Welcome to day two of Five Fall Favorites — the annual autumn celebration of all things bookish!
If you read yesterday’s post (right HERE), feel free to skip on down to today’s theme. And if not, here’s a brief recap!
Every day this week (6 days in all), I and a group of other book bloggers will be sharing posts centered around certain bookish themes, and packed full of some of our favorite book recommendations from the past year. I’ll link to a number of those blogs at the end of this post, but for even more links and information, you should check out our hosts’ sites!
Five Fall Favorites is hosted this year by Katja at Little Blossoms for Jesus and Kate at Once Upon an Ordinary (click on their blog names, or the graphics below to visit their blogs). Thank you both so much!
Giveaway
In addition to book recommendations, there’s also a giveaway again this year!
Two winners will be drawn (one international, and one in the U. S.), and contacted after the week is over. Check out the prize graphics below to see what you could win!
To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is click HERE!
FREEBIES
Lastly, every day this week, certain participating bloggers will be sharing freebies of their books! These books will only be free for a couple of days at most, so be sure to snag your copies right away! A list of the freebies each day will be available at either of our host’s blogs (HERE or HERE).
You can still find A Noble Grace, my non-magical Beauty and the Beast retelling FREE on Amazon through today (Sept 22nd)!
Grab your copy by clicking HERE!
Today’s Theme
Today’s theme — traditions — was surprisingly difficult for me, and I was a bit surprised by the books I landed on.
To be clear, I adore traditions as much as anyone (especially around holidays, I have so many good memories of family traditions), so don’t be put off by the amount of books that revolve around shirking traditions here, haha. They just seemed to fit the best from my recent reads. Five Fall Favorites in itself is a pretty big tradition for me at this point!
All the books I share this week are ones that I’ve either read in the past year, or are currently reading/re-reading, so please feel free to leave any questions you might have about the books below, and I’ll do my best to answer.
Also, I’ve reviewed many of these more thoroughly on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – and other reviews – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on each book’s title. I’m slightly behind in my reviews, but hoping to catch up in the next week!
Let’s hop in!
RAPUNZEL’S GAMBIT
Author: Mary Mecham
Genre: Fantasy fairy-tale retelling of Rapunzel
Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)
What Stuck Out to Me: I don’t typically gravitate toward books with sassy protagonists, especially women that use their “charms” to get their way, but I really liked how the author wove Rapunzel’s character growth through the story! She was never an evil person, but she was definitely influenced by the actions of her nasty father, and I appreciated the journey she went on as she recognized that.
I also really enjoyed Pollox’s character, and his nuanced and non-stereotypical behaviors. The continual thread of “hordes” was very fun. He made the book for me. His friendship with Rapunzel was very sweet and I genuinely enjoyed their scenes together. The scenes with their banter and name-calling actually made me smile.
The last third of this book absolutely bumped it up a star! So many twists and very well done. I enjoyed the few tie-ins to the original Rapunzel fairytale, and how creatively they were woven in. I didn’t feel they were heavy-handed, just fun nods that I picked up on easily. The twists with several of the major characters were unexpected – and I love that, as I usually catch those sooner.
I really loved the themes of redemption, forgiveness, family (blood and found), and growth that wrapped around the ending. It was a sweet happily ever after with enough sacrifice to not feel cheap, but without depressing tragedy. A perfect light and easy fairytale read with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, and enough fun, likable characters to balance out the ones that aggravated me. And as far as traditions go, Rapunzel swapping her old traditions for much better ones made this one applicable to me.
Tricky Content: A few semi-detailed kisses, repeated mentions of desire, attraction, and wanting to kiss someone, discussion of needing to be held and needing physical contact, drugged lipstick, the protagonist is known to have kissed “a lot of men”.
