Top 10 Favorite Books of 2026 (So Far)

I was very excited to put this list together because I feel like have read some really good books this year. Last year was rough because I had very few 5-star reads, but it turns out that I only have THREE this year. I have a bunch of 4.5-star reads, so that's great, but more 5 stars would also be great. Lol.

Top 10 Favorite Books of 2025 (So Far)

Continuing with this year's trend of being late with posts, today I'm talking about my favorite books of the first half of 2025 😂 This was oddly diffcult and easy to do this year because as I've mentioned many times before, I feel like I've had a terrible reading year so I haven't actually read that many full-length novels. I feel like most of these are 4-star reads, which isn't a bad thing, but it does make me sad that I've read so few 5-star reads this year 😢 I'll let you know which books below were 5-stars for me though.

Review: How to Survive a Horror Movie by Seth Grahame-Smith

Title: How to Survive a Horror Movie

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Genre: Nonfiction, adult, horror, satire

Publication date: May 2011

Published by: Quirk Books

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

From ghosts, vampires, and zombies to serial killers, cannibalistic hillbillies, and haunted Japanese videocassettes, How to Survive a Horror Movie shows how to defeat every obstacle found in scary films. Readers will discover:

-How to Perform an Exorcism
-What to Do If You Did Something Last Summer
-How to Persuade the Skeptical Local Sheriff
-How to Vanquish a Murderous Doll
-How to Survive an Alien Invasion
-How to Tell If You've Been Dead Since the Beginning of the Movie

and much, much more. Complete with useful instructions, insane illustrations, and a list of 100 important films to study, How to Survive a Horror Movie is essential reading for prom queens, jocks, teenage babysitters, and anyone employed by a summer camp.

My rating: ★★★★★

I’m a huge horror movie fan so when I discovered this book I knew that I needed it in my brain immediately! The thing about me though is that, honestly, I would probably be that person who dies in the first 5 minutes of a Supernatural episode 😆

Review: Tales from the Gas Station: Volume Two by Jack Townsend

Title: Tales from the Gas Station: Volume Two

Series: Tales from the Gas Station #2

Previous book in this series: Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One

Author: Jack Townsend

Genre: Adult, horror comedy

Publication date: August 2019

Published by: Jack Townsend

Source: Purchased ebook & audibook

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Read the stories it's based on for free on the blog!

Listen to the stories it's based on for free on YouTube!

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Synopsis: Nightshift clerk and high-functioning insomniac Jack is back to work, trying his best to keep out of trouble. But when his chain-smoking coworker discovers a mysterious radio signal revealing the guarded secrets of their town, Jack will learn that an annoying new dayshift manager is far from the worst of his problems.

In this second installment of the Gas Station saga, Jack finds himself entangled in his most harrowing adventure yet. With the newest crew of coworkers along for the ride and the resident psychopath out for his blood, our hero(?) must navigate the drama of small-town murder conspiracies, vigilante justice, and demonic summoning rituals...whether he wants to or not.

My rating: ★★★★★

I absolutely loved this book! Because I’ve listened to the free narrations you can find online (I heard them over on MrCreepypasta’s YouTube), I sort of knew where the story was going in regards to the Russian radio. But what I love about this book is that it elaborates on those things and adds a lot more detail, so I really didn’t mind one bit! Just like the last book, this one wasn’t plot-driven like most books I read. It was definitely more on the character-driven side and I was surprisingly okay with that! It did have a lot to do with the fact that I love these characters and the wacky situations they find themselves in.

Review: Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One by Jack Townsend

Title: Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One

Series: Tales from the Gas Station #1

Author: Jack Townsend

Genre: Adult, horror comedy

Publication date: October 2018

Published by: Jack Townsend

Source: Purchased ebook & audibook

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Read the stories it's based on for free on the blog!

Listen to the stories it's based on for free on YouTube!

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Synopsis: Working at a dead-end retail job in the middle of nowhere can be hard. The long hours. The helpless customers. The enormous eldritch horror living deep below the building...

As the only full-time employee at the twenty-four hour gas station at the edge of town, Jack has pretty much seen it all. But when he decides to start an online journal documenting the bizarre day-to-day occurrences, he unwittingly attracts the attention of much more than just a few conspiracy theorists. With the body count steadily on the rise and a dark, ancient force infecting the dreams of everyone around him, Jack will do everything in his power to stay out of the way and mind his own business.

