2023 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

 It's that time of year again. We've reached the midpoint of 2023 and thus it is time to embark on the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag. Of course I will answer the questions as honestly as I can? 

1. What is the best book you've read so far in 2023?

I'd have to say that's Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero which was the first (and currently only) five-star read of the year. I love the way it just reads like an alternate Scooby Doo. The allusions to them with things like having a shared family name or the Zoinx (lol Shaggy) River Valley? It was well worth the five it got. 

2. Best sequel that you've read so far in 2023?

I honestly think the only sequel I've read at all this year, pending my memory, is Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation #3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. I'm not even sure I'd consider it a best sequel. It's just literally the only one that I've read that is a sequel at all. I did love it, despite it's terrible translating from it's original source language. 

3. What is a new release you haven't read yet, but really want to? 

This feels like a cop-out answer, but it really is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. It came out not that long ago and just absolutely took the reading world by storm. You couldn't open any bookish related social media platform without hearing about it's sprayed edges and how bookstores just absolutely couldn't keep it on the shelves. I found a copy at Barnes & Noble and snatched and I'm greatly looking forward to reading it.

4. What are your most anticipated releases for the rest of the year?

There are three. The first one is The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem, which I have an eARC for. It's all about this girl who is the heir to a taken over country and how she has to reclaim her throne. The second one is Stone & Sky by Z.S. Diamanti, which I know literally nothing about beyond that it's a fantasy novel that looked fun. The third, and final, is Flight of Icarus by Caitlin Schneiderhan, which is one of the non-canon Stranger Things books featuring only my favorite character now, Eddie Munson. 

5. What was the biggest disappointment of 2023 so far? 

Wicka by Christy Deveaux. I didn't rate it, and don't recall my rating, but I don't think it was all that high. I don't remember thinking all that highly of it. I had gone in with slightly higher expectations than I should have, and it was a bit of a let down. I don't plan on ever rereading this. 

6. What was the biggest surprise of 2023 so far?

This one would definitely have to be Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder. I was not much of a horror girl, but now I think I have to start delving in more. I was anticipating being grossed out by this book and not wanting to continue and rating it low...I ripped through it and want more. I now go to the horror section of bookstores. I definitely was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. 

7. Who is your new favorite author?

Uh. Hmm...Edgar Cantero. I loved his writing style for Meddling Kids, and I've ordered another book in the same universe, This Body's Not Big Enough for the Both of Us, which follows one of the characters that we meet in the first book. I'm looking forward to it and I can solidly say that Edgar Cantero is a new favorite of mine. 

8. Who is your newest fictional crush?

I kind of want to say Ari from The First Binding. He was a well written man with a very tragic backstory and I adored it. The poor guy could just use some love. Beyond that, I don't really do fictional crushes/boyfriends/girlfriends. 

9. Who is your newest favorite character?

I rarely think on books past finishing them long enough to have a favorite. Like I couldn't tell you the name of the main characters of pretty much any books I read in June. I have no idea. It's gone. I don't have any favorites. 

10. What book made you cry so far in 2023?

Did one make me cry? I don't remember. I think I got close with The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. I'm not all that emotional of a reader. It's fairly hard to make me cry while I'm reading. I cried more watching TV. 

11. What book made you happy so far in 2023? 

The Kiss of '89 by Ruth Hanson because it's the most ridiculous ride of a story. Obviously a rebranded fanfiction, it just made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I couldn't put it down. 

12. What is the most beautiful book you've gotten so far in 2023?

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace. It's absolutely stunning. I love the cover and I cannot wait to get to to it. It looks like it's going to be a good read. 

13. What books do you need to read before the end of 2023?

I'm going to go with two books by the same author. The Hunger of the Gods and Malice both by John Gwynne. I've read The Shadow of the Gods and I can't not with the plot. I'm hoping Malice is equally violent.