At the beginning of 2019, I tried to predict which books would be my 5 star reads this year.
Now that we’re nearing the end of the year, I want to go back and see if many (or any) of them turned out to be true.
I love these kinds of “looking back” posts, because it’s interesting to see which books we expect to love and which meet/miss those expectations.
So, settle in friends, and let’s find out if I was right.
King of Scars
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: In progress
What happened: I started this just after it was released in January and then I put it down for months. I was enjoying the story, but the pacing was a little slow, so I decided to come back to it.
And then I kind of didn’t pick it up again for the rest of the year. Whoops.
Hopefully I’ll finish it in early 2020, but in the last few months, I just haven’t felt motivated to dive back in.
On the Come Up
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: Did not read
What happened: I picked up a copy of this a few months after its release, but after hearing mixed reviews, it slid down my priority list.
I still plan to read it (hopefully next year), but I’ll be honest and say I’m not feeling motivated right now.
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: 5 glowing stars
What happened: This book lived up to my expectations and then some. I adored the story, world, and characters, and it ended up being one of my favourites of 2019, as well as one of my new all-time favourites. Thank you Samantha Shannon for this gift.
Wicked Saints
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: Did not read
What happened: I was so keen to pick this up at the beginning of the year, but the more time passed without me getting to it, the less interested I became.
Descendant of the Crane
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: 4 stars
What happened: I received an ARC of this because I was on the street team and although I enjoyed it, it didn’t quite hit that 5-star high. I think part of this was due to the ARC not being finalised, as there were a few gaps in the plot and some dialogue scenes didn’t flow.
We Hunt the Flame
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: On TBR
What happened: I was lucky enough to be sent an ARC of this just before its release, and like the failure I am, I still haven’t read it. For some reason, this one just kept slipping down my TBR, but I’m still hoping to read it before the year is out because it’s on my December TBR.
Sadie
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
What happened: Oh man. This book did not live up to my expectations at all. I didn’t find the plot very exciting, due to the fact that we already know ‘whodunnit’ from the beginning. I read this on audio and the voice acting was amazing, but it was too hyped up for me.
The Dark Vault
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: Did not read
What happened: I had all the best intentions to read this in 2019, and yet somehow. I. still. didn’t. I think it was a combination of trying to stay up-to-date with ARCs and read other new 2019 releases which meant that I just didn’t make this one a priority.
It’s the only V. E. Schwab book I have left to read, too, and although part of me wants to savour it, the other part of me wants to READ IT ASAP.
Pachinko
Prediction: 5 stars
Actual rating: Did not read
What happened: Similar to The Dark Vault, I just wasn’t able to prioritise this book in 2019 because there were other books I needed to read for promotions and blog tours and I just didn’t get to pick it up.
So all in all, only one book that I predicted would be a 5-star read in 2019 turned out to be one.
I also only read 3.5 out of the 9 books on this list (.5 because I’m half way through King of Scars) and didn’t add any predictions for graphic novels.
So for my 2020 list, I need to make sure I add graphic novels, and that I make a greater effort to read all of the books on the list.
What were your 5-star reads of 2019? Did you read any of these books?
coffeeinonehandbookintheother.wordpress.com 
Great post idea. I’m definitely disappointed about Sadie but not really too surprised. It’s on my TBR but I’ve ignored it because I don’t think it will meet expectations. It seems to get some hype but that actually put me off, haha!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you! Yeah, I think I was even more disappointed by it because I’d heard such high praise and it didn’t live up to that (for me personally). The narrators were all really good, but the plot itself was a letdown because there’s not really a whodunnit, and everything felt too slow-moving 😦
Hoohoo 🙂
I absolutely loved Priory as well! It might even be my favourite book of 2019. EIther that or Sorcery of Thorns. Both of those were so amazing and kind of spoke to my very soul, if that makes sense. Wicked Saints and We Hunt The Flame were both 5star reads for me as well ♥
Priory is just on another level! The world, characters, writing – everything about it is stunning! Yes, I loved Sorcery of Thorns too, it was such a fun read. I think I gave it 4.5 stars 😀
I found King of Scars super slow too, hoping the second book picks up the pace
I found the first third slow, but the second two thirds are much better! Only 80 pages to go now 😀
Yeah it definitely picked up!
I’m so pleased I’m not the only one who makes lists of books they’re excited to read in the upcoming year and then doesn’t actually get around to reading half of them!