Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Monthly Reads ~ November 2023

I hope you all are enjoying all the book reviews, since it's just another hobby of mine, it's not going anywhere! I loved doing the Monthly Wrap-up last year to share mini reviews on all the books I've read each month! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

Monthly Reads ~ November 2023
Moon of the Crusted Snow was received as a review copy

So, in November I read 8 books, with a mix of genres from adult fantasy to young adult romance. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books; but, this month was mostly newer reads! I read 3 physical books and listened to 5 audiobooks. Eight books is a little light for me but there were some big books in here! 

Here's a quick look at all the books I read in the past month: 

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab ~ ☆☆☆☆☆ - 5 stars. This is an adult fantasy novel, it's both a carry on of the Shades of Magic trilogy, but the start of it's own series - the Threads of Power series; (I would recommend the Shades be read first though because this book is layered and the more background story you know, the better for this!) This book takes place 7 years after the Shades of Magic and while we mostly stay in the present moment, there is some flashbacks throughout the years. We are in a world with different Londons, we go back to our favourite characters and mostly in Red London, but there is a current plot to overthrow the throne and Maresh crown - all of the characters do what they do best to stop this and it's so detailed, but everything just builds up so well. I was happy to see Kell and Lila so much, but the new characters we meet are amazing and I cannot wait to see where this next book takes us! So well written! (I did write a full review of this and you can see it here!)

Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is a fantasy novella series and this is the fourth book in the series. I love these, we follow a cleric who is going around collecting stories to archive. In this tale, we continue to follow our cleric who returns home, so it's a little different - it is about grief and returning home as time has passed and things change and how everyone deals! Lovely, quick read!

Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is the sequel to Moon on the Crusted Snow that we've all been asking for - a "dystopian" novel set on a remote reserve and how they survive a total power shutdown and coming together as a community and surviving. This takes place 12 years after the original story and follows the characters as they venture beyond their area to resettle and see what's out there after remaining isolated. I enjoy the writing style - it's eerie, but well written and lots of hope in there too. I found the start a little slow, but man did it pick up and make it so hard to put down. These are well-written dystopian novel but set in a very realistic setting. (I did write a full review of this and you can see it here!)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman ~ ☆☆☆ - 3 stars. This is a graphic novel of the story Coraline - I actually thought that this was the original way the story was told, but I guess I haven't read the actual story, but I thought this would be a good retelling. I liked this weird little story, but I didn't love the art style so it was just fine for me!

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is an adult fantasy novel set at a war college with dragons and it was the much anticipated follow up to Fourth Wing - and it was a lot! This was a 28 hour audiobook, so she took some dedication to get through and it was good. It was super busy, there was some plot points that I couldn't fully follow but it was still alright. The ending really left us and I need the third one asap!

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is an adult romance novel and it is the third book in the Lovelight Farms series and this might be my favourite book of the series so far - I really liked the first one, I thought the second lacked plot, but this more than made up for it! I loved the "fake dating"ish trope and the more slow-burn romance that focused on the dates and connection and it was really sweet. It did get a little spicy, and the conflict resolved quickly which I enjoyed!

The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith☆☆☆ ½ - 3.5 stars. This is young adult fantasy novel with a witchy school setting. This was a follow up to The Witch Haven and it was alright - I was really hooked with the first book and I really enjoyed it. This was set two years later and in a new setting in Paris, but it was a little repetitive from the first book. It did finish off decently despite me not always loving our main characters motives or choices!

Betting on You by Lynn Painter☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This was so sweet - I don't read a ton of YA romance, but this is recommended for someone who loves 10 Things I Hate About You and She's All That, and I truly had to pick it up with those comps and it was perfect with those in mind! This is set around two main characters with how they meet (and hate each other) two years prior and how they come back together. They somewhat bond on being children of divorce and parents starting to date, throw in a few bets and some hidden feelings and it was a lot of fun. The tension is a little predictable, but I don't mind that! I thought the characters were good and loved their chemistry and connection! It was a lot of fun.

November was overall a pretty good reading month - mostly good reads for me this month! 

Here's a little refresh of my rating system:

5 Stars: Excellent/Fantastic/Amazing Read 
4.5 Stars: Really Great Read
4 Stars: Great Read 
3.5 Stars: Really Good Book
3 Stars: Good Book 
2.5 Stars: Eh, It was Okay Read
2 Stars: Finished it, but Didn't Enjoy It
1.5 Stars: Not Good at All
1 Star: DNF (Did Not Finish)

What was the best book you read this month?! For me, it had to be The Fragile Threads of Power! 

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