Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated Books I’ve Read or Added to my TBR List in the Past Year or So

~ Beth (Reading Every Night)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme is Top Ten Underrated Books I’ve Read or Added to my TBR List in the Past Year or So.

Mid-way through 2016 a previous Top Ten Tuesday theme I took part in was Top Ten Books I Enjoyed with Less Than 2000 Ratings on Goodreads, so when I saw this week’s theme I decided to carry on from that one almost. I picked five books I read and enjoyed with under, or around about, 2000 ratings on Goodreads as well as a few books which I still have on my to-read list. In the end there were a couple of picks that made it on my list this week that I was really surprised to see.

top-ten-tuesday-54

Underrated Books I’ve Read

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

I finished this book earlier today and ended up really enjoying it. Granted it had its ups and downs, like every other book I’ve read, but for the most part it was an enjoyable read. I went into Magonia with little expectations. I tried to read this book back during my great reading slump of 2015 and, unsurprisingly, didn’t get far before giving up.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

This book I was very surprised to see on this list. In the run up to its release it seemed to be everywhere on WordPress, with so many rave reviews that convinced me to pick it up the second it was out. Maybe this is a book people still have on their to-read list and haven’t gotten around to yet, but if you haven’t then pick it up right away. You won’t be disappointed.

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

Of all the magical realism books I’ve read so far Vassa in the Night is probably the most surreal of the lot. There were a lot of times I had no idea what was happening and most of the end of this book had me thoroughly confused. It was an enjoyable read but despite that I’m not surprised to see this book on my list this week. It seems to be one people either love or hate.

Timekeeper by Tara Sim

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, it was one I requested solely based on the cover and the blurb, and it was a brilliant read. I don’t pick up many Steampunk books but Timekeeper is now a favourite of mine; the story is wonderfully written with an interesting world to explore and two characters I fell in love with the second they were introduced.

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

Of all the books that made it onto my list this week this is the one I’m the most surprised to see on here. When the Moon Was Ours was one of my favourite reads of 2016, and one of my all-time favourite magical realism books as well, and I know I’m not the only person to feel that way. If you take away only one book from this list to add to your TBR list then let it be this one. There aren’t enough words to fully describe how much I adored it.

Underrated Books I Added to my TBR List

Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

This book was one I featured for Waiting on Wednesday way back when. Kingdom of Ash and Briars sounds amazing but I seem to have forgotten about it somewhere between seeing it on Goodreads and its release. Fairytale retellings are a favourite sub genre of mine and this book takes influence from so many of them, hopefully that means it’ll be a story I enjoy.

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine

I really enjoyed Sarah Fine’s first series, Guards of the Shadowlands, and from what I’ve seen on WordPress everyone who has read this book has loved it. So why I haven’t picked up The Impostor Queen yet I can’t say, but it’s high on my to-read list for this year so hopefully it will be one I get to sooner rather than later.

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

This seemed to be another book that I saw everywhere on WordPress in the run up to its release, but now it’s out I honestly can’t remember seeing any reviews for it. This is the most recent addition to my to-read list, and a large reason I added it was because of how gorgeous the cover is, but it sounds amazing so I can’t wait to get started on it.

Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes

I haven’t seen much about this book on WordPress at all. In fact the only review I’ve seen for it to date was the one posted on She Latitude which is the review that convinced me to add Girl Against the Universe onto my to-read list. It sounds like a great story, and it as high praise from Reg as well which only makes me more excited to get around to it someday soon.

Riders by Veronica Rossi

When I first saw this book on Goodreads, long before it was released, I immediately added it to my to-read list. I loved Veronica Rossi’s first series, Under the Never Sky, and I really enjoy books that retell the legend of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse so the two together seemed like a winning combination. Again I’m not sure why I haven’t picked this book up yet but it’s high on my to-read list for 2017.

So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what underrated books you’ve read or added to your TBR list lately.

