Perrin is back, and his wife is awful to him and I wish he had someone nicer. He deserves better. Also, what is potentially an unpopular opinion: Nynaeve is the worst character, and she's definitely a republican. Everyone else has made some growth, even if very small, except for Nynaeve. I'm so tired of any of her sections. If I had a physical book, I would skim her sections. She does not deserve Lan. 7/10

This one didn‘t hit it for me. It was good, don‘t get me wrong. But it wasn‘t my favorite one. The number of instances in which women “sniff” when they have any sort of emotion— did I miss something? Should I be sniffing more? Or Nynaeve tugging on her braid? I liked Mat being in this more, but I missed Perrin— he‘s still the best. 7.5/10

Catching up on all my book reviews— bear with me.
I LOVE the Aiel, I LOVE Aviendha, I love the wise ones… I loved this book. This might be my second favorite of the series so far (how can you not love the first one the most? It‘s the start of the adventure!) Rand is getting more and more angsty, and I‘m tired of everyone dumping on Moiraine, but that‘s nothing new. 9/10

The weirdest of the whole series, by far, but I love Cade, so it was worth it. There‘s some time travel sh*t to the Industrial Revolution era, Karigan gets a new beau, and then, surprise, she time travels some more. 7/10
(Read in January of this year but forgot to post 🙃)

Going back through my books to write up my finalized list, and I guess I missed this one. Reading back through the description because I had no memory of it whatsoever— turns out that I read it, but it was not noteworthy enough! I remember some of it now, and I didn‘t dislike it, but I didn‘t like it enough to read the next book in the series. So, maybe 6.5/10 I guess?

Not the best book in the series, but I do appreciate Blackveil— its mysteries, monsters, and chaos. I love Yates. so I‘m glad we got some more time with him this book. The whole thing with King Zachary is a bit weird, but politics are always that way I guess. Definitely keep reading if you‘ve made it this far— it gets better again as we go along. 7/10

Best book of the series so far! Not a lot of Rand in it, but I was okay with it because he was also starting to annoy me. Loved that the women got some more “screen time.” My main favorite character is Verin (obviously), but I still love Perrin. I can‘t get over how much some people keep hating/distrusting others that have done nothing but help them (lookin at you, Nynaeve RE: Moiraine). Hopefully people continue to get smarter! 9.5/10

My partner and I went on a roadtrip this month, so we had to pick out a book. We never like the same books— ever. But he picked this out, and we both ended up liking it. It moves rather slowly; we both decided that it could‘ve been a few hours shorter with no loss of content, but it was still unique and interesting. Girl makes a deal with the devil and then of course has to live with the consequences. 7/10

Liked this book better than the first, I think, which is unusual! It broke off in its own direction, away from some of the similarities I noticed to other fantasy books, and it went far more in-depth for the characters. I love Perrin and am constantly annoyed by Mat. 9/10

Jumping on the bandwagon LATE, I know, but here I am anyway. Had a friend recommend this to me when I was in a reading rut, and it was great because there are so many books!! I read this before watching the show, which is fun— glad to be able to critique the show better lol
Good world building, powerful women, dynamic characters (a little too similar to LOTR maybe??)— what‘s not to like?! 9/10

Very typical— sequels are never better than the first, and this one fell right in line with the rest. Same ole, same ole. Except for I didn‘t realize there was a THIRD BOOK!! Why did none of y‘all tell me?! And it‘s not even out yet! Oh well, it wasn‘t terrible. 5/10

Look, I‘m all for YA, but this was YA to the extreme. Clever plot, fun/interesting mysteries to solve, etc. but the angst was through the roof. I‘m going to read the next one because at this point I just want to know how it ends, but I‘m not happy about it! 😂 6/10

Hahaha this is why I read the reviews first! Mostly just for entertainment.

Picture is of a review on Audible that gives one out of five stars and is titled, “Lipstick on a Pig”.

