My May started off as a great reading and writing month. My schedule got a bit more packed toward the end of the month, so I didn’t finish as strong as I would have liked. I did read 9 books and am partially through another 4.
Here’s how my month shaped up:
- Veins of Magic by Emma Hamm – 3 stars *** (e-book)
- This is the sequel to Heart of the Fae, which I adored. It took me over 4 months to read this one (though that may be because it was an e-book). The storyline just didn’t grab me as much as the first.
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – 4 stars **** (physical)
- I don’t read much Rainbow Rowell, but I tend to enjoy what I do. This book was no exception. I wish I’d had this when I was in college. It is the perfect coming of age/ romance for book nerds everywhere.
- The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins – 4 stars **** (audiobook)
- This was my first ever Wendy Higgins book. To be completely honest, I picked it because it’s narrated by one of my favorite voice actors, Saskia Maarleveld, but I was not disappointed. This is exactly the kind of fantasy romance I crave. Throw in a dark, brooding man with a life-altering secret and a forbidden romance and I’m hooked. The one thing that was weird for me were the circus elements that seemed arbitrary to the story.
- Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim – 4 stars **** (physical)
- This was a surprise love! I got a bit of Mulan and, for some reason, Aladdin. The world building is rich and elaborate and I connected instantly with the MC. Looking forward to the sequel set to release on July 7, 2020.
- Half Wild by Sally Green – 4 stars **** (physical)
- In my opinion, the slowest of the trilogy, but still engaging enough to keep me wanting more. I greatly enjoyed the development of the MC and his continued struggles to navigate a world against him. Though the series deals with Black and White witches, I felt a clear connection to the race issues plaguing the world today.
- The Betrothed by Kiera Cass – 3 stars *** (physical)
- I wanted to love this book, but it left me wanting. The premise is interesting enough, but not developed to the point of success. The overall pacing was rushed, however, this did make for a very exciting read as surprises happened in nearly every chapter. The ending was intriguing enough that I will definitely be reaching for book 2 next year. (Full review available on my reviews tab.)
- Again, But Better by Christine Riccio – 4 stars **** (physical)
- This debut novel by Booktuber PolandbananasBOOKS gave me serious wanderlust. This is another novel I could have used in my college years. While routed firmly in the Chick-Lit category, there is a bit of romance and a splash of fantasy that make this read unique and refreshing. (Full review available on my reviews tab.)
- The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins – 4 stars **** (audiobook)
- This is book 2 of the Eurona duology and I loved it just as much as the first (maybe slightly more since the circus elements were downplayed). The themes of prejudice, duty, and selflessness were ever present. Though I live for the romance in these books, there is plenty of action and adventure.
- Half Lost by Sally Green – 4 stars **** (physical)
- A tremendous conclusion to this debut series. If you are looking for a Slytherin MC, here he is in all his glory. The ending was a bit rushed and dissatisfying, keeping me from rating it 5 stars. Regardless, I still highly recommend this lesser-known Fantasy trilogy.
These are the books that I am currently reading going into June:
- The Price of Safety by Michael C. Bland (physical) – a futuristic sci-fi thriller that questions the rights of personal autonomy in an age of superior government surveillance.
- Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo (e-book) – magic, street gangs, and gangsters… Need I say more?
- Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen (audiobook) – Jensen is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. This sequel to Dark Shores is packed full of political scheming, betrayal, and adventure. The hope for possible romance keeps me hooked as well.
- The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman (physical) – a concise and thorough exploration of common manuscript deficiencies and their remedies as told by a New York City literary agent.
What were your favorite reads of May?