Man, I am so ready for fall, you guys. Fires in the backyard. Reading in the hammock. Sounds like bliss. I mean, I've been reading, but not the way I usually do. This time last year, I'd already HIT my reading goal for the year, and while I'm still ahead this year according to Goodreads, I'm barely going to reach my goal as it stands. Which isn't a terrible thing considering I've been taking time for family and friends and just my general mental well-being. But I don't like to fail. :(
So, I've mostly been re-reading -- or re-listening, as it were - instead of spending time with new books that I may or may not love. And I simply could not find any new adult novels to love this month, which makes me endlessly sad. So, re-reads and young adult novels it is.
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
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Well, that was a romping good time, if I've ever read one. Monty was, in a word, adorable. But also? He was witty and clever and funny, to boot. The heroes in the historical romance novels I usually read are always so somber and solemn, unless they're rakes, as our dear boy Monty here is. As you can probably guess, rakes are my favorite. Rogues, too. Even better if they're roguish rakes...or rakish rogues. ;) But I digress. This really was such a pleasure to read -- or listen to in my case. And I'm so glad I put off reading it in favor of the audiobook because, egads, was the narrator brilliant!?! The accents. The banter. How each character was just so very much their own person. I've never heard this narrator before, but you'd better believe I'll be seeking out other audio featuring him as narrator. (I might have a teensy tiny crush on him as Monty.) Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's very My Lady Jane...but even better. =D 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Daughter of the Burning City - What a fantastic debut! The imagery was phenomenal; I felt as if I were walking the paths of the Gomorrah Festival, taking in the sights and sounds myself. I almost want to be one of Sorina's illusions so I can experience the magic of the festival and the Menagerie. The characters were so well crafted and so intriguing. And then there's the mystery aspect, which made me feel like I was running in circles half the time. It was confusing and convoluted and half the time I didn't know where Sorina stood with anyone, yet I wouldn't have had it any other way. I was just SO captivated by this story. I think it's a stand-alone (bless!), but I saw a sophomore novel listed on GR and it, too, sounds amazing and compelling and I already can't wait to get my hands on it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Lucky in Love - Ugh, it pains me to say this, but I think I read a different book than everyone else. Honestly, it was a short book but it felt so loooong. Even on audio, thanks to a terrible narrator. If I had rated this based on the first three-quarters, it would have been a lot lower, but the ending redeemed the book somewhat. I usually adore Kasie West novels! And I was positive I'd love this one a million times more than Windfall, which was also a lottery story. In the end, neither really clicked with me. It's just...the romance fell flat, the MC was supposed to be sooo level-headed and then she makes all these air-headed decisions, and it sort of felt like reading Windfall all over again, except from the winner's perspective. Not my favorite Kasie West novel at all. But that's not to say I won't pick up another one of her novels. Because I will. Because I'm kind of trash for Kasie West novels, even if I didn't end up loving this one. 🌟🌟🌟
Secondborn - There is just something about a book by Amy A. Bartol. They're just so fun and entertaining and always leave me wanting more. I loved her KRICKET series and I'm still hoping there's another book forthcoming, but I may have enjoyed this book even more. It was so engaging! I loved the world -- despite being a dystopian, which I kinda swore off for the longest -- and the characters were so intriguing. I can't wait to read more, but in the meantime, I'm definitely going to check out her PREMONITION series. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summer Unscripted - I haven't read all that many "summer-y" books this summer, but I loved Shuffle, Repeat, so I was pretty sure Summer Unscripted was going to be a great read, summer or not. And it totally was. Finally, here's a character who feels exactly how I did in high school: directionless, dispassionate, and unsure of how to change it. Rainie makes a lot of mistakes -- especially where romance and friendship are involved -- but throughout it all, she takes risks and follows her heart and has this fun, quirky journey of self-discovery. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Inescapable - Welp, that's what I get for going back to read an author's first book, I guess. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but as other reviewers have pointed out, it IS very Twilight-esque. And that's not a selling point for me. Yet, I've really enjoyed the author's newer works, especially Secondborn, which just released. So, I thought, reasonably enough, that I'd probably enjoy her backlist. I even wasted my last Hoopla credit on the second book because the start of Inescapable was relatively auspicious. But it's not to be. I can't force myself to listen to more of this love triangle, the constant declarations of love. I'm sure if I'd read this back when I read Twilight, I probably would have liked it. Maybe even really liked it. But I didn't, and so I don't. 🌟
An Enchantment of Ravens - Read this one way earlier in the month and fully intended on writing up a real review -- and I may still -- but for now, I'll leave you with one of my status updates on GR because it should tell you everything you need to know about why I loved this book so hard: "Cocky fae prince who turns into a raven. Sassy portrait artist who KNOWS better than to fall for him. I am SO here for this." 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reign the Earth - I knew I was going to love this one, but wow. It started off a little like The Girl of Fire and Thorns and just got better from there. I also hope to review this one in full later, possibly closer to release, but know that it should definitely be on your radar. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
R E - R E A D S
Daughter of the Pirate King - Just as good the second time around! Or, dare I say, even better on audio? =) It's going to be so hard to wait for the next book. Waaaaahhhh. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Hating Game - Re-reading this book can always get me out of the foulest mood. As soon as I've read it, I immediately want to start reading it again. It's just so flippin' cute! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The Scorpio Races - When in doubt, re-read an old favorite. For the fifteenth time. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Grave Mercy - When you're in the mood for violence and vengeance, you can't beat a book about assassin nuns. =) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Unearthly series - I didn't love this quite as much as I did when I read it years ago, but it's still a great series as a whole. I think I've had my fill of angel-themed stories for a bit, though. =) 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Alex, Approximately - I needed a good, summery read, so when my library uploaded this audio, I snatched it up, despite having read the ARC mere months ago. It was totally worth it, especially since the narrator was good. Made summer ending and school starting seem a little less awful. You can check out my original review here. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Disruption duology - Still pretty effing amazing, even knowing all the twists and turns. There is just something about those Aussies, I swear. Highly recommend. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Seven Realms series - Whenever I'm in a funk or can't figure out what to read/listen to next or all of the above, I turn to this series. It never fails to delight and enthrall. And despite putting off the second book in the spin-off series because of reasons, I think I'm not finally ready to do this thing. Please don't break my heart AGAIN, Cinda Williams Chima.
A D U L T
The Pact - This was my first Karina Halle novel, and, well, I'm not really all that impressed. I've always loved the friends-to-more trope, but I've seen it done better. And with more feeling. The story had its moments, but I just never cared enough about these characters to become fully invested. I will say that the second half was much better than the first, but it was still never a great story. I've heard her other books/series are fantastic, though, so maybe I'll give them a try one day. 🌟🌟🌟
Have you read any of these? What did you think? Find any new titles to check out? ;0)
Until next time! Happy reading!
