With July over, it’s time to share my reading wrap-up. This past month, I read nine books. I did get diverted from my TBR just a bit since I had so many books I was carrying over from June. It was a bit mixed this month in terms of what I read as well, but I can’t complain because I read some really amazing books as well!
July has been a big catch-up month for me in general, and I think I’m where I need to be now. There’s still a few organizational things I’d like to get done here and there, but I really like the way things are going with my new schedule and work and how creating that balance is really helping in other parts of my life. This whole year has just been slow but steady progress for me in all walks of life, but I’m happy with where I’m going! If there’s any interest I might start sharing other goals I have in these wrap-ups – let me know what you think!
Anyway, here’s everything I read this month. I hope you found some great new books this month too!
April In Stats
Books Read
Pages Read
Average Rating
%
Goodreads Goal Progress
BOOKS BREAKDOWN
- 6 PHYSICAL BOOKS
- 3 E-BOOKS
- 0 AUDIOBOOKS
April In Books
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
A Darker Shade of Magic follows Kell, who has the ability to travel between parallel Londons. She resides in Red London as an ambassador, and services people to show them glimpses of other Londons. When one of these experiences goes awry and Kell discovers a dangerous artifact, Kell must return it to save all of the worlds.
After so many recommendations, I’m so glad I finally started this series! I find I really enjoy the exploration of parallel universes in books and this one was no exception. I’ll definitely be finishing this trilogy soon!
I Quit! By Coonoor Behal
I Quit! is a collection of stories about people who have quit anything from their jobs to aspirations to people in their life. In a society that promotes the opposite, this book looks at the positives of quitting – and how making these difficult decisions lead to better outcomes in the long run.
This book caught my interest on NetGalley for its message and comes to me at a time where I was formerly grappling with that message. The many real stories here were very motivational, and I found that they teach a very important message about quitting that we don’t explore enough!
Skyhunter by Marie Lu
Skyhunter follows Talin who lives in Mara, one of the last free nations in the world following the conquering of several countries by the Karensa Federation. Being forced to flee with her mother, Talin knows the brutality of the Federation and seeks comfort from several other Strikers. But when a prisoner is brought in from the Federation, Talin senses that he may actually be the weapon that can save them.
I’ve also been recommended so much by Marie Lu so I’m so happy to have finally read one of her books! The sequel to this book comes out this year and I definitely look forward to its release.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Maidens follows Mariana Andros, a group therapist who suddenly finds herself on the Cambridge University campus after the death of one of her niece’s closest friends. Mariana is convinced Greek Tragedy Professor Edward Fosca is behind the murder after hearing about The Maidens, a secret society of female students that follow his teachings. When more students in the group are found murdered, Mariana sets off to prove Fosca the murderer – and will risk her life to stop him.
While I enjoyed my reading experience with this book for the most part, it sadly did not work well for me! I found that there was so much character exploration to make this story work better, and I just did not mesh well with the main character’s decision-making.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Legendborn follows sixteen-year-old Bree, who is entering a school residential program at UNC-Chapel Hill after the death of her mother. The campus seems like the perfect escape until she witnesses a magical attack her first night by “Legendborn” students that fight creatures who are feeding on human energies. When a mage attempts – and fails – to wipe Bree’s memory, her own power is unlocked, and she finds herself in the midst of a magical war.
This is another book highly recommended to me that I’m so glad I finally read! I loved how the retelling of King Arthur was explored in this book and loved the amount of detail that went into each character and backstory. The only thing I didn’t like was the romance in this book – but other than that, this was a great book!
Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Witches Steeped in Gold follows Iraya, who spent her life in a cell, and Jazmyne, the Queen’s daughter. They are two enemy witches, but must work together to take down a mutual threat.
This was a highly anticipated book for me, and i just sadly didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped! I found myself really not meshing well with the slower pacing of this book, which is not something that I’d expected when I first picked it up. I liked the overall story and setting of the book, but the other elements I did struggle with a bit.
Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill
Fierce Fairytales is a collection of fairytale retellings. Told in poems, these stories dismantle the cliches and gender stereotypes that are presented in traditional storytelling and provide an all-new reimagining of these tales.
After reading this poetry collection I certainly want to read more of them very soon! I love the twist on fairytales that Gill created as well as the intertwining messages regarding our origins and how to value ourselves. I’m really glad I have a copy of this; this is definitely a collection I’ll be returning to often!
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
A Lesson in Vengeance follows Felicity Morrow, a student at Dalloway School – the school she called home until the death of her girlfriend. After a year off-campus she returns to graduate, inhabiting her old dorm room that is rumored to be haunted by five witches that died mysteriously on the campus grounds. Felicity is determined to leave this world behind and focus on graduating. But when first-year Ellis Hayley requests Felicity’s help researching the Dalloway Five, Felicity can’t say no.
I was so surprised and excited to receive an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and it ended up being so good! Lee’s writing and descriptions are so well done that it manages to set the stage for the twists and turns that his book brings. This is a definite recommend for dark academia fans!
Fire with Fire by Destina Soria
Fire with Fire follows sisters Dani and Eden, who were both born to kill dragons. And despite their differences, there is one thing they both agree on when it comes to dragons – kill or be killed. That is, until Dani forms a rare and magical bond with one, and finds that everything she knew about dragons is wrong. And with Dani lost to the dragons, Eden attemps to save her – both unknowing of the fact that they’re playing with magic more dangerous than they know.
I enjoyed reading this book overall, but I do wish that we got a little more worldbuilding from it! This story definitely centers sisterhood more, so I’d recommend it more for those looking for a character-based fantasy set in our world.
How did your month go this July? What were your favorite reads? Let me know! I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these as well and what your thoughts were!
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I enjoyed Legendborn too. What an interesting tale ❤️
I received The Maidens without requesting it, and haven’t opened it yet. Looks like I will give it away then.
I so need to try Marie Lu, maybe I should start with this one?
I haven’t tried her other books yet but I think this one would be a good start! Although I’ve seen many people start with her other series