all the books I rated 5 stars in 2022 // BEST BOOKS OF 2022 ✨

[@velarothauthor]

Ahh, I'm honored Blood Mercy made it onto your 5 stars list! 😊 🥳💚💚 I hope you enjoy the continuation in February!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🤎🤎

[@m87020]

I don't know if you've read it but The Winner's Curse trilogy by Marie Rutkoski sounds so similar to Blood Mercy in terms of the romantic and political sides balancing really well. I think she was inspired by the Greeks and the Romans, and despite the premise of the romance sounding really dicey, she never cheapens the story by falling into harmful tropes, and both MCs are treated with respect and given time to develop beautifully. If you're looking for a story with very cunning characters, a lot of political intrigue (specially in the 2nd and third books), and a super angsty romance you should give it a read. The second book of the series is my favorite btw though all of them are 5 stars to me.

[@myselfctrl]

The diviners is my ultimate comfort series! I love the characters so much. The friendships, romances, and familial bonds are everything.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

They are so iconic honestly

[@AshtheViking]

I had a calm New Years at home too. I'm not big into Tarot but did a couple readings for the new year and omg- I couldn't have chosen a more perfect, inspiring, and encouraging spread than what the cards laid out so I'm very positive about the year ahead.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahh I love that for you! I hope it's all wonderful for you 🤎

[@AwkwardBookworm]

Ooo the illustrations in the witch book look gorgeous

[@maleahdancer9530]

Whelp! Just added House of Hollow and The Girl from the Other Side to my TBR. Thanks for the recs! 💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Hope you enjoy them!

[@katpablo]

Thanks to your wonderful recommendation I spent my holiday break reading The Diviners. It was the perfect read to escape into. Thank you for this video. So many great selections! I'm ordering The Girl From the Other Side right now! 🖤

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Omg I love that 🥹 I hope you love GFTOS just as much!

[@kathleenbaker2791]

More books in my cart LOL! Thanks for the video! 🦕Happy 2023!!!!!!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Happy new year!

[@ambergold2475]

I finally got my copy of babel after so long, and after your review, I am eager to start it. I have also got Krampus thanks to your recommendation and have started it and so far I am intrigued. I want to say that discovering your channel has gotten me out of my 5-year reading slump, and thank you for these recs, will absolutely be adding all of these to my list. I also didn't realize that "the atlas six" had a sequel so definitely getting that.

[@janet5123]

💚very energetic video! Happy to see you loved so many books that you read. I have Diviners and Secret History on my 2023 TBR as well as Way of Kings and the rest available in that series. Read all 4 of Mistborn Era 2 in December which I enjoyed very much. Hoping your 2023 reading offers you the same quality level or even better! 🎉❄️🥰

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

omg what a fab TBR you have ahead of you! I hope you love them all 🤎

[@kaesinfinitelibrary]

“It’s like reading a fun history book.” LITERALLY THE BEST WAY TO SELL A BOOK TO ME!!! I remember adding master of sorrows to my tbr before you even finished it because of your updates and I forgot how much I want to read it! 💚💚💚

[@corinajurcul5663]

Also loved and read the entire Diviners series this year, though I didn't love the last book as much. Slewfoot was one of my favourites too 😊Some other favourites were the entire Daevabad and Jade saga series, Notes on an execution, A history of wild places, Once there were wolves, Nettle and bone, Spinning silver, Cloud Cuckoo Land and The Winners. Had a great reading year 😊 Have some of yours on my TBR 😁

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

oooh we have some favourites in common so I'll have to check out the ones I haven't read from your list! 🤎

[@corinajurcul5663]

Whatever book you choose, I hope you love 😊A couple of years ago, you inspired me to read fantasy with The Bone Season which I adore, so thank you ❤️. I don't tend to leave comments usually, but I always watch your videos 😊

[@anniejolynn862]

Girl from the other side is so GOOD! I sent my husband so many screenshots of the art. I just absolutely ate them up

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I can already tell it’s going to have my entire heart 🥹