After all, he’s just a gas station clerk. It’s not like he’s getting paid enough to wage battle against the nightmarish aberrations plaguing his community. Besides, he already has his hands full attempting to manage all those mysterious lawn gnomes, the mutant raccoons, and the charming phantom cowboy who lives in the bathroom.

Based on the award-winning creepypasta by GasStationJack, Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One is a love letter to the pioneers of classic horror tailored to a generation that grew up in the era of smartphones and WiFi.

My rating: ★★★★★

There was always something strangely comforting in the consistency of this place’s disconnectedness. The gas station always felt like a place outside of time, not really connected to the rest of the world but still technically part of it. If the gas station were a planet, it would be Pluto. If the gas station were a vowel, it would be Y. If the gas station were an X-Man, it would be Wolverine. (And that is probably the nicest thing anyone will ever say about the gas station.)

I love listening to horror narrations—MrCreepypasta’s narrations, to be specific. A while back, he started a story called Tales from the Gas Station and I just absolutely loved it! I was always looking forward to more episodes from that series. I don’t even remember how I found out about this book, but when I realized that it was that story in book form, I got really excited! And then I was even more excited when I found out that MrCreepypasta was the one who did the narration for the audiobook too! It was all just too perfect! So I bought it immediately, and it totally lived up to my expectations!

Review: Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Capture the Crown

Series: Gargoyle Queen #1

Previous series: Crown of Shards

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: July 6th 2021

Published by: Harper Voyager

Source: ARC from author for review

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Synopsis: Bestselling author Jennifer Estep returns to her Crown of Shards world with an all-new trilogy and a bold new heroine who protects her kingdom from magic, murder, and mayhem by moonlighting as a spy.

Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne…

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was insanely good. I read this back in February, so it’s been a couple months, but even back then I knew with absolute certainty that this would definitely be one of my most favorite books of 2021! It was THAT good! I loved every second of it!

Review: Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles #4.5) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Stars Above

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4.5

Previous books in this series: Cinder (#1) | Scarlet (#2) | Cress (#3) | Fairest (#3.5) | Winter (#4)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, sci-fi, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: February 2016

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies? With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

CONTENTS

The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch...

The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a young Winter and Jacin playing a game called the Princess and the Guard...

The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.

The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century...

My rating: ★★★★★

After finishing Winter, I was not quite ready to say goodbye to this world just yet, so I was very happy to find out that this exists. I loved it! It’s basically a collection of short stories set in the TLC world. We get a couple of different POVs, and most of them are prequels and go into the character’s past. There is one that doesn’t have a familiar main character, but it does take place in this same world. And then the very last story takes place AFTER Winter, so that was a nice insight into what they’ve been up to. And yeah, I obviously loved them all 😉

Review: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4

Previous books in this series: Cinder (#1) | Scarlet (#2) | Cress (#3)

Previous novellas in this series: Glitches (#0.5) | The Little Android (#0.6) | The Queen's Army (#1.5) | Fairest (#3.5)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, sci-fi, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: November 2015

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She's said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana...

When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.

But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter claim their happily ever afters by defeating Levana once and for all?

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was SO good! I literally finished all 823 pages in under two days!

Review: Instant Karma (Fortuna Beach #1) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Instant Karma

Series: Fortuna Beach #1

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, contemporary romance

Publication date: November 2020

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: Chronic overachiever Prudence Barnett is always quick to cast judgment on the lazy, rude, and arrogant residents of her coastal town. Her dreams of karmic justice are fulfilled when, after a night out with her friends, she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on those around her.

Pru giddily makes use of the power, punishing everyone from public vandals to mean gossips, but there is one person on whom her powers consistently backfire: Quint Erickson, her slacker of a lab partner. Quint is annoyingly cute and impressively noble, especially when it comes to his work with the rescue center for local sea animals.

When Pru resigns herself to working at the rescue center for extra credit, she begins to uncover truths about baby otters, environmental upheaval, and romantic crossed signals—not necessarily in that order. Her newfound karmic insights reveal how thin the line is between virtue and vanity, generosity and greed, love and hate... and fate.

