BLOGGERS YOU’LL ADORE & THE BOOKS THEY MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH

“Your screeching review made me read this book!”

* Cue the ~environment friendly!~ confetti.

Hearing someone tell you that your constant jibbery-jabbery about a book convinced to pick it up is one of the most flattering thing a blogger can hear! But to be told that the reader loved said book, now that is cause for a cake and tea, pop punk kind of party. My time spent as a book blogger has introduced me to a variety of books – books I would never have picked up before – and bloggers who unabashedly talk about these books. Curiosity always wins me over. 

And it is almost always the best decision. Below I have listed book bloggers who have made my 2018 reading an exciting experience; through them I have found my favourite reads. Not only are their book reviews slaying but they are also amazing at championing for our book community. 

Related post TITANS OF THE TBR PILE AKA BOOK REVIEWERS WHO INFLUENCE MY READING

THE GREAT LIBRARY SERIES BY RACHEL CAINE

The Great Library series gutted my heart! From its dystopic, steampunk world to its character dynamics, Rachel Caine has created a world that is every bookworm’s dream – or nightmare. I first came across this book over at Cait from Paper Fury‘s blog. This was also around the time when I was just beginning to explore the fantasy genre and after reading this book, I knew I preferred the dark and gritty kind of fantasy. 

Read my review for Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine

 

Fall in love with 

❤️ A diverse cast of ass kicking scholars

❤️  A dystopian, steampunk world for librarians

❤️ Khalila Seif

“It is not my business to rehabilitate him,” Khalila said. “Nor the business of any woman. Should he improve himself, then it is his own doing, and not mine.

❤️❤️❤️

Add Ink and Bone on Goodreads 

Buy Ink and Bone via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

 

REIGN OF MIST BY                HELEN SCHEUERER

I knew absolutely nothing about Heart of Mist (book one) when I first signed up for Shealea from Shut Up, Shealea‘s blog tour. Shealea had mentioned how this book was favourite of hers, so I took her word for it – and she was not lying! The Oremere Chronicles is about a kingdom rampaged by a poisonous mist, of a kingdom which persecutes its magic-wielders , and of an unlikely group of people uncover a horrible secret. Reign of Mist is far more suspenseful than it prequel. This is a book that puts its female characters in the lead. They are compelling, unlikable, and absolutely in control.

Read my review for Reign of Mist by Helen Scheuerer

“No one deserved to feel unsafe in their own skin for someone else’s pleasure.”

Fall in love with 

❤️Compelling female characters

❤️Suspenseful adventure

❤️Compassionate male characters

❤️❤️❤️

Add Heart of Mist on Goodreads 

Buy via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

THE BONE WITCH BY                  RIN CHUPECO

This read has been long overdue. I’ve been seeing Kate from Your Tita Kate recommend this book a lot. Although the premise of necromancy intrigued, I was too distracted by ARCs to every pick up The Bone Witch. Oh, how I wished I had discovered this little gem a long, long time ago. The Bone Witch is rich with details, and creativity that made me ache for more. Rin Chupeco’s writing, by the way, is to die for! I love how she seamlessly flows from a vengeful character to one filled with compassion and curiosity. I love Chupeco’s description of the epic fantasy world she introduces us to with its asha, daeva (demon like creatures), and the nature of fashion and magic.

Read my review for The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Then perhaps we should carve a world one day where the strength lies in who you are, rather than in what they expect you to be.

Fall in love with 

❤️ Found family

❤️ A diverse fantasy culture

❤️ A slow & atmospheric narrative

❤️❤️❤️

Add Heart of Mist on Goodreads 

Buy via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

NOT EVEN BONES BY REBECCA SCHAEFFER

What is it with me and loving the dark, unholy things?

Fortunately, I don’t regret one ounce of it. Vicky from Vicky Who Reads posted an excited review about how the world-building in this book is amazing

I loved Not Even Bones because it was a fresh new take on the YA Fantasy genre, introducing us to a world that is just…vile.

So what exactly did I like about this book?

I adored the moral struggle of our main character, Nita who is a “medical examiner” to a monster trafficker. Her relationship with the zannie Kovit, who feeds on pain. If you are a fan of horror, Not Even Bones is worth the read!

Read my review for Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

Fall in love with 

❤️ An unconventional & bloody premise

❤️  A science-loving monster

❤️ Cutes-y, hate you-like you, kind of friendship

Morals were nothing but things to be manipulated with. They were tools you could use against others, and weapons others could use against you.

❤️❤️❤️

Add Not Even Bones on Goodreads 

Buy via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

THE GOOD SON BY             YOU-JEONG JEONG

Although psychological thrillers are my favourite, I had never ventured into Asian crime fiction. Big, big mistake! Had I not come across this book from Abby of Crime by the Book, I would have sorely missed out on one my favourite reads!

Ironically, I spend a majority of my reading hoping for a positive outcome in The Good Son. It is a harsh and unpredictable narrative, set in South Korea, that left me reeling for a bit. Everything about how the author portrays the scenario feels familiar, mundane even, until it is not. The tension in the story is uncomfortable, to say the least. I loved reading this book because it delves in family relationships and how it can turn insidous. 

Read my review for The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong

Fall in love with 

❤️ An unreliable narrator

❤️  Eye popping twists

❤️ A claustrophobic, evocative prose

“There are some people you just can’t love. Even when they smile, they make you want to pull on either side of that smile and rip their mouth off.” 

❤️❤️❤️

Add The Good Son on Goodreads 

Buy via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

SPINNING SILVER BY NAOMI NOVIK

Nandini from Unputdownable Books and I did a buddy read of Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. Of course, the book is AMAZING, but reading it with a friend made it even more special. Spinning Silver is one of those books whose prose I just wish I could emulate. Although considered a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, I loved how Novik crafted the story in such an unpredictable manner while still retaining the core elements. Or rather, the elements of the story I was familiar with. It was enchanting to explore Naomi Novik’s beautiful writing and escape into her work.

Read my review for Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Fall in love with 

❤️ Cunning women

❤️  The magic of winter

❤️ Luscious prose

“But I had not known that I was strong enough to do any of those things until they were over and I had done them. I had to do the work first, not knowing.”

❤️❤️❤️

Add Spinning Silver on Goodreads 

Buy via Amazon Kindle, Amazon or Book Depository

WHICH BLOGGERS DO YOU TRUST FOR BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS? WHICH IS THE BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO READ?

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THE BOOKS I LISTED?