This will (hopefully) be a series of posts where I go through the Goodreads list of Booktok books and give quick overview what I liked and disliked and why. I am just covering the first 10 books in the list in this post, when part 2 is up, I’ll edit this to link it here (or you can subscribe!).
The rating I’m adding is purely subjective, my preferences generally tend to be that I’ll read pretty much anything but I like romance and fantasy the most, I like spice when it’s right for the book, I love well-written trash and I’m not stuck up about what’s consider ‘good’ literature.
Use the links below to skip to the book you are interested in.
- 1. The Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller – 5/10
- 2. The Cruel Prince -Folk of the Air trilogy – Holly Black – 8/10
- 3. A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas – 8/10
- 4. The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood – 6/10
- 5. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue – V.E.Schwab- 4/10
- 6. Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo – 9/10
- 7. From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L Armentrout – 6/10
- 8. Fourth Wing – The Empyrean – Rebecca Yarros – 8/10
- 9. They Both Die at the End – Adam Silvera – 7/10
- 10. Beach Read – Emily Henry – 8/10
1. The Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller – 5/10
Beautiful story and a twist on Greek Myths, the ending is sad but not as devastating as people on booktok make it out to be. I would consider this a slow paced book that’s very much about the yearning and the vibes.
Read my full review here
2. The Cruel Prince -Folk of the Air trilogy – Holly Black – 8/10
This book gets promoted for its ‘slow burn romance’ the most but the romance is a subplot to the main narrative of the book, which is Jude being a ruthless badass and scheming her way to power in a realm of faeries where she is seen as lesser. I really enjoyed this trilogy, I love a badass heroine whose storyline is not driven by an MMC but if the romance is what drew you to this book, you will be disappointed, this is fantasy novel first, romance second and fade to black spice.
Read my full review here
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas – 8/10
Now, this review is specifically about the series as a whole, as the writing in the first book is, honestly, a bit shit. It is something you have to get through to get to where the story really gets good.
This series is far from perfect, it is romance with fantasy plot as a backdrop and the writing isn’t always that great but it is incredibly read-able. The author is considered problematic by some on Booktok, seriously adored by others, so do your own research.
Personally?Even with it being far from perfect I devoured this series and it reignited a passion for reading. The journeys that the main character’s take is what I needed to read at the time. It’s Fae, it is really unique world building and has properly ‘squee’ kick your feet romance moments.
Read my full review here.
4. The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood – 6/10
I unapologetically enjoy a bit of Ali Hazelwood. Her books are out of the box blueprint romance in style, follows a trope and always has the classic ‘third act miscommunication’ but if you are looking for a cute romance, an easy read, a little bit of smut that comes with a side of plot her books are perfect. This book is fake dating and slow burn, he is the classic tall dark and broody, she is itty bitty and chaotic, it’s cute and fun.
Read my full review here.
5. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue – V.E.Schwab- 4/10
Look, if you enjoy descriptive, meandering plot that’s more about vibes, this would be right for you. The descriptive imagery is beautiful but I honestly wasn’t super gripped by this book. The romance is nice, although I honestly preferred her storyline with the villain in the book (probably says more about me than the book).
Read my full review here.
6. Six of Crows – Leigh Bardugo – 9/10
I fucking love this series! Found family?! Slow burn romance that’s full blown yearning?! Really unique world building and magic system?! YES PLEASE. Genuinely doesn’t get enough hype on booktok to be honest.
Read my review here
7. From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L Armentrout – 6/10
Now trust when I say that there are people who would absolutely scream at me for rating this higher than Addie Larue or Song of Achilles. And you know what? They’d be right too.
This book is fantasy romance trash but the vibes?! The vibes are immaculate. I really enjoyed reading these, even though the plot makes no sense and is getting worse as the series progresses, Poppy’s internal monologue is insufferable upon a re-read and treats the reader like they are a moron by repeating plot points that just occurred, far too much credence is given to the love interest bestowing the profound knowledge of ‘choice’ and autonomy upon Poppy. BUT if you are looking for fantasy smut with a vibe, you will enjoy this series. It does have interesting world building that had a lot of potential until it gets more confusing in later books, the magic system is the same. They aren’t short books so don’t say I didn’t warn you, if you read these, it’s purely for fantasy trash vibes. Also, this is another author some people believe to be problematic, so do your own research.
Read the full review here
8. Fourth Wing – The Empyrean – Rebecca Yarros – 8/10
This is probably one of the more unique fantasy series that’s come out in recent years. It has dragons, unique magic in a magic school, and a scorching enemies to lovers slow burn romance. The second book isn’t as good as the first, you can tell it was written a little faster and certain plot points were introduced just to put obstacles in the way of the romance. They are big books but I did find them an enjoyable read. This author has also been noted as problematic, so again, do some research on that before deciding to read.
Read my full review here.
9. They Both Die at the End – Adam Silvera – 7/10
This book is heartbreaking but in literally the best way. The idea behind it is really clever and unique, it really makes you fall in love with these characters and their romance, and the moment it ends, despite the title, you really aren’t ready for it and it is just rip-out-your-heart sad but in that way only excellent writing can do.
Read my full review here.
10. Beach Read – Emily Henry – 8/10
I love Emily Henry, her books are not too dissimilar from Ali Hazelwood except they have just a little more depth and emotional gut-punching. Beach Read has fantastic enemies to lovers banter vibes, lots of cute moments, nice smut scenes and the characters go on good journey’s.
Read my full review here.
Antonia Bernardin 
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