53 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated Books I’ve Read or Added to my TBR List in the Past Year or So”

  1. Oh wow. I remember seeing Vassa in the Night, Labyrinth Lost, and When The Moon Was Ours everywhere so I wouldn’t have expected them to have under 2,000 ratings. Granted a lot of Vassa in the Night’s reviews were mixed but it seemed like everyone was reading it for a while. And given how many rave reviews I saw for both Labyrinth Lost and When The Moon Was Ours I would have expected there to be more ratings on GoodReads. I’m guilty of still having all three on my TBR 😂. Vassa isn’t on my immediate one but the others are. I really have to get around to them this year lol. Great picks for this week, Beth! 💕😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. No neither did I, Vassa in the Night and When the Moon Was Ours seemed to be all over WordPress but Labyrinth Lost was literally everywhere. The fact that these books had so little ratings really surprised me as well.
      Everyone needs to read Labyrinth Lost and When the Moon Was Ours ASAP, there are plenty of amazing reviews but there needs to be more! I enjoyed Vassa in the Night but yeah it was quite confusing at times :/
      I’d recommend picking them up as soon as you get a chance Melissa, I really hope you enjoy all of them, and thanks! 😀 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I know right? Either that or they were just really popular in our corners of the book community. But then again, yeah, Labyrinth Lost was everywhere.
        I’ve heard a lot about the confusion with Vassa. I think what really interest me about it is that I found it’s a bit similar to Spirited Away. Both have eccentricities and have their versions of Baba Yaga. It makes me think I would really enjoy it because of that. We shall see whenever I do decided to read it though. As for, When The Moon Was Ours and Labyrinth Lost I am definitely getting to those this year.
        I hope I enjoy them too and you’re welcome!! 😊♥

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I suppose when you think about it WordPress is only part of the bookish community isn’t it? There’s also GR, Booktube, etc. Maybe it was popular for us but no one else.
        I’ve never seen Spirited Away but if you enjoyed that maybe you’ll enjoy Vassa as well. There are mixed reviews but overall, despite how confusing it was, it was a book I really enjoyed.
        Yes, I can’t wait for you to read both of those. You’ll have to let me know when you start/finish both! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      3. That’s a possibility. I know that I don’t remember seeing much on Bookstagram for Vassa or When The Moon Was Ours back when I was still using it. Hopefully more people discover and read all these this year though. 😊
        If you’re ever curious I definitely recommend Spirited Away. It’s such a great movie. Yeah, your review and the one other review I was talking about have me thinking I’ll end up enjoying it.
        I will! 😃

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’m only really involved in the WordPress bookish community (would we call it Bookpress?) so I can’t really say how popular it was outside of that but yeah it would be amazing if more people discovered these books. 🙂
        It’s something I do want to watch one day. I have a vague memory of my sister watching it one day and me walking past the TV at some point but I guess I should sit down and watch the whole thing. If it’s like Vassa then I probably will. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Bookpress! I love it. That should be a thing. I used to be really involved with the twitter and instagram book communities but I’m pretty much the same now. I applaud people who are able to keep up with all of the different book communities because I’m terrible at it 😂. It really would be though. Hopefully more people will!
        Well if you ever do you’ll have to tell me what you think about it. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      6. There does need to be a thing for it. YouTube and Instagram have their own bookish names, WordPress needs one too. I’m planning on revamping my Bookstagram account in a bit. I’m not happy with it at the moment so I want to basically start over. Oh yeah I’m in awe of people who can manage so much social media in one day! 🙂
        Don’t worry I’m terrible at it too, and if I do I’ll definitely let you know as well Melissa! 🙂 ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Right? I’m definitely going to start calling in Bookpress because I like that lol.
        I’ve done that so many times with my bookstagram. For me, I’ve had zero time to keep up with my account or take pictures. I think I lost my motivation for it. I’ll revive it one of these days. Yes! It’s like show me your ways please. 😂

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Maybe we can make it a thing then, and pretty soon everyone will be using Bookpress to describe the bookish WordPress community! 😀
        I’ve always said Instagram is likely to be something that falls in the wayside every now and again just because WordPress is always going to be my number one priority. But I liked taking pictures of books so I’d like to get back into it soon.

        Liked by 1 person

      9. We should so try. I mean if Instagram can be Bookstagram and Youtube can be Booktube then WordPress can be Bookpress. 😁
        I think it’s one of those things where I get a ton of motivation and post pictures for months and then I disappear for a while before coming back to it. 🙈
        Also, last night I saw something about how Leigh Bardugo is going to be announcing something book wise concerning the grisha world. On her twitter she said it’s not going to be anything as far as a Six of Crows spin-off (yet) but I’m so excited. I saw it and was like “I have to tell Beth about this!” because we’re always wishing for more books for certain series/book worlds lol.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. OK, in that case from now on I’m only going to call WordPress Bookpress, we’ll have to see how long it takes to catch on! 😀 That seems to be me at the moment. I have the motivation for blogging but not bookstagramming. It’ll come back one day I’m sure.
        Ohh, I’m very intrigued now! Maybe it will be a Grisha spin off, that’s not the same as a Six of Crows spin-off so it could be. I think whatever she announces will be something amazing though. I’ll have to keep an eye on her twitter in that case. Thanks for letting me know Melissa! 😀 ❤

