How do these months just fly by? Damn. Anyway, here’s my July TBR! Or, rather, what I read.
I haven’t read as much as I’d hoped this month (should I just set lower standards?). I blame it on the Sand Sea (seriously, so huge). But I finished it now! And the rest of the books I read were really cool. I tried out an audiobook for the very first time. It took some getting used to, but now I love it! So convenient when my eyes are too tired for reading, or when I’m traveling or brushing my teeth, or… well, almost pretty much anywhere.
Go to The Sand Sea | Go to Every River Runs to Salt | Go to The Girl and the Stars | Go to Nevernight
The Sand Sea – Michael McClellan
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Story Grid Publishing
Audience: Adult
This took a long time for me to finish. It wasn’t really my kind of book, but I did want to finish it. Since I’ve already talked about it in my June tbr post, I’ll keep it short. This is a great book if you love an alternate history with a vast and extremely detailed world.
For me, this book is three stars: ⭐⭐⭐
CHECK OUT MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Every River Runs to Salt – Rachael K. Jones
Genre: Urban Contemporary Fantasy
Publisher: Fireside
Audience: New Adult
I read this book for the July challenge for Quick Reads. I very much enjoyed it! It was imaginative, and for being a short novella, still touched on some important themes such as going after your desires, and pollution.
It takes place at the University called Athens. Quietly has a strange roommate called Imani, who can do magic and is part glacier. But one day she gets angry about the pollution in the Pacific Ocean, so… she steals the Pacific Ocean. The states of California, Oregon, and Washington are not amused, and soon come knocking on the door.
There were times where I was a bit confused, but it’s still an easy story to follow. Quietly also has a strong voice, with some interesting philosophical ponderings that make you think while you read. It’s always refreshing when a story makes you consider a different perspective on things.
I will say that the ending felt a bit rushed and somewhat easy. But it was still a sweet ending and a fun ride.
So, definitely worth 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Girl and the Stars – Mark Lawrence
Genre: Coming-of-Age Action Fantasy
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Audience: YA/NA
I waited quite some time before reading this book. First, I pre-ordered it, only for it to be delayed for a month. But, I got it in the end, and then I still waited to read it. Why? Not sure. Scared it wouldn’t be as good?
Well, I shouldn’t have been! I absolutely loved this book. It’s a whole new side of Abeth, the world we’ve come to know in Red Sister, and it’s sequels. Yaz is of the Ictha, one of the ice tribes. Every four years, the clans come together, and the high priest looks at the children to spot any signs of weakness. Because if you’re too weak, you won’t survive on the ice.
What happens to the children who’re considered too weak? They’re pushed inside the Pit of the Missing, a tunnel going deep below the ice. But what goes on underneath the surface is not anything like Yaz had imagined.
The story is engaging and thrilling—danger is always present—and it shines a new light on the four bloods with their magical abilities. You don’t need to read the Book of the Ancestor trilogy to understand this story, but it wouldn’t hurt either.
It has the philosophical writing we’re used to from Mark Lawrence, but with a slightly more stereotypical YA heroine, and it has some amazing twists. I still haven’t quite recovered from the ending. The book has some great underlying themes, such as genetic versus found family, and a serious ethical question when it comes to the right or wrong of shunning children who are thought not to survive their society, who are considered ‘Broken’.
If you love YA fantasy, you will love this book. Definitely worth 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nevernight – Jay Kristoff
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Audience: YA
My first ever audiobook! I’ll admit, I had to get used to the narration; I thought it sounded a bit robotic. But that’s probably the editing, to make sure it’s articulated clearly.
But My God! Or should I say ‘Daughters,’ what a fantastic book! That first chapter is so incredibly poetic. It was beautiful. Add to that the fact that I love a dark protagonist, tales about assassins or wannabe assassins, danger, and action, and this is just the most amazing book.
Mia Corvere only wants one thing: avenge her familia. She goes to some pretty extreme lengths to achieve this. For one, she trains to be an assassin so that she can kill the ones responsible for her father’s death and her mother’s imprisonment. Oh, and she’s Darken, which means she can control the shadows and has a darker shadow that is shaped like a cat who drinks her fear.
I just finished it yesterday, which I shouldn’t have because now I’m so tired. But that was such a thrilling ending! Completely not what I expected. It was one hell of a twist! I was slightly disappointed when a certain thing didn’t happen near the ending, but the ending I got instead was a 1000 times better. I’ll also say, generally most books I read don’t have any sex scenes, or it’s not written about very explicitly, but damn Jay Kristoff can write a steamy sex scene.
It’s a great book, especially if you love to read something slightly darker and more violent than your usual YA. I’ll say this book is five stars for sure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CHECK OUT THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Wrap-up
And that’s it for my July tbr! It was a slow start of the month, but now I’m totally back into my reading groove. And I’m for sure going to listen to some more audiobooks!
For August, I’m still going to read Vi’gosh for the second July challenge (bit behind on that, whoopsie), and also A Dream to Die For for the August reading challenge. I’m not sure about what else I’m going to read yet. Will this be the month I’ll finally read Red Rising? We’ll see!
