Welcome once again readers!
We’ve had autumn, winter, so now we must do spring! If the smell of flowers were a feeling, these books would be it. It’s spring, time for new beginnings and for everyone to come out of hibernation. This was the hardest list to put together, so I do hope you enjoy.
White Fox in the Forest by Chen Jiatong (Translated by Jennifer Feely)
Synopsis
“In their quest to become human, white fox Dilah and his animal friends must follow the moonstone’s guiding light. But when they reach an enchanted forest, they are faced by the ultimate test…
An epic tale of friendship, bravery and sacrifice awaits.”
About White Fox in the Forest
If you’ve been keeping up to date with my seasonal recommendations, you’ll know that I recommended White Fox last time. White Fox in the Forest is the heart-wrenching sequel. I have never cried while reading a book, but this is possibly the closest I’ve come to it. It’s not that the ending is sad exactly, but it’s one of those open endings that makes you sad because you’re so attached. You watch Dilah and his friend look for their new beginning as a human, their spring if you will, and when you’re done with this book you won’t know what to do with yourself.
Ratings
GoodReads rating: 4.23/5
Personal rating: 5/5 stars
Age rating: 10+
Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Synopsis
“For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings… until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy…”
About Once Upon a Broken Heart
What makes Once Upon a Broken Heart so spring-like to me is its whimsical charm. Unlike the series that comes before it, the Caraval trilogy, Once Upon a Broken Heart is a bit lighter. Similar to White Fox in the Forest, Once Upon a Broken Heart also features new beginnings and themes of love that just feel so flowery.
Ratings
GoodReads rating: 4.06/5
Personal rating: 5/5 stars
Age rating: 12+
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
Synopsis
“It’s difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you’re a young lady with only half a soul.
Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment – a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season – but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.
If Dora’s reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world… but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.”
About Half a Soul
Half a Soul is a charming story taking place in 1800’s Regency London, but with a twist: evil fae and magic. One of these fae steals half of our main character, Dora’s, soul, leaving Dora socially unaware and emotionally numb. This novel takes us along as Dora navigates British high society with her curse, as well as her journey with the Lord Sorcier. All of these elements combined create an incredibly fast-paced easy read, with a mystery and a romance (that stays completely PG) which keeps you engaged throughout the short read. This book is perfect for a warm sunny afternoon in late summer with its Studio Ghibli vibes, even having been compared to Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle. Half a Soul is a perfect, easy to read book for new readers.
Ratings
GoodReads rating: 4.07/5
Personal rating: 4/5 stars
Age rating: 12+
The Wicked King by Holly Black
Synopsis
“After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.
When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.”
About The Wicked King
The Wicked King is the second book in the Folk of the Air trilogy and a fan-favorite across the globe. This series has been popular, at least to my knowledge, for over two years. I, obviously, recommend the first book in the series, The Cruel Prince, but that book has more of a winter-to-autumn vibe versus this one. In this novel, all I can say without spoilers, is that the power-shifts are reminiscent of the way spring transitions the dark winter into the warm summer and you will feel just as empowered as the main character, Jude, is throughout the chapters. The Folk of the Air is the perfect series to get lost in right as you have a spring break coming up, as you’ll want to binge the entire thing like I did.
Ratings
GoodReads rating: 4.29/5
Personal rating: 5/5 stars
Age rating: 12+
For the Adults:
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Synopsis
“A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.
The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door.
Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.
Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.
Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.”
About The Priory of the Orange Tree
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a multi-POV epic political fantasy. When I say epic, I am referring to both the length and the adjective. This book is over 800 pages long, but those words are well spent and intentional. This time allows you to really watch the characters and plot. The Priory of the Orange Tree’s insanely intricate word building allows you to really be transported into the world of this book. One last thing I’ll leave you with: Dragons, queens, & fire mages.
Ratings
GoodReads rating: 4.19/5
Personal rating: 5/5 stars
Age rating: 16+
Extras
Last but not least, we have our extra recommendations. These include books I have read & also ones recommended by friends/internet that I haven’t yet read.
Middle Grade/YA
- Pony by R.J. Palacio
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
Classics
- Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Adult
- Tom Lake by Anne Patchett
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Happy Place by Emily Henry
- Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
