

  Their mission: to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has gone mysteriously missing. If the instrument is not played at the upcoming coronation, the candidate will not be accepted and the people could revolt. Faced with plotting courtiers and tight-lipped druids, an insightful storyteller, and a boorish Crown Prince, Liobhan soon realizes an Otherworld power may be meddling in the affairs of the kingdom. When ambition clashes with conscience, Liobhan must make a bold decision and is faced with a heartbreaking choice. . .

  Thank you, Ace and EW+, for the digital galley for review!

  In this new fantasy—laced with the uncanny, the Fair Folk, music, and Marillier’s natural ability to dive into the complicated layers of characters’ psyches, history, and motivations—Liobhan is training to be a Swan Island warrior with her brother Brocc when they are sent on a mission: to find the missing Harp of Kings and restore it to the druids before Midsummer’s ceremony to crown the next king. They travel with their competitor Dau under disguise and infiltrate the prince’s household—but the prince is…not the best choice to lead these people. Trigger warnings for assault and animal cruelty.

  Each of our three warriors have their own story and motivations, and I identified most strongly with Dau and Liobhan. Brocc’s narrative reminded me so much of Shadowfell, and Liobhan felt like a warrior-version of Sorcha in Daughter of the Forest. They’re all strong-willed and determined to complete their mission, but because Prince Rodan is a threat to his people, they need the Fair Folk’s assistance to shine light on the true leader of the kingdom.

  Diving into a Marillier is a treat, and this felt both familiar and refreshingly new all at once. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and I liked that the pacing was a bit faster than her usual style. That said, I do prefer her single POV, lush and beautiful writing narratives, too. Any one of her characters could’ve taken center stage — their voices and arcs were very distinct and well-developed.

  Music, action, druids, courtly intrigue, and Irish faeries as they should be—what more could you want from a Marillier novel?

  This qualifies as book 1 of my Gabaldon / Marillier challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, review

• Book Review: “Son of the Shadows” by Juliet Marillier

  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on March 27, 2017

  Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

  Publisher: Tor
  Published: 2002 (first published in 2000)
  Genre: fantasy
  ISBN: 9780765343260
  Rating: ★★★★

  It is from her sacrifice that her brothers were brought home to Sevenwaters and her life has known much joy. But not all the brothers were able to escape the spell that transformed them into swans, and those who did were all more–and less–than they were before the change.

  It is left to Sorcha’s daughter Liadan who will take up the tale that the Sevenwaters clan is destined to fulfill. Beloved child, dutiful daughter, she embarks on a journey that opens her eyes to the wonders of the world around her…and shows her just how hard-won was the peace that she has known all her life.

  Liadan will need all of her courage to help save her family, for there are forces far darker than anyone chould have guessed and ancient powers conspiring to destroy this family’s peace–and their world. And she will need the strength to stand up to those she loves best, for in the finding of her own true love, Liadan’s course may doom them all…or be their salvation.

  Liadan is the beautiful younger daughter of Sorcha and Red, legends in their own fairytale story of the Sevenwaters clan. She loves to assist her mother with herbs and healing, speaks telepathically with her twin brother Sean, and attempts to rein in her older sister Niamh’s wild ways. But turbulent times crash into the family just when all seems to be well, and Liadan is trapped in the middle of an ancient prophecy. She is determined to make the right choices for her family, but with every step she takes her course appears to bring them further into darkness.

  SPOILER ALERT
  Events pertaining to Daughter of the Forest are within this review.
  SPOILER ALERT

  The second book in the Sevenwaters series is just as breathtaking, beautiful, and magical as the first, featuring another strong female protagonist who draws upon strength of the mind and spirit rather than physical qualities to combat her enemies.