        Liked by 1 person

      11. I’ll do the same! 😊
        It’s the same for me. Except I have blogging motivation and haven’t had much time to blog. Hopefully February is less busy.
        She announced it yesterday. Did you see it? She’s doing a sort of Grish story book full of folklore/fairy tales that the characters in the Grisha books might have grown up on. I’m so excited!! 😃

        Liked by 1 person

      12. I’m not going to have much time to blog this week, or maybe next either. I have some scheduled posts but there are going to be a few days I was planning to post that I won’t be able to. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I should be back on track but it’s just annoying for now.
        I did see it and I am so so excited. Kind of like Tales of Beedle the Bard but for the Grishaverse instead of Harry Potter. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      13. Aww I’m sorry. It always sucks when you have post ideas but then life gets busy. I hope things calm down for you soon. ♥
        Right? And like the Tales of the Peculiar books for Miss Peregrine’s. I love when authors do books like that. It’s going to be awesome! 😃

        Liked by 1 person

      14. I seem to be past the worst of it now. I did not have a chance to blog or catch up on comments and posts or anything yesterday so that’s what I’m doing today. Next week should be busy as well but in a better way.
        I will read anything Leigh Bardugo writes, and the fact that it’s more from the Grisha world is even better in my opinion! 😀 ❤

        Liked by 1 person

      15. Well that’s good, that you’re past the worst of it. I didn’t have the chance to get on yesterday so I’m in the same boat on being behind on comments and bloghopping. I think I’m always behind nowadays. 😂
        Same! I know she has another book that isn’t a part of the Grisha world that she’s working on. Even though I know next to nothing about it I’m excited. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

      16. Well I think, god knows what next week will hold for me. I’m going to go out on a limb and say most of February will be a busy month for me, the first half at the very least!
        Same here. Leigh Bardugo is one of my favourite authors so anything she writes goes to the top of my to-read list! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I completely agree with what you said about Labyrinth Lost, it really did seem like it was everywhere and yet no one seems to have read it. I have though and loved it 🙂 I’ve read quite a few Sarah Fine books but not the Imposter Queen. I’ve heard mixed reviews but I’m hoping to read it soon, hopefully you will too

    Happy Reading
    Rachel @ paein-and-ms4tune

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m thinking it may just still be on people’s to-read lists instead of thinking now all the hype has died down it’s been forgotten. It’s a wonderful book so I hope it gets more recognition soon.
      I hope you enjoy it as well, I’ve only seen positive reviews for The Impostor Queen so far so I’m excited to get started on it!
      Thanks, happy reading to you too! 😀

      Like

      Reply

  3. Every single one of these books are on my TBR, but haven’t been read yet! I’m hoping to get to Vassa in the Night and When the Moon Was Ours very soon!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Lovely list, Beth! I really want to read Girl Against The Universe as well, it sounds like a book I could love 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed Magonia, I had a bit of a hard time with it at times, I think it left me confused? But I’m still curious about the sequel… Are you going to read it ?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Marie. 😀 Hopefully we’ll both find time to get around to it in that case, and hopefully we both enjoy it as well! It has some brilliant reviews already, just not many I guess.
      I was a little confused as well, I feel there was a lot left explored about the world and even the story. I’m actually reading the second one now and it’s a little better but I think there’s still some things missing you know?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I haven’t read them myself yet but from what I’ve heard about both I have to agree with you, they deserve more recognition. Hopefully they’ll be two I enjoy when I get around to them as well.
      Ahh that’s a shame, but there’s always next weeks topic! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. All of these seem like great picks! I haven’t read most of them. I tried reading Magonia earlier last year, but it just didn’t hold my attention. The cover is gorgeous though. It’s the only reason I keep it on my shelves LOL. A few of the others are already on my TBR. And you make a good point! A Shadow Bright and Burning seemed to be hyped for a certain period on WordPress and then it all but disappeared! I haven’t heard a single thing about it since then haha. I still plan to read it though. The premise sounds promising 😀 Great post, Beth!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Azia, yeah the first time I picked up Magonia it didn’t hold my attention either but I’m attributing that to the major reading slump I was going through at the time! It was the gorgeous cover that convinced me to add it to my to-read list in the first place too.
      It’s weird how that can happen with certain books isn’t it? A Shadow Bright and Burning is one of the more recent ones but there have been others which seem to have disappeared the second they were released. It’s a shame because I’m sure there are some amazing books out there we haven’t gotten around to simply because they’re nowhere on WordPress at the moment!
      Thanks so much Azia! 😀 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I skimmed over Magonia’s synopsis while at a book fair, not really paying much attention to story. The cover was the thing that made me buy it. It’s so gorgeous haha. But I might give the book another chance after having read your review for it 😀

