Welcome to the first official Reading Roundup! It’s exactly what it sounds like. I herd all of the books I read this month into a corral and rate them on things like attractiveness, form, substance, and generally just how fun they were to hang out with.
I’ll be honest, I don’t like to say mean things about books pretty much ever. If I read a book and have nothing nice to say about it/wouldn’t recommend it to others, I just won’t put it on here. Lying by omission isn’t really lying, right?
OMG, so it’s been twelve years since we got a new Watcher novel, and I couldn’t have been more excited or pleased with the book. If you haven’t read the first five, they’re all connected but can be read independently, so you don’t need to go back and read them if you don’t want to. But I mean, obviously, you will want to after you read this one. . .
By happy coincidence, I reread the series about a year or so ago because they got re-released with shiny new covers, and I wanted the shiny new covers, and of course I couldn’t then not read them.
Delivering on the series’ standing promise of broody dark warriors who don’t think they’re good enough for the witch they’re sworn to protect, I give Finder a solid A+ for Saintcrow’s return to this world.
Caleb is adorably dense, as most Watchers are, and his Witch Jorie has a lot to do, tracking down something Dark that is stealing children in her town. Saintcrow’s flawless writing makes it a delight to follow along with these two as they bumble their way to finally getting together, and take down some evil while they’re at it.
Perfect for snuggling up with late in the evening. Best taken with a cup of tea.
Novella number two in the Rogue Queen series. The books definitely need to be read in order, so if you’re interested, start with The Queen’s Gambit. The main character, Samara, is an excellent addition to the tough-as-nails, takes-no-shit character we all love to love.
Space court intrigue! A hot emperor whose brother may or may not be trying to kill him! One rogue queen who promised to sort out said emperor’s mess for him!
The nice thing about novellas is everything clips along at a fast pace, so if you’re looking for quick, action-packed reads, look no further.
Pairs well with a whiskey-soda.
Okay, how have I not read Courtney Milan before!? Admittedly, I don’t read a lot of books that don’t have magic in them, but I do dabble, and Courtney’s been on my list to try for a while now. When I saw the phenomenal value on her Brothers Sinister series (seriously, $9.99 at the time I bought it for an ebook box set of three novellas and four full novels is crazy), I decided to just go all in.
I’ve only read the first novella, The Governess Affair, and the first book, The Duchess War, but I am beyond hooked. Courtney just has a way with transmitting the characters’ emotions, and really making you feel what they’re going through, to a level I haven’t read in a really long time.
The relationships themselves are also refreshingly realistic – no one is perfect, and I love them all the more for it. Minnie in The Duchess Affair is so freaking smart and I love how much Robert adores her for it. Can’t wait to update you all next month on the rest of the set.
Pairs well with winter nights, cozy socks, and a nice red wine.
I know what you’re thinking: “But Michelle, Emerald Blaze released in August and you claim to be a rabid Ilona Andrews fan, didn’t you read the book in August?”
The answer is yes, of course I read it in August, on release day, and went to work on two hours of sleep the next day. It makes September’s list because of the obligatory reread via audiobook that all of Ilona Andrews’ books are subject to.
If you’re new to the books, you will want to at least read Sapphire Flames before this book, in order to understand what’s happening. Better yet go back and read the original Hidden Legacy trilogy, but Sapphire Flames will get you what you need to know if you’re not all-in yet.
Dude, I knew Catalina was totally brilliant and all, but THAT SCENE you will get to at the novel’s climax really does her justice. And Alessandro—dear, sweet, handsome, wonderful Alessandro—also performs some killer high-level magic that just thinking about the implications of with regards to magical fights in this universe has my head spinning.
As happens every time I finish an Ilona Andrews novel, I suspect I may die of sheer want before the next one releases. Pairs well with. . . everything. Definitely pairs well with everything.