I managed quite a lot of reading this month which I’m really proud of, considering my brain has been feeling a bit fried! I’ve been feeling really unwell again this month, so I’m surprised I managed as much reading as I have! I tried to choose books I knew I would enjoy, as that worked really well last month. Obviously I never go into a book thinking I won’t like it, but there are books I am more excited to read than others right now!
I read a lot on my kindle this month (though I am trying to get through my backlog of physical books too!) and also listened to audiobooks which helped a lot! I had a lot of 5 star reads again like last month, due to careful book choices, despite also trying to read a few things outside my fantasy-based comfort zone, which I have really been enjoying.
I finished:
Heartstopper vol 2 by Alice Oseman – 5 Stars
– Following on from my read of vol 1 last month, this continues Nick and Charlie’s story of falling in love, but also Nick beginning his journey of discovery about himself and his sexuality. This was another beautifully written volume, and was really heartwarming, with some lovely moments involving supportive friends and family.
Heartstopper vol 3 by Alice Oseman – 5 Stars
– This volume contains some really well written discussions of mental health, which was presented with a focus on healing and discovery and support which hit me quite hard on a personal level. There are a variety of different and difficult situations in this volume, looking at families, friendships and romantic relationships which shows that things aren’t always as simple as they seem. I loved this, and can’t wait for volume 4 next year!
The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon – 5 Stars
– Following on from the events of The Bone Season, Paige Mahoney is back in London, but still recovering from escaping the clutches of the Rephaim, but is thrown back into yet more danger. I think she’s a really strong character, because she is flawed, she doesn’t always know what the best or right thing to do is, but she’s trying her best to survive and to help those around her in. I absolutely adore this series and Shannon’s writing.
The Flatshare – 5 Stars
– After reading (and loving) The Switch last month, I couldn’t help reading The Flatshare! Tiffy and Leon are such fantastic characters! This book wasn’t what I was expecting, which was a fluffy, light-hearted read, instead it was a really beautiful story of finding happiness, moving on with your life and not letting your past define you. It obviously had a lot of light and fluffy moments, but it was also a really cathartic read for me, and dealt with some difficult topics, such as emotional abuse.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn – 5 Stars
– This is such a stunning book! Soraya is such an amazing character and I loved following her journey throughout the story, which was beautiful. I really enjoyed reading the mixture of Persian and Zoroastrian mythology, which created such a lush tapestry of imagery and world building. I loved the world that was created and the weaving together of mythology and fairy tales and something new. It was so beautifully written!
Monstrous Devices – 2.5 Stars
– This book was a fun yet creepy adventure, involving robots, dramatic escapes, fights in alleyways, a lot of suspense, drama and mystery! This would be a fun, easy read for someone who is looking for a unique middle grade fantasy. Though the plot was interesting and drew me along, I found I struggled with the characters. It meant that ultimately I struggled to finish it, as I found them too frustrating, but it was a really interesting concept!
The Bone Houses – 5 Stars
– The Bone Houses is a combination of folk tales and new ideas, culminating in a creepy, atmospheric and beautiful book. It’s full of gorgeous descriptions of places and events that create a truly memorable book. It feels like a spoken folk tale, one you would listen to by a fire, which, I’m sure, was exactly the authors intent. Magic is woven into the words, and it’s truly beautiful to read.
The Bone Witch – 3 Stars
– I struggled with the first half of this book – there was a lot of infodumping. There were a lot of ideas introduced very quickly with no real context. However, by the end of the book I started to enjoy it and am looking forward to the next books in the series. I enjoyed the writing style, and the world itself was interesting. There are some amazing ideas in this book, and I enjoyed reading about the relationships between the characters, especially Tea and Fox. Their relationship is beautiful, and they care about each other so much, and it was lovely to read.
The Devouring Gray – 5 Stars
– This book had so magical powers, a creepy town that seems alive, strong characters and a mystery. I had so many questions about the town, and what was going on! I was gripped by the story, town and characters. The setting is creepily brilliant, and the community seemingly being built on both adoration and resentment worked so well for showcasing the problems of the founding families and their interactions with the town and each other. It was a gripping read, and I enjoyed the characters and complex relationships!
The Deck of Omens – 5 Stars
– This was such a fantastic conclusion to the journey we started in The Devouring Gray! There was so much going on in this book. The founders have been even more distanced from one another after the events of book one, but they have to put aside their differences to save the town and each other. I was really happy with the ending, and the whole book wasn’t what I had expected at all!
What did you read in April?
Eldritch Fae 