Just finished this this morning, and now I am sad! I‘ve been in this world for 5 books now, and I can‘t believe it‘s over. I‘ve decided that I really like Mary E. Pearson‘s writing! A good conclusion to this trilogy, and honestly, there was no other way it could end. So it was a little predictable, but also it did what it had to do. Will likely become a series that fits into my regular rotation of rereads! 8/10

The second in the trilogy— I bought more credits in Audible (even though I had credits coming in like 1.5 weeks) because I just couldn‘t wait! This was a little more “she‘s not like other girls,” but it was manageable because at lest it wasn‘t coming from Lia. Love the political back and forth, that the love triangle is all stuck together in a weird situation, how Lia is rising up to her destiny— it was all good! 8/10

Yay! I found more by Mary Pearson, and yes, they are in the same world as the duology I just finished! This one is set before the others, and a little part of me wishes that I had read these first, but it is also fun to hear names I‘m already familiar with, and I know “how it ends” on a very small scale— getting to see their origin stories. 9/10

Finished up the second book so quickly. I loved all of the characters, and I loved how this ended. Some excellent anti-colonizer narratives too. I found more books by this author in what seems to be the same world, so I‘ll definitely be reading those. 9.5/10

Wow, I breezed right through this book. An excellent combination of enemies, lovers, following your heart vs. following duty— lots of action, adventure, love, and shock. It reminded me a bit of “An Ember in the Ashes” meets the “Crown of Midnight” (except this was way better than the latter). Definitely give it a read if you‘re into high fantasy adventure w/ some romance (nothing too raunchy). 9.5/10

Still slowly trudging my way through this series. I was delayed by a very busy work trip, but I‘m back on track and halfway through the fourth book. Again, always happy to come back to this series, and it‘s been such a long time since I‘ve read it that I‘m almost surprised at some of the events taking place! 8/10

I decided I should give this a go since it is spooky season, and it was fine. I was intrigued, and I of course wanted to know how things ended, but there wasn‘t a lot of “mystery” about it— I‘m notoriously bad at predicting, and I got most of this quickly. It wasn‘t too scary or bloody or gory, which is my requirement in a mystery novel, but there were some trigger warnings (see below). 6.5/10

TW: rape, domestic violence, child rape, child abuse…

I have been impatiently waiting for this book to drop, and I consumed it the second it did. I hardly ever enjoy sequels as much, but this was just lovely, as was expected. If you haven‘t read the Thursday Murder Club yet, go back and give it a try, then come read this one too. I know that I‘m biased (because apparently I wish that I was British), but it‘s just so lovely and wholesome and perfect, like the Great British Baking Show in a book! 10/10

You know when you‘re in a reading rut, and you can‘t pick a new one or even decide what sounds interesting? I find that, when I‘m in that rut, I always come back to reading my favorites. This is one of those series. Of course I already know what happens, and of course it‘s not the same as something new, but it‘s comforting— like reconnecting with old friends. Just finished this series again, and success! I‘m out of my rut! 10/10

This is my favorite type of mystery book. A modern Agatha Christie. Not bloody/gory, not too many jump scenes or scary/wild villains, just a mystery about when things go wrong in a group of friend over NYE… and someone ends up dead. 😉 I couldn‘t predict the killer, but I also am notoriously bad at predictions!
8/10 will definitely keep reading this author

I ended up loving this book. What seemed to start off like a slow-paced young relationship in a sleepy town turned into a magical circus adventure in Paris. I liked the idea of where this circus originated (seemed very original to me), and I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the book. I did not guess the twist at the end until about 1 chapter before it was revealed. 9/10

Zooming through it because I preordered the 7th book, and it should be on my doorstep in a couple short weeks! Only got 4 more to get through before it arrives 🥴 Team Alton for life!
10/10

