My 5 Star Predictions (2022) – WRAP UP

Last year I made 5 star predictions for the first time. Having seen countless YouTubers do the same and occasionally stumble upon a book that is nothing like they imagined, I was genuinely interested in seeing how good my predictions would be.

1. Shadow and Bone (the first book in The Grisha Trilogy) – Leigh Bardugo

This book follows Alina, a girl whose magical powers may be the only thing that can save her country from darkness. In order to learn how to use them she moves to the court, where she will be trained alongside other magic users. However, the biggest challenge will be deciding who to trust because things there are rarely as they seem.

The best thing about this book was its pacing. It was exciting from start to finish, but somehow there were still moments to breath and take in everything that has happened. With a unique magic system, an interesting look into politics and good worldbuilding on top of that, it completely blew me away.

2. Piranesi – Susanna Clarke

The story of Piranesi is set in a house with infinite rooms filled with thousands of strange statues. The main character spends his time exploring this mysterious place communicating only with one other person. Soon he starts noticing clues hinting towards a huge secret, which will eventually make him rethink everything he has ever known.

Though I expected a bit more from the ending, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. There were some very interesting ideas introduced in it and the mystery keeps the reader engaged.

3. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith

Set in Botswana, it follows a woman who opens a detective agency as she is solving cases for different clients. In the process she goes against con artists, corrupted elite and witch doctors.

My favorite thing about it was the setting. The author shows us that Africa can be both harsh and beautiful at the same time. I also appreciated the discussions about the local culture and the role Westerners had in the region.

The reason this book hasn’t quite worked out for me, however, is the fact that all cases are solved quickly and easily making it feel as if they have never truly been the focus here. It’s almost like the book is meant to provide some insight into the life in Africa and the mysteries serve only as a backdrop.

That said, this is a cozy read and can certainly be enjoyable if you go into it with the right expectations.

4. The Bear and the Nightingale (the first book in The Winternight Trilogy) – Katherine Arden

People in this story live at the very north of the continent where they have formed strong connection with nature. They are protected by ancient spirits of the house, yard and forest which they leave gifts for. However, under the influence of Christianity many started abandoning old believes weakening the spirits. When strange things start happening in her village it is up to the girl named Vasya to use her magical powers and save everyone.

This was a slow book with a killer ending. Taking inspiration from Russian folklore it shows us a world full of magic and mysteries. The prose is stunning, making nature feel alive, almost like a character of its own. The author also discusses many important topics, such as religion and fear.

I was eager to read this book since the moment I heard about it and it did not disappoint. It was one of my favorite reads of the year.

5. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

This book focuses on the lives of four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. It takes the reader from their early childhood during The American Civil War to their later years when they started to settle down. We get to see the main characters struggle with poverty, figuring out what to do in life, dealing with loss and grief.

There are no big events in this book, which allows the author to focus on the small things life is made of. The relationship between the sisters is amazing and so are the friendships in the story. Characters grow and learn just as we do along side them. This is a cozy, wholesome read that still manages to leave an impact.

6. Venus and Aphrodite: a Biography of Desire – Bettany Hughes

This book explores how the idea of a love goddess developed over time – from prehistoric figurines over Greek and Roman representations to her portrayal in the modern time. It features many images of famous sculptures and paintings related to this topic and reflects on the changes in the society around them.

Though short, this book presents a comprehensive look into an idea that captivated us from the early days of human civilization. It contains interesting pieces of information, many of which I was previously unfamiliar with. However, the author does not go into too much details sp the book can be enjoyed even by those who are not experts on the topic.

Considering only one of these books didn’t work out for me as well as I had hoped, my first instinct is to say that I know my reading taste pretty well. However, that could just be because I’m at the beginning of my reading journey, going through the books I was the most excited for. As I continue to read, stepping out of my comfort zone, I may encounter more disappointments so it will be interesting to see how the future predictions will go.