[@kiandrarodgers3436]

My top books this year would have to be Babel, The Stationary Shop, The Boy with a Bird in his Chest, and the entirety of the Tawny Man series. Just blown away by each an every one for different reasons

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

ugh Tawny Man, my heart 🤎

[@margereads1676]

House of Hollow is so good! I'm going to pester you into reading The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher soon, they have very similar vibes!! 💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

👀 well it’s certainly on my shelves waiting for me

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I found five new favourites last year. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri which I think will have some elements you would be intrigued by. Long story short, I got a lot more than was promised and there was so much packed into that book and written in such a lovely and soft way with morally grey characters that is a little less untraditional you could say in terms of morally grey and it really did it for me. I was expecting to love it but I didn't expect it to become a new favourite. Then there is Toil and Trouble, an anthology of women and witchcraft. There were a few stories I didn't like, but I absolutely adored a lot of these stories and it was just so good to read. Then there is The Embalmer by Anne-Renee Caille which follows a daughter taking notes of her father's embalming career and talking about strange and morbid cases he had over the years. Again, I thought this was a weird little novella that I loved. Night Theatre by Vikram Paralkar follows a surgeon at an underfunded clinic. One day a family of dead people walks into his clinic. He has to stitch them up by sun rise or they will all drop dead once more. There was so much detail in this book with the wounds and the surgery that when I found out the writer was a doctor it made complete sense. Lastly, The Waste Land and Other Poems by T.S. Eliot. This was the final book I read of the year and I thought it was just beautifully written and very moving and very much my kind of my poetry. I was thrilled because I was lowkey in a slump that the book I picked up became a new favourite.

[@anateator486]

My most ambitious read was Babel. Also read Krampus and loved it. Bought Slewfoot and House of Hallows! Have you read The Lighthouse Witches. Its really good, takes place in Scotland!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I haven’t but I do own it!

[@carina13077]

Witch museum recommendation!! ✨ If you’re ever down Cornwall way, there is this awesome little Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle (near Tintagel which is also really cool!) 😊

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

👀 well now I need to venture down to Cornwall

[@wilhelmina7]

i also read the diviners in 2022 and it became one of my favorite series! the way the characters interact with each other is so addicting- a dynamic like no other

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

They truly are iconic

[@catsith91]

Love this video. I also read Babel and House of Hollow this year and they were 5 stars for me too 😀 I am really looking forward to read Slewfoot by Brom because I read Krampus in December and I loved it. Happy New Year!🥂🎇

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Aw I’m so glad you love them too! 🤎 happy new year!

[@LAStoriesMrs]

Have been eyeing Hex for an age, definitely getting my hands on this.

[@ladyfox6705]

Great list! I've read Brom's 'Child Thief', so definitely have his other books on my list to get at some point. And heard of The Girl From the Other Side lately and it looks right up my street, so would like the CEs soon XD (damn you, money lol) Have read some of these, but Babel is in amongst my ginormous tbr...I will read it in 2023 I promise XD - I've just recently crawled out from a veeeerrrrrryyyyyy long reading slump (like 3-4 years!!!) & have been slowly getting back into reading (screw you, depression) and looking forward to reading again so lots of catching up to do, plus Manga was what helped me get back into reading since nice and short with images to look at.

[@bookschocaholic]

I picked up Hex on your recommendation!! I also around the same time read Of sorrow and such by Angela Slatter which I would highly recommend as they are similar in feel in a way! ❤

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Going to check this out right now!

[@kaesinfinitelibrary]

Alright time to track down that manga, the tiny child being adopted by a monster trope is so amazing! 💚

[@bookishbedlam]

I like this format rather than a top ten. Thank you for the conversation. I started the year with The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka which is one of the best books I have ever read. Top 1%.7 out of 5.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Thank YOU for watching! I’ll have to check it out, I don’t think I’ve heard of it before!

[@ReadingNymph]

Im hoping to read Atlas Six this year! I loved The Diviners ♡ 🌿💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I will never stop screeching about atlas six aha, I hope you adore it!

