Hey there, everyone! I hope everyone had a fruitful and spooky October! Anyway, yes, I know I gave myself one of those outrageous goals again. I don’t even remember how many books I wanted to read anymore. Did I read them all? Once again, I only managed to read nine books this month, but I did read more than 100 books for the year, so… woohoo!

Anyway, how did everyone else do this past month? Meet any personal goals?

Bloodguard

This book was bad. I’m not gonna mince words. I don’t understand the good reviews because you cannot convince me that writing “Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang,” to describe the table hitting wall while they’re having sex is good writing.  It’s not. It certainly has potential as a story, but no, it’s not “Dungeons and Dragons meets Gladiator” it’s “The Shannara Chronicles meets Gladiator,” and it’s kinda annoying that publishers use DnD as a reference point when clearly they’ve never read the books or played the game. As someone who has done both, it’s nothing like that.

Seriously, skip this book. It’s bad.

The Temptation of Magic

Honestly, really liked this book. I think the fated mate trope is being overplayed in fantasy lately, however, I liked how it was done here and I enjoyed the play on fantasy and the urban feel to the novel. I also think the art history aspect of the novel was amazing. The detailing was enough but even I found myself googling certain mentions so that I could really immerse myself in the story.

The Lake of Tears

The second novel in the Deltora Quest series. Honestly, aged so well. I’m reading this to my son and he’s five and loving it. I read a chapter a night. I loved the story, wished the Sorceress Theagan had a little more “screen time” but over all a solid adventure perfect for kids.

Beasts of Ruin

This was so good! I loved the way the characters found and discovered new love interests because it showed how the characters struggled in the first novel and how much they’ve grown since then.

The journey was amazing! Binti’s story arcs were so well done, and I loved seeing how we reached that opening between her and her mother, Thembe, aka The Cobra.

It was a fast-paced novel that really was so well done.

The Dagger and the Flame

Such a good book! If you’re looking for a true enemies-to-lovers story with some Romeo and Juliet vibes, this is definitely the book for you.

Sera and Ransom are such great characters, and the way they play off each other was so well done. I loved seeing their characters evolve and the way the magic system works with the shade and how different it is. It really was so well done. I loved the plot twists near the end and can’t wait to see what happens next.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

Okay, so just for the record, they do not spend the whole novel fighting vampires. But when they do! Oh my god, it is the most gratifying moment in the novel! It is gruesome, wonderful, and emotional. Honestly, it was a great read, and Hendrix does a fantastic job with his characterization. He makes the characters and the story realistic while reminding readers that this is fiction…maybe. This book reminded me a little of the original Fright Night starring Chris Sarandon.

It’s a perfect book for the spooky season.

Songlight

Okay, so I was gifted this book by the publisher, and I didn’t know if I would like it or not.

I loved it. It reminded me much of The Handmaid’s Tale, especially how society is built. It’s clear this is a dystopian earth, and I feel like it’s been a while since I read the novel. But that’s why it felt fresh to me, and I think it was well done how it went back and forth between the characters.

There are many complex dynamics that give the story a richness. Honestly, this was such a hard book to put down because I was invested.

Beasts of War

The thrilling conclusion! Omg I could not put this novel down. I loved how Koffi and Ekon have grown since the first novel and I loved the adventure here. How the story takes the characters around the country in search of Gods.

I’m in love with the mythology and magic here. Again, the way the story is broken up worked so well in building up the plot without being distracting or ruining the pace.

I highly recommend this series!

The Golden Enclaves

….I loved it, okay!

Ugh, this book made me feel so much! It was expertly written, and the way Novik just throws in those plot twists into the layering of the stories. Phenomenal.

There is a lot of exposition and huge blocks of text that may make the novel seem daunting, but it’s really not. El’s personality and attitude—I mean, she’s just an amazing character. She’s snarky and aggressive, but she’s really a cinnamon roll at times. I love her relationship with Orion and the way they grew together.

Honestly, it was a bittersweet ending and I loved every minute of it.

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