Reading round up (47)

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. Hopefully I will finish reading all books I start this week, since I DNF THREE in the past fortnight.

6th November

Currently reading: Prince of Shadows | Rachel Caine

Current page/percent: 70%

Read today: 38%

Thoughts: I'm enjoying this a fair bit, just wish we saw more of Rosaline at this point. Also the cover is beautiful but makes it seem as if Rosaline would be the MC and she's certainly not.

7th November

Currently reading: Prince of Shadows | Rachel Caine

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 30%

Thoughts: SO close to crying at the end there. Loved it.

8th November

Started Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman (4% read) and I think this book is gonna take FOREVER to get into. It looks massive size-wise on my kindle but the book is listed as a normal number of pages. Is it 5pt text or...? To break it up I read Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen (206 pages). I didn't plan to read the whole thing but I ended up doing that. It was an okay book, nothing spectacular.

9th November

I'm still not sold on Between Two Thorns. I'm not in the mood for it. So I started White Cat by Holly Black (98 pages) because I've been meaning to read this series for EVER and I can cross off the animal square on my bingo!

10th November

Currently Reading: White Cat | Holly Black

Current page/percent: page 242

Read today: 144 pages

Thoughts: *stares into space*

11th November

Finished White Cat (78 pages) and the ending was UNCALLED FOR so I guess I have a ship. And I started Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans because impulse Kindle click (28%). I'm sensing a love triangle. Pls no.

12th November

OH BOY Level 2 is not for me. I might have only paid £0.51 for this book but it's still not worth forcing myself to finish a book with a MC I despise. DNF at 48%. Started The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa (63 pages read) as a remedy. Also because dead things can cross off my dead bingo square.

Books finished this week: 3

 Grave Mercy | Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph | Robin LaFevers

Don't look at me I'm crying from happiness. I've wanted these books for SO LONG.

The Here and Now | Ann Brashares

Been on my TBR for a while and it was read now on netgalley. I have no excuse. Also Cassie blurb - don't let me down, Clare, I trust your judgement.

I found very little to report on this week. By which I mean nothing.

Reviewed this week: Snow Like Ashes // Prince of Shadows // Light Beneath Ferns // White Cat

White Cat (Review)

Curse Workers: White Cat | Holly Black

Published by: Gollancz, June 1st 2010

Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Cassel comes from a shady, magical family of con artists and grifters. He doesn't fit in at home or at school, so he's used to feeling like an outsider. He's also used to feeling guilty; he killed his best friend, Lila, years ago.

But when Cassel begins to have strange dreams about a white cat, and people around him are losing their memories, he starts to wonder what really happened to Lila. In his search for answers, he discovers a wicked plot for power that seems certain to succeed. But Cassel has other ideas and a plan to con the conmen.

I have been meaning to read this for TWO YEARS. Christ, that's a long time. I held off on this one because I was hoping it would be amazing - as amazing as Coldtown - but also because I can't stand Holly's fae series. I just cannot stand it. And I was hoping this wouldn't be the same - and it isn't. Hell yes. Praise.

The writing of White Cat is as lovely and evocative as The Coldest Girl In Coldtown. There's a certain subtlety to it, how emotions and feelings are played out in the smallest gesture, and I love that. I also reaaaaally like Cassel. I don't love him, but I expect that to change in the next two books.

The plot is wonderful as well. The story isn't anything like I expected it to be. I've been thinking of this book, off and on, for years, so I'd built up a real idea of what it would be and that wasn't the case. But I still liked it a lot. The white cat itself was awesome. I caught onto the plot twist right away and was thrilled when I was right. I love the intrigue and the magic system, and I love the world. It's reminiscent of the old royal families of Europe and also brings to mind the Borgias. Can't wait to read more of this series.

But that ending is cruel and heartless and I am suffering. Not cool, Black, not cool.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing Style ★★★☆☆