Check Out Our October Reading Wrap-Up
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OCTOBER
Hey Readers! It’s the end of October, so you know what that means, it’s time for the October reading wrap-up. So let’s dive in and check out what I’ve read and what we’ve thought about all the books we’ve read in the month of October!
October Wrap Up
October Reading Wrap-Up Ratings:
Crown of Midnight:
This was an exceptional sequel. I loved it so much! I’m still processing everything that happened in this book because SO MUCH HAPPENS, and I am loving every moment of it!
Haunting Adeline:
I know that most love the story, and while it was ok, initially I found the story a little weird. He stalks her throughout half the book after he saw her for 2 seconds at her book signing. And the man literally fell in love on the spot. And against her rational skills, she falls in love with him instead of continuing to repel him.
As the story progressed and it turned more into a love story and less creepy I found myself enjoying it. I think under normal circumstances (if he wasn’t cuckoo for cocoa puffs) I would find him appealing.
What I want to focus on is because let’s face it’s the reason I even read the book…the smut
Those scenes were probably some of the greatest that I’ve read except for the gunplay scene. I kept thinking what if it goes off on accident? Please check for triggers.
The story left off on such a cliffhanger that I have to know what happens and am currently listening to the next book.
Hunting Adeline:
This was so much better than the first. This is darker than the first book, and it gave me everything that I wanted and then some. I love the way that this second half cleans up the mess that we were living in in the first half (and it was a mess). I loved Sibby and I am really looking forward to reading Satan’s affair so that I can understand her a little more.
Beneath the Burning Wave:
I generously gave Beneath the Burning Wave two stars, solely because of the concept of the story (I DNF’d this mid-way). The plot of the story follows twins Kaori and Kairi. They are the first twins to survive infancy on the ancient island of Mu.
But ultimately, the story fell flat. It was confusing, with its use of “neo-pronouns” and was really regressive in the way the “experienced” those with penises are allowed to be the Experienced or what are considered to be leaders of the tribe. “Carriers” only focus is to create maymu (children). Cis couples are paired by the Experienced to form couples where at a time before the famine they were chosen in a lottery to “create”, now everyone must create with no exceptions.
You can check out my full review of Beneath the Burning Waves by Jennifer Hayashi Danns.
Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove:
This book had such an intriguing premise but ultimately failed when it came to the execution of the story. No part of the book was fleshed out, which made it so that I couldn’t find myself caring about the characters. They have no depth and are extremely flat. The world-building was lacking as well; Nothing stood out to me, except for the few monsters like the Vytal that have been thrown into the mix.
I would like to say that the magic system was done well but it wasn’t, at all. It made no sense and was never truly explained. Having “Spiritual power” was a big component of the book, but I never got an explanation of what it was or how it worked. There was also the element that certain rituals were used to be rid of certain monsters and the magical bond that Katayani had with people like the queen but it seemed very random at best, just thrown into to mix to help propel the story. I really wish it had a little more structure.
What initially got me into the story was the idea of the plot, it was the most intriguing part of the story and had great potential. But at moments when something epic should have happened, the story just went flat. If the story itself had been stronger then I think the story would have been so good!
Lakesedge:
Violeta was found in the woods with her brother, Arien, and raised by a woman who tortured both of them to kill the shadows and pure darkness growing inside him. The only thing Leta wants is a safe place, for her and Arien to grow up. It is heartbreaking the way she has to continually sacrifice herself in order to take care of him.
When Rowan shows up after seeing Arien in the woods with the shadows, a day of collecting the town’s tithes, Leta is even more afraid of him than her “mother”, because he is presumed to have killed his entire family! And now he wants to take his brother drag into the haunted Lakesedge!
Reluctantly she goes with Rowan and Florence his caretaker to the Lakesedge estate, meeting with the resident alchemist Clover, who has been trying to restore the balance of the haunted lake.
Leta realizes Rowan is not the monster she thinks. He doesn’t have a connection to Lord Under and the inky waters of the haunted lake the way she initially thought. In fact, over time she understands that she may be the key to saving everyone. In fact, she makes a dangerous deal with the Lord Under to do just that, (view spoiler).