  Liadan is a fierce and stubborn chatterbox, and she will tell you what she thinks of your decisions and actions if she believes it will improve your character or the family. She’d be a good friend to have around — patient and loving, while still practical and headstrong. She’s a great blend of Red and Sorcha, and that makes her flawed. While Sorcha is still one of my favorite characters in literature (right up there with Jane Eyre!), she was almost too perfect. Liadan makes loads of mistakes, to the point where it really does seem like the family is doomed. She is observant, aware of her mistakes, aware of how people treat her and how she treats others, and how sometimes similar situations and others’ reactions to them can be hypocritical. Take this, the family’s reaction to Liadan’s pregnancy:

  I was aware, constantly, of how different this was from Niamh’s experience. For my sister there had been the cold disapproval, the harsh censure, the shutting out, the hasty, forced marriage. For me there was simply acceptance, as if my fatherless child were already part of the family at Sevenwaters.

  While Son of the Shadows was entertaining and fantastic, and Liadan was an excellent character on her own, I had a hard time getting into the romance. It felt more like a means to an end for me, and less epic and profound as I was led to believe. Much of Liadan’s motivation and decisions were stemmed from this love, so I was pretty miffed by how central of a role it played when I wasn’t convinced of it.

  The prophecy from the first book is becoming a reality in this one, and it leaves the reader hanging, ready to read book three to see what happens next. There was more about the curse and the characters that come into play (such as, ah-ha!, the son of the shadows), more strategizing and skirmishes, more storytelling and culture. Sorcha was on a quest, separated from her family; Liadan is in the thick of it, a key player in the prophecy and all it entails.

  This qualifies as book 2 of 9 in the Flights of Fantasy / Gabaldon-and-Marillier challenge.

  This qualifies as book 4 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Flights of Fantasy, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, flights of fantasy, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: romance, review, rock my TBR

• Book Review: “Daughter of the Forest” by Juliet Marillier

  Posted at 2:18 pm by Laura, on February 10, 2015

  Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

  Publisher: Tor Books
  Published: February 2002 (originally April 1999)
  Genre: fantasy
  ISBN: 9780765343437
  Goodreads: 4.28
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, they are determined that she know only contentment.

  But Sorcha’s joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift-by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.

  When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all…

  Sorcha is surrounded, protected, and loved by her six older brothers. She’s a talented healer for such a young lady, and thrives helping the sick and wounded or tending in her garden. But an evil woman, an enchantress, enters their household at Sevenwaters, and the children are cursed. Sorcha seeks help from the Fair Folk, and is set to accomplish a task alone and silent. But her task is disrupted when three Britons take her across the water to their land in Harrowfield. An outcast in enemy lands, Sorcha’s task is her only solace, and a deep bond forms between her and the master of Harrowfield. But with everything seeming to fall apart around her, Sorcha begins to wonder if her task served any purpose at all.

  I ran until I was dizzy and breathless, until I reached the far end of the beach,
  where the rocky headland rose from the white sand. There I leaned my back
  against the stones and listened to my heart pounding and drew in breaths of
  wild sea air. I had not realized, had not known how painful a burden had been
  laid on me, until now, when for a single day I was free.

  What lush, vivid, unhurried writing. This is storytelling at its finest. Marillier is brilliant and I bow to her. I read her Shadowfell trilogy and really enjoyed it, and this book was given to me by a friend. All I needed was a push with the #DOTFreadalong to reenter Marillier’s world and fall in love all over again. She takes her time to tell a story. We experience Sorcha’s journey in every minute detail — every joy and pain, happiness and sorrow. We feel it as if it’s our own. I loved each of her six brothers, all with varying talents and interests — and even their propensity to speak for her even though she can speak for herself — and I loved watching her change from a young girl with simple joys to a young woman with a lifetime of experience guiding her intuition and heart.

  Another thing Marillier masters is creating different obstacles and side stories often enough to make it more life-like. They don’t feel like plot devices inserted here and there to keep the character on their toes. Every moment of happiness wasn’t suddenly jolted with terror or horror, or vice versa. The story unfolded slowly, a gradual rise and fall, building tension and release. Reading it was like breathing. With the occasional choked-back sob, of course.

  But oh my GOD that scene, the test, Red’s test in Sevenwaters. That scene. I died. My heart broke and mended a million times over. There were so many of those scenes, both heart-pounding and gut-wrenching. I want to read these passages over and over and over and over.

