I’ve done this mid-year freakout tag every year that I’ve been blogging, and I always enjoy it. I’m still not quite sure where it originated, but I’ve seen it all over on a bunch of blogs. If you know where it came from, feel free to tag/link them in the comments. I’ve already finished 86 books this year. So, I’ve got plenty of great options to choose from for this tag. Let’s get started. 🙂
Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2025
I loved The Raven Scholar so much! The characters and world-building were great, and the story had some twists I did not expect. Check out my review for all of my thoughts!
Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far In 2025
I loved Curious Tides. So, I’m not surprised Stranger Skies is my favorite sequel so far this year. It took the story in some really interesting new directions, and I can’t wait to see how the story wraps up when the final book is released.
New Releases You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To
I feel like the general answer to this prompt is ALL OF THEM. lol. I managed to pick a few that are at the top of my list, though.
Trials of the Jedi by Charles Soule, Arcana Academy by Elise Kova, Ascension by S.T. Gibson, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab, The Two Lies of Faven Sythe by Megan E. O’Keefe
Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year
The answer for this one should be pretty obvious to anyone who follows my blog. R.F. Kuang is one of my favorite authors. The Poppy War trilogy wrecked me in all the right ways, and Babel is one of my all-time favorite books. I’m actually going to the Chicagoland stop on the Katabasis book tour, and I couldn’t be more excited to hear Kuang speak in person! 🙂
Biggest Disappointment
I really, really hated Heavenly Tyrant. Like, a lot. I definitely won’t be continuing this series. You can find out why in my review.
Biggest Surprise
A Burning in the Bones surprised me with how great it was. lol. It was a very good conclusion to the trilogy while also being such an interesting story in its own right. This was a series that got better with each book, and I’m glad I pushed through to the end despite not loving the first book.
Favorite New Author (Debut or New to You)
I really enjoyed The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap. It was a great debut. The story was a good blend of queer romance and the macabre, and I liked getting to see a historical look at medical school back in the day.
Newest Fictional Crush
No one really comes to mind for this prompt so far this year. There have been plenty of cool characters, but none that I’d say that I have a crush on.
Newest Favorite Character
This is going to sound stupid, but my newest favorite character is Archie the bird from The Phoenix Keeper. He had so much personality, and I was always waiting to see what mischief he’d get up to next. I was amazed by the way MacLean was able to bring him to life without him being a speaking character.
A Book That Made You Cry
While I didn’t love The Lure of Their Graves as much as its predecessor, it still made me shed some tears. Samotin is great at bringing out emotion with her writing.
A Book That Made You Happy
The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam had so many fun moments. I loved seeing Duckers and Mary Georgina again, and there’s just something about this wacky world Bannen has created that makes me happy.
The Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought So Far This Year
As always, I’ve bought way too many special editions so far this year. The Fairyloot copy of Heavenly Bodies is definitely one of the most beautiful, though. I love the edges, dust jacket, and naked hard cover. So, it was a no brainer for this prompt.
Books You Need to Read By the End of the Year
There are so many, but here are a handful that I hope to get to this year…
Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland, Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang, Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy, The Brightness Between Us by Eliot Schrefer, Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation
I absolutely adored this new adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon!
Well, those are my picks for the mid-year freakout tag. It’s been a pretty great year of books so far. I’ve really enjoyed this tag! I tag anyone else who would like to complete it.
The Raven Scholar is so good!!!
Yep! It was an easy choice for favorite. 🙂
Ooh, so many of these are on my TBR and I can’t wait to read them! I’m really hoping to read Blood Over Bright Haven this year too, and Phoenix Keeper, Raven Scholar, Bury Our Bones… I could list so many books you’ve mentioned 🤣 One book I’m glad that I listened to my gut and passed on is Heavenly Tyrant. I wanted to love Iron Widow so much and thought it was super mid. I’m sorry to hear it was such a bad read though… I hope you find more amazing reads in the second half of the year and happy reading!
Yeah. You definitely made the right call to avoid Heavenly Tyrant. It was so bad. I’m really hoping to get to Blood Over Bright Haven soon. I was so excited about it when it came out, but I still haven’t picked it up.
I need to read ASCENSION, too. That’s next for me after I finish my current book. And I got my SE copy of Kova’s book but it arrived damaged. ðŸ˜
I’m looking forward to our buddy read of Ascension! 🙂
Oh no! Not a damaged SE! That sucks. Hopefully you can get it replaced?
I hope so! I emailed them about it to see if they’ll send a replacement.
I’m glad to see The Raven Scholar as your favourite read. It was just so good. The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam made me happy too and I’m sad that it’s the last book in that lovely world.
I’m a bit sad that we won’t get more adventures in Tanria, too. I’d love to get more stories one day.