Hello, loves! It’s time for my first topical list, as part of Wyrd and Wonder. Not sure what Wyrd and Wonder is? Check out my intro post here. This year, Wyrd and Wonder is offering a Fantastic Top Fives series, answering topical prompts with your top five answers. This week’s prompt is Top Five Fantasies You’ve Read Since Last Year’s Wyrd and Wonder. This is very kind, since I’ve been off and on in a reading slump for ages, so having a year to pull from (but also narrow down to) is perfection.
Let’s check it out!
Top Five Fantasies
It is always hard to narrow down any list for me, especially when we’re looking for “top five” of anything. So, having the caveat that it has been top five since last Wyrd and Wonder (so, books read since June 2021 until now) has been very, very helpful. Also, the fact that I had a limited number of books to choose from didn’t hurt in narrowing things down. 😅
The Councillor by E.J. Beaton: I loved this book. Fuck, I love it still. It’s a book that I (won’t lie) wasn’t that interested in because of the cover (I’m such a snob, Jesus). I am SO glad that I ignored that and trusted the recommendation I saw on Twitter from another author who’s work I enjoy, Sam Hawke. It’s one of my favorite books ever. Read my review here.
Jade City by Fonda Lee: Am I trash for Fonda Lee’s work, even only after one book? Yes. Did I almost cry on an airplane thanks to this book? Also yes. Were the last 200ish pages consumed in practically one sitting? Oh yes. Am I too scared to start Jade War? …maybe. Read my review here.
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart: I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Honestly, I didn’t know much about it, except: it’s published by my favorite publisher (Orbit). And, the author is really cool on Twitter. So, label my mind absolutely BLOWN away by the complexities and twists within this story. And just the pure premise!? Not to mention MEPHI!? Read my review here.
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten: Probably the biggest surprise out of the bunch. I’m not usually one for fairytale retellings. It’s just not really my jam. Whitten handed me this book and was like, “Lets challenge that, shall we”? Since, this book has lived rent free in my brain. Read my review here.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri: We all know that I am a Tasha Suri fan. Empire of Sand introduced me to her work and while I haven’t read Realm of Ash (yet), I knew that this morally gray lesbian story was one I had to read. And oh wow, did Suri deliver. Read my review here.
Top Five Future
Because I’m feeling a little extra today, I’m also sharing my top five fantasies that I’d really love to read by Wyrd and Wonder six (so, by May 2023). I’m also limiting myself to books I already own, as I really want to get to a point where I’ve read everything on my bookshelves.
Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica: Do I know anything about this book? No. Have I had it on my bookshelves for ages? Yes. Am I wanting to read it purely because the cover is gorgeous? 100% yes.
An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock: Another case of “the cover brought me in while browsing at a bookstore and oops, forgot to check what the book was about.” Classic Nicole move, right there. But, I’ve also seen other bloggers really enjoy this book, so I hoping this random pick is actually one I’ll enjoy!
The Reborn Empire series by Devin Madson: So, I have read We Ride the Storm: twice, actually. Once when it was an SPFBO finalist and then again after it was republished by Orbit. Have I continued the series? No. SHAME ON ME. These books are fantastic and I just really need to binge them, I think. (And yes, I cheated on my own rules. Alas.)
Touch of Iron by Timandra Whitecastle: I had to have a self-published fantasy author on here (I mean, technically I have two, but hush). We all know how much I love Timandra Whitecastle–and that’s from only reading one book! It’s high time I dive into her backlog.
The Bond Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart: I tried really hard not to turn my top five fantasies of the future into a sequels from the top five fantasies I’ve read list. But, I just couldn’t keep this one off the list. I HAVE to know what happens next. (Plus, I already own it, whereas most of the other sequels aren’t out yet, aside from Jade War and Jade Legacy, which…pray for me when I swallow my fears and absorb pain.)
In Sum
This was a really fun list to do, as part of Wyrd and Wonders Fantastic Top Fives. It also has me itching to read all of these books, which is a feeling I haven’t felt in a while (especially since I used up my normally-allotted reading time to write this post, oops). Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts (though no spoilers, obviously, from those in my second list) in the comments below! And, if you haven’t read them or even haven’t heard of them, I highly recommend you check them out. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
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![HAPPY PRIDE MONTH, EVERYONE! 🏳🌈
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So, in honor of Pride, I'm increasing my normal discount for all queer writers (10%) to 20% off all full manuscript edits booked the month of June 2023.
A few finer details:
Full manuscript means you can choose between three services: a developmental edit (what I'm best at!), line edit or proofreading.
You'll book in June and pay a down payment to secure your spot, but our actual edit can be anytime between now and May 2024. That way, I can be as available for as many queer writers as possible!
Even with this discount, you can still take advantage of my payment plans!
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I wrote more about it (including a few reminders, if you're a queer writer and you're struggling) in the blog post linked below.
https://thoughtsstainedwithink.com/calling-all-queer-writers/
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I keep meaning to retry The Councillor and never get around to it – maybe you’ve just given me inspiration.
I’ve got most of these on my TBR, Nicole! Great list to look forward to! Happy reading!
I hope you love them, whenever you read them!
I love The Green Bone Saga and it’s definitely one of my top five fantasies ever! Jasmine Throne, Bone Shard Daughter and For the Wolf are on my TBR and I’m hoping to read them this year. Thanks for the recommendations, I’ve now added three more of the fantasies you’ve mentioned on my TBR wish list 😂
YAY. That makes me so happy that you added more to your TBR (though, also, I’m sorry). 😂 I am really hoping to continue more into the Green Bone Saga soon!
I hope you enjoy the rest of the series whenever you get around to it! Happy reading 😃
Thanks for sharing these recomendations
I hear you on the Alchemy of Masques and the Devin Madson books — the covers alone make my hands twitch to grab them!
Right!? I am such a sucker for covers, honestly.
Gah, I’ve had ALCHEMY OF MASQUE AND MIRRORS sitting on my shelf FOR YEARS. I really, really need to read it….and yes, I too am trash for Fonda Lee, and no, you are not prepared for the rest of the series.
There are just too many books, Caitlin. Too many. (*gulps at your Green Bone Saga proclamation*)
Oh Child of a Hidden Sea! I really need to read that too, and it isn’t even that book. I loved another Dellamonica book so I don’t know what is stopping me lol.
Also Jade City and The Bone Shard Daughter were awesome.
I’m glad to hear you loved another book by the same author. This will be my first by her, so I’m definitely intrigued!
Right!? I can’t wait to continue both series.