For more information on the books click the title.

• I read 10 books this month
• I DNFd 1 books this month
• Genre: 6 fantasy, 2 non-fiction,1 romance,1 murder mystery and 1 historical fiction
• Gender of authors: 10 women and 1 man
• Race of authors: 7 white authors and 4 asian authors
• Age range:10 adult and 1 middle grade
• Format: 7 paperback, 3 ebook and 1 hardback
• 4.3 stars average rating for the month

A Letter to the Luminous Deep – Sylvie Cathrall (DNF)

This was actually super embarrassing as I said that this was going to be MY romantasy of 2024. I had posted it all over TikTok and then I got 50% of the way through the book and the pacing got so slow that I DNFd it. On paper this is my kind of book but as I said the pacing was super slow, the author focused on a lot of extra character lore/backstory but to the detriment of the plot. The writing was also super flowery which didn’t help the pacing issue.

Beyond the Clouds, Vol.1 – Nicke (3 stars)

The illustrations in this volume are absolutely stunning. Genuinely I was blown away by how beautiful this volume is. That being said the story at times felt a bit lacking and I didn’t feel a big pull to continue the series.

Quarterlife – Satya Nicole Byock (4 stars)

I am not always sure on whether self-help books are for me but I did enjoy this book explaining other peoples experiences of Quarterlife crises and what might cause them. I related to a lot of what was in this book and I thought it was a good starting point to handle questioning your life choices.

The Thief and the Wild – Seann Barbour (4 stars)

Review coming on Thursday.

Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 – Ryoko Kui (4 stars)

This book came at the perfect time for me as I just got back into playing D&D! This was a super fun and inventive series that perfectly sets up the characters and the plot. I am intrigued by the mystery of the dungeon and I am excited to see what new food will get created.

Holy Island – L.J. Ross (4 stars)

This book has everything I want in murder mysteries. Small tight-knit community, cult themes, plot twists I can’t see coming and great setting. I have been wanting to read this series for ages and I was very happy that after years of waiting it did in fact meet the hype. I will say though that the romance element should have been expanded on or just had more development it felt too rushed for me.

The Game of Hearts – Felicity Day (5 stars)

A super accessible and informative book all about real lives and experiences of marriages in Regency Britain. A great book for fans of Bridgerton who was to learn more about the time period and the reality of the lives their favourite characters lead. I was immersed in this book and while there were things I expected, I was amazed by some of the exciting facts and tidbits the author gives us. We really follow these characters from debuting in the ton until after their marriage when kids are involved and war arrives. Sometimes it did feel that I was reading the gossip scandal sheet myself with all the juicy details compiled.

Fangirl Down – Tessa Bailey (5 stars)

This book is probably my favourite Tessa Bailey story to date. I found the plot devices and structure to be super fast-paced and incredibly engaging. I love a good competition/tournament for a foundation of a story. I enjoyed our main characters both together and separately. Josephine’s search for body autonomy and to be scene as capable and independent in a world that reduces her to just her diabetes was incredibly poignant and I loved how Bailey maintained her independence throughout the novel even with the love interest seeking to help. Wells story about letting people in after a series of betrayals was done so well and handled in a way that perfectly fits the character that Bailey had created. All these personal storylines just made them getting together so much for fulfilling and satisfying to read.

Babylonia – Costanza Casati (5 stars)

If you love complicated female characters, complicated male friendship dynamics, and political storylines similar to Game of Thrones and Ancient Civilisations/Mythology this book is for you! I never considered myself a character-focused reader or a reader who enjoys political storylines but Miss Casati had me eating my hat. I loved being nervous every time there was a council meeting or any time Semiramis didn’t honestly literally everything. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book and despite this book being nearly 500 pages – you don’t feel it. Every word, every paragraph, every page is intentional and time flies by as you get lost in this gory, powerful, and intense world of Assyria. The characters in this story are so dynamic, tortured, and complicated. Not one interaction in this book is without intention, emotion, or poignancy. The power dynamics shift and change on a six pence and when you think you have figured these characters out Casati will through you a massive curveball that has you questioning the last 100 pages you have read. I could not put this book down. I was enveloped in it and had book blues after finishing it.

Other Books I Read:

• Children of the Whales, Vol. 2 – Abi Umeda
• Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 1 – Kanehito Yamada (Re Read)