  ~

  See reviews of Shadowfell, Raven Flight, and Caller.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 6 Comments | Tagged book review, books, DOTFreadalong, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: romance, goodreads, readalong, review

• Book Review: “The Caller” by Juliet Marillier (ARC)

  Posted at 7:15 am by Laura, on September 1, 2014

  The Caller by Juliet Marillier 

  Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
  Publishing Date: September 9
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780375869563
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  Neryn has made a long journey to perfect her skills as a Caller. She has learned the wisdom of water and of earth; she has journeyed to the remote isles of the west and the forbidding mountains of the north. Now, Neryn must travel in Alban’s freezing winter to seek the mysterious White Lady, Guardian of Air. For only when Neryn has been trained by all four Guardians will she be ready to play her role in toppling the tyrannical King Keldec.

  But the White Lady is not what she seems. Trapped with Whisper, her fey protector, Neryn is unable to send word to her beloved Flint, who is in danger of being exposed as a double agent. When a new threat looms and the rebellion is in jeopardy, Neryn must enter Keldec’s court, where one false move could see her culled. She must stand up against forces more powerful than any she has confronted before, and face losses that could break her heart.

  Neryn has two more Guardians to visit before using her skills as a Caller at the midsummer Gathering. But as she enters the White Lady’s wintry territory, the whole rebel plan falls to pieces. Her training is cut short when she spies King Keldec’s forces rounding up Good Folk and young farmers to form a new army — and if he has the Good Folk, then he has a Caller of his own. Meanwhile, Flint is near to snapping, and struggles to find a way to make the captured Good Folk work alongside his men. From one obstacle to the next, Flint and Neryn must be careful now more than ever not to expose the rebel cause before the final battle.

  This is the conclusion to the beautiful and quiet Shadowfell trilogy, my favorite Celtic-inspired YA fantasy by a wonderful, talented, established fantasy writer. See my reviews of Shadowfell and Raven Flight. That said, beware this review may contain spoilers!

  Marillier has a brilliant way of reminding the readers of the backstory without filling the first chapter with info dump. Neryn needs to explain to the warriors at Shadowfell the training she needs to complete, and when she does so she gives the reader background information. It’s perfect. From there, the entire story is filled with twists and turns. I had no idea what would happen next — for Neryn or Flint — and my stomach was in knots. I genuinely felt concerned for their safety and the outcome of the cause.

  The way Marillier was able to express that tension is through her wonderful suspense. Each book in this trilogy was quiet and slow, the perfect pace for an underground cause in a kingdom long-silenced from magic. Because each book had that establishment, it didn’t seem out of place with each passing month in Alban. Even down to the battle, we’re given every single detail — every thought and feeling and observance of Neryn’s. The ending was excellent, and I loved every precious moment Neryn and Flint exchanged.

  Quiet and powerful, Marillier’s Shadowfell trilogy is not one you want to miss.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Knopf Books for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Raven Flight” by Juliet Marillier

  Posted at 9:03 pm by Laura, on July 16, 2013

  Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier 

  Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
  Publishing Date: July 2013
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780375869556
  Goodreads: 4.08
  Rating: ★★★★

  Neryn has finally found the rebel group at Shadowfell, and now her task is to seek out the elusive Guardians, vital to her training as a Caller. These four powerful beings have been increasingly at odds with human kind, and Neryn must prove her worth to them. She desperately needs their help to use her gift without compromising herself or the cause of overthrowing the evil King Keldec.

  Neryn must journey with the tough and steadfast Tali, who looks on Neryn’s love for the double agent Flint as a needless vulnerability. And perhaps it is. What Flint learns from the king will change the battlefield entirely-but in whose favor, no one knows.

  Neryn, after an exhausting and enlightening journey to Shadowfell with Flint, has finally found a place to call home with fellow rebels in King Keldec’s Alban kingdom. It is there she begins her training as a Caller, a person with the ability to call upon all fairy-like creatures called the Good Folk, to save Alban from destructive rule and bring it back to it’s traditional, safe ways. But she must meet with the four Guardians before she can help her rebel cause in this war, and she must travel in secret from King Keldec. With Flint as his most trusted confidante, how will the cause stay alive? And how will Flint manage to continue his double-agent life?

