Tag: 2024

March 2024 Wrap Up

On By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

In March I read five books, most of them for the local book club that I’m apart of. I’m currently catching up on posts for this blog so expect more posts soon.

Books:

This month the first book I read was Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan Mcguire. I reread this for book club and its still one of my favorite books and series overall. I’m glad that I was able to introduce more people to the Wayward Children series.

The next book was Titanic: The Tragic Story of the Ill-Fated Ocean Liner by Rupert Mathews. This is a nonfiction book about the sinking of the Titanic. I read this because I was in the mood for nonfiction but it doesn’t have anything new for Titanic enthusiasts. However it is well written and a fairly easy read.

Tomes, Scones and Crones by Colleen Gleason is a cozy fantasy mystery where Jacqueline inheritsthe Three Tomes Bookshop after her life falls apart. The bookstore often has character from books show up and there is a witch who wants the store. I liked the concept but I didn’t enjoy how Jacquline got to where she is as some choices are taken away from her. This was a book club read and I enjoy being introduced to books and authors that I’ve never heard of.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers is a science fiction book that follows the crew of the Wayfarer ship. This was another reread for book club. I loved the found family and how everyone interacts with each other. The plot is not the focus the characters are and the relationship they have. I love Rosemary’s and Sixis relationship and this is still one of my favorite books.

The last book I read in March was Paaten’s War which is one of the Last Pharoah Chronicles prequels. We follow soldier Paaten who is capatured by the enemy and then sold as a slave. He eventually escapes and meets a Hittite Woman who he falls in love with but is still loyal to Egypt and the Pharoah. This is well written but from a male perspective which is not my favorite for historical fiction.

February 2024 Wrap Up

On By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

In Feburuary I read 8 books and played the Final Fantasy VII Remake Intetmission DLC. I should a posted this way before now but I’m going to catach up.

Books:

The first book I read was Final Fantasy VII: The Kids are Alright A Turks Side Story by Kazushige Nojima which I have a full review posted for. This is set two years after the orginal game and is a prequel to Advent Children and is for fans that want to know every thing. Mostly focused on new characters Evan and Kyrie adn the finding out what is going on in the world and with geostigma. Overall I enjoyed it but would not recomend for those how are not huge fans of Final Fantasy VII.

The next book was The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune which is a young adult fantasy were Linus Bakes works as a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magic Youth. He is sent to a classified ophanage where dangerous children including the anti-Christ live. Story about finding family and your place in it. Cute but I ended up skiming most of it because I found it boring at times.

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire is the fifth bookin the Wayward Children series. It follows Jack who has forced into Jill’s body and comes back to the school to get help in stoping Jill from taking control of the Moors. I love stories with Jack and Jill be I think this is the last book that they will be in as their story feels complet. I haven’t been enjoying the Wayward Children as much but this one I loved. I loved the exploration of the Moors and how it affected those who came with Jack.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Races of Two Pasts by Kazushige Nojima is a FF7R book focused on the backstores of Tifa and Aerith and I have a full review posted. This is book for fans and those who want more information on Tifa and Aerith. As I’ve been playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth its cool seeing the easter eggs that are connected to this book.

The Valley Iris by Lauren Lee Merewether is a historical fiction novella prequel to the Last Pharaoh Chronicles series. We follow Tey who is not being allowed to marry the man she loves and the drama in her family that comes from this. While I enjoyed this story I was hoping that Tey and Woser were not going to be reveled to be related but I loved how Tey was able to me her way in the world.

Wife of Ay by Lauren Lee Merewether is the second prequel novella in the Last Pharaoh Chronicles. We follow Temehu the daughter of Nomarch Paser as she becomes a woman and deals with waht is wxpected of her and how things don’t always happen as you want or expect. I loved Temehu and Ay’s relationship though I wish she told him what was going on. I didn’t like how it ended adn I hope we see more of these characters. Trigger warning for miscarriage/loss of a child.

Demon in the World by Leigh Bardugo is the graphic novel retelling of the short story of the same name. This story gives insight into why the Darkling is the way he is. I loved the artwork.

The last book I read this month was Bride by Ali Hazelwood which is her firtst paranormal romance and I have a full review posted. In this world Vampyre, Humans, adn Werewolfs live in a very tense peace. Misery, the only daughter of a powerful Vampyre council man, and Lowe, the new alpha of the werewolfs agree to marry to try and keep the peace. Overall I loved this book but I don’t think everyone will.

Video Games:

The only game I played this month was Final Fantasy VII Remake Episode Intermission which is the DLC for FF7R focusing on Yuffie and I have a full review posted. I loved it but I’m a huge fan of Final Fantasy VII and have been playing games and reading the books to get ready for Rebirth.

January 2024 Wrap Up

On By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

I’m finally starting to get caught up on posts that should have come out sooner. In January I read five books which most were fantasy.

Books:

First I reread American Gods by Neil Gaiman on audio book for my book club. American Gods follows Shadow after he gets out of prison and ends up working for Mr. Wednesday. Shadow finds out that gods both old and new are real and that there might be a war between them coming. I enjoyed this more this time than the first time I read it and feel like the audio book is the way to go. However, I think I would like the TV show adaptation more (currently I haven’t watched any of it) as to me the story feel like it would be great in a visual medium.

The next books I read were Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas which are the fifth and sixth books in the Throne of Glass series. I feel like most people know about this series and if they are going to like it or not. I will say that Tower of Dawn is a bit of a slog considering where Empire of Storms ended and not immediately continuing with those characters. I’m planning of finishing The Throne of Glass series this year.

Next I read Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom by Gypsy-Rose Blanchard which is a nonfiction book written my Gypsy about her past, present, and hopes for the future. This is not a full memoir but more of a recounting of conversations and writings from Gypsy. This gives insight into her personal feelings and the start of her telling her story on her own terms.

The last book I read in January and have a full review posted of was An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson. This is a Carmilla retelling set at an all girls Catholic college in the 1960s that is a dark academia story with a rivals to lovers romance between Laura and Carmilla. I really enjoyed this an could see many other dark academia and vampire loves enjoying this as well but it does have some dark themes so I would recommend reading the trigger warnings.