War Lord by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Last Kingdom (Book #13 of 13)
Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 333 pages (Hardcover edition)
Published: 15th October 2020 by HarperCollins
It’s over. I finally finished The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell, and it was an impressive conclusion. …
This list is also available on my Booktube Channel if that’s what you preferred: https://youtu.be/wZY-JG9HUgQ
Click here if you want to see the list of all the books I’ve read so far this year: Petrik’s Year in Books (2021)
It’s that time of the year again, y’all. 2021 is ending in a week. This year, I managed to read 130 books. This number includes 72 traditionally published books, 21 self-published/indie books, 37 manga volumes (I’ve read so many more manga volumes but I’ve decided to only include 37 here.)
In comparison to the previous years, whether it’s by pages count or the number of books, this is my lowest reading performance so far. There are details behind this reason, but really when it comes down to it, it’s because this is the first full year I became a Booktuber. In addition to reading and writing reviews, now I also record, edit, and upload videos to my YouTube Channel. My reading “performance” definitely suffers because of it, but not going to lie, I’m happy to make that sacrifice. As for the quality of the books I read, this is another incredible reading year, so let’s get to it immediately. As usual, I will be applying a few rules into this list:
Please read this first. There will be three rules I set in this list in order for me to give appreciation to more authors rather than having only a few authors hoarding this list. These rules allow me to highlight more authors, and at the same time, I’ll also be able to include both new and older books (many of them still need attention) that I read within this year.
Do note that although there’s a rank to this list, I HIGHLY recommend every book/series listed below because I loved all of them immensely, and they received a rating of 4.5 or 5 out of 5 stars from me. Without further ado, here are the top 20 books I’ve read in 2021! (All full reviews of the books listed can be found on Novel Notions and my Goodreads page …
Hi everyone! Petrik from Novel Notions here.
Today, we’re here to bring you a beautiful cover reveal of A Black Deal, this is the second novella in the Pandemonium Rising series by Michael Sliter. I’ve read and enjoyed the first two books + a novella in the series, Solace Lost, Wisdom Lost, and Valley of the Free. It has become a tradition for me to keep on revealing the cover reveal to Sliter’s books, and I’m honored that he has continued to bestow me with the honor. I personally think that this is one of the most underrated grimdark fantasy series right now. If you love character-driven grimdark fantasy series, and yet haven’t read this series, I highly recommend this series to you! Without further ado, here’s the cover reveal to A Black Deal!
Cover art: Rene Aigner …
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Cover art by : Ian Leino
The Fall of Babel by Josiah Bancroft
My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Books of Babel (Book #4 of 4)
Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy, Steampunk
Pages: 672 pages (US paperback edition)
Published: 9th December 2021 by Orbit
The Fall of Babel is not just a title; it is a state. A state where the quality of the series ends up.
Josiah Bancroft, please do not read this review. I love your previous books, and I would prefer your memory of my thoughts on your books remains that way; leave it in the state of innocence and happiness just like Senlin before he entered the Tower of Babel. Now, let’s get on with the review.
“You could resent yourself for your imperfect enjoyment of your life, but that seems to me like a never-ending chore. A thankless one, too. I think that if we really knew how good our lives were while they were good, we’d be too scared to do anything, change anything. We’d never take a risk, or explore, or grow. You can hate yourself for not fully appreciating your happy days while you had them, or you could look back and be warmed by the memory, couldn’t you?”
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
The Bone Ship’s Wake by R.J. Barker
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Tide Child (Book #3 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy
Pages: 543 pages (UK paperback edition)
Published: 30th September 2021 by Orbit
I’ve completed two series by R.J. Barker now, and Barker stuck the landing in both Kings of Assassins and The Bone Ship’s Wake.
“Of all the people on the ship, the courser knew most what it was to be alone. And Joron, as Meas had once said, had found command was the loneliest place of all.”
Sword of Kings by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Last Kingdom (Book #12 of 13)
Genre: Historical fiction
Pages: 346 pages (Kindle edition)
Published: 3rd October 2019 by HarperCollins
Sword of Kings is the penultimate installment of The Last Kingdom series, if it wasn’t, I would’ve given up reading the rest of the series. …
Cover art illustration by: Patrick Foster
Reaper by Will Wight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: Cradle (Book #10 of 12)
Genre: Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, Xianxia
Pages: 465 pages
Published: 2nd November 2021 by Hidden Gnome Publishing (Indie)
Will Wight, I’m so tired of saying this statement on so many books in Cradle, but once again, Reaper is the new best book of the series so far.
“An ant had a better chance of resisting a boot.”
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: Standalone
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Magical Realism
Pages: 246 pages (Kindle edition)
Published: 15th September 2020 by Bloomsbury
A genre-blending, memorable, and melancholic standalone novel.
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Call of the Bone Ships by R.J. Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: The Tide Child (Book #2 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, High fantasy
Pages: 482 pages (UK paperback edition)
Published: 24th November 2020 by Orbit
A great sequel that doesn’t shy away from developing the characters through harsh circumstances.
“We are nothing, Shipwife… If we do not try we are nothing. You are right there. Better to lose it all for what is right than to live in fear.”
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Cover art illustrated by: Martina Fackova
Cover designed by: Lauren Panepinto
The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Series: Empire of the Wolf (Book #1 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 432 pages (UK paperback edition)
Published: 22nd February 2022 & 24th February 2022 by Orbit
The Justice of Kings was totally addictive. A truly riveting tale about law, war, morality, and justice.
“Empires are built and maintained with words. Swords are a mere precedent to the quill.”