My rating: ★★★★★

I’m the first one to admit that I’m not really a contemporary person—I’ve always just found them to be too everyday life. But over the years I’ve expanded my horizons and started reading some contemporaries, and I’ve actually enjoyed them! Who would’ve thought? Lol. And this book? It was the cutest freaking thing EVER! I loved it!

Review: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cress

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3

Previous books in this series: Cinder (#1) | Scarlet (#2)

Previous novellas in this series: Glitches (#0.5) | The Little Android (#0.6) | The Queen's Army (#1.5)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, sci-fi, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: February 2014

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My rating: ★★★★★

So this book follows the beats of the Rapunzel fairy tale, with Cress being our Rapunzel. Poor Cress has been locked away in a freaking satellite in space for a long time! However, Thorne and Cinder launch a rescue mission to save her... but then things go all sorts of wrong 😬

Review: Sisters of Salt and Iron (Sisters of Blood and Spirit #2) by Kady Cross

Title: Sisters of Salt and Iron

Series: Sisters of Blood and Spirit #2

Previous book in this series: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Author: Kady Cross

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: March 2016

Published by: Harlequin TEEN

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: Lark Noble is finally happy. She’s trying to move on and put the events of the past behind her: the people who avoided her because she talked to the ghost of her dead twin sister, the parents who couldn’t be around her anymore and even the attempt she made on her own life. She finally has friends—people who know her secrets and still care about her—and she has Ben, the cute guy she never saw coming.

Wren Noble is lonely. Unable to interact with the living, she wants to be happy for her sister’s newfound happiness, but she feels like she’s losing her. It doesn’t help that Kevin, the very not-dead guy she was starting to fall for, seems to be moving on.

Then Wren meets Noah, the spirit of a young man who died a century ago. Noah is cute, he’s charming and he makes Wren feel something she’s never felt before. But Noah has a dark influence on Wren, and Lark’s distrust of him drives the sisters apart for the first time in their lives. As Halloween approaches and the veil between the worlds thins, bringing the dead closer to the world of the living, Lark must find a way to stop whatever deadly act Noah is planning, even if it means going through her sister to do so.

My rating: ★★★★★

I really loved the first book in this duology so I was very excited to read this one, and I’m happy to see that it turned out to be another great read! There was some unexpected mythology in there that I really appreciated, and I just really love the sisters and their complicated relationship.

Right from the start I knew I would love this book...

Ghosts are such douche bags.

Review: Last Strand (Elemental Assassin #19) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Last Strand

Series: Elemental Assassin #19

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6) | Widow's Web (#7) | Deadly Sting (#8) | Heart of Venom (#9) | The Spider (#10) | Poison Promise (#11) | Black Widow (#12) | Spider's Trap (#13) | Bitter Bite (#14) | Unraveled (#15) | Snared (#16) | Venom in the Veins (#17)
| Sharpest Sting (#18)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5) | Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (#8.1) | Kiss of Venom (#8.5) | Unwanted (#14.5) | Nice Guys Bite (#15.5) | Winter's Web (#17.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: March 16, 2021

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from author

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Synopsis: Every bloody thread has been leading to this...

I’ve battled a lot of bad guys in my time, both as Gin Blanco and as the notorious assassin the Spider. But I’ve never faced off against anyone quite as powerful and deadly as the dastardly leader of the Circle secret society.

Just when I finally have a lead on how I can defeat the evil group once and for all, new information comes to light that throws me for a loop. Suddenly, everyone and everything I love is in imminent peril of being destroyed, and I’m racing against the clock to figure out a way to save my friends.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the danger has never been greater. Somehow, I need to weave one last strand in my web of death—and kill my enemies before they kill me...

My rating: ★★★★★

This is it. The final showdown between Gin and her dear old Uncle Mason, the leader of the Circle, and the cause of most of the crime in Ashland. And just the cause of all the terrible things that have happened in Gin's personal life.  I cannot tell you how excited I was to read this book! And it was incredible! Well worth the wait! It had actually been about a year or so since I last read an Elemental Assassin book, so I was really starting to miss the characters. And starting off the book with some banter between the characters... so good. It was like coming home 😌 That’s one of the things I love about this series: the characters.

