Reading round up (68)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week.

2nd March

I read 83 pages of Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff and I'm loving this. In the last 20 or so pages I've found that Yovanoff magic I adored in The Replacement. Also Truman is veeeeeerry reminiscent of Cole from The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, with his self destructive tendencies. I'm gonna fall hard for him by the end, I can see it.

I also read 10% of Blades of Magic by Terah Edun, bringing me to 35%. It's taking me a while to read it but other than my slow progress, I don't mind it so far. I think I'll end up liking Ezekiel.

3rd March

Finished Smoulder (212 pages read) and the end ruined me. Like full on sobbing. This is a devastating book and induces awful emotions.

I also started Ferals by Jacob Grey (13%), which is fairly interesting so far. I like the crows and the escaped criminals.

4th March

I read 90 pages of Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow, bringing me to page 207. Gotta get my butt in gear and finish this by tomorrow! I'm liking it but I can't connect with the romance and that's dampening my enjoyment somewhat.

5th March

Finished Crow Moon (198 pages) and I'll be honest, I skimmed the last 100 pages. The characters don't do anything for me, even if I liked the magic and setting. I'd love the series to be from Melz POV.

I also read 2% of Blades of Magic and I'm not sure where this is going but sticking with it. That 2% felt like 10% though ... 

As well as this I read 42% of King of Ash and Bone by Melissa Wright because I need something guaranteed to be good to break up my mediocre reads RN.

6th March

Finished King of Ash and Bone and while I enjoyed it and didn't mind the characters, I didn't fall for them like Aern and Emily or Logan and Brianna, and actually some of the transitions between Earth and the dying lands confused the hell out of me. I couldn't see what was happening. Still a pretty awesome paranormal post-apocalyptic and I'd recommend it without question.

I also read a further 23% of Ferals, and I don't love it, but it's interesting.

7th March

I finished Ferals (60% read) and I know I said I liked the crows and escaped criminals but I thought this book would involve MORE than that... :/ I also started Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep (19% read). Fairly intriguing so far, despite the HUGE overload of information at the beginning.

8th March

I read 48% of Cold Burn of Magic, bringing me to 67%, and it's proper growing on me. Sad I won't have much opportunity to read it the next two days since I'm going to London.

Books finished this week: 4
Books DNF'd this week: 0

The Pyramids of London | Andrea K Host

Cold Burn of Magic | Jennifer Estep

Got these two beauties from Netgalley!! Excited to read them, as I've been meaning to read both the author's books for some time!

Smoulder

Crow Moon

Ferals (scheduled for 23rd April)

The Paper Magician

The Winner's Crime

Justice Calling

SARUUH EXPLORES NA: Bound by Prophecy

Blitz: Courtlight and Crown Service series (plus: WIN a Kindle Fire HD 6!)

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The Courtlight Series | Terah Edun

Out now!

The Courtlight Series

When peasant girl Ciardis is chosen for a position at court, she travels across the empire to begin a new life. To survive, she’ll need to master intrigue, befriend a crown prince, and learn to control magical abilities she never knew existed.

I personally love this series! Such a unique tale of magic and friendship. Recommended for all fans of fantasy. Read my reviews of book one and two.

The Crown Service Series | Terah Edun

Out now!

  

The Crown Service Series

As an unstoppable war breaks out between the mages of the Algardis Empire, young Sara Fairchild enlists in the empress’s army to find out exactly what everyone’s trying to hide. But there are secrets on both sides of the battle that will make her question everything…

I'm starting this series really soon, so keep an eye on my blog in February for my reviews!

Purchase both series: 

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Sworn To Transfer (Review)

Courtlight: Sworn to Transfer | Terah Edun

Published: September 17th 2013

Genre: YA, High fantasy

Pages: 255

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns. 

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question. 

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

I really enjoyed this book's predecessor Sworn to Raise: it was a pleasant surprise, a great mix of characters and action and world building, so I was excited to read its sequel. While I didn't enjoy Sworn to Transfer as much as the first book, but there was still a lot to like.

It took me a while to really get into this book, and I read very little at a time as a result. The beginning felt like it was going through the motions, it was slow paced, and confusing at points - I still don't understand what part the Duchess had to play in the overall story, but I do enjoy the drama of it all. The one thing I will say is this: not enough Sebastian. For me the first book hinged on the relationship between Ciardis and Sebastian and while we did get some moments of their friendship in the second book, I craved more.

Sworn To Transfer really picked up for me when Ciardis went into the forest. I actually preferred the kith characters to the human ones in this book, because they were so intriguing and different. I'd like to read more about those in future books. Especially Julius and Alexandra. I'm not sure what the Shadow society or whatever they were called brought to the story either, but I'm guessing they'll be important later.

All in all a great blend of fantasy, mystery, and action. Just not enough Sebastian to please me (there will never be enough of that boy to please me tbh. I love him so.) 

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing Style ★★★☆☆