        And yes, that’s very true! Hopefully they pop up eventually as more and more people choose to pick up those books on a whim and review them for us LOL 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Magonia for me was a cover buy. I can’t resist gorgeous covers at all, but it’s great to hear you’re thinking of giving it another try. I hope you enjoy it more the second time around.
        Whim reads are pretty much how I choose all my books so it could happen I guess! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Those are actually two of the books I haven’t gotten around to myself yet! Did you enjoy them, I’ve heard tons of amazing things about both.
      As for the ones I have read I’d recommend them all, a couple of my favourite books made it onto my list this week! 😀

      Like

      Reply

  8. I actually have most of these on my TBR … A Shadow Bright and Burning is staring at me from my shelf so, I should get on that one soon 😂😂 I was a little disappointed with Labyrinth Lost, but in hoping book 2 will be better

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well any you do have on your to-read list I’d highly recommend. Even the ones I haven’t read myself because I’ve heard amazing things about them. 🙂
      Oh that’s a shame about Labyrinth Lost but yeah, hopefully book 2 will be a better read for you! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. I want to read Magonia, Labyrinth Lost and When the Moon was Ours! And I still need to read Kingdom of Ash and Briars and ASBAB too – I’ve seen Kingdom, particularly, around on people’s lists this week so I think that’s a good one.

    I’m glad my review has convinced you to give GATU a chance! I really, really love that book and I feel like it’s definitely quite underrated. Fingers crossed that you actually like it if/when you get to read it. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Magonia is good but oh I’d really highly recommend Labyrinth Lost and When the Moon Was Ours. Both were brilliant stories and I think you’d really love them as well Reg. I haven’t seen Kingdom on many people’s lists but I will say seeing it on Goodreads and adding it to my list this week has certainly made me determined to get around to it sooner rather than later.
      Your reviews have convinced me to pick up quite a few books actually, but I think Girl Against the Universe is the one next on my to-read list so to say. I hope I enjoy it as well, it sounds like a great book! 😀 ❤

      Like

      Reply

      1. It’s definitely on the list! At the moment I’m a little bit ‘off’ fantasy – I’ve been reading so many of them that I feel like it’s getting a bit samey, haha. I’m sure I’ll get back to it when ACOL comes out, though.

        Ahhh, mission accomplished! ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh that is a shame, but I have moments when I’m tired of fantasy books. I normally move onto another genre for a bit and that kind of solves it. Either way though I imagine if that doesn’t work the release of ACOL will! 😀

        Like

    1. I guess having seen them already is half of it so to speak. 🙂 Hopefully you’ll be ready to pick one up and start it soon, and I hope you enjoy whatever ones you do pick up. Are there any that have caught your eye so far?
      Thanks for the link. I’ll definitely check out your TTT! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Vassa in the Night was the first book I got after joining Uppercase books and I when I read the blurb I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it, but I agree with you. It was weird, but a good weird. You have a couple on this list that I’ve been eyeing but not sure about. I may just have to check them out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yeah the blurb doesn’t really give much away does it, and actually even when reading it it’s a confusing story to follow I think but a good weird kind of describes it perfectly.
      I’m glad you liked Vassa, there are a lot of mixed reviews so it’s always nice to find someone else who enjoyed it! 😀
      Hopefully any you do pick up from this list you end up really enjoying. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. I absolutely loved Labyrinth Lost. I’d highly recommend it to everyone, hopefully it will get some more recognition at some point because it’s an amazing story. 🙂
      Timekeeper is another book I’d highly recommend as well so I really hope you enjoy that one Kourtni. 🙂
      Thanks for the link. I’ll definitely check out your TTT! 😀

      Like

      Reply

    1. Yeah it’s strange how that can happen with books sometimes isn’t it? They seem to be everywhere before their release but afterwards they just fall off the map. Not sure why but hopefully A Shadow Bright and Burning is a good read. 😀
      I’ll check out both those books for sure, did you enjoy Transit? I think you’ve mentioned it before because it sounds somewhat familiar to me. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.