May Reads~
May was a fabulous reading month for me, I read so many books I loved! Sometimes that is decidedly NOT the case. But I was lucky this month. Also, with it being June (Happy Pride Month!) it's halfway through the year. In light of that, I'm also going to do a write up about my Year of Romance (So far), in a separate post! So, some books I read in May I'll talk about there instead of here. Anyway - continued a few series, and started a few as well. I think a majority of the books I read were part of a series this month. For this I will try to be both thorough and brief, though I do so love to ramble. Because I read so many good books I have a lot to talk about XD If I've already talked about it more in depth on other posts I won't repeat myself.
Penric and Desdemona
Penric's Demon
Penric and the Shaman
Penric's Fox
Penric's Mission
Four stars straight through so far! The world is fascinating, the characters are compelling, the plots are well thought out, and they're funny. Overall, thought provoking and interesting. I'm excited to continue the series and read more from Lois McMaster Bujold! (I'm trying to be brief, but I could go on XD)
The Dresden Files
Death Masks (4 stars) - I loved this. Ivy was introduced, and she's such a fascinating character. Once again the plot was enjoyable, well thought out and executed nicely! The new characters introduced were interesting and I loved the returning ones. Harry continues to be intelligent, adaptable and funny. His character growth throughout the series has been done very well and I'm eager to continue reading the series! Additionally, I do so enjoy a bittersweet ending.
Blood Rites (4 stars) - This was a thoroughly satisfying entry. Harry was a bit frustrating at times but being invested in his character is a good thing lol. Frustrating like a friend you know? I enjoyed learning more about Murphy and Thomas! And, what a fun twist. The other vampire courts malign the white court but they're the most interesting and powerful imo. Definitely the most insidious. Harry has a dog now! I love dogs! They case was fun and I am waiting eagerly and patiently for the next one to be available~
To be sure, the Dresden files have their issues, most especially regarding the women in the series, how they're written and how Harry as a character is written in relation to them. However, the female characters have their own agency and actually do things that affect the story, nor do they only exist for Harry. So I'll take what I can get. It could be better, and I think things improve throughout the series, but it also could be so much worse. The world building is fun and coherent, as are the plots.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M.Lion - Volumes 1-3 (3.75 stars each): These are very fun and quirky! (but naturally so, not in a try-hard, unnatural way) The web woven by these characters is interesting and having it be revealed through Emma's witty documentation is a treat. These actually inspired me to try journaling again (I've tried and failed at journaling thrice lol I got bored XD)
Liveship Traders
Ship of Magic (4.5)
The Mad Ship (4.75)
Hells Bells. I love a damn good story. I'm currently reading Ship of Destiny, and it's living up to the first 2. These books are extremely well written in every aspect. What a rollercoaster!
Barbara Michaels
Shattered Silk (3.25), Black Rainbow (4) and Patriot's Dream (3.5) I've already written about.
Prince of Darkness (3.5) - What can I say? I had fun, it was an enjoyable melodramatic plot. I do not prefer ebooks but I'll do if for this Author lol. It was indeed worth it.
The Sea King's Daughter (4) - WILD PLOT. I loved it, though the plot is truly out there. (But it's fun!) The plot is also a bit predictable in some ways if you pay attention (it's rewarding not predictable in an unsatisfying way) Also I love the ocean! As always the intellectual thread throughout the book was thoroughly enjoyable. I think this is one of my favorites so far~
Been noticing fun connecting threads through these books as well, like the dancing floors, an ancient surviving religion, ect ect. These books are fun, smart and well researched! I learn new things every time I read a new one.
Others!
Rocannon's World (3.75) - Ursula K LeGuin's first published novel and it's top tier sci-fi, and she only gets better. Damn. What Luck for us to be able to read her books!
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea (3.5) - This was enjoyable, however I found the setting rather lacking, and kinda a disappointment. For a book that takes place beneath the sea, the setting is decidedly un-sea like except for a few aspects. I know it's technically the immortal realm but it's also the Sea King's Domain. Needed more ocean! It was also a bit predictable and the romance was meh to me. I loved the Korean Mythology facets in the story, they were woven well.
The Blacktongue Thief (3.25) - Very meandering, and the plot isn't super well executed, however there's some interesting world building and characters. A lot of it really just felt edge-lordy which is not great XD
There is No Antimemetics Division (3.75) - I genuinely love this! Weird books like this are my jam. It's creative, interesting and well thought out. It does, however have a least favorite trope of mine in the ending. But, it was done relatively well so I'm not too mad about it.
Spoiled Milk (2.5) - Quite honestly I'm ambivalent about this one. It had some good points and some bad. It really wasn't creepy or gothic or atmospheric at all. I wish there was more rot. More anything really, it's not quite substantial. There's definitely good ideas and some good moments but it's a bit flimsy as a story.
Remote Control (3) - Interesting. Definitely going to read more of Nnedi Okorafor's work eventually.
What Moves the Dead (1.75) - I already talked about this one. I had just reread a bunch of Egar Allan Poe works and I think the comparison was NOT favorable at all. But even with that I would not have enjoyed this one. Honestly, it wasn't Gothic at all to me. It may have the trappings, but it just… wasn't. It's so unsubtle.
