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Ten Books That Surprised Me

Ten Books That Surprised Me

March 13, 2018 Posted by angelreads Features, Top Ten Tuesday 12 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is Ten Books That Surprised Me.

Surprised in a good way

Surprised Me Books

 

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black: I loved this book. So much. I’m not a massive fan of fae and haven’t had many good experiences in the past but, I adored The Cruel Prince. It’s addicting, dark and messes with your emotions. It’s a world of court intrigue and the conflict between fae and humans. It explores the notion of being human and the emotions that come with it. It’s fast-paced with many twists and turns that throw you off | Full Review. 

 
 
 
 
Surprised Me Books
 
 
 
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1) by Sylvain Neuvel: I wasn’t expecting to like this book at all. Sci-fi isn’t really my thing and I have had a lot of hits and misses. But all I heard about Sleeping Giants were great things. So I picked it up via audiobook and loved it! It’s one that I always recommend now at work to those looking for new science fiction. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surprised Me Books
 
 
A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab: Again this is another one that everyone seems to really enjoy and I really don’t have a reason why I hadn’t picked it up. But after I did I just loved it. I love the world, the characters, the relationships. Everything just fit together so nicely. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surprised Me Books
 
Letters to the Lost (Letters to the Lost #1) by Brigid Kemmerer: This sounded like my type of read when I heard about it, but I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. It’s a story about grief and dealing with those who you have lost. It’s about understanding that sometimes isn’t what you think they are. It explores the notion of family, friendship and finding yourself. It’s heartfelt, heartbreaking, but also uplifting. It’s one of the tissues | Full Review. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surprised Me Books
 
 
Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake: Again like Letters to the Lost, I knew I was going to like this, but what surprised me was that I ended up loving it. With a mix of everything I love. Frostblood explores the notion of family, finding out who you are, where you belong and to fight for what you believe. I loved the romance and the world | Full Review. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Surprised in a bad way

Surprised Me Books

 

Paper Princess (The Royals #1) by Erin Watt: I don’t really know how to feel about this. I love Elle Kennedy’s books and I have a big handful of them. So it really surprised me when I really disliked Paper Princess. I didn’t like the characters, the plot, most of the book truly. I did continue the series and enjoy it a little more, but it’s not my favourite out there. 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprised Me Books

 

 

The Pearl Thief (Code Name Verity 0.5) by Elizabeth Wein: I had heard so many amazing things about Elizabeth Wein. The Pearl Thief had the ingredients for things that I love. But it was such a letdown.  It explores the notion of a girl in her time and where she stands. It explores family and friendship and standing up for what you believe in.  I hope that I will be able to read more of Wein’s books soon and hope that the hype stands true | Full Review. 

 

 

Surprised Me Books
 
 
The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares: This is another author that I heard great things about the author, and the premise of the book really drew me in. So I was surprised when I didn’t really like it.  The Whole Things Together is a poignant novel that just didn’t hit the right spots for me. With far too many characters and storylines to keep track off. I was confused most of the time. It explores the notions of romance, family and finding yourself |Full Review. 
 
 
 
 
 
Surprised Me Books
 
 
The Impossible Story of Olive in Love by Tonya Alexandra: I really didn’t like this book. I nearly hated it. Like a lot of these books, it had all the right ingredients. But gosh there were so many things wrong. Olive as a protagonist didn’t sit well with me, as well as the romance. The plot was intriguing and I kept reading for that alone. I was hoping that there would be some resolution, but I was left disappointed.  
 
 
 
 
 
  
Surprised Me Books
 
 
 
Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber: When I finished this book, I liked it more than I do now.  After I’ve had time to think about it, things weren’t just adding up for me. The world was interesting and so were the most of the characters. But together it just didn’t fit for me. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And that it for this post! What are some of the books that have surprised you? Was it in a good way or a bad? Let’s Chat!

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  • Anne@Headfullofbooks
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 4:24 PM

    The Pearl Thief is an awesome book. I loved it. My TTT

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  • Chrissi Reads
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 4:54 PM

    Letters To The Lost is such a special read. I didn’t expect to like it as much either. Fab list!

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  • Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 5:05 PM

    I’m about to start Letters to the Lost, so YAY!!!! And I’ve heard really mixed things about Caraval– I guess it worked out that that type of book is not really my thing anyway 🙂

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  • Greg
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 5:44 PM

    I haven’t read Caraval yet but I’ve wanted to. I’m curious how it will work for me honestly. And The Cruel Prince I definitely want to read, most of the reviews I’ve seen have been pretty positive…

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  • Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 7:30 PM

    I keep wondering if I should read The Cruel Prince but I just don’t know?? Because I’m not a fan of Fae books either and I don’t want to read it and end up hating it while the world raves about it. And ADSOM is just one of the best things out there.

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  • Olivia
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 8:54 PM

    Another blogger mentioning Caraval in a bad way. Maybe it’s time to take it off my tbr list. I really need to push The Cruel Prince higher!

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  • Carmen
    · Reply

    March 13, 2018 at 10:20 PM

    I hated Caraval. I thought the characters were bland and that insta-love did not work for me. I wasn`t interested in reading “The Cruel Prince”, but after so many people raved about it, it`s at the top of my TBR now.

    Carmen`s Reading Corner

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  • Astilbe
    · Reply

    March 14, 2018 at 2:06 AM

    I’ve heard good things about The Cruel Prince. I’m glad you liked it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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  • Sim @ Flipping Through the Pages
    · Reply

    March 14, 2018 at 2:14 AM

    Ahh I so want to read the Cruel Prince. I have seen it on so many lists today. I am just waiting for the price to go down 🙁 I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂

    My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/03/ten-books-with-strong-social-messages-that-impacted-me/

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  • Jo
    · Reply

    March 14, 2018 at 4:49 AM

    I’m so glad you loved A Darker Shade of Magic! I actually enjoyed Caraval, but I know a lot of people who have felt lukewarm about it. I didn’t mind The Pearl Thief, but Code Name Verity (the sequel) is so much better!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/top-ten-tuesday-150/

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  • Joann B Downie
    · Reply

    March 14, 2018 at 10:53 AM

    The Cruel Prince is now on my want to read list!!

    https://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/all-event-tour-host-for-audio-blitz-of.html

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  • Lauren @ Always Me
    · Reply

    March 14, 2018 at 1:29 PM

    Schwab has quickly become one of my favorite authors! 🙂

    Lauren @ Always Me

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March was a better reading month than February for March was a better reading month than February for me, and while I’m still stuck in my heated rivalry fanfiction era I managed to scrap out of it a little this month. 

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