The Best Of: ARCs I Received In 2021

I received over 40 ARCs this year, which may not seem like a lot to some people, but it’s huge for me. 2021 was my first full year of receiving review copies and each month got more and more exciting. I went from only getting ARCs through Netgalley to personally receiving them from publishers.

I’m yet to receive a physical review copy as it seems every publicist that emails me is international, but I’m still overjoyed to receive any form of ARC.

Anyway enough of that, onto the best ARCs I have received in 2021.

A Trial of Sorcerers (A Trial of Sorcerers #1) by Elise Kova

A Trial of Sorcerers was my first five-star read of the year and also my first ARC from Elise Kova. I was beyond thrilled when I got picked for one as Elise is a favourite of mine.

I’m really excited to see where this series goes. Eira was such an interesting character and I really enjoyed the development she went through. The story was so gripping from start to finish and honestly I could not put it down.

If you were a fan of the Air Awakens series then you seriously need to check out A Trial of Sorcerers.

Read my review here: Book Review: A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova

Goodreads synopsis: “Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She’s invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn’t even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn’t ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.”

Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1) by Elizabeth Lim

So Spin the Dawn wasn’t published in 2021, however I received an ARC for it this year. I’m entirely sure why ARCs were available, but I’m glad they were.

I loved this book so much that I rated it five stars. Now I can’t say the same about its sequel, but that has nothing to do with this post. Spin the Dawn was so beautifully magical and the description were incredible.

I love reading about clothes in books so this was an absolute delight. If you do have an interest in clothes/fashion, but love action and drama then you will love Spin the Dawn.

Read my review here: Book Review: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Goodreads synopsis: “Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.”

The Boyband Murder Mystery by Ava Eldred

Now, this wasn’t a five-star review, but it came very close. The Boyband Murder Mystery was pure fun. As someone that was a part of a fandom in my teen years I could really relate to the characters.

There was something so nostalgic about this book and it is honestly one that I would read again.

Read my review here: Book Review: The Boyband Murder Mystery by Ava Eldred

Goodreads synopsis: “Harri and her best friends worship Half Light – an internationally famous boyband. When frontman Frankie is arrested on suspicion of murdering his oldest friend Evan, Harri feels like her world’s about to fall apart. But quickly she realises that she – and all the other Half Light superfans out there – know and understand much more about these boys than any detective ever could.

Now she’s rallying a fangirl army to prove Frankie’s innocence – and to show the world that you should never underestimate a teenage girl with a passion…”