The Best Books of 2021

Yesterday, we talked about my disappointing books of 2021, so today let’s talk about the best books of 2021. This post is so much more fun to do. Basically, I’m just going to be gushing about my favorite books. So let’s get to it.

The Secret History

I adored The Secret History. It’s one of my favorite books of all times. The characters were so developed. And while they were all horrible people, Tartt made me feel sympathetic toward them as well. Plus, she gave away the murder on the first page, but managed to make the story feel suspenseful anyhow. You need to read this book.

My Rating: 5/5

Empire of the Vampire

Jay Kristoff is a witty genius. He is the master of gritty fantasy. I adored Nevernight, but I think I liked Empire of the Vampire even more. It is the vampire story that I have been looking for. The world is dark, damp, and gritty. The atmosphere is almost suffocating. It’s also told in an interesting way. The main character is telling his story to his capturer, so there is a lot of switching between timelines. I’m ready to read the next one to find out where this story is going.

My Rating: 5/5

Cackle

I loved Cackle. It almost beat out Empire of the Vampire, but the more I thought about it the more I decided Empire of the Vampire had more technical aspects to consider. But Cackle was so much fun. It’s set in this idyllic small town that reminds me of Stars Hollow. Sophie is one of the town’s prominent citizens, but the more we learn about her and the town it might be more out of fear than respect. It’s creepy and empowering all at the same time.

My Rating: 5/5

Skyward

Skyward introduced me to a whole new genre. I’ve never been a sci-fi person, but Skyward amazed me. It’s a YA sci-fi so some of the themes are the same as YA fantasy, but it’s done in such a unique way. The main character is mildly unlikable at the beginning, but her character growth is great. I love her determination and spirit. Plus, MBot and DoomSlug stole my heart from the very beginning.

My Rating: 5/5

A Court of Silver Flames

I didn’t think I would like A Court of Silver Flames. I had no interest in Nesta’s storyline. But I was so invested in the series I figured I needed to give it a chance, plus I like Cassian. I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. I think Nesta had the most room for character growth and that really shined through. Plus, it gave us a look at the inner circle from another prospective. Feyre and Rhys could do no wrong in all of the other books, but this one shows that they are flawed too. I’m glad I gave it a chance.

My Rating: 5/5

That wraps up the best books of 2021. It ended up being a pretty good reading year. I discovered a lot of new authors, and I’ve expanded my taste. So I can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store.

What was your favorite book of 2021?