[@larascozycorner3678]

Ah I really need to read The Diviners! Been on my tbr for so long😅

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Do itttttt

[@jordanb7796]

💚 My best reads in 2022 were Foster by Claire Keegan (heartbreaking, but gorgeous!), Bewilderment by Richard Powers, and Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Walters. All very different vibes, but I think want binds them all is they're very character-focused (and the writing in all is stunning). I definitely want to give Blood Mercy a try after your review. It's very different to what I usually read, but you made it sound fascinating!

[@angelaroberts7417]

🧤. Great video! Can’t wait to read these!

[@erynnm3045]

Nice reviews. I've found some new books to add to my TBR. :) Thanks!

[@faye9839]

The Promised Neverland series (manga) and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah were my favourites of the year. Definitely going to take your recommendation of The Girl From The Other Side, I’m new to manga and always looking for another one to try 💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Promised Neverland always catches my eye, I need to give it a go!

[@jessicaedwards340]

Babel made me fall back in love with studying my degree I LOVED IT

[@MarianaGarcia-up1zg]

A Compendium of Witches is so beautiful , I need it 💚

[@teonaanton394]

I’ve been quietly following for a while and at some point last year i decided to start reading on your recommendation. Learned the hard way that when you say that you don’t like a book I also won’t like it, regardless of how cool it sounds (library of the dead🙃🤮). So basically our tastes match up almost perfectly. You hyped Babel up so much this year and rightfully so, it ended up being absolutely life changing tor me. I also fell in love with the atlas six (though, i have to say that atlas paradox was a massive disappointment for me. I didn’t really care for the topsy turvy time travel and the writing felt exaggerated). I also read house of hollow on your recommendation and even though it creeped the hell out of me, I decided that part of my aesthetic going forward will be “grey hollow vibes” (so basically otherworldly, weird natural elements, will wooly coats etc). Also major wins for me last year were what moves the dead (i will lay down my life for ms kingfisher) and also her majesty’s royal coven.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahh so many in common! Love the idea of grey hollow vibes aha, I could get on board with that 🙏🏻 it’s so cool to think our reading aligns so much! 🤎

[@0bookhoarder096]

🌳🌲 i need to read this manga cuz I also love the trope of tiny child with huge monster 😂 and i think I'll just leave my latest fave book which i read over christmas called the enchanted sonata, which is a retelling of the nutcracker and was the most whimsical and heartwarming book I've read in a long time - it kinda felt like a disney movie (in the best way) which makes sense as I found out the author also did storyboards for disney! Would recommend as a festive/wintery read cuz it just made me feel all warm inside, plus the descriptions of music were so beautiful that i actually teared up at a few of them

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’ve seen that one around, it looks so magical! I’ll have to eye it up next Christmas because I’m always looking for that vibe around December ✨

[@0bookhoarder096]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction yes definitely a perfect christmas book!

[@OnceUponATimeL]

🌲🍃📗 I first saw Babel in one of your videos and was fascinated by its cover🤍🖤Later on, I read the whole book playing your dark academia&babel playlists on a background - what a delightful time it was! The 1st half of the book is 5-star to me, but the 2nd is just ok... 🫣 Looking forward to reading "Hex"🤩

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

omg I love that, thank you for using the DA videos!

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

My list of 2022 top reads: • The Blade Itself • Before They Are Hanged • Last Argument Of Kings • Red Country ~ all by Joe Abercrombie • Babel by R.F Kuang • The Atlas Six • The Atlas Paradox ~ by Olivie Blake🍏🥬🍐

[@raymondsouthorn1578]

You've sold me on The Diviners. I've ordered a copy.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

aw yay! I hope you love it!

