Hello, everyone! I know I’m supposed to be on hiatus from blog posts right now to focus on the holidays and finish up my Reindeer Readathon TBR, but I couldn’t let this book tag pass me by before the Christmas season ends. I first saw the tag at Fi’s Bibliofiles, and it was created by Lizzie Loves Books. I did my best to avoid repetition, but many of these could be used for multiple answers. Without further ado, here are the questions!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: A partridge in a pear tree.

The partridge stood alone in the pear tree. What is your favorite stand alone this year?

I loved this book, and it totally blew my mind. The twist in this one was something I didn’t see coming and the relationship between the two boys was very well-written. See all my thoughts in my review.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Two turtle doves.

Love is in the air! Who is your one true pairing this year?

Nick and Seth from the Extraordinaries universe are absolutely adorable together. Seeing them navigate the complexities of a new relationship was hilarious and heartwarming. I swear to god I will hunt TJ down if they don’t live happily ever after in book three! See all my thoughts about their latest outing in my review.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Three french hens.

In the spirit of threes, what is the best trilogy you have read this year?

Do I even need to say anything? This trilogy was absolute perfection, and I cannot think of anything I’ve read in a long time that has topped it. For all my thoughts about the three books, check out my reviews. (Jade City | Jade War | Jade Legacy)

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Four calling birds.

Since series usually consist of four or more books, what is your favorite series this year?

This has become my favorite dystopian series after running through all five of these books this year. The character work was fantastic, and the world-building was interesting and complex. I cannot recommend them enough! (A Touch of Death | A History of Madness | A Promise of Return | A Dance of Lies | A Time of Prophecy)

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Five golden rings.

One ring to rule them all! Who is your favorite Villain/Antagonist this year?

Ouyang was without a doubt one of my favorite antagonists of the year. He was incredibly complex with deep, interesting motivations for his actions and seemed more like a second protagonist than an outright antagonist. See more of my thoughts in my review.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Six geese a laying.

Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favorite world/world-building this year?

This was so incredibly hard to choose. I’ve read so many books this year with brilliant world-building. However, the new Thrawn books really stood out to me for the amount of new information they contained about the Chiss. I loved getting to see how their society worked in all its glorious dysfunction. See more of my thoughts on the world-building and everything else in my review.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Seven swans a swimming.

Who needs seven swans when all it takes is one good animal sidekick? Who’s your favorite animal sidekick this year?

How could I not choose Mephi for this question? He is probably my favorite animal companion ever, and in this book he becomes an unruly teenager. It truly was a joy to read about him. See my thoughts about the rest of The Bone Shard Emperor in my review.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Eight maids a milking.

Milk is so 18th century. Which book or series takes beverages/food to a whole new level?

I couldn’t think of any books that stood out regarding food/beverages in a good way. Instead, this book jumped out at me because the food/beverages were used to kill people. lol. Check out my thoughts about this book in my review!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Nine ladies dancing.

Dancing is just one skill of a Lady! Who is your favorite kickass female lead this year?

There was no one I thought of quicker than Zetian as the most kick-ass female character of the year. She is incredibly strong-willed and does not stop until she accomplishes what she wants, and it doesn’t hurt that she pilots giant fighting machines. Be sure to check out my thoughts about the rest of the book in my review.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Ten lords a leaping.

How about your favorite leading lad this year?

This was another really difficult choice, but I loved Wallace so much in this book. I felt a deep connection to him, and his growth throughout this book was a joy to read. I had a lot of feelings about this character and this book, and you can read them all in my review.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Eleven pipes piping.

What is your favorite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)

I didn’t read a ton of books this year with a musical influence. So, this was a pretty easy choice. Even if I had, there is no doubt this book would have come out on top because it is one of my favorite books of 2021. If you love boy bands and queer romance, this is a book you can’t miss. See all my thoughts in my review!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: twelve drummers drumming.

Drum roll please…what is your favorite read of this year?

I don’t think this should come as a surprise to anyone who has followed my blog. This book was an emotionally devastating masterpiece. I don’t usually have a ‘book of the year’ because I love so many of them for different reasons, but this book really has stood out above all the rest because of its sheer scope and its ability to be the absolute perfect ending in so many ways. See all my thoughts in my review and go read this book now!

I had so much fun with this tag! Now it is time for me to get back to finishing off my Reindeer Readathon TBR. Go team Nutcracker! If you think the tag looks like fun, do it! I tag anyone who wants to participate.