  Once again, Marillier brings to life Anglo-Saxon Celtic folklore in a very Tolkien-esque world. I was absolutely enchanted and could not put the book down. Neryn, albeit small in stature and physically weak, has such a powerful mind and fantastic connection with humans and Good Folk alike that I cannot help but admire her strength, confidence, and will. She’s incredibly intelligent and determined. Her love for Flint is not the primary focus at all in this trilogy, which is such a relief. It makes every moment they have together all the more sweet, and her goal in this trilogy all the more powerful.

  I find Neryn’s tasks quite relaxing to read. It’s a lot of visualization, mental imagery to control the physical world, traditional rituals and respect to the old ways. In a way, Neryn’s tasks are meditative, reflective, and every sacrifice made by the Good Folk is done willingly in her honor. She’s such a peaceful character, such a pleasure to read.

  There is a chapter in the book regarding a summer festival, several days of games and tournaments featuring men of strength. It’s very medieval, reminds me of Renaissance fairs, and truly shows how remarkable Marillier can be when she incorporates her academic knowledge with this fictional lore. I appreciated the descriptions, no matter how enthralling or brutal. It brought past and present Alban culture to life.

  I cannot wait for the next installment!

  Read my review of the first book, Shadowfell. 

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Shadowfell” by Juliet Marillier

  Posted at 1:22 pm by Laura, on October 5, 2012

  Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

  Published: 11 September 2012
  Publisher: Knopf
  ISBN: 9780375869549
  Goodreads: 4.04
  Rating: ★★★★

  Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill—a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk—Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

  During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death—but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban’s release from Keldec’s rule.

  Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

  The cover photo resembles a friend of mine, who is completely obsessed with Lord of the Rings, enjoys archery, loves fairy tales, and frequently quotes A Song of Ice and Fire.  It seemed fitting that, once I picked up this book to read the jacket, this was the first installment of a trilogy about a country under political unrest, filled with Anglo-Irish folklore, and a young girl on a journey to a faraway rebel encampment.

  I’m fascinated with the cultural transition from Irish fairies to cute little Tinkerbell pixies, and this book was completely filled with all of the good and bad characteristics of these long-forgotten creatures. The names and places — Neryn, Brollachan Brig — were extremely Gaelic in tone, and I became very nostalgic for folklore of the past. Marillier skillfully crafted Neryn’s difficult trek across the country with moments of reflection, heartbreak, illness, joy, companionship, and discovery. Like what most people say about Lord of the Rings, this first installment is “basically full of walking, eating, and sleeping,” but the characters Neryn meets along the way, the determination to survive, and the bits and pieces we learn about the world kept the pace of the story quick.

  I am very interested to see how Flint, the double agent, and Neryn continue to grow with the second book. I want to see her sculpt her talents, learn self-defense, grow with the other women in Shadowfell. I want to know what happens to Flint, how he is treated by King Keldec, and what Keldec’s court is like. It would not surprise me if the second book contains two perspectives throughout as it builds to the final battle! And finally, what about the Good Folk? Will they join the fight or watch from the edges? Will they come out of hiding?

  Posted in books, Reviews 2012 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Cake Tag: (belated-)Birthday Edition!

  Posted at 6:25 am by Laura, on March 9, 2018

  It’s my birthday (yay!) — or rather, it was on Sunday — so I thought I would do The Book Cake Tag, originally found on Morgan’s blog and inspired by GBBO! Because cake. (And also because Morgan tagged me almost a year ago and I still haven’t done this yet!)

  

  LOL OMG LOVE

  SELF-RISING FLOUR: A BOOK THAT IS SLOW TO START OFF BUT REALLY PICKED UP AS YOU WENT ALONG

  Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell I’m recalling starting off a bit slow but I absolutely loved as it gained momentum. Honestly, really great historical fiction can sometimes be like that. It takes a bit to immerse yourself — but once you’re in, you’re in.

  BUTTER OR MARGARINE: A BOOK WITH A RICH, GREAT PLOT

  The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty. I promise I’ll post my review of it soon! I PROMISE.

