Top 10 sequels I read in 2018

It may come as no surprise to you that I am pretty bad about reading sequels. But actually in 2018, I did quite well on that front. So much so that talking about all of the sequels I read would be too much. Therefore, here is a top 10 list of sequels I read last year.

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10. Golden Son by Pierce Brown

I started this series in 2018 and got as far as the second book. I put this series off for years and I shouldn’t have, because I ended up really enjoying it. I listened to both of them on audio and I think they work really well as audiobooks. I enjoyed the narration. This series is so action packed and it keeps you constantly on your toes. But anyway, to talk specifically about this book, I felt like it’s not as good as the first one. I think the pacing for it is a bit off, so while there’s still so much going on, it feels slow at times. But it was still a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I fully intend to continue on with this series.

9. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I read Cinder I think in 2015, so quite some time ago and I really enjoyed it. But then I just never continued with the series. I was a little bit worried going into this that I had outgrown the series. I just found myself reaching less for YA and more for adult books recently. So I was a bit worried. But what do you know, I ended up loving it even more than the first book. I like Scarlet more than I like Cinder and I definitely liked the love interest more than the one in Cinder. It was also a lot more fun I feel like. Cinder followed the main story-line of Cinderella very closely, but this kinda took Little Red Riding Hood in an unexpected direction and I really enjoyed that. I think I actually got around to reviewing this, so if you want to read more of my thoughts, check that out.

8. Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

I started this series in 2017 and immediately picked up the second book. However, it took me quite some time to get through this book and not just because it’s massive. I picked it up at a time when I wasn’t really in the mood for it. Despite that, I still really love this series. I loved some of the new characters we were introduced to. There were pirates and cons and friendship and it’s just such a great series guys. I did feel like this particular installment could have been better paced. There was a bit in the middle where it kind of lagged, but overall, a fantastic book. I’ve also reviewed this one, so check that out for more of my thoughts.

7. The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred Year Old Man by Jonas Jonasson

I was not expecting this sequel. I read the first book a couple of years ago and thought it was hilarious. I had no idea there was a sequel coming out, and indeed the author hadn’t planned a sequel. But I was delighted when I walked into a Waterstones one day and saw it. I obviously picked it up and I was not disappointed. Jonas Jonasson is hilarious, his books are so up my alley. The humour is so dry and dark, but also very self aware. And somehow, his books manage to be both super fun and super informative. I just cannot recommend his books enough.

6. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

I started this series in the first half of the year and it’s become one of my favourite. It’s so dark. Joe Abercrombie has no mercy, pulls no punches, and has created a world and characters that are fascinating and a story so gripping that I just want to know what happens next. All of the characters are super flawed. They’re all pretty bad people, but they’re great. I love them all. I’m currently reading the third book in this series and I just can’t wait to see where it goes. I am officially a Joe Abercrombie fan now.

5. Our Dark Duet by V. E. Schwwab

It’s no secret that I absolutely love Victoria Schwab. This series man. In all fairness, I did prefer the first book to the second one, but this was still a fantastic book. I’m not normally a huge fan of urban fantasy, but the world she’s created in this series is awesome and so unique. I loved this book because it expanded on the world and we got to see different cities where the magic was slightly different. I wish it had been expanded even more. I sincerely hope she writes more in this world, maybe with some of the side characters from this series, because there is so much that could be explored and I am here for it. You can check out my review of the series if you want to know more of my thoughts.

4. The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

This is not so much a sequel as it is a companion novella, but I want to talk about it, because it’s such a wonderful, strange little book. Auri is my little precious bean. I can relate to her probably more than to any other character in this series. I love Kvothe, I think he’s a great character, but Auri is precious. I will fight anyone who throws shade on her. This story spoke to me so much, I may have even cried. I put it off for so long because I didn’t want to not have any more Kingkiller books to read. But I finally read it. And it was everything I wanted it to be.

3. Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence

Mark Lawrence is another author I discovered in 2018 and is now one of my favourite authors. I’ve read three of his books this past year, but this series is one of the best fantasy series that I’ve read in a long time. It’s about magical assassin nuns. Just that should tell you a lot. But it’s so dark. And the characters are all flawed. I love Nona, the main character, she is so deeply flawed, but also such a loyal character. And I feel like loyalty and friendship are just not explored enough in books. And I live for that. But aside from the characters, whom I love, the world is so cool and unique; the magic system is fascinating. I just adore this series. I love everything about it and I can’t wait for the next book. Just give it to me already. I also audiobooked this series and the audiobooks are brilliant. I love the narrator.

2. Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

I read both the second and third books in rapid succession and both possibly would have qualified for this list, but I wanted to talk about other series as well. I liked this one more than the second one, so I picked it. This was one of the best finales to a series that I have ever read. Brandon Sanderson is just amazing. I’m 100% here for all of his books after this finale. I was literally in awe at how he pulled all of the little threads together, the foreshadowing alone just blew my mind. I don’t know what I was expecting from the series, but it was not this. It constantly kept me guessing and tricked me and ugh, I cannot explain to you how much I love this series. I have a series review for this so go check that out for more of my thoughts.

1. The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin

I had to give number one to this finale because it was perfect. And it tore my heart out and shredded it to little pieces. I cried guys. I still think about this and all the feels it evoked. I am the least maternal person in the world, but I had such mum feels reading this. It moved me. This whole series is phenomenal: the characters, the world, the story, the writing, just everything. I’ve reviewed the series, I have a spoiler free review and a spoilery rave, so just read those if you want to hear all of my thoughts on the series. But this finale broke me. And I’m still not over it. It’s been like 8 months since I read it. Maybe more. Still not over it.