[@eowyn71986]

I also had a very lowkey NYE - it was lovely 😊 Like you, I rarely give out 5 star ratings so I only had 2 5 star reads in 2022 - Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman (i ADORED this. Made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel all the feels) and Caste: Origins of our Discontent (a very informative, well written non-fiction). I am interested to see what I think of Babel whenever I get around to reading it. You are the second person I have seen rave about it. But I read the Poppy War trilogy and those were not really my jam, so I will be curious to see if Babel is more my speed. I did appreciate her writing style in Poppy War books so that gives me hope! And I soooo want to read Master of Sorrows, but for my own sanity I learned not to start reading a series until it is completed. So I am going to wait until at least the first set of 4 is written 😅

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

If any comparison helps, I rated The Poppy War 3 stars in comparison to Babel's 5!

[@eowyn71986]

That is definitely helpful, because I also gave the trilogy 3 stars. I will definitely give Babel a try. 😊 Thanks!!

[@_emily_8900]

"Don't murder people, read about people murdering" one of the best things I've ever heard 🤣 Resonates so well with me as someone who also reads a lot with murder (ie. dark academia and mystery/thriller books) and watches true crime. Love the vibe and energy of this video 🥰🌿🍃🍀🌱

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’m the same with true crime too! We love a morbid story 😂

[@sabrinaburton7158]

Have you picked up The Cloisters by Katy Hays? Girl working in the Met Cloisters looking at the history of the occult in the Rennaisance

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It’s not out in the UK yet! 🤎

[@sabrinaburton7158]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction definitely one I would recommend!

[@sofiesbookishadventures1865]

Babel and The Secret History are also in my top reads of 2022 😊

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

we love a dark academia moment

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I loved The Girl From the Other Side. I struggle with that format typically because I just don't connect with it, but in this case I fell head first into the book and I will love to continue it. I am honestly surprised that I am not seeing more about the atlas paradox, even though I personally didn't enjoy the atlas six. The sequel is nowhere. I am seeing no one talk about this, and I am shocked because even though there were somewhat mixed reviews I still think it was received well. It seemed to me it almost had a quiet release and no hype and it was weird especially with how much I was seeing the atlas six everywhere.

[@confessionofabookdragon]

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin, I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, The Last Apothecary by Sarah Penner, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James, One for All by Lillie Lainoff (a great gender bent retelling of the Three Musketeers), Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston, The Serpent's Curse (The Last Magician #3) (if you love The Diviners then I highly recommend you check out the Last Magician series. If you already haven't) Win Lose Kill Die by Cynthia Murphy, The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke, Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh

[@jordannicole9284]

Really want to get to Hex soon!!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I hope you love it!

[@TarynMeghan]

Can we get a spoiler review or vlog on Blood Mercy by Vela Roth please, long time sub and yet I stay in the shadows lol love your vids xx ❤❤

[@thefoxeshideaway]

Lightlark by Alex Astor, oh my it was sooooo good! A fantasy , action packed book with some magic and romance. So very good! It's probably one you'd enjoy as well. It keeps you guessing!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I've seen a lot of people really hyping that one up!

[@thefoxeshideaway]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction it's worth the hype! Have tons of your recommendations on my TBR for this year as well!

[@andra7481]

💚 adding all of these to my tbr…. 😂

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

As you should 😌

[@maggiemacgirr8238]

I also read and loved House of Hollow this year! :)

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

It's so good!

[@RandiLynnK]

Bad Brain days just need to sit with a mug of tea and listen to you gush about books 💚I think my favorite read of 2022 was Damsel by Elana K. Arnold. It’s a slow, meandering, dark, twisted fairytale with dragons...but don't judge me too harshly if you read it 😂

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I would never judge aha 🤎 hope the bad brain-ing has eased!

[@KristinKravesBooks]

Ah you're making me want to reread The Secret History! 🍏

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

it has quite the pull doesn't it ahaha

[@notelenar]

I was in Mexico during new years and i spent the night in a hotel and i did not go out💚🍸🎄

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ohhh nice! Sounds like a nice chill evening 👌🏻

[@sharonginger2997]

My offer I love it Kerri Maniscalco she is good 😊

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I’m hoping to read KOTW by her this year!