  EGGS: A BOOK YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE BAD BUT TURNED OUT TO BE QUITE ENJOYABLE

  It’s not that I thought it would be bad, but I was wary of First & Then by Emma Mills. I’m so glad I loved it, because she’s now an auto-buy/auto-read author for me!

  

  SUGAR: A SWEET BOOK

  Disclaimer: the whole book is not sugary sweet, but the sibling relationship portrayed in this book is possibly the sweetest, kindest, and yet most authentic sibling relationship I’ve seen for MG readers in ages! The Silver Gate by Kristin Bailey is a must-read.

  CHOCOLATE/FRUIT FILLING LAYER: A BOOK THAT SURPRISED YOU OR A CHARACTER WITH HIDDEN LAYERS

  The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton has all sorts of threads and layers, and when a book club member suggested a Fight Club-like scenario that completely blew me away, I can’t look at this book without wondering “what if…?” and assuming that theory is true. Because if it is…damn. Those are some intense layers.

  BAKING TIME: A SLOW-BURN ROMANCE

  Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (ha! Another tag to put this book in. I LOVE IT TO PIECES.)

  

  ICING: A BOOK THAT COVERS ALL THE ELEMENTS YOU ENJOY IN BOOKS

  Ohhhh this is difficult. The biggest thing for me in books is voice, followed by writing style, setting, and pacing. So with those in mind, regardless of genre, it’s probably The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

  SPRINKLES: A BOOK YOU CAN TURN TO FOR A PICK-ME-UP

  Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. It makes me laugh and smile and really puts things into perspective!

  On the other hand, Harry Potter never fails. Sometimes you gotta go in for a bit of childhood nostalgia.

  CHERRY ON TOP: FAVORITE BOOK SO FAR THIS YEAR

  Definitely The City of Brass. I’m a bit behind on reading this year, but I’m super pumped about the books on my nightstand right now (Between Two Fires, Tess of the Road, Children of Blood and Bone, Blood Water Paint) so hopefully I’ll catch up soon!

  

  Posted in books | 2 Comments | Tagged book tag, books, personal

• Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, Fantasy

  Posted at 9:10 am by Laura, on February 17, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to announce the publication of Tasha Suri’s Empire of Sand!

  Hachette Book Group associate editor Sarah Guan acquired world English rights to a debut fantasy novel by Tasha Suri. According to HBG, Suri was inspired to write Empire of Sandby Mughal-Indian history. The novel, HBG said, “is the story of a nobleman’s illegitimate daughter and a vow-bound mystic who both possess the rare ability to compel the dreams of sleeping gods.” Suri was born in the U.K., but toured India during childhood holidays. She is now a librarian in London, and studied English and creative writing at Warwick University. Laura Crockett of TriadaUS brokered the deal. Empire of Sand will be released in the fall under HBG’s Orbit Books imprint.

  Once upon a time…

  It was late June when I received a query for a 15th-century Mughal-Indian-inspired fantasy. The query was beautifully written, and the sample provided opened with an interesting scene and premise, setting the stage for what I hoped to be a gorgeous fantasy. I needed more.

  One early August afternoon, I finished reading the gorgeous fantasy. Natasha’s writing was lush and stunning, and I couldn’t help thinking her style was a perfect blend of traditional atmospheric fantasy a la Juliet Marillier and Roshani Chokshi. The magic was unique yet familiar, rooted in tradition and lore, and the romance was so achingly beautiful and classic I couldn’t help but sigh over the two. I had to call and offer. Immediately. And she accepted!

  There was something about this project that made me think it would sell quickly, too. Agents always think their clients’ work will sell quickly — we believe in them, we love their stories — but it really comes down to wowing editors. Her project felt right for crossover audiences, so I sent it out with a bang all over the board. It was a month between offering representation and putting it on submission, and another month till we received a very enthusiastic offer from a publisher.

  The offer prompted an auction. On Diwali. Do you realize how important and amazing that was for Tasha and her family? And by the end of the day, we knew exactly where EMPIRE OF SAND would find a home.

  This was a huge deal for everyone involved. My first auction, landing a deal on Diwali for Tasha, and announcing the deal on Lunar New Year for Sarah. What a trio!

