Hi all! I hope you’ve all had a good week since I last did one of these, my essay is finally done, my parents came up for my mum’s birthday party on Saturday which was super fun and since I won’t be seeing them again until Christmas, it was nice to get to see them now. This week is my University’s reading week, but since I’m fourth year, I will be spending the week doing more work for essays-the work never ends!
Anyway, as it’s Tuesday, I’ve got another Top Ten Tuesday for you, courtesy of Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Today’s topic is Villains, whatever way you want to twist that and I’m going with Top Ten Villain Books on My TBR. I love a good Villain story, they can be even more entertaining than the hero stories, so naturally there are a fair few of them on my TBR:
- Vengeful-VE Schwab
I couldn’t have a list about Villains without including this book! I really enjoyed Vicious when I read it last month and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Eli and Victor’s story, especially since it sounds as if the women take centre stage in this sequel!
2. Not Even Bones-Rebecca Schaeffer
This book is apparently all kinds of morally dubious, it’s all about monsters and supernatural beings and the main character is willing to do whatever it takes to survive. I’ve heard great things about this one and I cannot wait to read it because it sounds so brilliant and different.
3. Because You Love To Hate Me-Edited by Amerie
This anthology is all about villains, with each short story being centred around a different villain. I’m particularly excited to read VE Schwab and Samantha Shannon’s contributions to this book as they are two of my favourite authors, and I know both write great villains in their own series!
4. You-Caroline Kepnes
I’m super excited for the TV series to come out on Netflix, but I also really want to read the book. It’s so often that the abusive boyfriend is super romanticised in a book, so I’d be interested to read a book where the stalker boyfriend is clearly that, plus if the TV trailer is anything to go by, it looks super dark and intense.
5. The Young Elites-Marie Lu
Honestly, at the moment, I’m feeling very into books with female characters who are unapologetically evil, the idea of women rising up and using their anger is very appealing to me at the moment! I’ve heard kind of mixed things about this book, but I love the idea of a female villain enough to want to at least give it a try.
6. Forest of A Thousand Lanterns-Julie C.Dao
Forest of A Thousand Lanterns is an Asian inspired retelling of the Evil Queen story and it sounds amazing. As seen above, I love stories where the female protagonist is unapologetically evil and this book sounds absolutely perfect for that. The idea of a girl who forgoes love for power? Yup, I could totally be down for that.
7. The Isle of The Lost-Melissa De La Cruz
This book follows the children of some of Disney’s most famous villains, featuring the daughters of Maleficent and the Evil Queen and the sons of Cruella DeVil and Jafar. I’m honestly surprised this isn’t a concept that’s been done more often because I love the idea of following famous villains’ children.
8. HIVE #9-Mark Walden
Honestly, I am not sure that we will ever get a ninth book in the HIVE series, it’s still untitled on Goodreads and the only indicator for a release date is a very vague 2019, but I seriously hope there is another book in this series about a school for budding young villains because it is much fun.
9. Blackhearts-Nicole Castroman
Blackhearts is kind of a villain origin story, depending on whether you consider Blackbeard a villain or not. Blackhearts follows the famous pirate before he ever became so. As I love pirate stories, this is naturally on my TBR, and the fact that Blackbeard is definitely a morally grey character, makes it even better.
10. Our Dark Duet-VE Schwab
VE Schwab is great on the morally complex characters, and her Monsters of Verity series is all about monsters and how both monsters and humans have the capability to be monsters, so the villains in the story aren’t always what you’d expect. I didn’t love the first book in this duology, but I’m super excited for the second book of the duology as I’ve heard it’s a lot better.
What books about villains have you read and loved? Have you read any of mine? Did you enjoy them? Let me know!
