Best of 2021- Fantasy

| Top 5 Fantasy (Romantasy) of 2021

And I read 46 fantasy books this year, so you can imagine how unforgettable these were. Here we go!!!!!

1. 𝑨 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉 & 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆

KA Tucker delivers extraordinary world building for her first time in this genre. I wanted to live in Islor with the Mortals and Immortals alike. I wanted to be a caster and see what type of elemental power I would have. I wanted to wear a beautiful gown and fall for a king who wore a heavy crown.
I was consumed and completed immersed in AFoW&F.

Synopsis:

She would know the world of vengeful gods and monsters, and the lengths one would go for love. And nothing would ever be the same for her again.

Gifted thief Romeria has flourished from her days as a street kid pilfering wallets to survive. Now she thrives, stealing jewels from the rich under the involuntary employ of New York City’s most notorious crime boss. But when an enigmatic woman secures her services at swordpoint, Romeria is plunged into a startling realm of opposing thrones, warring elven, and elemental magic she cannot begin to fathom.

Her quest is straightforward: Steal a stone from Islor’s sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity, which would earn her certain death. But the identity she has inexplicably assumed is that of the captured Ybarisan princess—an enemy to Islor after she poisoned their beloved king and queen on the day she was to marry the prince.

Her betrothed, the newly crowned King Zander, detests her with every grain of his handsome being. Fortunately for Romeria, she is more valuable to him alive than dead. Zander gives her a choice: life in a cell, or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help in exposing the growing plot against him.

Romeria sees no other option and embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, a ruse that brings her far closer to the king than she anticipated and threatens more than her safety. As she digs deeper into this sacred garden and the ancient feud between Ybaris and Islor, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all.

My Review:

“It would be a lot easier if you didn’t react the way you do to me.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Neither can I anymore, it would seem.”

I was scrolling instagram a few months back and thought “Could it be?? KA.T. writing a FANTASY ROMANCE?!?”
Oh and it was true.
The woman who brought us Jonah has now decided we need to have a minor heart attack.

There are two heroines we follow, Sofie being still a mystery, and Romeria, a thief in one alternate universe and a princess in her current, will have to choose her path wisely as she deals with the Fates, the politics of a kingdom not yet her own, and possibly her heart.

And beware… Zander is all consuming. There are moments in this book that will forever live rent free in my brain as I listen to my playlist. #zelousforzander

Read if you love:
-Rhen from A curse so dark and lonely, but oozing sex appeal
-Royalty, Castles, Court, and Corruption
-a heroine who you actually want to BE!
-a bit of mystery & intrigue
– Elemental Magic
– 🧛‍♀️
-friendships just as good as the OTP
-your next obsession in a series
-a little sweat & sword play anyone?
– FBAA

Rating:
It’s almost June and I’m naming it my favorite book of 2021-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters- here’s my bag of stars… I dont need them anymore
Trope- arranged marriage? enemies to lovers? fake relationship? that’s right you get them all
Steam- Just Zander leaning on a wall makes my knees weak… someone get this girl a wheelchair!🥵Actually… just pour me a bath, I’ll wait there.

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2. 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔

SJM has a super power when it comes to writing incredible worlds, magic systems and love stories you can’t get enough of, but what she delivered in Silver Flames is so much more.

Synopsis:

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.

My Review:

Every hated enemy, every moment she’d been powerless against them simmered to the surface. And with each movement of the sword, each breath, a thought formed. It echoed with every inhale, every thrust and block. Never again. Never again would she be weak.

I knew being back into this world, into Velaris, would be everything I needed. ACOTAR was my intro into fantasy and it stole my heart.
I wasn’t ready for this book.

SJM has a super power when it comes to writing incredible worlds, magic systems and love stories you can’t get enough of, but what she delivered in Silver Flames is so much more.

