What I've Been Reading Lately {4.28.17}

Wow, for the first time in months, I actually read more young adult novels than adult stories! That's due in part to some awesome re-reads, but still. There were a few surprise hits in my reading this month and a few unexpected disappointments, but all in all, it was fairly good reading. Mostly done outdoors because that's how I do. =)

And without further ado, here's what I've been reading lately...

(More on why I've gone to this format here in lieu of traditional reviews for each.)

Y O U N G   A D U L T

It's Not Me, It's You - I wasn't expecting the interview format, but it worked really well for this story and because there was a full cast audio, which is always a plus. This story was very fluffy and light-hearted as main character Avery strives to see where every one of her relationships went wrong by way of interviewing each of her exes. I couldn't imagine doing that myself, and this could have gone really, really wrong, but all in all it was cute and the perfect way to start off the Monday after Spring Break. It's also entirely predictable...but in an adorable way so I kinda didn't mind.  🌟🌟🌟

The Heartbreakers - This story was actually so much better than I was expecting, which was pretty much a fluffy, frivolous, angsty tale of teenage woe. But this book had substance. It had heart. It's also kind of fluffy and angsty, too, but that made the deeper issues easier to bear. There was just such a sense of camaraderie between the band mates and Stella. The only thing I wasn't completely on board with was the romance because Oliver was so hot and cold and I actually felt Stella had more chemistry with the other band members than with him. Still, I would definitely entertain the idea of reading the sequel, if not to see how that romance plays out, then at least for more of The Heartbreakers. =) 🌟🌟🌟

Strange the Dreamer - A new book from Laini Taylor is always reason to celebrate, but this story was truly magical. Lazlo's back story, the city of Weep, the world of gods and monsters and men -- it all culminated into one impressive story with Taylor's trademark writing style adding an air of dreaminess to the whole thing. It was slow to start and longer than most, but even with that chill-inducing ending, I still wasn't ready for it to be over. Plus, Steve West narrates the audiobook and, honestly, you can never have too much of his voice in your ear. ;0) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Blood Rose Rebellion - Very meh. So much meh. I honestly don't have any other thoughts. Besides wondering how/why I bothered to finish...except that the end was kinda interesting. Not enough to redeem the rest of the book, but it was something. I'd probably only bother with the second book if I had absolutely nothing else to read/listen to. 🌟🌟


Timekeeper - I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Steampunk is not really my jam, though wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff usually is, so I gave it a chance. And it was way less mechanical and way more time is really weird and tied to all things and I was very on board with that. Also, the boy-on-boy kissing. Such a cute romance, if not a little different, what with one being a real boy and one being a clock spirit. But this entire story is really unique and probably a big reason why I enjoyed it so much. Great narrator, as well. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Defy the Stars - I have to admit, as creepy as artificial intelligence is to me, I love reading about it. This is only the second third time I've read about AI becoming sentient and only the second time I've read about it falling for a human. And though that is a big part of the story for Abel -- expanding his programming to the point that he feels like a human -- the romance wasn't the focus. Earth is basically a hostile force in this story, having overtaxed the planet of its resources and trashed it beyond measure -- you know, basically what's happening right now -- and the people of Earth want to invade Genesis. But Noemi has a plan to stop them...without sending a suicide squad to handle business. Of course, things go awry and there's some interstellar space traveling going on, but it was pretty entertaining, as far as YA sci-fi novels go. Not on par with Illuminae but still fun. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Bridge - This story was absolutely adorable. Clever and funny and full of missed opportunities and misconceptions, The Bridge was not what comes to mind when I think of new adult. I was enamored with the characters and the setting, which became a character unto itself, such were the beautiful descriptions of events and places. Honestly, I was just kind of dazzled by the story in general; I've never been to Paris but I almost feel like I have after reading this novel. I still have heart-eyes just thinking about it. I'm so happy to see that there's supposed to be a sequel out this year! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