Next week’s topic is our annual Halloween/Creepy Freebie, and I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to do for it, I’m kind of running out of ideas that I’ve not already done, but I’ll think about it over the next week and hopefully come up with something good. I don’t know if I’ll have anything else for you guys this week, I am hoping to get a Jo Talks and a Writing Corner post up before the end of the month, but since we only have a week left, that may not happen! I’m also doing a combined September/October TBR wrap up post this month, since I didn’t have time to do separate ones because of my workload. So yeah, a lot to look forward to, but in the meantime, enjoy the rest of your week!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns! The main character made my list of top villains this week, honestly Xifeng is amazing.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
I can’t wait to meet her!
I’m anticipating your review of Our Dark Duet. I’ll only leave it at that. I’m also intrigued by Because You Love To Hate Me. I might check it out.
Okay that has slightly scared me now! Should hopefully be reading it in December. I hope you enjoy it!
I have to read some VE Schwab. I did buy some of her books this summer, I just have to get around to reading it.
Ah you are in for such a treat!
Most of the books I haven’t read yet but they are ones I’m really excited about to read like Vengeful, Not even Bones, the Young Elites, Because you love to hate me and Our dark duet – so excited to read that sequel!
I’m not sure either what to do with next week’s topic, yikes. Maybe I’ll turn it into a tag post or wishlist or whatever. Haven’t found any inspiration yet haha.
Oh I haven’t read any of them either, these are all books still on my TBR. I’m so excited for all of those ones too, they all sound so good.
Yeah, I’ve done three Halloween themed posts for TTT so far and I’m running out of ideas. I might borrow Cait’s Villain tag from this week, or else I’ll just see what everyone else has done!
I’ve heard VE Schwab speak at panels before, and been interested in reading something by her ever since. Wish I’d gotten around to it, she makes her work sound so fascinating.
Oh you should, her books are great!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’m going to read Not Even Bones next and am really excited to dive in.
That’s good to hear, I hope so too! Ooh exciting, let me know what you think of it.
Ooh I’ve not read any of these but I love the sound of Because You Love To Hate Me and The Isle Of The Lost!
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday
I hope you enjoy them if you decide to try them π
I love me a good villain! Vicious was amazing and I canβt wait to dive into Vengeful, so excited. Also most of the books you listed are on my tbr too. Especially Not even Bones! Sounds so good.
Me too! I loved Vicious and am also super excited for Vengeful. Ha ha you have good taste then. Yes it does π
I hope you enjoy Not Even Bones! I loved it!
That’s great to hear, I hope so too!
The Young Elites made my list too. Adelina went nuclear in that book. Good luck with all your essays!
Thank you-I’m going to need it!
Great list! π A bunch of these are on my TBR. I’m especially excited to read the V.E. Schwab books and Not Even Bones.
Thank you! Oh me too, those are definitely high priority on my TBR.
I’ve not read any of these books but I really want to get to Vicious by V.E. Schwab as soon as possible! A book about villains that I love is Renegades by Marissa Meyer – I’m so excited to read Archenemies when it comes out!
Ah it’s so good, I hope you enjoy it. Oh I’ve heard of that one, but I haven’t read it, I’ll have to check it out.
I’ve heard only good things about it so I’m sure I will! I just need to find the time to read it! And if you do end up reading Renegades, I’d love to know what you think!
I’ll let you know if I do decide to read it!
Not Even Bones and YOU are on my TBR too. I wish October was 2 months long so I had more time to read creepy books and be in the mood for them. ~Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books
Ha ha I think a lot of book bloggers feel that way! Luckily I like creepy books all year round, but I definitely understand the problem.
I need to read Our Dark Duet soon too!! I am hoping to get to it before the year is over. Same with Vengeful! I hope you like You by Caroline Kepnes! β€
Me too-I bought it when it came out list year and still haven’t read it. I don’t know if I’ll get to Vengeful before the year is out as it’s pretty big but it’s definitely high priority. Thanks, I hope so too.
I loved reading through your list, I’ve been meaning to get to The Young Elites soon too!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it π
Such a good spin on the topic! I can only think of about two villain origin story so very impressive too! HIVE was so good and funny, although I think there may not be a last one coming from what you said π
Thanks! Yeah I’m uncertain about that, it’s been on my Goodreads for like four years and hasn’t materialised, but I needed another book for my list, so there you go!
