What I'm Reading Now: 2017 year-in-review edition

written by Betsy Flak on 2017-12-14

Ok, this time we're going to do something a little different. Since it's the end of the year, I'm going to pick my favorite books I read in 2017 in my favorite three categories (paranormal fantasy, dystopian and apocalyptic, and other fantasy) and a wild card pick from a different genre.

Paranormal Fantasy Favorite: The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak

• In a nutshell: Zombies! With a kick-butt heroine killing them left and right. Plus some magic. Plus a bit of a love triangle.
• Read if: You want a fast, easy, exciting read.
• Skip if: You can't deal with zombies, zombies, everywhere.
• Notes: To be fair, Venom and Vampires--the boxed set of a bunch of different vampire-themed novels, novellas, and novelettes--was going to be my choice here, but it's no longer available for sale. Rather than brag about how awesome a book I read is that you can't actually get your paws on, I thought I would pick something else. So The Harvesting is my second choice in this category. It's also a bit on the dystopian side and mostly has zombies, but I think it counts has paranormal too.

Dystopian and Apocalyptic Favorite: Angelfall by Susan Ee

• In a nutshell: Six weeks ago, angels descended on the earth and caused the apocalypse. A girl and her enemy angel (who happens to be annoyingly handsome) must band together for mutual survival.
• Read if: This sounds at all appealing to you.
• Skip if: You read that snapshot description and went "yuck."
• Notes: If you've been reading my blog, you know that I was obsessed with this book and its two sequels for about two weeks straight. We're talking "lying in my bed reading and reading and reading until I have to force myself to put the book down and go to sleep." It's probably my favorite book I read this entire year.

Other Fantasy Favorite: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

• In a nutshell: Three princesses with different magical powers must fight--and kill--each other for the crown.
• Read if: You're a fan of dark fantasy set in an epic fantasy world.
• Skip if: You need a fast start to get into the book or you don't like keeping track of a lot of side characters.
• Notes: I loved this book. It's got a hint of dystopia, magic galore (including animal familiars which is pretty much my dream), an abundance of strong female characters, and light romance. I personally didn't notice it being slow or having too many side characters, but several reviewers did.

Wild Card Pick (other genre): Confessions by Kanae Minato

• In a nutshell: Tells the story of an elementary class with dark secrets from the point of view of the teacher and several students. No magic, no paranormal, no dystopia.
• Read if: You like (or think you could enjoy) psychological suspense.
• Skip if: You need all those fantasy elements or a hint of romance to enjoy a book. This book has none of that and it's darrrrrrk (but in a good way).
• Notes: This is another book I couldn't put down. Throughout the whole thing, it keeps you guessing and turning the pages. I read it in probably about three sittings (which is very few for me).