The Book Courtship Tag

Way back when in January I was tagged for the first time to complete The Book Courtship Tag. Since then I’ve read way more books, fell in love with brand new series and authors, and when I was tagged again I thought ‘why not?’ There are plenty of books I love – plenty of books I picked up because of the cover or that kept me up all night – so many that I could do this tag ten, twenty, thirty more times and still have new answers for each of the questions.

I was tagged by Jenna at Fictional Neverland. Thank you so much for the tag Jenna; everyone else should definitely check out her original post and while you’re there her blog as well.

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Phase 1: Initial Attraction
A book that you bought because of the cover?

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Granted the blurb for A Thousand Pieces of You sounded amazing as well. With multiverse travel and a quest for revenge that spans across different universes it had all the makings of a book I knew I’d love. And I did love it. I’m eagerly awaiting to release of the third book but I already know it’s going to be incredible, the same way the covers for this series are beyond gorgeous.

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Phase 2: First Impressions
A book that you got because of the summary?

The Novice by Taran Matharu

So this one is cheating a little. Although the blurb for this book does sound brilliant, and it’s the kind of book I know I’m really going to enjoy as well, the thing that inspired me to pick this book up was hearing the author talk at YALC. Taran Matharu was at one of panels on the first day and everything that was said about The Novice made me want to run out and grab a copy for myself; so that’s exactly what I did.

When blacksmith apprentice Fletcher discovers that he has the ability to summon demons from another world, he travels to Adept Military Academy. There the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. Fletcher is put through gruelling training as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs. He must tread carefully while training alongside children of powerful nobles. The power hungry, those seeking alliances, and the fear of betrayal surround him. Fletcher finds himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with only his demon Ignatius for help.

As the pieces on the board manoeuvre for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands. The Novice is the first in a trilogy about Fletcher, his demon Ignatius, and the war against the Orcs.

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Phase 3: Sweet Talk
A book with great writing?

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

While I’m not sure the phase ‘sweet talk’ is one that applies to this book, ‘great writing’ really is. Madeline Miller’s knowledge of the Trojan War and the original Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus shrines through in her writing. This book is amazing; it’s full of memorable quotes, stand-out characters, and a heartbreaking romance story that will tear you to pieces when it ends.

Odysseus inclines his head. “True. But fame is a strange thing. Some men gain glory after they die, while others fade. What is admired in one generation is abhorred in another.” He spread his broad hands. “We cannot say who will survive the holocaust of memory. Who knows?” He smiles. “Perhaps one day even I will be famous. Perhaps more famous than you.”

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Phase 4: First Date
A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series?

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Although I haven’t gotten my hands on Blood for Blood yet I have pre-ordered it. After the way Wolf by Wolf ended I have a few theories and hopes for what I think will happen in the second book—I mainly want to see more of Yael, Felix and Luka, and potentially more of Adele herself as well. Granted I haven’t had to wait as some people have but it’s still been a long time coming for the second book to be released.

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Phase 5: Late Night Phone Calls
A book that kept you up all night?

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

The beginning of this book was a little slow while the world, the characters and their unique situations were set up, but when the pacing started to pick up towards the end I couldn’t put this book down. I was flicking through the pages faster than ever, desperate to find out what happened next to Mia and the other acolytes at the Red Church.

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Phase 6: Always on my mind
A book you could not stop thinking about?

More Than This by Patrick Ness

From the very first page I had no clue what was going on in this book, but I had tons of theories. Every time one was proved wrong another five had appeared to take their place. This book was unforgettable; the whole time I was reading it I was thinking about how it would end and even after the ending, which was frustratingly left open, I was still thinking about what happened to Seth.

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Phase 7: Getting Physical
A book which you love the way it feels?

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

This was the book in my Owl Crate box for the Dystopian theme a few months back. I got the hardcover edition and it is definitely one of the more gorgeous books currently sitting on my bookshelves. If the story inside is as good as the appearance of the book outside then it’s going to be one of my favourites.

You will be punished…

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation where she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found flawed.

In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

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Phase 8: Meeting the parents
A book which you would recommend to your family and friends?

Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab

If you’ve been following my blog for a while now then chances are you know how obsessed I am with V.E. Schwab’s books, in particular the Shades of Magic series. I feel like I have recommended her work to anyone and everyone I’ve come across, and I will continue to do so until everyone is as obsessed with the series as I am.

So if anyone out there hasn’t already, put A Darker Shade of Magic on your to-read list. You won’t regret it.

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Phase 9: Thinking about the future
A book or series you know you will re read many times in the future?

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and, although it’s received some mixed reviews, for me it more than lived up to the hype. Everything about this book – the plot, the world-building, the characters – was unforgettable. As soon as I reached the last page I wanted to pick up The Star-Touched Queen and read it all over again from the very beginning.

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Phase 10: Share the love
Who do you tag?

• Fadwa at Word Wonders
• Grace at Kimmie.gg
• Melissa at BookNerdMoMo
• Stephanie at Teacher of YA Book Blog

And if there’s anyone else out there who wants to take part, consider yourself tagged. Just send me a link to your post in the comments so I can see what your answers are.