Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my TBR I predict will be 5 Star Reads

I’ll be honest, I am a little hesitant to write this post. Why? Because I’m scared that if I say “I think this will be a 5 star read” it will put pressure on the book. Therefore, I’m treating this as a list of books I have on my shelves that I’m really hoping will be amazing, and think have a good chance of me loving. I know, it’s splitting hairs, but it helps me feel less worried about writing this list!

As ever, there are caveats! Well, just one: a book on this list must be one I already own and can’t be a preorder, as the books I do preorder are ones I’m super excited for, so have a better chance.

I’m writing this about three weeks in advance of posting (procrastination for the win!) so I may have actually read some of these by the time this goes live. If so, I’ll link my any reviews .

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly mean, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

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1. STOLEN SONGBIRD and HIDDEN HUNTRESS, by Danielle L. Jensen

I really loved Danielle’s books DARK SHORES and THE BRIDGE KINGDOM when I read them last year. In need of something to tide me over until the sequels, I started looking for copied of her debut trilogy. So I was excited when I won copies of the first two books in the Malediction Trilogy.

Trolls cursed to live in an underground city? A girl kidnapped to break their curse, whether she wants it or not, only to discover the truth is not what it seems? Yup, bring it on! I really can’t wait to start these, though I’m using them a bit like incentive to clear my shelves of longer-waiting books.

2. THE QUEEN’S RESISTANCE, by Rebecca Ross

This is the second book in THE QUEEN’S RISING duology, a series I discovered last year. I’m looking forwards to another brilliantly written YA political fantasy about found family. The other book read like a standalone, so I’m curious to see where this one picks up and goes, as there wasn’t a hook left out that would naturally give rise to a sequel.

If it’s anything like the other book (highly likely!), then it’s a bit slower than most books I read, so I want to wait until I’m well rested to give this book the best chance of being loved!

3. ONYX AND IVORY, by Mindee Arnett

This book is one a friend persuaded me to pick up post-YALC, and since then it’s languished on my London American PB shelf. Still there, so it’s going to have to wait a bit to be read. Considering how much I’ve enjoyed other books lent to me or recommended by this friend, I’m expecting this one to be great.

After her father’s treason exiles her to the edges of society, Kate makes her living as a courier before getting tangled up with the crown prince, who broke her heart after her father was sentenced to death. Looks fun.

4. AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS, by Margaret Rogerson

I fell in love with SORCERY OF THORNS, Margaret Rogerson’s second book, after only reading a matter of pages last spring, so immediately picked up her debut. And it’s sat on a shelf in another city ever since…

I know very little about this book. It’s slim, and I’ve heard quite a few people say it’s incredibly underrated – unlike the hype that surrounded Margaret’s sophomore novel. I’m hoping for another beautifully written book, full of mystery that creates a world I don’t want to leave.

5. THE DARK DAYS CLUB, by Alison Goodman

A nobleborn girl in Victorian London choosing to hunt monsters and demons instead of being on the ballroom floor and looking for a husband as any “proper” society girl would? Not to mention the fact that she’s being drawn into the world by a dubious (but no doubt charming and handsome man)?

I’m getting major SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY and STALKING JACK THE RIPPER vibes from this book’s description – and that’s exactly why I want to read it. Plus, if I really like it, the trilogy is complete so I can binge-read as soon as all the other books on my shelves are read.

6. THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK, by Arienne Young

I pre-ordered this companion to SKY IN THE DEEP before the summer holidays rolled in, but I simply haven’t found the time to pick it up since it published. It’s simply been a (very very common) case of too many books, too little time. However, I am determined to read it some point before summer.

I really liked the world of Adrienne Young’s debut, and the unrelenting fierceness of the main character, who was also still vulnerable and emotional, which is something that can be overlooked when it comes to “fierce/strong female characters”. I’m looking forwards to more of that in this book!

7. UNDER A DANCING STAR, by Laura Wood

This is another book recommended to me at YALC, and by the same friend – so there’s lots of pressure on her recommendations with this list!

This beautiful looking book is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, set in 1930s Italy. The main plot is the Beatrice/Benedict romance, but I’ve been told its Bea’s journey to self-discovery that is the real stand out. Plus the pre-World War Two Europe setting as the war drums are starting to sound is so intriguing.

8. THE BLOODPRINT, by Ausma Zehanat Khan

After adoring S.A. Chakraborty’s THE CITY OF BRASS in February, I wanted more books like it and eventually stumbled upon this one. Honestly, I paid it little attention at first because of the US cover. That cover is just an awful generic fantasy city in dark colours that is hard to make out and certainly gives no confidence as to the insides. Then I say the UK and started to pay more attention. So good job to the Harper Voyager cover crew!

Promising fierce women, intrigue and an epic world, this is the start of a quartet that I think is ending soon, so I’m hoping this is one to binge in rapid succession.

9. SHAKESPEARE’S KINGS, by John Julius Norwich

The geekiest book by far on this list, I’m bizarrely excited for SHAKESPEARE’S KINGS, a primer on the history behind Shakespeare’s plays.

I love English history and I love Shakespeare’s history plays to bits, particularly the Henriad. I have a rough idea of the general history across this time period, and certainly know that Shakespeare is far from accurate! However, I want to go deeper. I’m hoping this book will be the perfect launching point for the far more in-depth historical reading I have planned for later on this year.

10. THE LONELIEST GIRL IN THE UNIVERSE, by Lauren James

I read my first Lauren James book not too long ago, THE QUIET AT THE END OF THE WORLD. It was a very quiet sci-fi, not about bit space battles and aliens intent on destroying earth. Instead it was an introspective look at the end of the human race and what it is to be human.

This is an earlier one of her books, about a girl alone on a spaceship who strikes up a friendship with a boy who has ended up the only living being on his ship. Intriguing, and also sounds like a less typical sci-fi.

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What books do you think will be cracking reads this year?