archive: 2020
Raybearer is the Vibrant YA Fantasy of My Dreams | Review: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
7:00 AMWhen Once Upon a Book Club reached out to send me their YA box last month, I nearly exploded in excitement. (And, yes, it is totally worth it. Not to be all Influencer, but use my code for 10% off: JESSICAB10!) Raybearer just might be my favourite fantasy of the year.
a wicked magic
Wickedly Compelling and Atmospheric. Is It Autumn, Yet? | Review: A Wicked Magic by Sasha Laurens
6:30 AM
Obviously Sasha Laurens had me at the comparison to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Craft. (And I'm over here wishing desperately for autumn to hurry up and arrive.) I'm not going to lie to you guys, there was a HUGE disappointed sigh from me knowing that I am not reading this during the autumn.
archive: 2020
Renée Ahdieh is Now the Queen of Vampire YA | Review: The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
7:00 AM
Last year if you told me that, exactly one year later, I'd be frothing at the mouth for vampire fiction during a global pandemic I would have asked you who your dealer was. This year, I'd say, "READ THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED. Both are by Renée Ahdieh and you are missing out." Word for word.
archive: 2020
Cinderella is Dead, but I'M FEELING VERY ALIVE RIGHT NOW | Review: Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
3:54 PM
Young Adult Fantasy in 2020 continues to be the only saving grace of an otherwise shit-tastic year. I stand by that and am listing Cinderella is Dead as a leading example. (ALSO!! That cover!!!)
archive: 2020
Houe of Night Other World Continues to Impress... I'm Sad it's Over! | Review: Found by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
2:54 PM
The explosive conclusion to House of Night Other World is finally here. AND I'M SO SAD ABOUT IT? In an excited, feeling revitalized, way? It's time to get Found.
Although I adore Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City series, we all know my feelings for the Throne of Glass series are mixed at best. I definitely delayed diving into the novellas in The Assassin's Blade.
archive: 2020
After Years of Saying I Would, I Finally Began the Sookie Stackhouse Novels and Regret Nothing | Review: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
4:30 AM
Already familiar with Charlaine Harris' characters, via its television adaptation True Blood, and fed up with 2020's general tone, I decided now was as good a time as any to begin this series. And, spoiler alert? It's just as fun and trashy as the show.
I'm going to be real with you guys, though! It was almost overwhelming figuring out what series title to call the Sookie Stackhouse novels by. I sat down for a good half hour asking myself, "Should I call it True Blood? Should I call it the Sookie Stackhouse series? Southern Vampire Mysteries?" I mean, really, we're lucky my head didn't explode in confusion.
I'm going to be real with you guys, though! It was almost overwhelming figuring out what series title to call the Sookie Stackhouse novels by. I sat down for a good half hour asking myself, "Should I call it True Blood? Should I call it the Sookie Stackhouse series? Southern Vampire Mysteries?" I mean, really, we're lucky my head didn't explode in confusion.
archive: 2020
While I Love Marissa Meyer, Renegades Wasn't My Cup of Tea | Review: Renegades by Marissa Meyer
7:00 AM
There was a substantial amount of hype surrounding Marissa Meyer's Renegades series. Alas, it was not my favourite. (Although, I can see why so many people might love it.)
archive: 2020
Sarah Rees Brennan is the Best Thing to Happen to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Review: Path of Night by Sarah Rees Brennan
6:47 PM
In an absolutely unsurprising move I'm ecstatic to inform you guys that I am still 100% Sarah Rees Brennan and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina trash.
archive: 2020
Every Bit as Breathtaking as The Storm Crow | Blog Tour, Review + Playlist: The Crow Rider by Kalyn Josephson
6:30 AM
Non-spoiler spoiler alert: The Crow Rider is brilliant. Just as brilliant as The Storm Crow. No, no, I take that back. It's even better. UGH. I'm in love.
archive: 2020
Breathtaking, Action Packed and Completely Electric | Blog Tour, Review + Playlist: Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena
6:30 AM
We all know how much I adored Tanaz Bhathena's debut novel A Girl Like That. So, it should come as no shock to anyone that I was absolutely excited for her first dive into fantasy. Boy, oh boy, did Hunted by the Sky live up to every hope I had.
archive: 2020
The One Where Jessica Put Off Reading a Fantastic Book AND DEEPLY REGRETS IT | Review: The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
6:30 AM
The Storm Crow, and by association/creation Kalyn Josephson, officially owns me. I should have never procrastinated reading this stunning, magical and intriguing novel. Someone really needs to strip my rights from me. Immediately.
Estelle Laure's Mayhem had my attention at 'feminist YA', 'beach-gothic' and its comparison to The Craft. (Also, how beautiful is that cover?) I was like, yes, sold, 100%, sign me up. IMMEDIATELY.
archive: 2020
A Delightful Fantasy Inspired by the Princess Bride! | Review: The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
7:00 AM
Sarah Henning had me at the synopsis, the stunning Charlie Bowater (!!) cover art and the fact that The Princess Will Save You was inspired by The Princess Bride. (Also, because it's written by Sarah Henning but I figured that didn't have to be said. It's kind of unspoken, right?)
aiden thomas
Magical and Completely Worthy of All Hype | Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
5:45 PMI was going to wait a little while closer to release date to review this/post my review of this beauty, but in light of J.K. Rowling's never-ending transphobic Twitter account, I bumped my review of Cemetery Boys up. Also, I'm rereading it, because I have absolutely no self-control and Aiden Thomas is a whole ass legend.
archive: 2020
The Absolute Best Series Introduction by Maas | Review: House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
1:25 PM
If you follow Booked J on any social media platform, you already know I'm a MASSIVE fan of SJM's A Court of Thorns and Roses series. (And that I have a lot of mixed, love-hate, feelings on Throne of Glass.) Well, I've got an update for you: House of Earth and Blood is one of her best series introductions to date, and Crescent City is setting itself up to be an new favourite series.
april genevieve tucholke
Another Excellent Spin on the Arthurian Legend | Review: Seven Endless Forests by April Genevieve Tucholke
6:30 AM
April Genevieve Tucholke proves once again that she is a standout voice in YA literature with this gorgeous retelling of the Arthurian Legend. (No, I will never tire of good takes on this legend, okay?)
archive: 2020
Margaret Rogerson Officially Owns Me: This Book Was EVERYTHING | Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
8:00 AM
This. Was. So. Magical. And honesty? Sorcery of Thorns just might be one of my favourite fantasy standalones of all time. Come to think of it, I don't think I've been this smitten with a standalone as such since The Midnight Dance.
The highly anticipated sequel to The Gilded Wolves is months away, but I promise the wait is worth it. The Silvered Serpents is thoroughly captivating and imaginative.