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Tasha! You’re going to be a published author!

  EDIT: For more information about EMPIRE OF SAND, check out the acquisition announcement from Orbit!

   

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 4 Comments | Tagged deal announcement

• End of Year Book Survey IV

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on December 31, 2017

  

  This is the third year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. In 2015 I shared my bookish life in Hermione gifs, 2016 in Pevensie gifs, and this year I’ll share it through Gilmore Girls gifs! I’m looking forward to reading your 2017 book survey too.

  Note: This includes all books read in 2017 – they do not have to be published in 2017.

  

  

  Number of Books You Read: 57
  Number of Re-reads: 0
  Genre You Read the Most From: contemporary

  

  1. Best Book You Read in 2017

  I can’t stop thinking about The Alice Network. That was one of two 5-star books I read this year (the other was Outrun the Moon), but for some reason The Alice Network really stuck out for me. It’s not your usual historical fiction, let alone your usual parallel narrative, WWI/WWII historical fiction.

  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

  Caraval was a book I was very excited to read, and I was thrilled to have received a galley of it, too. But it started to crash and burn within a couple pages, and it just…continued to dig a deeper hole. I was very disappointed. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads but in hindsight my thoughts and feelings about the book could really bring it down a star or two…

  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2017?

  What to Say Next tops this list. Unlike most of Buxbaum’s readers, I didn’t care for Tell Me Three Things one bit, but I was pulled into What to Say Next within a few sentences. Then she had me bawling my eyes out. So in a VERY good way, Buxbaum surprised me!

  

  

  

  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2017?

  I push my client’s books, obviously, and I’ve been so excited to see how well my friends and fellow bloggers love Jared Reck’s A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Outside of agent life, I’d say the book I pushed the most was The Bear and the Nightingale at the library. You can get just about anyone to read wintry Russian historicals with a dash of magic and folklore. It’s appealing across many ages!

  5. Best Series You Started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?

  Started: Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn (Elementals 1)
  Sequel: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier (Sevenwaters 2)
  Ender: The Dire King by William Ritter (Jackaby 4)

  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2017?

  Beatriz Williams! I don’t know why it took me so long to read The Secret Life of Violet Grant, but I’m glad I did and now I want to read more by Williams!

  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

  I have a very hard time with nonfiction, but I thought Stiff by Mary Roach was interesting, informative, and hilarious.

  

  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

  It’s not action-packed or thrilling, but I could not put down The Map That Leads to You. It’s one of those books that’s entirely engrossing for those who have the itch to travel, the constant wanderlust, the need to find a home in a whole new place entirely our own.

  9. Book You Read in 2017 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

  I’m not sure how likely it is I’ll re-read something in the first place (LOL I thought last year I’d reread a Kinsella book and, as you can see from the top ^, I have not re-read a single book this year!), BUT I really enjoyed When Dimple Met Rishi and can see myself rereading that next summer.

  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2017?

  OH GOSH, I love so many covers! I’d say Like a River Glorious probably takes the cake here. The covers for this historical fantasy are so captivating.

  11. Most Memorable Character of 2017?

  Eve Gardiner in The Alice Network. I can’t stop thinking about her story, and how her story is so similar to so many women from WWI.

  

  

  

  

  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2017?

  Hunted or The Silver Gate because both were so beautifully written in two completely different ways. Hunted is a Russian-esque fairytale retelling and twist of “Beauty and the Beast,” which I found lyrical and engrossing; The Silver Gate is about sibling dynamics, mental health, and the power of fairytales in everyday life, set in medieval-Celtic culture. Both made me catch my breath.

  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2017?

  The most thought-provoking was probably The Miniaturist, especially after my book club held their discussion on it. I thought I had it all figured out, but then a book club member suggested a Fight Club plot that blew my mind. It’s probably too far-fetched, but it made me enjoy the novel even more for it!

  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2017 to Finally Read?

  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. So many friends and colleagues said I’d adore this book about books to pieces — but honestly, they didn’t recommend it the way that would’ve made me pick up this book in the first place: it’s a gothic book. Yes, I love books about books, but some of those just turn out to be surface-level stuff, a setting rather than a passion. This book, though, was awesome.

