2017 Releases I've Read
January Releases
A List of Cages by Robin Roe Published January 10, 2017
2 stars Review Here
Technically, I finished this on December 31, 2016, but it is a January release and I did read it. Totally not my cup of tea and it felt like a Perks of Being a Wallflower rip-off. Also it vilifies adults and while there are shitty adults out there, not all adults are going to leave you out to hang and dry.
February Releases
Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh Published February 7, 2017
2.25 stars Review Here
This isn't the worst HR I've read, but it certainly isn't good. Balogh is huge on the scene, but this one was lackluster and disappointing.
March Releases
The Last Novelist (or, A Dead Lizard in the Yard) by Matthew Kressel Published March 15, 2017
1 stars Review Here
I did not like this one. At all.
Excerpts from a Film (1942-1987) by A.C. Wise Published March 22, 2017
5 stars Review Here
This is one of the best short stories I've read all year. I love old Hollywood and ghost stories. It was phenomenal. Pretty much the perfect story for me.
Mental Diplopia by Julianna Baggott Published March 22, 2017
4 stars Review Here
I was really captivated by the premise and this one is a strong short story. Definitely recommend it.
Ecdysis by Julianna Baggott Published March 22, 2017
1.5 stars Review Here
I wasn't a huge fan of this one. The story had potential, but something was lacking.
April Releases
Dark Warm Heart by Rich Larson Published April 12, 2017
2 stars Review Here
It has a creepy creature that I love coming across in literature, but this one isn't the best.
The Pocketbook of Sunshine and Rain by Nenia Campbell Published April 18, 2017
4.5 stars Review Here
I adored this poetry collection. There were some wonderful poems contained in here and I'm so happy I decided to pick it up.
The Awakening of Insects by Bobby Sun Published April 26, 2017
DNF- 2stars Review Here
The dialogue is forced and the writing choppy. Saw no point in finishing the story.
May Releases
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas Published May 2, 2017
5 stars Review Here
I love, love this one. It came out during finals week and the minute I finished my final I rushed to BooksaMillion and purchased it. I flew through it so quickly. It's my personal favorite in the trilogy.
The Crime Book by DK Publishing Published May 2, 2017
2.25 stars (subject to change when I write my review)
I'm a huge true crime fan and the format for this is super cool, but the content was lackluster. There were some sections that I definitely enjoyed, but others that felt like something was missing. Not as a big of a fan as I hoped I would be.
Sweetlings by Lucy Taylor Published May 3, 2017
4.25 stars Review Here
This is a Tor Short worth reading. It's creepy and it tackles human evolution in a horrifying way. Highly recommend.
Hexagrammaton by Hanus Seiner Published May 20, 2017
1.75 stars Review Here
The writing is why I kept reading, but this story was very confusing. I've heard from GR friends that a reread helps to understand the story more. I'm just not sure if I want to reread it.
June Releases
The White-Throated Transmigrant by E. Lily Yu Published June 21, 2017
1.25 stars Review Here
It wasn't an horrible Tor Short, but it wasn't a good one. I was completely disconnected from the story and I was letdown by the twist.
The Highland Commander by Amy Jarecki Published June 27, 2017
4 stars Review Here
I was a definite fan of this Highland romance. It was sexy, fun, and surprisingly well-researched. It fit the time period also offered a lot of drama and intrigue. My only qualm and the real reason why I can't rate it past 4 stars was the ending. It was a bit unsatisfying.
July Releases
Too Scot to Handle by Grace Burrowes Published July 25, 2017
3.25 stars Review Here
I loved The Trouble with Dukes when I read it last year, but I found Too Scot to Handle to be an average HR without the depth that I wanted. Plus the sex scenes were cringey. Hoping that the third one will be a favorite when I get to it.
Dollface Volume 1 by Dan Mendoza & Bryan Seaton Published July 25, 2017
DNF 1star Review Here
NOPE. NOPE. NO. This is misogynistic and disgusting. It contributes to the cliche of graphic novels over-sexualizing women and helps to perpetuate stereotypes. This is trash.
August Releases
When I Am Through with You by Stephanie Kuehn Published August 1, 2017
5 stars Review Here
I loved The Smaller Evil when I read it last year and I was so excited when I won a First to Read ARC for another Kuehn novel. She has quickly become one of, if not, my favorite YA thriller writer. I absolutely loved this one.
September Releases
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust Published September 5, 2017
5 stars Review Here
I'm a huge fan of this Snow White Retelling. I saw it on a couple of peoples' favorites and I totally agree. It was a wonderful slow-burning fantasy novel. I highly recommend it. It's also a debut which is super exciting and proves to me that Bashardoust is an author to watch.
October Releases
Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi Published October 31, 2017
DNF- 2 stars Review Here
This one was a huge disappoint for me. I thought I would love this magical world, but I felt frustrated by the world building and the characters. It wasn't for me. However, I think many will absolutely love this one.
Books I Want to Read (in random order)
I'm really excited for a lot of these books and not all of the 2017 I have on my to read shelf is featured here. I own Strange the Dreamer and Winter Tide. So, hopefully I will get to those ASAP.
Overall, out of the nineteen new releases I read I rated only nine over 3 stars. I read more new releases than I thought I did, but the majority of them didn't blow me away. There were some great new releases though and a couple of them are on my favorites list of this year.
Have you read any of these 2017 releases? What were some your favorite new releases? Let me know down below in the comments!
Ooh Strange the Dreamer and THUG are absolutely amazing and I hope you get to them soon. :D I also adored When I Am Through With You (it was so freaking messed up right?!) and Girls Made Of Glass and Snow!
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited about them! Happy to hear that you enjoyed When I Am Through With You and Girls Made of Glass and Snow as well!
DeleteI know what you mean about those end of the year lists. I'm not ready to call it a year just yet. I just bought Strange the Dreamer since Amazon had it on sale. Heard so many good things about it. An Enchantment of Ravens was really lovely and The Hate U Give is easily one of the top books of the year. Hope you get a chance to pick all these up soon.
ReplyDeleteRight? It's still early! There is still time to read a favorite book. I own Strange the Dreamer, but I haven't read it yet. Hopefully in 2018 I will. Hope you enjoy it! So happy to hear you love THUG and An Enchantment of Ravens. I'm really excited about getting to them.
Delete