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

Smoulder (Review)

Smoulder | Brenna Yovanoff
Also published as The Space Between

Published by: Simon & Schuster UK, January 5th 2012

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mythology (sorta - it's Biblical lore)

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Source: Gift

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be. 

I started this book hoping that Brenna Yovanoff wasn't one of those authors where I only love one of their books. I hoped I loved all of her books as much as The Replacement but feared I wouldn't. I shouldn't have worried.

Smoulder - or The Space Between - is a dark and gritty story of recovery and self-discovery. It explores the lengths people will go to for those they love, even if they don't really know what love is. I loved this book. It had a definite spark of the magic that I found in The Replacement, even if I didn't fall as hard for this book as I did that.

I loved the characters the most - Daphne was naive but brave, and I found her obliviousness and ignorance of earth things pretty cute. But Truman - he reminded me so much of Cole St Clair, one of my favourite characters ever. Truman is self destructive, careless with his life, and utterly broken. He's not quite as sharp around the edges as Cole, and has a definite gentleness, but that only made me love him more. The ending almost killed me. The supporting characters were great too - even Moloch (I naturally hate and suspect Molochs but he managed to gain my trust and affection) and a demon child.

This book is a great mix of contemporary issues and paranormal danger. The magic felt so natural, like it belonged in this world, and the threats were pretty horrifying (poor Obie!) but I was much more invested in Truman's recovery. My precious sunshine child. And don't even get me started on the romance, which was just perfect for these characters. Basically I loved everything about this, and it's only not an absolute favourite because I didn't entirely fall in love with it. It's purely an emotional rating.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Reading round up (44)

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. I am so tired this week.

15th September

Currently reading: Snow Like Ashes | Sara Raasch

Current page/percent: 43%

Read today: 22%

Thoughts: Theron is super hot and cute and alluring and I WANT ONE.

16th September

Currently reading: Snow Like Ashes | Sara Raasch

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 57%

Thoughts: The second half of this book is 100000000 times better than the first. Seriously warmed to Meira by the end and now deem her worthy of being with Theron my precious little cupcake.

17th September

I started The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (171 pages read) because I feel wholly let down by the ending of the Wicked Lovely series and need more fae in my life, and this book is about a changeling. It's pretty alright so far. I like the feel of the book, and how music is a big part of Mackie's life - as it is mine. Mayhem is also creepy and eerie and I'm excited to meet the big bad!

18th September

Currently reading: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Current page/percent: page 242

Read today: 242 pages

Thoughts: This was pretty good at the beginning but now it's AWESOME. I am thoroughly in love with Wolf and I'm breezing through this book.

19th September

I had a hell of a day today. My laptop went down HORRIFICALLY. It took me a whole day to get it back up, and it's right in the four days I cannot possibly lose days. Fingers crossed I can still get my book out on time but it's looking bad. Anyway, with nothing else to do, I read 34% of Trial by Fire which I hated with a passion at first but I'm starting to like it a little now. I also read 17% of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac because Trial By Fire was driving me mad and I needed to break it up. 

Also it's National Hispanic Heritage month and I'm wanting to read something to acknowledge that, so if you have any recs PLEASE leave them in a comment below!

20th September

Who is that supposed to be on the Trial By Fire cover? Darling Rowan or Despicable Tristan? I read 14% of Trial by fire, taking me to 48% and another 7% of Killer of Enemies, which is getting tedious with all the fighting. I get that it's what this book is about but it's repetitive.

21st September

Finished Trial By Fire (52%) and the ending was pretty awesome, with a promising lead into the second book.

Books finished this week: 3

(Loooooooong week)

I've recently been making more of an effort to buy indie books, spurred on by my enjoyment of Terah Edun's novels among others. Books I would consider because the plot sounds awesome but then decide against because they were self published I've started giving a chance.

Here's what I bought:

 Become | Ali Cross

Missing Royal | Konstaz Silverbow
Of Sea And Stone | Kate Avery Ellison
Timber Wolves Trilogy | Tammy Blackwell

Heard good stuff about Ellison's books, and I've read the debut by Konstanz Silverbow and while I didn't enjoy it, I'm willing to give her books another chance. Also that cover is SO pretty. That first book is actually free so check it out. Also check out the last one as well - you can get the whole trilogy right now for less than a pound. It's CRAZY.

I started work on a book I've been wanting to find time to write for a while now and I'm loving it. I'll also have a short story in the Legend Mirror available to read soon for anyone interested.

I have very little other news this week but THE WANDERING IS OUT TOMORROW!!! Huzzah!