April Wrap Up

Is April over already? I feel like 2021 is flying through and I’m saying this constantly every month! 😅 April was the month I read less this year but it still was a solid reading month for me, I’ve had much worse reading months in 2020. Here’s my wrap up:

  

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – 3.5 stars. I finally started Throne of Glass! This started slow and Celaena’s inner monologue was annoying at times. However, it got better and I ended up really enjoying this world. I’m very intrigued for what may come in the next book, so I’ll definitely keep reading this series. 

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon – 3.5 stars. Enjoyable and cute but I was not a fan of the lying to your audience part. Shay was also annoying at some parts, especially in the beginning. However, it was a very entertaining and funny book. The banter was really good! The podcast episodes were perfect to listen to on audio and it probably influenced my rating.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix – 3 stars. This is a very unique, disturbing story. This society is racist, misogynist and obnoxious. The quick acceptance of a stranger white rich dude speaks for itself. The writing was captivating and I was intrigued by the plot. It had its slow moments but overall I enjoyed the progression of the plot. It was hard to read at some points because these characters were so freaking annoying and unlikable. If you’re looking for a inclusive, well balanced society and likable characters, this isn’t it. I think it was interesting and disturbing how the author chose to portray the society’s racial and social class dual standards. It had gory and creepy scenes and it made my skin crawl. There are a lot of trigger warnings that I listed on Goodreads.

  

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare – 4 stars. I was definitely entertained, loved the characters, enjoyed how the whole story wrapped up and I’m curious about what’s coming in the next book in this series. BUT Emma’s choice at the very end of the book really, really, REALLY annoyed me. Honestly, it was a solid 5 stars up until that moment.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo – 4 stars. Again, this rating is for pure enjoyment. I think that, comparing it to the first in the trilogy, it was a slower book. Somehow, I was invested in it. I loved the pirate style vibes in it and I found my favorite character in the Shadow and Bone world: Nikolai! I loved him! What a great character. He made the whole book for me. His interactions with Mal and Alina: hilarious! 

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo – 4 stars. The last book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy was fun to read. I’m not exactly a fan of some of the choices made here but I can’t be mad about how it ended. The Darkling and Nikolai are very different characters but definitely the most charismatic. Really enjoyed Baghra, Genya, and Zoya too. Leigh Bardugo’s writing is addictive, engaging and her characters, even the secondary characters, are amazing. Since I’ve already read the Six of King duology, I just ordered King of Scars. I need more from Nikolai!

   

Gametime by Jami Davenport – 3.5 stars. Check my full review here.

Overtime by Kat Mizera – 4 stars. Check my full review here.

Halftime by Kim Findlay – 4 stars. Check my full review here.

   

Darkroom by Kate Willoughby – 3 stars. Check my full review here.

The Turn of The Key by Ruth Ware – 4 stars. This was really good! Creepy and spooky vibes, a solid mystery and a mix of weird, unreliable characters. The ending was somewhat unsatisfying. I still enjoyed it a lot so I definitely recommend this one, especially if you listen to the audiobook.

Hold the Forevers by K.A. Linde – 2.5 stars. I usually like K.A. Linde’s books but I’m not a fan of this one. It was okay but I just didn’t felt like there really was a doubt about who Lila would choose. Not for a second. I guessed pretty early on how it would end, so I was never truly invested in the push and pull between Lila and Ash / Lila and Cole. It just didn’t work for me.

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Overall, I read 12 books with a total of 4418 pages. I rated 6 books 4 stars, 3 books 3.5 stars, 2 books 3 stars and 1 books 2.5 stars. 50% of what I read was 4 stars so that’s good even considering I had none 5 stars books this month.

I didn’t get to all of the books on my April TBR. I didn’t read These Violent Delights, so I included it in my May TBR again because I really want to read it. And I also didn’t read A Dark and Hollow Star which was included in my “wiggle room” possibility books, I want to read it soon so it might pop up in future TBRs. I read other books though, specifically a few that became suddenly available on Libby and I couldn’t resist picking them up.

Have you read any of these books? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.

Xoxo,

Andie