I’d Recommend It To: Readers 13-15+ (depending on maturity) who enjoy sweet romance, dragons, chess, complicated family relationships with redemption, and twisty plot lines!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
REVERENCE
Author: Raena Rood
Genre: Christian dystopian romance
Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)
What Stuck Out to Me: I picked this one up on a whim thanks to the intriguing premise (and that cover, honestly), and the worldbuilding and general premise of the story were indeed very interesting! I want to know so much more about the world. A few of the side characters also captured my interest, and I wanted to learn more than I got to. The tension and plot twists were often well-done.
The core of the story revolves around a terrible tradition — in order to stop overcrowding and save dwindling resources, volunteers offer to die and in their last week receive all the special treatment they could ever want and their last wishes honored. But why are certain people volunteering? Are they doing it of their own free will? What happens when a child volunteers?
Even though there were many elements of this story I would have loved to see done differently, I’m including it here because I was pretty fascinated with exploring that tradition and watching it be challenged. Especially as more and more of the “outside world” came into play.
I’m still working my way through the entire series (there are three books), so I can’t say for sure whether I recommend the whole series yet, but if it sounds up your alley, you might want to give it a try!
Tricky Content: A few kisses, a character is drunk, car crashes, violence (fighting, gun shots, injuries), deaths
I’d Recommend It To: Readers 14+ who enjoy fast-paced dystopians with intriguing settings, Christian themes, romance, and plot twists.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
TANGLED SAILS
Author: Annette K. Larsen
Genre: Fantasy fairy-tale retelling of Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid
Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)
What Stuck Out to Me: Interestingly enough, so many of the books I’m recommending today fit the Tradition theme mostly because they feature themes of not sticking exactly to the existing traditions of their worlds. This one is the same way.
One thing I really appreciated about this book was the representation of the MC’s sensory processing disorder and overstimulation. It didn’t feel disingenuous, and I found it interesting to think about how it would affect duties I typically don’t think twice about in fantasy books. I especially liked the resolutions at the end — the characters in power learning to be flexible and work with the challenges.
The settings were vibrant and interesting, the characters felt real and like they were all living their own lives independent of the plot, and the main couple were good for each other. I’m not typically a fan of miscommunication in stories like this, but it didn’t drag on and was well-written. They were super cute, and I liked getting to see them dream of a family together.
Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid are two of my favorite fairy tales, so seeing them mashed up so originally was very fun! And of course, adventures…nautical settings…castles…it was up my alley, and I’m on the lookout for more books by this author to try now!
Tricky Content: Several kisses, embraces, death, fighting and peril (stabbing, poisoning, near-drowning), injuries (magical and otherwise), manipulation and emotional abuse
I’d Recommend It To: Fans of creative fairy-tale mash-ups, well-written disability representation, and adventurous romances!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
THE HUNGER GAMES (Series)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian
Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)
What Stuck Out to Me: Here’s another book that fits the theme both because it has tradition that really should be overturned – and because it’s pretty much tradition for me to reread this series every year!
While the writing style isn’t my usual cup of tea – often more juvenile and jarring – I can’t put these books down once I start, despite knowing the story in and out at this point.
They’re written so well, so evocatively, showing flaws with human nature, morality, the need for entertainment, and broken societies so clearly, that I have no trouble believing it could be an extremely accurate depiction of what life would be like in a Hunger Games world. It’s sobering, and thought-provoking!
In addition to the vivid settings and fascinating themes, the characters feel very real and nuanced. Katniss isn’t the typical heroine I expect from modern YA dystopians. She’s angry, irrational, illogical, emotional, brash, and bad with people. She’s far too blunt, doesn’t think carefully enough, and struggles with love. But she’s relatable, honest, and real. She’s not always the most likable, but her unapologetic humanity makes me care. And that’s the case with every other character. They all have backstories and valid reasons to get involved (or not). I care about them, which keeps me coming back to these books again and again.
