Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Best Books of 2020 Pt. II: 2020 Releases!

 

Welcome to part II of my best books of 2020! Today's list focuses solely on books that I loved that came out in 2020. I am still obsessed with some of these books (I am particularly excited for the sequels to Savage Rebellion, Flesh Eater, and The Obsidian Tower) and am so excited to share all of these books I love with you all. Still to come (probably Thursday) is my end of year stats post where I share what genres I read the most of (which will be no surprise), formats and sources for the books I read, etc. etc. If you like geeky stats, you'll enjoy it. Anyway, enough chatting, let's talk about the amazing new releases from this year!

Top 2020 Releases: 
(in no particular order)


1. Savage Rebellion by Matt Wallace: This felt like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre and I am waiting so impatiently for the sequel! There are three main storylines that we follow in the first book ad I was equally enraptured in all of them--Wallace really knows how to create an engaging world and cast of characters. I can't recommend this book enough! Review

2. The Light of All that Falls by James Islington: A stunning conclusion to one of the most epic trilogies, and also one of my favorite fantasy trilogies ever. If you haven't started this trilogy yet, I can't encourage you enough to check it out! Review

3. Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas: I read an ARC of this via NetGalley early in the year before I'd seen many reviews and completely fell in love. It's an odd book and definitely not for everyone (as you can tell by many of the reviews that seem to have appeared for it), but I thought it was a masterpiece and couldn't get enough of it. Review

4. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher: I read a lot of great horror this year, but this was easily one of my favorites. I  loved the creepiness of the unknown things that existed, and I also loved the personalities of the two main characters and how much life and enjoyment they brought to the story. This book put Kingfisher at the top of my 'must-read' author list. Review

5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: I really don't think that there's much I can say about this book that I haven't already said or that you probably haven't already seen. It's adorable, heartwarming, and all-around one of my favorite reads for sure. This is a keeper! Review

6. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones: This was another horror novel that I loved to death and that has also sent me on a Stephen Graham Jones hunt at my library so I can read more of his book. Dark, disturbing, atmospheric, and with just a bit of dark humor to round it out. Review

7. Empire of Wild by Cheri Dimaline: This seemed to be very much in the same vein as The Only Good Indians and I loved it as well. Equally atmospheric and unforgettable, Cheri Dimaline is an author I'm keeping my eye out for! Review

8. Flesh Eater by Travis M. Riddle: This is the fifth (?) book I've read by Riddle and I've yet to meet one I don't love! Flesh Eater is Riddle's first foray into a trilogy/series, and if this book is an indicator of what's to come, it's going to be amazing. I fell so hard for this book and the characters within it--you must check this one out if you love some really inventive and adventurous fantasy. Review

9. The Burning God by R.F. Kuang: Another finale to another truly epic trilogy. This was unpredictable and unforgettable, and I am continually impressed by Kuang's writing talents for this being her first trilogy--I cannot wait to see what else is in story for Kuang. Review

10. The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso: Caruo's Sword and Fire trilogy is one of my favorite, so this spin off that takes pace centuries after the events of the Sword and Fire trilogy was a highly anticipated one for me.... and I loved it! We have another spectacular protagonist, an exciting plot, and an even deeper dive into the world-building of this universe. You don't have to read the Sword and Fire trilogy to read this one (though it's fantastic), so you can check it out anytime! Review

11. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: When I read this, I had no idea that it was going to take off and become such a talked about book, and I am so glad it did because it is phenomenal and deserves every ounce of praise it gets. Dark, atmospheric, gothic, noir-ish--it's the perfect spooky read. Review

12. Docile by K.M. Szpara: I always wait to post my best books of the year until the beginning of January for books like these because I just read it about two weeks ago and I immediately knew that it was one of the best books I'd read in 2020. Docile is not a book for everyone and I completely understand why. It was, however, exactly the right book for me and I am still floored by how well it handled some incredibly complex topic and how compelling I found it--I am so excited for Szpara 2021 release First, Become Ashes! Review


Honorable Mentions:


1. Queen of Volts by Amanda Foody: In what seems to be a trend this year, this was another amazing trilogy conclusion! I still think Foody's Shadow Game series is immensely underrated because I don't see nearly enough people talking about it for how incredible it is! It has a great cast of complex characters, an unpredictable plot, and a setting that is eerily familiar, yet also incredibly fresh and exciting. Review

2. The Gobblin' Society by James P. Blaylock: This was such a weird little novella. It was creepy in all the right places and had just the perfect amount of morbid and odd humor to make it amazing. Review

3. Looking Glass by Christina Henry: Henry's The Chronicles of Alice duology is one of my favorites, so this collection of short stories featuring the same world and characters was everything I wanted and more. Review

 

 Have you read any of these books? What were some of your favorite 2020 releases?

12 comments:

  1. Yes to Mexican Gothic! So glad it lived up to the hype!

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  2. Awesome list! I'm thrilled to see The Only Good Indians on your list, and there are a couple that I really wanted to read but didn't have time: Savage Legion and Catherine House:-)

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  3. I picked up a copy of THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA at my local indie last week. I've heard so many good things about it! Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Oh that's so exciting, I hope you love it! It's so heartwarming. :)

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  4. I love the look of Savage Rebellion. Amazing cover too, as is Catherine House. I'll have to look at that one.

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    1. Savage Rebellion was a really surprising read for me, and I'm glad I had a chance to read it, same with Catherine House.

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  5. I loved Mexican Gothic too. I've seen so many glowing reviews for The House in the Cerulean Sea too. That one is a must read for me this year.

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    1. Oh absolutely, The House in the Cerulean is seriously so good!

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  6. Best of lists are so awesome-i find so many new titles I missed!

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    1. Right!? I just get out my pen and paper and dive in to them all, haha.

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  7. I enjoyed The Obsidian Tower and Mexican Gothic too.
    I keep meaning to read a book by Christina Henry as I really like the sound of them.
    Happy new year!

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