I‘m rereading this series again BECAUSE THE SEVENTH BOOK COMES OUT THIS MONTH. I started this in middle school, y‘all (for reference, I‘m almost 30). It has been a whole-ass commitment to follow along, and you know I have a rule about not starting a series unless all the books are out (probably because of this one)! I‘ve reread it many times because it‘s so comforting and familiar, much like HP. Read it. 10/10

Been in a bit of a reading rut lately, and there‘s nothing that I love more than a book about books. This took that even further as a book about words. A feminist work, it goes through the life of a woman who works on the Oxford dictionary and realizes that the views and understanding of words by women is not captured in it, so she takes matters into her own hand. Loved all the strong female characters, and the authors note was great! 8/10

I tried y‘all, I really did. It took me SO long to read this because I just couldn‘t get into it! My partner (who never reads fiction) got this and loved it, so I read it for him. And his whole family also loved it. And it‘s won a bunch of awards! What‘s wrong with me?! I had a difficult time keeping up with the disjointed writing style, and the author over explained when I didn‘t want it and didn‘t explain enough when I needed it. 5/10

Wow. I always struggle with the books that come later I‘m a series, but this did not disappoint. I still think this series might be one of my favorites to date. It‘s just so original, has likable characters that are still human and flawed, dragons, pirates, talking birds, revolting caste systems— it‘s brilliant. Already preordered the third book that comes out in September! 10/10

My partner and I do not read the same kind of books (because he‘s boring and only likes nonfiction) but we both listened to this together as we moved across the country, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Had modern Agatha Christie vibes! It kept us alert on our drive and interested enough that we finished it too soon and then had to find another book! A good, not all blood and gore mystery book. TW: some suicide talk 9/10

It was okay. Original? Steamy? Adventurous? Kinda.
It was like Twilight but adults. I really liked the premise and the settings, but I was disappointed with how the story moved forward. I also got real tired of certain people *ahem* having to be carried by other certain people *ahem*. My girl doesn‘t even walk by herself for half the book I swear. Some weird toxic masculinity stuff described as “vampire behavior”— overall, just ok. 6/10

Moving from Philly to San Diego this summer, and we‘re out West this week to try to figure out some housing. What better way to get to know my new city than by finding good places to read. 📚📚

Finished this book pretty quickly just so I could be done with it. There was no other way it could possibly end, and it followed a very predictable plot line throughout. Wish they were making a show about the Six of Crows instead, but oh well.
I‘d compare this to a more angsty/annoying Red Queen series. 6/10

You have your power for two seconds and now you can‘t possibly live without it and will actively cause harm to those around you to keep it and gain more?! Okay, cool, Alina, real mature. Idk, she is just so annoying to me— I have not been able to truly empathize with her at all. STOP CALLING TO HIM. JUST STOP. You barely know this guy, babe, and he‘s a million years older than you. Let it go. 6/10

I put off reading this for a while because I loved her Six of Crows books so much, and I feared this wouldn‘t compete. I gave in since they‘re making a show out of it, but I was right. Creative world building? Absolutely. But the characters just weren‘t anywhere as dynamic as her other books- Alina is just attention seeking and makes dumb decisions. There wouldn‘t be a plot without her making so many mistakes. I‘ll still read the next ones. 7/10

Wow, such a creative and exciting book. Pirates meet dragons, complete with non-binary characters, female leaders, and sea shanties. I absolutely adored the main characters, and I will die for the gullaime. So glad I brought the second book with me (what else have I got to do in the surgical waiting area while my partner gets his kidney stones blasted?!) 10/10

Trigger warning: suicide
I liked this book, but that‘s where it ends for me. It was fine. It ended just as it should, but it was entirely predictable (and that‘s saying something for me because I‘m TERRIBLE at predicting) because there was no other way for the book to end. Very linear. The main character was also a bit whiny (NOT about mental health, just seemed picky 🤷🏼‍♀️). Glad I read it, but again, it was “good”. Didn‘t blow me away. 7/10

