Recent Reads and Current Reads | Mini Reviews and Notes

My reading has been all over the place lately. It’s not that I haven’t been reading, because I most certainly have, I’ve just been reading oddly. One moment I’m reading a book I’ve been wanting to read for weeks, and the next I’m checking out a random book from the library and deciding to read that one instead, forgetting all about the book I’d been reading before that.

Right now, there are about three books I’ve started and haven’t finished because I just keep jumping over to a completely new book when I’m in the mood for it. All I can say is that at least I’m rarely bored with the books that I’ve read so far!

Here are the books I’ve finished in the last one to two weeks.

Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell | Review to Come

Initial Thoughts: Wow, what a throwback to my freshman year in college. Loved how real the characters felt. Cath is a little boring but relatable. I absolutely ADORE Levi. Hands down, one of the best contemporary YA boyfriends out there. Please, please, please can I have my own Levi?? What a cute romance. Loved the Simon Snow passages. A bit slow, but completely worth it in the end. Not sure I was on board with the ending. Fell a little flat for me. Also, did Cath finish Carry On before the last Simon Snow book came out? Not sure. Besides those things, this is probably one of my favorite contemporaries!

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Daughter of the Burning City | Amanda Foody | Review to Come

Initial Thoughts: Strong writing, world-building, and character development. Luca was quirky and fun. Sorina had her flaws but I thought she was fairly strong as a protagonist. Could be a bit wishy-washy for me, but at least she admits to it often in the book. The dark and strange atmosphere was executed extremely well. I was surprised by how diverse the cast of characters were, especially in reference to their sexual identities. The mystery was intriguing but turned out anticlimactic by the end. The villains were too quickly disposed of once they were discovered. Also, this book could use a map for reference. Not the perfect book but still very enjoyable.

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House of Furies | Madeleine Roux | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Louisa was smart but had no common sense. She would see phenomenal things and still deny she ever saw them. Mr. Morningside (or the Devil) was highly underutilized. He was suave but not present or intimidating enough. I didn’t understand the relationship between the MC and the male interest, who I knew next to nothing about and could care less for. The secondary characters were interesting but not fleshed out enough, and one of the characters’ backstories and relevance to the plot was a bit hazy. The setting was in much need of more detailing, particularly the gothic house in which all the events took place. The plot wasn’t focused enough and the story crept along fairly slowly. The writing was spot on and the dark atmosphere had been captured well, but overall, more could have been done with the characters and setting to make it much more terrifying and disturbing.

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Red Sister | Mark Lawrence | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2

I FINALLY finished this audiobook. Some notes about my first audiobook experience: The narrator did well; however, I couldn’t really take her voice changes for each character, and as a result, I had a hard time connecting with most of the characters, except Nona, Aura, and Clera (whom I have mixed feelings for). Upon listening to a story rather than reading it, I had a harder time remembering names, places, and other general information. It was a bit more difficult to follow along with Lawrence’s fantastically crafted lore and setting, but I could still notice the excellent world-building going on. My ability to visualize certain places was also not as strong as usual, but I made it through.

In regards to the story itself, Nona was an amazing female protagonist/femme fatale. I wouldn’t want to mess with any of the nuns of Sweet Mercy Convent. I loved the relationships among the girls and Lawrence’s fantastical world was not lacking in diversity. This was a fantastic book with great action, complex characters, diversity and intersectionality, as well as phenomenal writing (one of the best opening scenes and passages I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to/reading). I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the next one!

The Thousandth Floor | Katharine McGee

First Thoughts: I can’t find it in my heart to like ANYBODY in this book. Sooooo much drama and angst. I’m not sure this is my type of book. See, this is why I never got through the Luxe series and never picked up Gossip Girl. I can’t deal with all this hyper-melodrama. I won’t lie and say it’s not interesting. But I’m halfway through and already skimming pages. So, not a good sign?

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Glitter | Arrilynne Pike

First Thoughts: The cover is stunning and the premise is intriguing. I’m only a few pages in, but I’m enjoying it so far. I really hope this one turns out well. Haven’t heard much about it, but it seems like a good concept, so I have some faith.

Last week I’d been in the mood to read Falling Kingdoms, but that didn’t happen. Neither did Dividing Eden. I am truly unsure what I’ll end up reading next. In all honesty, your guess is as good as mine. Here are some possible books I might be reading soon:

Anybody got recommendations out of these??

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That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by!