It’s the reality of the voices in our head. Of not being good enough, of wishing for something different.
It’s the demons we’ve faced, held on to and harbored so no one would know how broken we really are.
It’s being a woman in a world of men… being looked over, forgotten or used.
It’s love… felt often but not easily given.
It’s the patiences that your family and loved ones have when you are not your best.
It’s the breaking to be made… made into something that is not perfect, but worthy.
It’s sex… raw, enjoyable and freely given to the one you love and the beauty of it.
It’s friendship and the power of unity.

It’s everything.

Nesta was probably the most hated character in FANTASY history with her poor attitude, rude comments, and how she treated Cassian, but now you will know WHY.
The power of the voices in our own heads is shown through Nesta and you can’t help but relate or finally understand. The shell that hides her is hard and relentless… but inside she is broken, afraid, and unkind to herself. Unworthy of love or forgiveness. Alone.

Cassian… although our sexy bruiting bat boy is imperfect, I wasn’t ready to fall in love with him and his amazing bleeding heart.
The Prince of Bastards is now the Prince of Underdogs… and he will give all of himself to help those who need him… especially someone he loves, the ones who need to be free from their shackles.
also….. my cheeks were REEEEEDDDD with these WIDE OPEN door scenes. There was no DEBT unpaid.

Silver Flames was more than was expected but everything I needed. It has officially taken first place in my heart and I feel bad for any book that follows here after. Sorry 2021 TBR pile.
Thank you SJM for your rawness and sharing your voice through your characters. I felt it. I Stand with you.

TW: talks of rape, abuse, depression, suicide

Rating:
story:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (all the stars I could ever give)
characters:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (the inner court will forever be my tribe)
cry meter: 😭😭😭😭 (in an almost 800 page book I cried 5 times)
steam: Bridgerton is the new vanilla my friends. Cassian….. BOOOOOOOY🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Is that what those smutty books teach you? That it’s only at night?”
“It could be anytime—dawn’s first light, or when I’m bathing, or even after a long, hard day of practice.”

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3.𝑨 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓
JLA gets better and better and her ability to warp and build these worlds is incredible.
I also learned I have a favorite trope. It’s “I can’t love you so I’ll just be in denial of my feelings” trope.

Synopsis:

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

My Review:

If you know my love for From Blood and Ash it’s no surprise to hear that this is one of my favorite books of 2021.

Honestly this spin off series was one I was afraid to start… nothing could even touch my love for Hawke….

Ooooh oooh ooooooh I was wrong.

Death take me.

“Were all kisses from a god as dangerously intoxicating as this one?”

ASITE gives us the back story on the history of FBAA, along with a new couple to ship.
JLA gets better and better and her ability to warp and build these worlds is incredible.

I also have learned I have a favorite trope. It’s “I can’t love you so I’ll just be in denial of my feelings” trope.

“You are trouble.”

I’m sorry to any and all books that follow this one. Let’s just call it a year and give out the award.

Read if you like:
-hades and Persephone
-fantasy and a series that builds with each book
-attraction so undeniable yet absolutely denied
-dragons, monsters, gods and more
-WAAAAAAAAAAAR
-good boys that live in the shadows

My only complaint:
The more slang was a bit off putting for being so “ancient” of a story. So take that into consideration and then blow it off and enjoy the ride.

Rating:
Story- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I love Sera and Ash SO MUCH)
Steam- OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH IIISSSSSSSSS SSPPPPIIIICCCYYYYYY 😝
Song: where are you now by lost frequencies

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4. 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔
This book is full of everything you need. Clues around every corner to unfold the myths and mysteries, a world you can smell the air, taste the Italian cuisine, and feel the caresses of Wrath.

Synopsis:

After selling her soul to become Queen of the Wicked, Emilia travels to the Seven Circles with the enigmatic Prince of Wrath, where she’s introduced to a seductive world of vice.

She vows to do whatever it takes to avenge her beloved sister, Vittoria… even if that means accepting the hand of the Prince of Pride, the king of demons.

The first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. With back-stabbing princes, luxurious palaces, mysterious party invitations, and conflicting clues about who really killed her twin, Emilia finds herself more alone than ever before. Can she even trust Wrath, her one-time ally in the mortal world… or is he keeping dangerous secrets about his true nature?