It’s great, as the story progresses it gets bleak, and scary but absolutely intriguing all at the same time. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting, ending on a cliffhanger, but it could definitely be considered the end.
I really enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to reading the second book Forestfall– in fact, I just ordered it.
A Dragon in the Rough:
I was truly shocked about how much I loved the story. It was fun, quick-witted, had betrayal, and was full of emotions. The premise and magic system of the novel is unique. Each land has a different ability.
It was such a fun read, it is a chunker at almost 600 pages, but the story is adequately paced. The twists within the story keep you on your toes. You never know what is going to happen. This allows you to submerse yourself into the story, keeping the book exciting all the way through until the last page!
At times Katheryn was way more immature than believable for someone who was an active part of society interacting with other people, and living what most will say is a “normal” life. I can’t wait for the second installment to see where Katheryn goes next!
Check out my full Book Review: A Dragon in the Rough by Christina Gardner post
The Luminaries:
I was really excited to read this book. I was torn when I first started reading this. The first 40% wasn’t really doing it for me to be honest, it was rather meh. The premise of The Luminaries was really interesting. It was a perfect blend of fantasy, and dystopian, with just enough action and pining between Winnie and her ex-best friend Jay. I was very interested in the forest, the Luminaries organization, as well as their arch nemesis organization the Dianas —although we didn’t get much info on them other than they are rivals and go against everything the Luminaries stand for. There also wasn’t a whole lot of time spent on world-building, even though the book is almost 400 pages.
I really would have liked a little more development. Because the world wasn’t fully fleshed out, it lead to more questions, than answers—how were these organizations formed and how do they stay hidden from the rest of the world, etc. In contrast, the descriptions of the nightmares, and how they function were unparalleled, it made the stuff that nightmares— no pun intended, were made of. Besides that, it was just fine, then suddenly when I got a little after that 40% mark I was so much more invested in the story.
The ending took the plot to a place where I wasn’t expecting it to go. I was shaking the last 45 pages and did such a 180 that it initially confused me but not in a way that I thought worse of the book, but in a way that I was intrigued and desperate to continue with the next installment because of the direction that Dennard decided to take this.
Check out my Mid-Month Book Spotlight: The Luminaries post
A Court of Silver Flames:
I am not going to say much about ACOSF but this was my favorite of the series! You really get to understand Nesta, and why she is the way she is. If you don’t like Nesta as a character I say read A Court of Silver Flames, see things from her point of view. I think you will change your mind!
Check out my Secrets to Reading the SJM Universe post!
Credence:
I went into this book blind, not knowing much about it other than the title and that Penelope Douglas is a popular writer. Going into books without expectations is the way to go in order to build your own perspective of the story. I listened to this book on Audible. While I wish the cast was a little more full (male narrator does female voicing along with males voices and vice versa). I thoroughly enjoyed it and would totally recommend going this route. This also is my first reverse harem.
This book won’t be for everyone as while you are reading they often call each other uncle and cousins. This makes it hard to get your head around the fact that they aren’t familially related. Just related because her uncle is her father’s stepbrother. The dynamics between all the characters are enthralling and magnetic. The author gives just enough to draw you into the story’s omitted pieces to help you fill in the blanks and keep you wanting to listen. It was phenomenal
Dark and Shallow Lies:
I enjoyed the story but wanted to love it, it had the potential to be a favorite. Initially what drew me in was the plot of the story. The mystery of Elora’s disappearance is set up perfectly when the story starts. And with so many twists the ending is summed up quite nicely. When you think that the killer will be revealed it goes sike not it 🙂 It is ABSOLUTELY worth the wait. You won’t see it coming!
I listened to this tale on audiobook, and the narrator was okay. The story was adequately paced. It was atmospheric. To hear the howling wind swirling in Grey’s mind was wonderful, and just what I needed at the moment. There were a lot of things missing within the story mainly between the characters. Pieces of the plot would be hinted at. The conversations would have some great angst attached but they were a little too angsty. And not fully flushed out leaving whispers of what should have been. Most if not all the conversations they had should have been explored a little further. With some other unnecessary details being cut out.
Check Out These Posts:
October TBR: What I want to read this month!
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