Happy New Year! Another year, another reading challenge. This year I intend on smashing at least 75 books. Starting off strong with my January 2023 in books. Kicking off the year, I started on Sarah J Maas‘s universe, as well as some anticipated reads of mine. To keep updated with all my reading shenanigans, add me on Goodreads!
January Stats:
Books read: 6
Pages Turned: 2,596
Coincidentally, you can stay updated with my book blog here:
January 2023 in Books
The Atlas Six
Olivie Blake
Synopsis:
The Alexandrian Society is a secret society of magical academicians, the best in the world. Every year, six new members are chosen to prove themselves as the world’s best. Within the ancient society, runs ancient tradition. Not all of the new recruits agree with these archaic traditions, leading the group to chaos.
Review:
Underwhelmed. The premise of the book is good. It has a vibe like the magicians or the librarians but that is all it has. The characters don’t have much relatability or charisma, on the other hand, they are supposedly all high academics. Saying that academics would be smarter in some of these scenarios.
The plot is aimless and untethered. The world has potential, nevertheless, it falls pancake flat. Finally, the romantic elements try too hard. No pun intended.
Rating:
Queen’s Descent
James Hockley
Synopsis:
Godslost, an empire thriving for six centuries, outlasting great men and gods alike is dying. With age and size comes decay, and the rot in Godslost is set deep.
The sole surviving daughter of the Emperor of Godslost has the monumental task of fixing what is broken. Delfin has no close family, estranged from her father who sees her as a mere pawn. She feels like a sheep in a den of wolves, and they are closing in.
But what she lacks in courtly talents, she more than makes up for with an insatiable thirst for the truth. And when small victories flourish into unquestionable competence, she takes the dangerous step of defying her father and peering into the only truth she’s ever truly wanted. Why was her family killed?
Review:
After having a little break from fantasy (a good year) it was nice to get back into it with Queen’s Descent. It ticks all the fantasy boxes for me. The book does transport you elsewhere, and of course, has some really great names. The world is not fully fleshed out to my liking, so would love to see how this evolves in later books. Some may say it needs development, I’m saying there is room for growth and expansion. For a beta book, it has some wording issues, but the story is solid.
Rating:
Tender is the Flesh
Agustina Bazterrica
Synopsis:
Meat is no longer safe. All animals have the potential to kill humans with a single scratch. Thanks to an unknown, uncurable disease that has ravaged the planet. Now humans are bred for “special meat” but they aren’t humans. They are something else. Or are they?
His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing.
Review:
I have always believed that in our capitalist, consumerist society, we devour each other.
– Agustina Bazterrica
Disturbing. This book is a must-read. Such an interesting concept, that tackles morality and ethics, as well as commenting on society.
The takeaway from this is disturbing. It is a hard book to read but it is addictive.
Rating:
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J Maas
Synopsis:
Feyre does all she can to provide for her sisters. Life is hard, and the threat of fae kind coming back to slaughter all humans makes it harder. On one outing, Feyre kills a wolf. Unbeknown to her, it is a fae. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.
She can never see her family again. However, she has everything she could ever dream of. Her captor may be a beast, yet it is not all of the time. As she adapts to her new life, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion. This burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Review:
A daunting read at 420 pages. Nevertheless, this left me wanting more. A book this size, you would believe it is a slow burn. This is not the case. There is so much world-building and description woven into the forward motion of the story.
The pace of the romantic element is perfect. The amount of sultry simmering goodness is divine. So glad this is a series as you can probably tell by my next two reviews…. I am hooked.
Rating:
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J Maas
Synopsis:
Feyre is back. She has returned home to the Spring court, but not all is as it seems. She has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she’s now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people.
Her wedding to Tamlin approaches, but there are reservations. She finds herself split into two different people: one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin.
Review:
Hello Book two. So much better than the first book. Now the world is set and the premise can be expanded upon, this is a treat. The new characters, the small details. Wow. Rhysand and Feyre are a beautiful couple.
Not a huge review as I do not want to give spoilers.
Rating:
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J Maas
Synopsis:
Feyre is back in the spring court again. Trying to find information on the King of Hyreborn. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could bring doom not only for Feyre, but for everything-and everyone-she holds dear.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers-both magical and political-and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand must decide whom to trust amongst the cunning and lethal High Lords and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
Review:
This was not ok. Well right up until the end, it was not ok. I have thoughts that I will post on my Goodreads page as I do not want to post spoilers here!
Rating:
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