TTT #149 – Popular Books That Lived Up to the Hype (for Me)

‘Extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion’

The above is the meaning for the word hype. Hype is something we often use when it comes to certain books. Most often in the question: ‘Wil this book live up to the hype?’  It is something we often wonder about. A reason why we might put of reading a book. What if it isn’t as good as others say it is? What if I won’t love it as much as everyone else?

I have fallen in the trap of putting of reading a book because of the hype. Some books just get so much attention that it is hard not to know about them. Even this year I think Furyborn was one of those books that received so much hype. Some, like me, were already able to read the book at the end of last year. And ever since then the book kept coming up every month until its release in May. That month the hype seemed to explode. To be honest, I’m glad I got to read it before all the hype hit off. There weren’t any high expectations and I could go in with an open mind.

On the other hand, reading a book with a lot of hype and you end up loving it, can also be very rewarding. There are certainly going to be plenty of people to share your love with.

Below you will find nine books or series that lived up to the hype for me. I stress for me because this is just a very biased kind of thing and without the for me it doesn’t sound quite as biased haha. This prompt was written for top ten tuesday that is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
If there is one young adult duology that has been thoroughly hyped it is for certain this one. And it totally deserves it. I rated both books 5 stars and that rarely happens for me in a series.

The Others by Anne Bishop
Another series that grabbed me and refused to let me go was this one. I completely fell head over heels in love with the characters and world in this one. But I dreaded this one as I only heard amazing things and it was urban fantasy, and that I did not read that much. I’m glad I gave it a chance though.

Uprooted by Naomo Novik

A standalone that has a lot of hype surrounding it is Uprooted for sure. The gorgeous mint green and white cover just added to that. While I can understand why it might not appeal to some it completely wrapped itself around my finger once I finally picked it up. Loved the characters.

 

Farseers Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Robin Hobb is a fantasy author I’ve heard nothing but great things about but I could never get myself to pick up her books. I was scared I wasn’t going to love it. And yet when I did I tore through the Farseers trilogy and now want to read all Realm of Elderlings books. She is a master at character development.

The Gentleman’s Guide of Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Another book that drew a lot of early hype for sure was The Gentleman’s Guide. The title and the promise of a gay relationship in a historical setting just pulled a lot of people right on in. Me included. I am happy to say that it did not dissapoint. Loved every minute of the ride.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This book is one of those that a lot of fantasy lovers have mentioned. I hesitated. I wasn’t initially sure if the setting would be for me and I gave the prologue a chance and found it so confusing. Yet when I pushed through for my buddy read with Alicia from A Kernel of Nonsense I fell in love. This book is worth all the hype for sure. I have since also finished the rest of the trilogy and it is just pretty great over all.

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

One of the more interesting sci-fi novels I have read in recent years. After Illuminae I wasn’t so sure about the hype surrounding this. And while this has an unique format, it is very different from Illuminae, and deserves the same amount of attention for sure.

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Man, this series gained so much hype in such a short amount of time when it just came out. The easy approach, the sci-fi elements in combination with the fairy tale retellings just pulled at a lot of people. Including me. It is certainly worth your time. As the series progresses it gets a lot better too.

Please remember to vote on the poll which book I should read for the Make Me Read It read-a-thon in August here. I’ll be closing the poll on August 1st.