Tricky Content: Deaths, violence (fights, poisoning, etc.), injuries, manipulation & emotional distress, non-described kisses, characters laying together, intent to commit su*cide, drunkenness
I’d Recommend It To: Readers (probably 16+) that enjoy mostly fast-paced dystopian action books that also dive into romance, political intrigue, and mental health/PTSD exploration and representation.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
WHISPERS OF THE STARLIT SEA
Author: Robyn Sarty
Genre: Fantasy fairy-tale retelling of The Little Mermaid
Target Audience: YA (Young Adult)
What Stuck Out to Me: This is such a fun twist on The Little Mermaid! And funnily enough, has a focus similar to Tangled Sails, on preserving tradition, but allowing changes that make it more accessible for everyone.
I really enjoyed the creative elements the author snuck into this familiar story (the humans having siren voices, the mers not being able to touch humans without consequences, the language barrier, etc.). They were very well-written and the originality encouraged me to keep reading. I liked spotting some elements inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson tale too (sea foam).
The protagonists, Sorcha and Arrick, were very sweet. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them, especially as they tried to work through the language barrier. The ASL/sign language was a nice touch. Arrick was very patient and respectful – a gentleman through and through – and I admired Sorcha’s spunk and desire to help people. Their romance felt like it progressed naturally, and I rooted for them!
Shoutout also to the prince. He is the sweetest person and I adore him. I love the representation of neurodivergence and that his differences didn’t make unfit to rule, but that they simply needed to adjust their processes to allow him to do his thing as he did best. He was such a gem — a blessing, not a hindrance to his kingdom. Overall, the themes of sacrifice, courage, love, and loyalty combined with danger, shocking twists, and ticking time bombs made for a compelling story.
Tricky Content: Brief kisses, a mermaid is nude when transforming into a human but it’s non-described and she quickly seeks modesty, a death, magic (powerful objects, mermaids, binding spells, etc.), fighting and peril
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone who enjoys sweet, fast-paced, and oceanic fairy tale retellings!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Because there are so many bloggers participating in Five Fall Favorites, we’ve been split into teams! There’s no competition – only the opportunity to ensure everyone’s posts are shared.
I’m part of Team Mouse (see the adorable graphic below), and I highly encourage you to check out the rest of my teammates’ posts for their recommended books today. That’s where I’m headed!
Here’s the list of bloggers in Team Mouse (click each name to visit that site):
- Kate @ Once Upon an Ordinary
- Meagan @ Blooming With Books
- Skai @ Inspirational Skai
- Virginia @ Books by Virginia
Thank you so much for joining me today! Have you read any of the books I shared? Are there any that stick out to you? I’d love to hear from you, so drop a comment below, and we’ll meet again tomorrow for Five Fall Favorites day #3!
Remember to go enter that giveaway HERE!
I love The Hunger Games and I’m kind of excited to see that dystopian fiction is coming back as a popular genre.
Fantastic list!! Rapunzel’s Gambit was so good!! I need to read the Displaced Fairytale series
I’ve never read The Hunger Games, but I just might need to do so now.
It’s not the easiest read (just the general premise), but I do recommend it!
I’m sure! I’d heard conflicting thoughts on the series when I was younger, so I didn’t expect to add them to my TBR pile, but maybe one day.
Oh cool, I really like your take on the category. I’m really intrigued by Reverence (that cover is awesome!)
Isn’t it? It definitely drew my attention! Thank you so much!
Ooo, yes! The Hunger Games is perfect for this one. And I love your assessment of Katniss!
aw, thank you! It was the first one that came to mind for this category, even if it wasn’t quite a good tradition! ha
Oh that cover of Raena Rood’s book really is so striking in the colour contrast! Makes me want to read it. I keep seeing it around! Lovely list! 🙂
Thank you so much! Yes, the cover is so pretty! It definitely might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I thought the general premise was very interesting.
Man, why didn’t *I* think of the Hunger Games?? Also, I really need to read Reverence now…
haha, got you covered I guess! I hope you enjoy it! It was a fairly unique dystopian I thought, and I did like the faith-based elements!