By far one of my favorite reads for a long time. Absolutely brilliant. The characters were perfectly imperfect. It kept me guessing all the way through, with lots of red herrings. Just read it. Stop what you‘re doing and read it. I was sad to finish it (but happy to learn there‘s a second on the way!)!
The audiobook narrator was perfect, and there was Q&A with the author that gave lovely insight into the making of this world. 10/10

Excellent novel to bring me out of my reading rut. Essentially it‘s just about a bunch of women sewing on a sea voyage, but the author was clever enough to make even that story compelling, weaving back stories, interpersonal conflict, etc. throughout. Would definitely recommend! 8/10

Love me some Malcolm Gladwell. Been listening to his podcast, Revisionist History, so I finally had to branch out to one of his books. It was very well researched and interesting— classic Gladwell. Fairly short read considering I usually read fantasy books the size of my head, so give it a try! 7/10

Very good ending to this series. There honestly was no other way the author could end it. Is this how I wanted it to end? Definitely not, but he had no choice. Everything was wrapped up beautifully. (Also finished this ages ago and forgot to submit my review!) 7/10

Looking for some recs!
My true love is fantasy, but I need a break from it. Just for a minute. Looking for fiction recs- nothing too sexy, nothing too scary, and nothing too heavy (emotionally). Just a good run of the mill fiction book. Some I‘ve enjoyed recently: Where the Crawdads Sing, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Girl on the Train, Little Fires Everywhere...
Whatcha got for me, Litsy fam? I trust your recs more than others! 😂

Okay, y‘all, this was much raunchier than I was anticipating. Why?? I don‘t know— it‘s a low key vampires/werewolves plot, and those always have sexual undertones. But I was naive and didn‘t prepare myself. Plot was good, characters are for the most part good, but a decent amount of explicit sex scenes. Pretty YA-angsty, which is fine if that‘s what you‘re into! Probably won‘t be reading the rest of the series, but glad I read this. 5.5/10

Y‘all got a depression read? You know, when you can feel yourself getting lower, so you reread the whole thing? I just finished the Red Queen series again, and now I‘m sliding back into my OG depression read- HP! (Also f JK Rowling- I‘m still reading these books but not supporting her in anyway because trans lives matter!)

Didn‘t love it as much as the first one (naturally), but still good. Vin felt a bit whiny to me, and her struggle to find that sweet spot between street urchin and noble woman just didn‘t seem as important to me as other things going on. Obviously, still brilliantly written. The world building is literally out of this world (get it?!). 7/10

I avoided this series for so long. I had to wait until I was ready for A LOT of world building. And there definitely was. But once I got through the slow beginning, I came to love the characters, and it really is a brilliant world Sanderson created. Will definitely be reading the next one. 8/10

I impatiently waited for this book to come out this month, but once it did, I didn‘t remember the first three well enough, so I had to reread the whole series. Back-to-back, this was a great wrap up to all the storylines. Elias was always my favorite, so I was happy to see him get an ending he deserved. 10/10 will read this series again and again!

I wanted to LOVE this book. I really did. I‘m ending it feeling good about it— that‘s it. I will describe this as a gothic Agatha Christie, but a bit more confusing. There were a lot of good twists and turns, but it was difficult to follow all of the story lines. Listening to it was helpful because the narrator tried to add different voices. 7.5/10

The suffragist movement & witches. I mean, come on. I appreciated that this book dove into difficult topics: race as it related to voting, LGBTQ characters/relationships, etc. This book was clever and beautiful, but it‘s not going to be so engrossing that you‘re on the edge of your seat. Not action packed, but the premise itself was brilliant. 7/10

Halloween- perfect time to finish a book full of witches, werewolves, mermaids...Good follow up, but not as good as the first one. Not really a spoiler, because it happens throughout the book, but I didn‘t quite get everyone being so concerned about Lou and her impulsiveness. She was like that in the first book! She didn‘t seem that different from before until the very end. Everyone was so stressed about her, but that‘s who she‘s always been! 7/10