[@sharonginger2997]

Same here

[@BecxReadz]

Hex was so good. I learned about Gielis Duncan from reading it.

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I'm not surprised she's popping up in a few books!

[@goddessnix444]

this is my first video of yours and i think you would like bunny by mona awad and if we were villains by m. l. rio. :)

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Ahhh welcome! I have read and loved both 🥰

[@Jessica-us3gh]

👽💚📗🐦🐊🍀🍏🚃⚓📳⚛

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🤎🤎🤎

[@ScarletClarity]

🐢 Great video!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kourtneyD84]

💚🌲💚🌲💚🌲💚🌲💚🌲

[@rebekahdejmal5908]

💚💚💚

[@CoralTheWitch2023]

❤❤❤

[@Pris247]

🍀

[@anautisticreader2963]

💚✅🍀🌲🌴🐍🐸☘️🌿🍃🥑🌱🐢🦖🐛📚🌳🍉🧤🥝🦎🥗🥦🥒🍏🦜⛳️🥬🚛🧩🐊🐲❎🎍🍈✳️🛶🟩🟢❇️📗🈯️🔰🧌🪀🫒♻️🎋🩲🪲🫑🍐🦚🐉💹🧃🪴🧑‍🎤👒🧪

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Did you find EVERY green emoji? 😂 love it ahaha 💚🍀🌲

[@anautisticreader2963]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction Almost. I love doing this. It’s fun. I left out green ones that I felt weren’t quite green enough. 😂

[@b2ksflyhoney]

💚

[@Sara75277]

🌲

[@beiramilagros622]

💚💚💚📚📖

[@lisag618]

💚💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🤎

[@laughsoharditssilent]

🍏💚😊

[@ReadbyRHF]

💚🌿🌿

[@bonniedoeswhat795]

✅

[@adrienneadelsperger897]

🌿💚📚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🤎

[@lucyrip_pluto7915]

💚🌲🍏

[@msellenandrea]

I give out so many 5 stars, it's like Im afraid they will dry up if not used regularly 🤣

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

You can borrow some of mine, they tend to get rusty

[@msellenandrea]

@@AFrolicThroughFiction And here I was going to try to be a bit more strict this year!

[@tinaellkay23]

🌱🌳🌿🐛

[@smolbookdragon6334]

🌲🌳💚

[@chrissyplanteater2892]

Just got slewfoot 👍🌳🌲🍃🧚🏽🧟‍♀️

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

Good choice! Hope you enjoy! 🤎

[@alicemyles1126]

Sam Lloyd Girls Unite! my favourite fictional man nobody is doing it like him

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I couldn't agree more

[@melissacormier9]

🦎

[@SrtaMiette]

🐉

[@sandyokey7728]

I had 10 or 11 five stars but my favorite read of 2022 hands down was The Secret History 💚📚🧤👒🦆🦖🐊🦚🌲🌱🌿☘️🍀🍄 I know the mushroom isn’t green but it always makes me think of you

[@jessicastamper4312]

[@justynajusty]

Hello! I hope you are doing great! I read and finished the whole manga for The Girl From The Other Side. Book 12 is a short story collection, I'm interested in reading that. It's simple and cute but very interesting and not how I expected it to turn out but in a very good way. 💚👽🐍🍀☘️🌿🍃🍏📗

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

I can’t wait to read more from it! It seems so sweet

[@KatieColson]

Yeah, it might have taken a long time for you to get to the Diviners. BUT you waited long enough to get better covers than the horrendous-ness of the originals 🫢 so it’s kind of a win

[@KatieColson]

Slewfoot!!!!

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

This is VERY true 😂 that’s part of the reason I kept procrastinating I won’t lie, I didn’t know what cover to get after the first book ahaha

[@phenexrose]

💚

[@wendypridmore2005]

🦚

[@bethmetcalf3447]

💚

[@krystin7740]

💚

[@alorainautumn]

💚

[@sorayareadsbooks]

💚

[@AFrolicThroughFiction]

🤎