Almost back on track with my Goodreads goal! This month was full of decent books, an audiobook(!) and then one that was a total miss. You win some, you lose some.

What I’ve been reading lately

The Discord of Gods by Jenn Lyons: This is the final book in a rather large, 5 book series. While other books in the series had odd (and sometimes confusing) storytelling methods (like jumping back and forth between timelines with the same characters), this one just rolled toward the ending. There are POV changes, but that’s it. Kihrin and his friends have to try and stop the end of the world and we follow them jumping from one near disaster to another. I was slightly disappointed with the final confrontation. It was almost lackluster when you consider how big this series is. I still enjoyed this book (and series) and do think this is one that would benefit from being read all together.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power: I didn’t really like this one. There was so much potential though. While I’m all for “figure it out” as you go, this book didn’t really give enough hints to how the world works. Plus, dear lord are the characters naive. AND the main characters are about a hundred years old, but they act like early 20 something year olds. I hate when authors give characters long lives but then they literally don’t learn from the years they live. What’s the point? I did appreciate the slight twist at the end, but still wished that the younger siblings had more of a breakout moment, especially the younger sister. The younger brother is quickly shuffled into the “bad guy” role, even if his siblings don’t even realize. And then there is the mom. Do we really think she is dead? I certainly don’t. Anyway, I don’t recommend this one and am glad I’m done with it.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

Impact Winter by Travis Beacham: I finished an audiobook! Or an audio drama. Whatever. Set in the British countryside 7 years after a meteor hit Earth that pushed the weather to winter with no sun. And then the vampires came out. The main characters are Darcy, who has established herself as one of the main vampire hunters for the community and her sister, Hope, who lives in her shadow and just wants life to be normal again. Both are pushed to their limits and have to be asked how much they want to risk, not only for themselves, but also each other. I thought this was an enjoyable listen, even if it was a bit gruesome at points. Plus I appreciated the twists at the end.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Kingdoms of Death by Christopher Ruocchio: Wow, what a book. Do you ever pick a book up and realize that all the books that you have read lately are just…lesser? That’s the feeling I had reading this one. I almost didn’t want to finish it because I didn’t want to leave Hadrian’s world. This is a dark and gritty book (and series), and at times,a bit graphic almost. But it shows the darkness and the ruin that Hadrian is fighting. I’ll say I’m so glad for the ending, because it did bring some light to the story. To me, this series is a must read for anyone that enjoys sci fi or fantasy. I am already anxiously awaiting the next book.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep: These books are just a fun and easy read. Capture the Crown is the start of a new trilogy that is an extension of another trilogy. So we met Gemma in that series, but now she is all grown up. While she might be a crown princess, she is also a mind magier and often acts as a spy. On a mission to see why tearstone is going missing, things go awry and she ends up in Morta with Prince Leonidas, her nemesis. What follows is Gemma trying to figure out the plot with the tearstone while all the royals of Morta are also playing a long game, with Gemma in the middle. I always appreciate the twists and turns in these books, but did find Gemma a bit annoying. She has a bit of a “woe is me” vibe going, and a lot of feelings, most contradictory. I still enjoyed this book though.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep: I think I liked this book more than book 1 of this series. Gemma seems to grow up a bit in this one and not be quite as annoying (even though there were moments when I rolled my eyes pretty hard). She starts to actually think. Anyway, this is a fast read with all sorts of drama and is pretty enjoyable. I have to say, Maeven has grown on me. While her worldview is kind of twisted, you can kind of understand why she thinks that way. I’m interested in seeing how this one ends up wrapping up.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley