Monthly Round Up (2)

Monthly round up is a journal where I record my reading progress, reviews, and my favourite books/biggest disappointments of the month.

Reviews:

The Shrunken Head
Rebel of The Sands
Song of Blood and Stone

What I've read this month:

I had a bloody good month of reading, not quantity-wise but quality.

Another DNF this month, but Song of Blood and Stone just wasn't a good fit for me. 

I'm continuing to reread Harry Potter slowly (a chapter per day or less) but I'm pleased with my progress. 

I also read 194 pages of The Steep & Thorny Way by Cat Winters but I totally forgot to include it in this picture because I'm reading it through Adobe Digital Editions, not kindle or physical. (It's weird and hard to read this way but I sacrificed ease and comfort for this book.) It's not bad. Not what I expected from the book, but not bad.

Favourite book:

No. Fricking. Contest.
(Although The Rose Society, ADSOM, and Rebel of The Sands are all very close!!)

Biggest Disappointment:

Started off liking it but my hate of Gemma's bestie made me really dislike the book. I gave up around 400 pages because I wasn't enjoying it... I actually wish it was all 100% Gemma because I don't mind her. But Felicity ... I loathe her. I've read villains who weren't as vile as her.

DNF Review: Song of Blood and Stone

Earthsinger Chronicles: Song of Blood and Stone | L. Penelope

Published by: Heartspell Media, January 13th 2015

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 257

Format: Ebook

Source: Heartspell Media, via Netgalley

Enter an alternate 1920's world of magic and adventure in this gripping, new adult, fantasy romance... 

Orphaned and alone, Jasminda is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her magical abilities are feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive – an injured spy who steals her heart. 

Jack’s mission behind enemy lines nearly cost him his life but he is saved by the healing power of a mysterious young woman. Together they embark on a perilous journey straight into the heart of a centuries-old conflict. 

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation. 

The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

New Adult. Recommended for readers 17+.

I'll be honest and say I didn't finish this book, so maybe all of what I have to say is irrelevant by the end of the book.

Was super excited to read this. NA fantasy! POC! But ... it wasn't entirely what I expected.

First off let me say it's awesome for being racially diverse and brilliantly portrays racial discrimination. That's about all I liked...

What I didn't realise about this book was it was Fantasy Romance, not straight up Fantasy. Instead of the romance, I really just wanted to learn more about the magic and the world - it's apparently an alternate 1920s but it didn't seem so AT ALL. It had a definite feel of high fantasy, so I feel a bit cheated out of my alt 1920s. It definitely had some 20's inspiration but would I have been able to tell it was set on Earth in the 1920s if I hadn't read the blurb? Not even a little.

In points it reminded me of paranormal romance novel, and don't get me wrong, I love PNR - but I have to be in the right mood to read it. And since I expected a fantasy book ... it wasn't what I wanted. This is why I was hesitant to get into new adult. I loved the Descendants series so much because it blended what I love about both adult and YA but didn't sex everything up. Song of Blood and Stone kinda ... did. There were awkward periods of lusting that interrupted what would have been a nice, realistic romance, and there was a sex dream which made me cringe horribly. This really put me off the interesting world and story.

Not to mention this one line that made me put the book down and say "what the fuck???" out loud:

Her smooth skin was a confectioner's delight. His stomach growled. When was the last time he'd eaten?

Not nearly as good as I'd hoped, but if you're looking for a unique and diverse romantic fantasy, definitely give this a shot! (Just adjust your expectations from regular fantasy.)

DNF @ 38%

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4 Series Finales I'm Putting Off

Don't faint but yes - I have actual content for Syntax! When was the last time I didn't just round-up or review??? Has such a time even existed? Who knows. I'm hoping to post one of these type of posts monthly!

I can't be the only person who gets really excited about a last-in-series-book being released, buys it instantly, and then ... realises that if I read that book, the series will be over. I do it SO MUCH that I can literally compile a list - and have! Here are the series I love so much that I can't bear to say goodbye to them.

Altered series

I literally bought Reborn in hardback. And ... neglected it. My love for Nick is 100% to blame. How can there only be one book with Nick left???

Icons series

 I've owned Idols since the release day but Icons is one of my absolute favourites and there's only this one book so ... if I don't read Idols, I can pretend it's not ending, right?

Penryn and The End of Days

Who can say goodbye to Penryn and Raffe? Not me. It's been sat on my shelf since release and will likely be there for several more months.

After The End dulology

I'm so afraid for Miles. With the way After The End ended??? I am not brave enough to read Until The Beginning yet!

I really do need to suck it up and finish these series soon, though. Better that I finish the series than never read the books! Do you do this strange thing too? Are there any series finales you're putting off?

~Saruuh

ARC Review: Rebel of The Sands

Rebel of The Sands: Rebel of The Sands | Alwyn Hamilton

Published by: Faber&Faber, February 4th 2016

Genre: YA, High Fantasy, Retellings, Magic, Djinn

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Faber&Faber, via Netgalley

"Tell me that and we'll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that's how you want your story to go and we'll write it straight across the sand."

Dustwalk is Amani's home. The desert sand is in her bones. But she wants to escape. More than a want. A need. 

Then a foreigner with no name turns up to save her life, and with him the chance to run. But to where? The desert plains are full of danger. Sand and blood are swirling, and the Sultan's enemies are on the rise.

This book makes me !!!!!!!!! out loud.

I knew from 5% that I would love the characters, and I fell SO HARD for them. Jin is swoony and everything I love. Amani is badass and out for her own survival and I identified with her massively. I love that she could shoot a gun but also had softer, feminine aspects that didn't undermine her strength (and she didn't have to be masculine to be strong.) 

I always love a good girl-pretends-to-be-male-to-survive-the-matriarchy story so that was right up my street, and the rest of the plot was perfect (minus the rebels because I'm never 100% into rebellion plots.) Amani made some decisions I totally wouldn't have, which was a bit jarring when I was so into the book I felt like I was her, but I understood why she'd make them.

The romance is too much, it's just everything. I will ship them forever.

Here's a list of other things I loved:

Steam trains
Kinda cowboys
Shootouts
Djinn horses
Sand magic
Siblings!!
Super hot kisses
POC main cast
Unique world
Actually present (and spoken about) sexism
Feminism!

My only gripe is the world. First off, I ADORE it and it's so, so memorable and stands out from many other worlds. But instead of being middle eastern, it's more an american western, cowboy type world, which is ... not great. It takes something middle eastern and westernizes it. BUT that being said the world is what really makes it thoroughly unique compared to book such as The Wrath & The Dawn, The Fire Wish, A Thousand Nights. So good points and bad points.

To sum: READ THE DAMN BOOK.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

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The Shrunken Head (ARC Review)

Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head | Lauren Oliver

Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, September 29th 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical (pretty sure?)

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Harper Collins Children's Books, via Edelweiss

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders 
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities 
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts. 

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich 
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester. 

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

The Shrunken Head is cute and fun and lively, and if you're looking of a lighthearted book with a lot of heart, you need to read it. Not only does it have a cool historical feel, an engaging mystery plot, and a fascinating cast of characters, it's fast paced.

The first thing I liked was the story telling - I love the way it's written. I really felt like I was witnessing a dime museum. I also really like the four main characters, even though I do think it wouldn't have been so difficult to have a main character of colour among the four kids. The way they interacted, and how their relationships built as the book went along felt really authentic. (Plus Sam and Max were total cuties.) The story, too, is exciting - murders and curious objects and one cad of a reporter. I really enjoyed everything.

My only gripe, beside the overly white cast, is the ableism throughout, although that's mostly to be expected with the subject matter (i.e. freak show) and it is time appropriate (to when it's set, not really when it's written.) 

Still, it's pretty darn great and I recommend it.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Monthly Round Up (1)

I'm back, and with a new round up! The last one (Reading Round Up) was weekly, and was in fact MUCH too much work for me with my current writing/work/reading schedule. I just didn't have time to keep it updated and it was being sorely neglected. But this monthly round up is totally manageable, and brings me back to regular scheduled posting! There'll be a round up each month and reviews throughout. I'd also like to get a few discussion posts in every now and then but I'm fairly worried nobody will read them or reply. Let me know what you'd like to see on the blog!

What I've read this month:

I had a bad month for DNFs tbh. Usually I only DNF 1 book but this month I had bad bookish luck. I don't even know what happened with Red Glove - I just wasn't interested anymore.

Favourite book:

It's easily earned a spot among my favourite series.

Biggest Disappointment:

Thought it'd be a cute ghost romance but nah.

Reviews:

Until We Meet Again
Dark Days Club
The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet
Lair of Dreams