  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2017?

  A book is a companion, though. You can read it in a special place, like on a train to Amsterdam, then you carry it home and you chuck it on a shelf, and then years later you remember that feeling you had on the train when you were young. It’s like a little island in time. —The Map That Leads to You by JP Monninger

  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2017?

  Shortest: The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals by Jordan Stratford
  Longest: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

  17. Book That Shocked You the Most

  Three Dark Crowns, because nothing really happens till the last line and I couldn’t believe I wasted all that time on a book in which nothing happens. I hear the rest of the books really build up, but I’m not going to bother. It’s not for me.

  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

  Dimple and Rishi!

  

  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

  Mercy and her hate-to-friendship with Elodie in Outrun the Moon. Those two navigated some deep racial and class issues so well during this shocking moment in San Francisco history. I can only hope their friendship continued on after the book’s end. (Yes, they’re real! I firmly believe it!)

  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

  Always and Forever, Lara Jean, of course! It was so nice to see this trilogy come to an end the way it did. I loved Lara Jean’s growth and development across all of the books.

  21. Best Book You Read in 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

  The Map That Leads to You, thanks to Alyssa! I couldn’t stop fawning over her instagram pictures of it, and once I got my hands on the book I fell in love immediately.

  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2017?

  Um, there are no memorable men this year, so my fictional crush goes to a woman I greatly admired: Eve Gardiner in The Alice Network.

  23. Best 2017 Debut You Read?

  When Dimple Met Rishi is definitely a favorite debut from this year. It’s so fun!

  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

  Hunted made me shiver with all of its excellent wintry descriptions and magical light. I especially enjoyed the formatting for the book, with the beast’s perspective on wintry paper, as if it were written in blood on snow. Design can really play into the story!

  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

  You and Me, Always was cheesy in the best way and I couldn’t stop smiling as I was reading it. I definitely needed that kind of book in that moment of the year.

  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2017?

  The Light Between Oceans was too heart-wrenching for words. I could easily see why both women acted the way they did, and then I was torn just like the husband, and then I put myself in the child’s shoes, and…guys, this is a rollercoaster of a book.

  

  

  

  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

  The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, is such a great story for Charlotte’s Web fans and general contemporary fiction. It hasn’t gotten enough love and attention, and it deserves so much more!

  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

  I keep talking about The Alice Network, so I’ll change it to The Secret Life of Violet Grant. That was also covering a very crushing topic of female history.

  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2017?

   Paper Menagerie, which is a collection of science fiction short stories. I wouldn’t have picked this up otherwise, but I was impressed. It was definitely the most unique book I read in 2017.

  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

  Oh, a ton. A TON. I was probably most angry with (and deeply disliked) The Woman in Cabin 10.

  

  

  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2017? 

  Unfortunately, I wasn’t a very good blogger overall this year, and didn’t read any new ones.

  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?

  The Map That Leads to You, because it was entirely quotes. I hadn’t done that before, and I really wanted to review the book, but it was so hard to sum up the novel without the moving passages. I let the book review itself, haha.

  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

  One was an agent announcement (Clarissa’s novel Impossible Saints, in fact!), and another was one of my If We Were Having Coffee posts.

  

  

  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

  I was at Book Expo for lots of editorial meetings, and then went to ALA to meet my author Jared Reck and watch him sign galleys of A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Random House treated us to a very nice dinner with David Barkley, Nic Stone, and E Lockhart, too — it was a fun night.

  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2017?

  Oh, so many things, but my clients’ work definitely tops the list. I love seeing friends add my clients’ books to their TBRs and enjoying their reading experience. I’m bursting at the seams with two big deal announcements, but that will need to wait till January or so before it goes public.

  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

  The most popular post this year was my review of Jenny Han’s Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

  I wasn’t a terribly good blogger this year, so I didn’t have any posts in particular I wish got more attention or love, comments or discussion. I’m pleased people even find this at all!

  

  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

  This is so lame, but I’m saying it anyway: how much money I saved by reading books from my library. I didn’t have the best reading year, and I saved so much by checking out books from the library instead of purchasing. If I loved what I read, of course I ran to the bookstore and purchased my own copy!