Oh wow that’s a long time to remain untitled π€¨π
Yeah it is!
A lovely list! π I enjoyed reading your thoughts.
Thanks!
I really need to get my hands of isle of the lost!
Me too!
Cool list! I’ve heard of some of these, but haven’t read any. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns sounds really interesting though, kind of want to check that out now!
Thanks! Oh you definitely should, it sounds amazing.
Oh, βYouβ is a great choice! That book creeped me out so much. Iβm looking forward to watching the series too. Great list!
Thanks!
I have heard so many amazing things about Vengeful and it is definitely on my TBR now. I just recently listened to the Barnes and Noble podcast with VE Schwab and hearing her talk about the book was so interesting and made me really want to read it.
So have I, I can’t wait to get to it! Yes, I listened to the podcast too, she was really great on it. Have you read the first one Vicious?
No! Iβm excited to read it. I wasnβt the biggest fan of Darker Shade of Magic, so Iβve put off her others.
Ah fair enough. The wonderful thing about her books is that they’re all so different, so if you don’t like one, there’s a chance that one of her other books will be!
I feel like I might just not have been in the right headspace when I read Darker Shade because on paper I should have loved it. I still want to read the 2nd one, and am definitely going to check out her others.
Fair enough, that happens-I’ve given up on quite a few books this year because I’ve not been feeling in the right mood for them. I hope you enjoy the rest of her books!
My daughter and I read The Isle of the Lost together. It had great villains in it!
That’s great to hear-and it’s so lovely that you and your daughter read together!
VE Schwab writes the best villains. Vicious made my list, too! I love those characters.
She really does! Me too π
I haven’t read any of these. I just got Villains from my library, so it’ll be a couple more months before they get Vengeful in, unfortunately. D: But I’m so looking forward to reading it! Forest of A Thousand Lanterns sounds great, too, and I’ll have to check that out. Definitely sounds up my alley.
I mean, I haven’t either, they’re all books on my TBR! Ah well I hope you enjoy it, and Vengeful when you get to it. Yes, it sounds brilliant doesn’t it? Let me know if you like it!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about The Young Elites but I haven’t read it yet. I’ll probably get to it once I’ve finished Wildcard and my Fall TBR list (which I will probably not complete by winter :p).
Forest of A Thousand Lanterns sounds interesting!
So have I, but alas, I also still haven’t read it yet, too many books, too little time! Ha ha story of my life, I never finish my seasonal TBR lists by the start of the next season. It does, doesn’t it?
I am currently reading the sequel to Viscous. So good. You are right, Schwab has some great villans.
She does! I can’t wait to read Vengeful, it will probably have to wait till my Christmas holidays though, I have no time to read right now!
Out Dark Duet is such a complex and heartbreaking sequel. Itβs one of my favourite reads.
Well here’s hoping I enjoy it as much as you did!
I’ve heard good things about Marie’s ‘Legend’ series, but haven’t read it. Though I’m 99% sure I own the first (and maybe second) book, so I have no good reason as to why I haven’t read it.
Thanks so much, as always, for the Finding Wonderland visit, Jo!! π
I haven’t read that one either, though I’ve heard good things about it and about Marie Lu’s writing in general. No problem π
I still need to read these Schwab books!
Hopefully we both enjoy them!
I haven’t read any of the books on your list (shame on me!) but I am familiar with VE Schwab’s morally gray characters from ADSOM. I love how Holland is supposed to be a villain, yet I have all of the feelings about his situation. Vicious is REALLY high on my TBR and I am going to read it after knocking out a few pressing ARCs.
Great list! I will have to check some of them out.
Ha ha neither have I, this is a TBR list! Yes, VE Schwab is the master of the morally grey character. Ah I hope you enjoy it. Thank you π
Great list. I love a good villain too and Schwab’s are my faves.
Thanks! Yes, she does do great ones π
I really need to get Not Even Bones because it sounds amazing.
It does right!