Emilia will be tested in every way as she seeks a series of magical objects that will unlock the clues of her past and the answers she craves…

One sister.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge… Welcome to Hell.

My Review:

“He took my bottom lip between his teeth and bit down gently. Then I remembered: he was no angel. And I was suddenly all to willing to be damned.”

KOTC picks up right where we left off in KOTW, Emilia on her way to hell to meet her betrothed.

This book is full of everything you need. Clues around every corner to unfold the myths and mysteries, a world you can smell the air, taste the Italian cuisine, and feel the caresses of Wrath.

As a book annotator, my book is full of underlined quotes and tabs to help me remember all the detail that will lead into book 3.

Kerri does an incredible job writing characters I either want to be, love to hate, or want to fall in love with and she out did herself writing Wrath and Emilia.

Although this book is NA, it was fast paced, easy to consume and all around not as steamtastic as I thought it would be.

If you haven’t visited the seven circles of hell yet, what are you waiting for?

Read if you like:
-writing and quotes so good you want to tattoo them on your body
-heroines that are fierce and feisty
-the villain you want to sell your soul to
-fantasy with a beautiful world that’s not to complicated to digest
-cuisine written so good you can taste it or make it yourself
-romance, all though slow and torturous, is ALL CONSUMING
-dresses so beautiful you want to raid her closet
-mystery to keep you guessing

(Beware of the cliffhanger)
Rating:
story-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
characters-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
steam-🔥🔥🔥 (if words were hands, these would be deadly)

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5. 𝑨 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔
A Cursed Kiss is your next NA romantasy obsession. From Irish folklore to being seduced by the bad boys, I could not put it down.

Synopsis:

Living on an island plagued by magic and mythical monsters isn’t a fairy tale… it’s a nightmare.

After Keelynn witnesses her sister’s murder at the hands of the legendary Gancanagh, an immortal creature who seduces women and kills them with a cursed kiss, she realizes there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to get her back. With the help of a vengeful witch, she’s given everything she needs to resurrect the person she loves most.

But first, she must slay the Gancanagh.

Tadhg, a devilishly handsome half-fae who has no patience for high society—or propriety—would rather spend his time in the company of loose women and dark creatures than help a human kill one of his own.

That is until Keelynn makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

Together, they embark on a cross-country curse-breaking mission that promises life but ends in death.

Perfect for fans of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series and The Falconer, A Cursed Kiss is the first book in a series of interconnected novels and novellas set on the mythical island of Airren.

My Review:

“When you get annoyed, you do this.— And it’s a shame because you have a lovely mouth.”
“No you > have a lovely mouth.—Whereas I have a wicked mouth that does terribly wicked things.”

And that my friends is when my heart turned to a gooey mess for others to slip on.

A Cursed Kiss is your next NA romantasy obsession. From Irish folklore to being seduced by the bad boys, I could not put it down.

After witnessing the death of her sister from Gancanagh (the prince of seduction with a deadly kiss), Keelynn will do all it takes to slay Gancanagh and retrieve her sister’s life once again.

But the journey may not be what it seems.
By chance, Keelynn finds a half fae who agrees to make the journey to Tearmann with her, in exchange for something he needs.

Tadhg is my new book boyfriend and no I dont share.
Morally grey, half fae, alot of sarcasm and even more flirt.
check.
Check,
CHECK.

Read if you like:
-only one bed
-magical creatures with Irish folklore
-strong feminine lead
-fantasy with a whole lot of seduction
-morally grey characters ERRRRWHEEEERRRRR
-a book you could read in one sitting

Rating:
story-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
characters-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
steam- Jenny took her intro into New Adult seriously! If you’re worried about who to share this one with start here: If you say the word “oral” and their response is immediately hygiene or something to do with dental work, move along, this is not for Cindy…. Veronica on the other hand, the one that goes by “V” and chooses wine over afternoon tea, this is more her speed.
Sexy and satisfying 🔥

Here’s a lie J, I hated it 😘.