And welcome back!
I don't even remember what has been happening the last two months. Work has been OK. A bit busy but not bad and generally better than it had been for a long time.
Parenting continues to be challenging and also wonderful. Gabriel is walking pretty well now and using some words. But man, parenting life is hard. Good thing he is the cutest baby around!
The new apartment is pretty great. It is so much nicer and in a better part of town. We go for walks a lot (Gabriel LOVES being outside). We are fairly settled in and I am trying to keep up with chores a bit better than I was at our last place. Just to try to keep it feeling nice and homey.
I read a lot of books in the past two months. I will try to keep my reviews brief.
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
Narrator: Grace Gray
Synopsis/Thoughts: This is the sequel to Heartless Hunter, which I read last year and loved. Rune is now under obligation to serve Cressida Roseblood, a cruel witch and former member of the ruling family. Gideon wants both of them to fall, but his feelings for Rune have put him in a precarious position. Witch sympathizers can be sentenced to death. When Cressida hatches a plan to raise her two sisters from the dead, Rune cuts her losses and runs. She and Gideon team up and try to find the lesser of two evils: a world where witches rule (cruel or not) as they once did, or a world where witches are hunted and killed. I have to admit that, while I did like this book, I didn't love it as much as Heartless Hunter. I thought the first one was so clever. This one definitely had fantastic moments, I just think that it wasn't as good as the first.
3.5 stars out of 5 stars
Where the Library Hides
by Isabel Ibanez
Synopsis/Thoughts: This is the sequel to What the River Knows, which I read last year and really enjoyed. Inez is reeling from the murder of her favorite cousin and her uncle is determined to send her home. The only thing she can think of to secure her future and inheritance is to get married and quickly. Whitford is in a different position, but would benefit from the same arrangement. At first everything seems fine, aside from her uncle's rage. Until Whit makes off with her inheritance. Despite that, they have to band together to bring down Inez's mother. I felt that this book held up to the first one. I enjoyed it and despite the bad things, I generally love Inez and Whit's relationship.
4 stars out of 5 stars
10 Things That Never Happened
by Alexis Hall
Narrator: Will M. Watt
Re-read. I've read this book a lot. I don't want to talk about it.
5 stars out of 5 stars
Nevermoor, Wundersmith, and Hollopox
by Jessica Townsend
Narrator: Gemma Whalen
Re-reads
Overall 5 stars out of 5 stars
The Scorpion Queen
by Mina Fears
Synopsis/Thoughts: This was a recent Owlcrate book and I participated in the read-a-long on their app. Aminata has been disinherited by her family and placed in service to Princess Mariama. The princess's father has created a series of trials that no man can conquer in order to claim the princess's hand in marriage. When Aminata's former fiance and love becomes the next candidate, she and Mariama hatch a plan to make sure he survives. Meanwhile, Aminata is planning to run away with the boy she loves and start a new life together. This book was pretty good, but some parts struck me as very odd. I think it was a decent read, but I didn't love it. I don't think I will read the next book when it comes out.
3 stars out of 5 stars
Illusionary by Zoraida Cordova
Narrator: Frankie Corzo
Synopsis/Thoughts: I loved Incendiary so I had to read the second book. Renata and Prince Castian have teamed up to find a way to kill King Fernando by finding and using the Knife of Memory. On their way, they encounter friends and foes alike, and people who will challenge the way they think and feel. Especially as they seem to find themselves alone in their goals. I don't know if I loved this one quite as much as the first book, but almost. I adore so many of the characters and I was delighted to see Leo again. I really liked the way the characters developed and even changed a bit in this book. I love Ren and Castian. I just really enjoyed these books much more than I expected to.
4.5 stars out of 5 stars
The Pandava Series
by Roshani Chokshi
Narrator: Soneela Nankani
Re-reads
4 to 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
by Patricia Wrede
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Re-reads
4.5 stars out of 5 stars
These Violent Delights
by Chloe Gong
Synopsis/Thoughts: This was an old Owlcrate book that I was trying to knock off my list. It is generally a Romeo and Juliet retelling that takes place in 1920s Shanghai. Juliette Cai is the heir to the infamous Scarlet Gang, one of the ruling gangs in Shanghai. Opposite her is Roma Montagov, prospective heir to the White Flower gang that has gained a lot of power in Shanghai. Juliette and Roma were former friends and even fell in love. But when they were found out, their families forced them apart. But with the rise of communism and a mysterious disease that causes madness and suicide taking over Shanghai, the two team up to get to the bottom of it. I will say that I think I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but a couple of things seriously grossed me out. I don't know that I will read the second one because of that. But there are a few characters that I really really liked and want to see how they end up (namely the people that are closest to Juliette and Roma). So I may read the next one just for that. I think I need to know what happens to Mars and Ben...
3 stars out of 5 stars
The Golden Raven
by Nora Sakavic
Synopsis/Thoughts: The adventures of Jean and Jeremy continue! It was nice to see Jean healing and we finally got more of Jeremy's backstory. And we finally got some Exy and watch Jean adapt to the USC way of playing. Overall a nice read. I feel like there wasn't a strong plot, but I just enjoyed it.
4 stars out of 5 stars
Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts
by Adam Sass
Narrator: Torian Brackett and Adam Sass
Synopsis/Thoughts: Grant is sure that he was cursed to never have a relationship by the wishing rose at his family's vineyard at 13 years old. Now grown up, he returns to the vineyard to help his aunt try to save it. While he is there, he reconnects with Ben, his former crush and best friend. Turns out that maybe Ben was also cursed to not be able to maintain a relationship. But as they work together to save the vineyard, maybe they will find they aren't so cursed after all. This was a nice little story. It was sweet and occasionally funny. I enjoyed Grant's family, especially Aunt Rose.
3 stars out of 5 stars
The Beasts We Bury
by D.L. Taylor
Synopsis/Thoughts: This was a recent Owlcrate book and I participated in the read-a-long on the app. Mancella is her father's prospective heir, set to rule their realm. Only people with magic can rule and Mancella's particular gift is one her father has been fostering for many years. He will stop at nothing and push her limits to get what he wants, even if it isn't what Mancella wants. Silver is a commoner who was hired to infiltrate the palace and ends up befriending Mancella. This book started rough. I cried within the first couple of chapters and there were some hard things that made me not sure I wanted to keep reading. But it was a good story and I really liked Silver and Mance together. I am not sure if I will read the next book or not, but I am leaning towards yes.
4 stars out of 5 stars
Fablehaven and Rise of the Evening Star by
Brandon Mull
Narrator: E.B. Stevens
Re-reads
5 stars out of 5 stars
Favorite book read in March and April: Probably either Illusionary or the Golden Raven (not counting re-reads)
Least favorite book read in March and April: The Scorpion Queen
I have now read 33 books towards my goal of 75 books for the year, putting me ahead of schedule. And I managed to read a few Owlcrate books, too!
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