  10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

  I read a lot of fantasy, but I didn’t consider it part of my Marillier / Gabaldon challenge for Flights of Fantasy — I’ll change that for next year. I wanted to read more library books (which I did) and hold back on blind purchases (which I did). I didn’t read any classics or reread any books, but I did read a decent amount off my own TBR shelves. Win some, lose some, but in the end I’m quite pleased!

  

  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?

  The City of Brass and The Passion of Dolssa top my list for 2017, and they’re on my January TBR. I gotta get started on them!

  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2018 (non-debut)?

  From Twinkle, With Love is definitely up there! Sandhya Menon has easily become an auto-buy author for me. Oh, and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik!

  3. 2018 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

  Hmmm…perhaps Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. It sounds exciting.

  

  

  

  

  4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2018?

  The next Queens of Renthia book, The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst, hands down.

  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2018?

  Commenting more, engaging more, and announcing more deals! (More, more, more.)

  6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

  Impossible Saints by Clarissa Harwood. I’ve already mailed a couple copies to friends and they’ve come back to me with positive responses, so…fingers crossed!

  

  Posted in books, Update Post | 5 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal

• Christmas Eve Book Tag

  Posted at 5:35 am by Laura, on December 24, 2017

  It’s the day before Christmas! I hope you’re having a great holiday season. It’s been a busy few months lately, but I just had to do this Christmas Eve tag from Sam’s vlog. Enjoy!

  Christmas Eve Book Tag

  CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING || What is a book you wake up excited to read? (Anticipating reading, read in the past and love, etc)

  Anticipate reading: The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty
  Read in the past and love: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (ha! Made it into another tag!)
  .

  CHRISTMAS EVE BREAKFAST || What is your favorite treat/food during the holidays?

  Gosh, it depends on the time of day! In the mornings I love a good breakfast casserole — eggs, cheese, sausage, onions, peppers — and I’m a sucker for mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie for lunch and dinner. It’s also not the holidays without ham, but the other foods are must-haves during the holidays. I also love peppermint ice cream and french vanilla hot cocoa with marshmallows.

  Clearly I love holiday food.

  FAMILY TIME || What is a book that fills you with happiness and love and the warm fuzzies in general?

  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Hands down.

  

  CHRISTMAS CAROLS || What are your favorite Christmas carols/songs, or holiday songs?

  For Christmas carols, I tend to go a bit more traditional. I love “O Come Emmanuel,” “Wexford Carol,” and “I Wonder as I Wander.” Christmas songs I tend to think of pop tunes, and sung by specific singers. In that case it would be “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (She & Him), “All I Want For Christmas is You” (Mariah Carey), and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (Harry Connick, Jr).

  ANTICIPATION || What book release are you very much anticipating?

  For one I have read, it would be Clarissa Harwood’s Impossible Saints (January 2!). For ones I’m looking forward to reading, it would be Rachel Hartman’s Tess of the Road, Jessica Leake’s Beyond a Darkened Shore, and Adrienne Young’s Sky in the Deep.

  SLEIGH BELLS ON THE ROOF || You hear Santa on the roof and you’re very excited for the goodies! What book kept you up late at night?

  Gosh, the last book that comes to mind that kept me up for ages was Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. That was a couple years ago. There are books that’ve stuck with me too (likely due to connection in that moment of my life) and kept me awake and wondering, like A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan.

  CHRISTMAS MORNING || What book or item has been on your wishlist that you’re anticipating, perhaps receiving, this Christmas?

  There’s an item that’s forever and always on my wishlist and probably will be till I die, so I don’t expect it! It’s the 1940s edition of Jane Eyre with Fritz Eichenberg’s etchings. I can find it on Amazon and Etsy, but that’s just too easy. I want to discover it, you know? I’m also eagerly anticipating Juliet Marillier’s Den of Wolves, though, and that seems far more reasonable to receive this Christmas!

  

  I tag anyone and everyone who wants to participate in this fun Christmas + bookish tag!

  Posted in book tag, books | 2 Comments | Tagged book tag, books

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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