I love reading, but unfortunately, I won’t have the time to review every book I read in detail. Otherwise, I’ll never get the chance to read them in the first place. So instead I’m going to do a wrap-up of short reviews every quarter of the books I’ve read.
King’s Cage | Victoria Aveyard
3 Stars
I wanted to love it. The first book I loved, it flowed well, the story kept pace, it was great. The second had second book syndrome, the pacing was awful and it really just set the scene for what was to come. I could except this, it happens a lot. It did mean though that I had high hopes for this book.
This was like the second book – Part 2. Exactly the same issues. If you’re going to string it out longer than a trilogy then you better have a decent story to tell (which I think it true of S Maas which despite being many books in is still fast paced and interesting).
I obviously don’t know how the story will develop, or how long it’s going to go on for but I think this could have been a rather epic trilogy rather than the dull meander it’s turning into.
Someone to Hold | Mary Balogh
5 Stars
Really enjoyed this one, can’t wait until November for the next! It’s turning into a favourite series for me.
Seven Minutes in Heaven | Eloisa James
4 Stars
This is the NINTH book in the series. They have been a little hit and miss for me but this one is very much on the hit list.
Flesh and Bone and Water* | Luiza Sauma
4 Stars
This was a strange one for me. It wasn’t my sort of book at all, BUT, it was so well written, and so interesting, I couldn’t put it down! As others have said it’s a short story but I was left satisfied by it.
Once a Courtesan* | Liana LeFey
4 Stars
A unique and original storyline. I read a lot of fiction similar to this and often it can start to feel very samey. I didn’t get that from this book, it felt very original.
Characters were well thought out and very likeable and I enjoyed it immensely. Why not 5 stars? On little thing niggled me to the point of annoyance. The main character says “Mon Dieu” A LOT, to the point that it’s noticeable and annoying (it’s the SECOND book this month that has done this!). We get it, she’s French, there is no need for the repetition to that extent.
Saying this I will now be reading the first in the series and look forward to there being a third. I now have a new author to follow 🙂
The Curious Tale of Gabrielle* | Zachary Paul Chopchinski
3 Stars
An unexpected and interesting read. A lot shorter than I would usually pick up but having started book 2 I suspect it could have made a single book rather than three singular ones, we shall see.
A positive for the shortness was the pace at which the story moved, never a dull moment and I’m intrigued to read more.
Curiosity and The Hounds of Arawn* | Zachary Paul Chopchinski
2 Stars
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first one :/ Firstly the book is FULL of spelling errors which were rather distracting. It also seemed to lack the direction and the pace of the previous, it jumped about ALOT without any real direction. If this is the first draft then great it’s got great promise. If it’s the final book it really doesn’t do it for me sorry! There is a third installment but I haven’t felt like reading it yet :/
The Bone Witch* | Rin Chupeco
4 Stars
A standout book this season. You can read my full review here.
Devil in Spring | Lisa Kleypas
5 Stars
Lisa Kleypas is the QUEEN of witty conversation. This series has been very entertaining. I really loved the conversation elements and the witty flirting
A Court of Wings and Ruin | Sarah J Maas
4 Stars
I was looking forward to this one for MONTHS and it didn’t disappoint. You can read my full review here.
Beauty of the Beast* | Rachel L. Demeter
4 Stars
An unexpected favourite. You can read my full review here.
So what have you read this month that you’ve really enjoyed? I’d love to hear!
* some books provided FOC in exchange for an honest and fair review
That’s the second iffy review I’ve read of King’s Cage which is a shame as I was loving the series. (I really didn’t mind book 2) Still, I shall persevere. I love Eloisa James – she’s one of my favourite romance writers. And I NEED to read that Beauty and the Beast book. Like, right now…
Author
I always persevere, I get annoyed with myself if I don’t finish a series. Kings Cage was a struggle though. Still if you enjoyed the second one you may love it! I’ve just received a new Julia Quinn book, another fav of mine and very similar to Eloisa James if you’ve not checked her out.
That’s wonderful that you make time to read so much! Inspires me to read more 🙂
You read all of these books this month? Wow! I can barely keep up with blogs 🙂 it sounds like fantasy fiction is your deal. I like historical fiction and suspense myself.
Author
lol I haven’t read as many to date, holiday planning is really taking up a huge amount of my time this month
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I’ve never read these types of books, I’m more of a Nicholas sparks and books similar to his style! However, the beauty and the beast book is something I am definitely interested in, beauty and the beast is my favorite Disney movie!!
Author
I recommend it, nothing like Nicholas sparks obviously but still great!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
My daughter loves to read and I will definitely have to make mention of some these titles to her.
Stumbled upon your blog and I’m loving it! From the layout to the content, the effort is obvious. Loved reading your short reviews and can’t wait to pick some of these up! Cheers.
peachesofmyheart.wordpress.com
Author
well thank you!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I’m an avid reader and read approximately 2 books a week. I am also always on the lookout for new books to read. I like to broaden my interest when it comes genre. Thanks for this list, I’ll have to definitely check out a few of your suggestions.
Author
I’m guilty of sticking to a genre, I really need to break out of my comfort zone at some point but my TBR list never seems to run out as it is!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
Curiosity and The Hounds of Arawn* doesn’t sound like a very good book. Spelling errors? Were they made on purpose or were they just there? I wonder how it got published if it had that many spelling errors (unless of course, they were made as part of the story flow or something.). I am glad that you enjoyed most of the other books though. I really don’t read a lot of fiction, but one book I read recently that I think was good is called “Bullied Kids Speak Out” by Jodee Blanco. It is non-fiction, but I thought it was very insightful and eye-opening.
Author
I wish that were the case but if they were intentional they made no sense, it’s just lazy editting and that’s not really acceptable in a published book
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I’m not much of a book lover but some of these titles sound intriguing. The Bone Witch has really caught my attention, I think i’ll have to give that a bash.
Thanks for the list of book. My goal during summer break is to read more. Will check out one of these books! 🙂
Great suggestions, I love reading too. I have just joined a book club though it is more of an excuse to drink wine
Author
ha! yes, I won’t think I could entertain a book club without wine!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I need to read more books this summer!, I’ll look into these! Thanks for sharing,
Oh my I love that you do book reviews. It helps alot of people that are looking for new content to read.
I feel much better about DNF’ing the second book in the Red Queen series after reading this ?
Author
yes, don’t feel bad, you’ve missed very little!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
These all look like great books but I’m going to my library today to see if I can find a few of them!
These books all look super interesting, I love the mini wrap up, I agree too, if I wrote a huge review of all the books I read I’d never get the chance to read.
Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
My Instagram | Instagram
Author
it’s a shame really, I struggle to decide which to pick to review fully! still, a wrap up is better than nothing right!
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I have a short attention span when it comes to reading so The Curious Tale of Gabrielle sounds perfect for me.
Author
yep, perfect little package 🙂
Hannah @ The Northern Writes | http://www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk
I can’t say I’ve heard of any of these! I’m more of a crime fiction girl myself and just finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – there’s a reason it’s so appreciated!
These books sound awesome, I would LOVE to read the bone witch, that’s right up my ally.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk