Top Books of 2021 | Q2 Edition

Hello, lovelies. It’s been a while since I’ve written a bookish update (been a while since I’ve written any kind of update). The blogging break was much needed, but does mean that I’m catching up on a few posts. I’m returning today with my second ‘top books of 2021’ (Q2 edition!).

This time, I’m focusing on books from April-June. When narrowing down what I’ve been reading, I was a) pleasantly surprised that I’d read more than I thought I had and b) disappointed to find I’ve only got a handful that made the 5* rating. Out of those few, only one of them was a new author.

I’ll be writing up my Q3 edition of this very shortly, but – for now – see what you think of the ones that made the cut for this version!

Top Books of 2021 (so far… part 2)

Sistersong by Lucy Holland

Publisher: Macmillan | Date: 2021 | Genre: Fantasy | Review

Plot: 535 AD. In the ancient kingdom of Dumnonia, King Cador’s children inherit a fragmented land abandoned by the Romans.

Riva, scarred in a terrible fire, fears she will never heal.
Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, when born a daughter.
And Sinne, the spoiled youngest girl, yearns for romance.

All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold – a last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. But change comes on the day ash falls from the sky, bringing Myrddhin, meddler and magician, and Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear the siblings apart. Riva, Keyne and Sinne must take fate into their own hands, or risk being tangled in a story they could never have imagined; one of treachery, love and ultimately, murder. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon | Date: 2006 | Genre: Historical Romance

Plot: 1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.
And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better…
—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814

But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…

The House of Lamentations by S.G MacLean

Publisher: Quercus | Date: 2020 | Genre: Historical Fiction | Review

Plot: Summer, 1658, and the Republic may finally be safe: the combined Stuart and Spanish forces have been heavily defeated by the English and French armies on the coast of Flanders, and the King’s cause appears finished.

Yet one final, desperate throw of the dice is planned. And who can stop them if not Captain Damian Seeker?

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Publisher: Tor | Date: 2021 | Genre: Science Fiction | Review

Plot: The war is over. Its heroes forgotten. Until one chance discovery . . .

Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade him in the war. And one of humanity’s heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers.

After earth was destroyed, mankind created a fighting elite to save their species, enhanced humans such as Idris. In the silence of space they could communicate, mind-to-mind, with the enemy. Then their alien aggressors, the Architects, simply disappeared – and Idris and his kind became obsolete

Now, fifty years later, Idris and his crew have discovered something strange abandoned in space. It’s clearly the work of the Architects – but are they returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy hunting for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, that many would kill to obtain.

There we have it, my top books of 2021, Q2 edition.

What have you been reading lately? Any of these catch your eye?

You may also like:

• Top Books of 2021 | Q1 Edition
• 2020: My Year in Books

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