R E - R E A D S

The Rephaim series - God, I love this series. It makes me with I was a half-angel bastard so I could travel the world in the blink of an eye and kick some ass while doing it. Gaby and Rafa will forever be one of my favorite couples but that whole cast of characters is just phenomenal. I really wish they'd release this series on audio so I could listen to it again and again...and so I could hear the accents. I imagine them while I'm reading, but it's just not the same. At least I can rest easy, knowing there's a new Paula Weston novel on the horizon, even if it's not in the world of the Rephaim. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Listened to this favorite with Katie while we followed along in the book. Jim Dale is KING. Such great narration and I hear it only gets better with each book. And Katie really seems to get into it more this way. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Assassin's Curse - Was in between audio again and saw that they're re-releasing this duology together after the fall of the original publishing house. So, I thought, why not? I'll tell you why not...because I only have the first book on audio and it leaves off on a gigantic cliffhanger. Guess I'll be using one of my Audible credits sooner than planned... 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Cruel Beauty - This novel will always be a favorite. Always. And with all the attention on Beauty and the Beast right now, how could I not give this a re-listen? I've loved Hodge's other books, but her debut will always hold a special place in my heart. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Star-Touched Queen - Re-listened to this one in preparation for A Crown of Wishes. It's a companion novel rather than a true sequel, so it wasn't entirely necessary. And I kind of wish I hadn't because I loved this book so much that I think it lessened my enjoyment of ACoW a bit. :( 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Crown's Game - My friend loves this series, but I only mildly liked this book the first time I read it. So, I thought I'd give it a second chance before the sequel releases. And I think I did like it more this time, but I still feel like it's a lesser version of The Night Circus. 🌟🌟🌟


The Raven Cycle - I've been on a roll re-reading favorite series lately. And right as I was finishing this one up, there's news that it's been optioned for TV. I hope they do it justice. These characters are so vibrant and full of life...casting the wrong actors could ruin everything. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Torched - For some reason, I kept thinking about this book. I read it like five years ago, but I remembered really liking it, and as I was between reads, I decided to read it again. Except my old copy was on my Nook, which I no longer have. So, I ended up spending $3 and buying it again for my Kindle. Worth it. So cute and funny and swoony and hawt. But with a title like Torched, it had better be, right? ;0)  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hunted - You ever just love a book so much when you read it that you want to read it again almost immediately? But maybe you don't have time to do that so you listen to the audiobook and love it just as much? That's this book. This is among my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings and I don't see that changing. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A Court of Thorns and Roses & A Court of Mist and Fury - Necessary prep before A Court of Wings and Ruin. The re-read of ACOTAR wasn't really necessary, but I was not going to read ACOWAR without re-reading all of the Rhys goodness in ACOMAF first. :D 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A D U L T

Assassin's Apprentice - Well, that was fairly depressing. I'm certain future books will be great, and I'll get to them eventually, but I need a palate cleanser after that. For a story about a bastard-born royal apprentice, it sure did seem like Fitz had his share of enemies and those that would kill him. This first book was really long - even on audio - and really drawn-out but it reminded me of Alanna in some ways, and I ended up loving the later books in that series, so I fully intend to pick this one back up. Just not today. The threads of a great story are there, though. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Devil in Spring - I'm not caught up on the Wallflowers series, and I only read Devil in Winter because I knew this book featured the son of that infamous couple. And maybe I shouldn't have because I preferred the parents' crazy road to wedded bliss a bit more than Gabriel's and Pandora's. But not overly much. I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because things were just too easy for them. I enjoy this series immensely, though, and I'm happy to hear that there are three more books in the works, especially considering that big ole hint that was dropped in this novel. :) 🌟🌟🌟🌟


Tairen Soul - I saw someone - whose reviews I follow and trust on GR - RE-reading this series at a considerable pace, and since I loved the only other book I've read by C. L. Wilson ([book:The Winter King|10485751]), I thought I'd give this series a go. When I heard the not-so-great narrator for the first book, I almost gave up. But the story soon sucked me in and when a story is this good, I can forgive it a multitude of things, including a narrator that's all wrong. Featuring fae magic, a fated love, and a shifter king, this series seems made for me. You've got the supreme but tender alpha, the heroine who doesn't know who she is or what she was born to do, and a cadre of fae soldiers hell-bent on protecting them both. And the dark magic element is equally intriguing. 🌟🌟🌟🌟




Have you read any of these? What did you think? Find any new titles to check out? ;0)

Until next time! Happy reading!