Review: Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2

Previous book in this series: Cinder

Previous novellas in this series: Glitches (#0.5) | The Little Android (#0.6) | The Queen's Army (#1.5)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, sci-fi, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: February 2013

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Even in the future, beware of the big, bad wolf...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestsrlling Lunar Chronicles. She is trying to break out of prison-even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information about her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My rating: ★★★★★

Not much time has passed since Cinder. In fact, we pick up pretty much where we left off, except we drop in on a new character: Scarlet. We’re going from Cinderella and moving right into Little Red Riding Hood, so Scarlet’s story is also going to be a familiar one. Basically, her grandmother has gone missing so she goes off to look for her, with the help of a guy she met, Wolf.

Review: Color Bleach+ by Tite Kubo

Title: Color Bleach+

Series: Bleach

Author: Tite Kubo

Genre: YA, manga, fantasy

Publication date: August 2010

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: The Soul Reaper's Handbook

This indispensable guide takes you behind the scenes of the shadowy world of the Soul Reapers! Read all about the illustrious Thirteen Court Guard Companies, study for the grueling entrance examination, get fighting tips from a master, take the personality quiz and much, much more! This book includes 66 pages of full-color manga spun off from the original Bleach.

My rating: ★★★★★

I watched the Bleach anime nearly 2 years ago and I was immediately hooked! When I finished the anime we still didn’t know that they were going to adapt the last arc of the manga, so I just went ahead and read it. But I needed more, and that’s where this book comes in! It’s this sort of supplemental read with a lot of information on the characters and other fun little things. Suffice to say, I loved it!

Review: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1

Previous novellas in this series: Glitches (#0.5) | The Little Android (#0.6)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA, sci-fi, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: January 2012

Published by: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My rating: ★★★★★
I loved, loved, LOVED this book! I’ve actually had this book for a very long time. I’ve met Marissa Meyer TWICE at TLC signings and I’m only just reading this book now.

I’m really mad at myself because I really loved it and I just can’t believe I waited this long to read it 😩😅 I mean, there are A LOT fairy tale retellings out in the world, but this is one of the best, and definitely one of the most unique, ones that I have read! I mean sci-fi and a cyborg Cinderella?

Review: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes

Series: The Mortal Instruments #2

Previous book in this series: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: March 2008

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry

Source: Own hardcover

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Synopsis:

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

My rating: ★★★★★
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I love this series! The Mortal Instruments is one of my all time favorite series and I’ve honestly lost count how many times I’ve re-read the first three books in the series. Lol.

Favorite Books I’ve Read So Far in 2019

We are through with the first six months of the year, so I thought I'd share the books I've enjoyed the most so far! So far I have read 34 books, but the following are some of my favorites.

Review: Halloween Frost (Mythos Academy #1.5) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Halloween Frost

Series: Mythos Academy #1.5

Previous book in this series: Touch of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: October 2016

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis:

It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, and Gwen Frost and her friends are ready to have a little fun. But when a mythological monster shows up, the night turns out to be more trick than treat.

Halloween Frost takes place in between the events of Touch of Frost, book #1, and Kiss of Frost, book #2, in the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. The short story is about 6,500 words.

My rating: ★★★★★
It’s been so long since I was last in the Mythos Academy world, and oh man did I miss it! I just love this world to pieces! And this short story takes place during Halloween! Double win!

Review: Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin #8) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Deadly Sting

Series: Elemental Assassin #8

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6) | Widow's Web (#7)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: March 2013

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me— Gin Blanco, aka the Spider—it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’s priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color

My rating: ★★★★★
In this installment of Elemental Assassin, Gin goes to this gala to check out all of Mab Monroe’s stuff being put on display. Not willingly, mind you. Finn begs her to come with him, and Gin being the awesome sister that she is, agrees to go with him. What she doesn’t expect is to run into trouble at the museum. This poor assassin just can’t catch a break. But too bad for the thieves that decided to hold up the museum, because they just messed with the wrong assassin. The Spider.

Review: Widow's Web (Elemental Assassin #7) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Widow's Web

Series: Elemental Assassin #7

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: August 2012

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis:

I used to murder people for money, but lately it’s become more of a survival technique.

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town anyway. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

My rating: ★★★★★
Owen’s old flame, Salina, is back to not only wreak havoc in town, but also in Gin and Owen’s relationship. I loved this book, but it seriously broke my heart.