Better late than pregnant never! Here’s my monthly wrap-up for April 2023. I started slow this year, however, I randomly picked up a book and started binge reading books. Go me!
Books I read: 5
Format: physical and e-book
City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This book took me by surprise! I received this book from a Fairyloot box and thought ‘meh, I might as well read this’. And Oh. My. Goodness. This book took me slapped me on the face and woke me up as it introduced me to a genre I haven’t read much before: ✨Urban Fantasy ✨
𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
✔ Dark grimy city filled with weird, wonderful, terrible things
✔ A cowardly protagonist but a fun cowardly protagonist
✔ Uniquely terrifying concept where your nightmares can become your reality
The Luminaries by Susan Dennard • ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Another book from a subscription box (Illumicrate). This is such a gorgeous copy, and I felt it was a disservice to not read it! After my previous read (City of Nightmares), I was on a hunt for more Urban Fantasy books.
This book has such a unique premise and I was so intrigued by it! Also, I didn’t mind the writing, although a not-so-spoilery note: the synopsis IS the cliff notes of the book. You know, when you’re supposed to read a book for an assignment but you’re too lazy to read, so you look online for the concise yet in-depth summary instead? Yeah, the synopsis is exactly that. The book does not add anything new to the story. And I was frustrated by that! By the end I was hooked and that was it? Give me MORE! BUT! I was hooked and I’m such a sucker for childhood friends to no longer friends and a main character, child of a traitor that has something to prove™
𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
✔ Urban fantasy with monsters
✔ Monster hunters and secret societies
✔ Childhood friends to “enemies” to allies to…?
Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb • ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I’m on a roll with these book boxes! This book was another Fairyloot book, however, this was a fantasy read. To be honest, I can’t really remember much of this book, other than this was a quick read and that this book focused more on the romance than… anything, really. Which, by the way, there are no complaints on my end! Although, some people may feel cheated as this book promises a dark, twisty YA Fantasy with a murder mystery plot. I love a good murder mystery as I don’t like to use my braincells and try figure anything out, as I’m here for a good time, to let my brain rest and not work hard — but I actually guessed everything! Noooo! (AND HOW?)
𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
✔ Murder mystery
✔ Second chance romance
✔ Stabby girl™ and a Softboi™
Only A Monster by Vanessa Len • ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Okay, let’s just get this out of the way: all of my reads this month were from book boxes. (Although, this was an ARC I read — I read this earlier, but hey! The sequel is coming up so I need a refresher).
𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
✔ Star-crossed lovers who are also enemies
✔ time travelling shenanigans
✔ a good ol’ heist™
✔ rival families working together
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh • ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A quick and easy yet atmospheric read with an enchanting world where there is action and adventure as well as mystery and romance.
𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
✔ Stand-alone YA fantasy
✔ Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli) aesthetics
✔ Inspired by Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong”
✔ Magical world, mythical creatures, and fascinating folk lores
Looking back, I feel quite impressed as I read these books in less than a week (a book a day). As I write this post, I realise we are nearing the end of May… that means it’s time to binge read more books! What’s a book you’re reading or recommend?
What’s the last book you read?
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