Hello hello and welcome or welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet. It’s time to get Christmasy once again, and what better way to get into the spirit of things than with a few book tags? This is just one of the tags I’ll be doing over the next few weeks because as much as I’m sure some of you are still in denial – it’s nearly time for turkey and presents. So rock around the Christmas tree with me with this year’s 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag. I did this tag last year, and I’ve done my best to make the answers as different as possible, trying to stick to this year’s book where I can!
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.
The partridge stood alone in the pear tree. What is your favourite stand alone?
I could pick so many books for this one, but the first book that sprang to mind was Sorcery of Thorns. This book blew me away when I first read it, and I’m still not over it really. I’ve mentioned it a lot, and it’s one of those that really has hooked its claws into me in the best of ways.
ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TWO TURTLE DOVES.
Love is in the air! Who is your one true pairing?
Feyre and Rhysand still get my vote here. I’ve ‘met’ some brilliant couples this year, in fantastical universes and contemporary fiction, but nothing quite shifts this pair from having the winning spot in my opinion. I’m sure some people think I’m trashy for that, and I’m okay with it.
ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: THREE FRENCH HENS.
In the spirit of threes, what is the best trilogy you have read?
Although part of the larger Shadowhunters universe, The Infernal Devices trilogy is hands down some of the best historical fiction I’ve ever read. It’s also some of the best fantasy, and balances the tropes it deals with carefully. Clockwork Princess is my favourite of the three, not just because it ties everything together, but also because it opens up to so much more to come too. It’s a clever trilogy, and although it’s not the first part of the recommended reading order, I totally understand why some people have read it first.
ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FOUR CALLING BIRDS.
Since series usually consist of four or more books, what is your favourite series?
Although only three books have been released so far, From Blood and Ash has absolutely captured my imagination this year. I can’t wait for the release of the next book, and I also can’t wait to (finally) share my thoughts on A Shadow in the Ember, a prequel book set in the same universe but with different characters. JLA has really spoiled us as readers with how quickly things are being released, and I feel very lucky to have found this series in 2021.
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS.
One ring to rule them all! Who is your favourite Villain/Antagonist?
Another Cassandra Clare book takes this spot! In book five of The Mortal Instruments set, City of Lost Souls, we see more of Sebastian, in several different lights. Clary has to tread very carefully to make sure she doesn’t risk upending the balance that is beign fought for, and all these different shades of Sebastian were almost more scary to see because he wasn’t simply ‘evil’… he was ruthless, cunning and utterly terrifying.
All my Shadowhunters books are currently in storage, but I can’t wait to finally finish off this series and see where it leaves us.
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SIX GEESE A LAYING.
Creation is a beautiful thing. What is your favourite world/world-building?
The world building that has gone into creating the Spellslinger universe has left me utterly stunned. I can’t believe just how in depth it all is; there’s an answer for everything, and a detailed one at that. It’s books – and worlds – like this that make me look at my own writing, and know that I would struggle to write a fantasy universe to the level I’d be happy with. In Shadowblack the world expands more, and then in Charmcaster more still. It’s utterly wonderful, and I can’t encourage people to read these books more.
ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING.
Who needs seven swans when all it takes is one good animal sidekick? Who’s your favourite animal sidekick?
I wrote a blog post a little while ago as part of my Five Books With… series about animal sidekicks, which you can find here. That said, I’ve read more books since writing that, as is the nature of book blogging. I think it would have to be a toss up for me between Mogget in Sabriel, and Reichis from the Spellslinger series. Both of them have made me genuinely laugh out loud, and I’d quite like to put them in a room together, chant “fight, fight, fight”, and see who came out tops.
ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING.
Milk is so 18th century. Which book or series takes beverages/food to a whole new level?
M.A. Kuzniar has a way with words when it comes to discussing food and drink, and in Midnight In Everwoood this is escalated even further. Set in a sugarplum world with hot cocoa and sugar everywhere, Marietta is captivated by its magic, as well she might be, and any of us might be too. This retelling of The Nutcracker will make you fall in love with ballet, Christmas, and, of course, food.
ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: NINE LADIES DANCING.
Dancing is just one skill of a Lady! Who is your favourite kickass female lead?
I could talk about strong female leads all day every day, but one of my most recent additions to this group I love so much is Artemisia from Vespertine. She goes up against tremendous odds, and also against herself in many ways, and comes out the other side – swinging a sword. Good Reads has a little #1 next to this title now, so I’m really hoping we get to see more from her soon.
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: TEN LORDS A LEAPING.
How about your favourite leading lad?
I’d have to pick Prince Corrick from Defy the Night. I absolutely fell in love with him, and felt a real tug at my heart for everything he was trying to balance out. He’s morally grey without meaning to be, trying only to do the right thing by everyone, only to find out that this is an impossible task for anyone, let alone someone helping to run a country. This book tore at my heart strings multiple times, and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: ELEVEN PIPES PIPING.
What is your favourite book or bookish thing with musical influence? (It can be about music, reference music a lot etc.)
I think I’ll to stick with what I said last year. Musical soundtracks are one of the most wonderful things out there to me as they capture my love of music and words all in one. Books translated to screen and stage are always an interesting thing, and watching shows like Les Miserables and Wicked are sheer magic. I’ve read a few books that have musical themes, but I also just love the wonder of song lyrics. I’m Taylor Swift trash, for example, and getting lost in listening to Red – Taylor’s Version is almost like reading a beautiful book to me.
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME: 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING.
Drum roll please… what is your favourite read of this year?
I can’t pick one book! I’ve read some amazing books this year, but having read around 150 by this point, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one. I’ll be doing a post soon on my top reads of the year… but trust me, it’ll be more than one book! For just some that I’ve enjoyed, have a look at this post for the five star reads during the first half of the year.
So there we are, the first Christmas Tag of 2021. Feel free to tag yourself in if you wish, but I’m also tagging:
- Fiona
- Ellie
- Ellie Mai
- Jenny
- Ashlee
And On She Reads 
This a great tag! I might have to steal the idea for my blog;) (with full credits of course)! I also loved Sorcery of Thorns when I read it and Midnight in Everwood sounds like a great Christmas read!
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