I've also read (and loved!) the Innkeeper Chronicles and Murderbot series. I picked up Ancillary Justice after listening to your glowing reviews - thanks for the rec! One of my surprise Sci-fi hits this year was Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold. Shards of Honor (the first book) was a mixed bag for me. I didn't feel invested in the story until I was 33-50% in. It had some problematic/difficult elements that didn't land while other aspects were deeply moving and engaging. I liked it well enough to continue, but with moderate expectations. To my surprise, the second book, Barrayar, became a favourite of the year.
I tried to read Gideon the Ninth before but I was expecting it to be something different to what it is and I couldn't get myself into the right frame of mind to read it and enjoy it. I soft-DNF'd it, fully intending on going back to it considering how many people, like yourself, love it. Also love that you included the Last Murder at the End of the World - I haven't read it yet but heard great things!
It definitely wasn't what I expected either. I feel like it's impossible to know what to expect without reading it, even if someone tells you. I think you just have to be ok with not really understanding everything at first 😅
I'm a huge Tamsyn Muir fan. I think one thing to remember about the entire Locked Tomb series is that it's meant to be read multiple times, and as your knowledge increases, the foreshadowing and depth of the writing becomes clear. It's confusing the first time, but by the 3rd reading, you see literally every word is going somewhere fascinating.
I haven't, although it's on my radar. I'm a tad hesitant because I've seen it compared to Red Rising, and people who loved that series, but I was not a fan of Red Rising 😬🙃😅
I've also read (and loved!) the Innkeeper Chronicles and Murderbot series. I picked up Ancillary Justice after listening to your glowing reviews - thanks for the rec!
One of my surprise Sci-fi hits this year was Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold. Shards of Honor (the first book) was a mixed bag for me. I didn't feel invested in the story until I was 33-50% in. It had some problematic/difficult elements that didn't land while other aspects were deeply moving and engaging. I liked it well enough to continue, but with moderate expectations. To my surprise, the second book, Barrayar, became a favourite of the year.
A great list!! Im really interested in reading I,Who Have Never Known Men.
I think my favourite sci fi this year was In Ascension by Martin McInnes.
I tried to read Gideon the Ninth before but I was expecting it to be something different to what it is and I couldn't get myself into the right frame of mind to read it and enjoy it. I soft-DNF'd it, fully intending on going back to it considering how many people, like yourself, love it. Also love that you included the Last Murder at the End of the World - I haven't read it yet but heard great things!
It definitely wasn't what I expected either. I feel like it's impossible to know what to expect without reading it, even if someone tells you. I think you just have to be ok with not really understanding everything at first 😅
@@paperback_cat I think knowing it's being confusing on purpose will help with the re-read!
I'm a huge Tamsyn Muir fan. I think one thing to remember about the entire Locked Tomb series is that it's meant to be read multiple times, and as your knowledge increases, the foreshadowing and depth of the writing becomes clear. It's confusing the first time, but by the 3rd reading, you see literally every word is going somewhere fascinating.
Yay! It's definitely a series that I'm looking forward to re-reading, even though I haven't even finished my first read-through yet lol
"There's a lot more tea drinking" SOLD 😄
and a quite lovely inclusion of the love of a beautiful tea set 🫖💕
Have you read any of the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio?
I haven't, although it's on my radar. I'm a tad hesitant because I've seen it compared to Red Rising, and people who loved that series, but I was not a fan of Red Rising 😬🙃😅
I see. I would say it is quite different to Red Rising. Especially from book 2 onwards.
I guess i would say it is less YA oriented than Red Rising.