February Wrap Up

I read some incredible books in February and overall I really felt like it was a strong reading month. All the books I read were first books to a series and all but one I thoroughly enjoyed!

1. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

5/5 SHINING BEAUTIFUL STARS

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book absolutely blew me away.  I had high expectations for this one, especially after reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I didn't think there would be a book to be able to top SoC for a long time.  But ADSOM far exceeded my expectations.  The world building is phenomenal and Schwab really brings all the Londons to life. The characters are so fleshed out and intricate.  Delilah Bard is just plain badass and so strong and witty.  Kell is very real and humble and the dynamic he has with the royal family is so interesting and nuanced.  The antagonists are amazing as well. In fact, they were one of my favorite parts of the book.  The Dane twins and Holland are all so deliciously ruthless, and some of the scenes with them chilled me to the bone.  I loved it.  I loved everything about this book and highly highly highly recommend it.

2. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

4.5/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book was very addicting.  I was a little nervous going into it after coming off of a ADSOM high.  I really didn't want to get into a reading slump.  Turns out, I didn't have to worry.  Ahdieh's writing style is so beautiful and sooooo addicting.  I read 2/3 of this book in one sitting and stayed up until 1am doing so, whilst I had to wake up at 4am to catch a flight.  The first 100 pages or so were a little slow, but when it picked up it reaaaally picked up.  Although the romance may have been a little insta-lovey, I really didn't care.  I loved every ounce of sexual tension and angst and lust in this book.  The world building and descriptions were all so lush and imaginative.  Ahdieh really has a gift for writing descriptions.   Sharzad, the main character, is very strong headed and I enjoyed her as a main character.  I didn't feel 100% connected to her, but the plot more than made up for what lacked in her character. Overall, an amazing read and SUPERB writing.


3. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

2/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

This book was very confusing to me as well as underwhelming.  I felt like the plot was everywhere and I rarely found moments that piqued my interest.  The world building was non-existent and it was hard for me to try and visualize where the characters were.  None of the characters interested me or really felt real to me, and the romance.... -_- pls. stahp.  The romance made me want to bang my head against a brick wall. It felt very tropey and insta-lovey. The scenes between Safiya, one of the main charcters, and Merik, the love interest, felt very forced and cheeeeeeeeesy.  I could see no connection between them whatsoever.  My favorite part of the book, which I realized days after I finished it, was Iseult's threadwitch power.  I found myself thinking about how cool it would be to have that power.  Other than that, the book was a struggle for me to read.

4. Angelfall by Susan Ee

 4/5 Stars

You can find a synopsis for this book here

Very fast paced and enjoyable!  The thing I loved most about this book was the main character Penryn.  She is HELLA smart and independent.  I found myself in awe of her character.  I like how she is strong without being prideful.  She can be stubborn at times, VERY stubborn, but only out of the loyalty she has for those she cares about.  She's different from other YA female characters in that she doesn't let some boy determine her actions.  She's an independent woman who don't need no man. The romance was just a very small part of the book and doesn't really show itself until the end.  Its the slow burn kind of romance that I luuuuuuurve.  I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to continue the series.