[Review] Reading Roundup - Apr 2024
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booknookI read quite a few things as part of a reading challenge in a discord server I'm in. Part of the challenge is reviewing what you read in order to prove you read it, so you can get those sweet fake internet points. And I figure I can share these with you! :D
These are pretty short reviews, since the purpose was just "hey I read this book!"
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Book Genre: Adventure
Finished Page Count: 362
Review: A fun adventure romp with (temporary, Biggles is actually pilot and von Stalhen is... uhm, a soldier? idk I missed his actual job since he's going around scheming so much lol) spies playing cat-mouse games with each other as they try to figure each other out. This was a reread; it was the first Biggles book I ever read and I liked it just as much now as I did then! I thought that moment of reveal, that final confrontation between von Stalhein and Biggles was really well done. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I'm def going to read more Biggles (just have to decide which one, *there are so many of them*)
Book Author: Andy Weir
Book Genre: SciFi
Finished Page Count: 512
Review: Absolutely lovely. I love the optimism in it, the people actually getting shit done and fixing things, and I love the friendship between Rocky and Grace. How like, enthusiastic they are with each other; and it doesn't devolve into a 'shoot first' situation. They help each other! They take care of each other! They're friends! ❤️
And I adore the ending, too. ||Grace risking his life to save Rocky and his people is just <3 I adore. All of it. And how welcoming and eager they are to make Grace's stay on this alien planet pleasant and nice Yeah, I just really love it. It was lovely. The sciencing was interesting too, but I think it was the relationship between Grace and Rocky that made this Great for me. A good time overall, highly recommend! ❤️
Book Author: Lionel Hart
Book Genre: Fantasy Romance
Finished Page Count: 233
Review: I didn't particularly enjoy this. The characters didn't click for me, the worldbuliding wasn't really interesting and the writing wasn't that captivating. To be honest, my eyes glazed over a lot. Like, I think it's fine? But not really for me, and overall I didn't enjoy the experience. It was pretty much annoying (to read, not necessarily the book itself, if that makes sense? like, there was nothing that stood out and bugged me, but reading it on the whole still bugged me. look, idk I just didn't vibe with this) from start to finish.
The romance between Taegan and Zorvut was sweet, sure, but I just wasn't able to get invested in anything.
Book Author: Sam Burns, W.M. Fawkes
Book Genre: scifi romance
Finished Page Count: 222
Review: I really liked this! I think the resolution was a little quick and the revelation of Lucas being (SPOILER) and what this means for the other humans could have been more expanded upon. Like, idk, I felt like we were building up to it for the whole book (at least it was obvious to me in would pan out that way) and yet it was kind of just... glossed over a bit. But it was still a nice read! Maybe it'll be in the sequels!
Overall it was a good experience. The romance between Lucas and ~~it has been two seconds I have forgotten his name heeeeelp~~ Kaelum (I hope I'm right *sweat*) is very sweet. Their interactions were cute and the progression of their relationship interesting. I also found the world building intriguing, and I like the inclusion of the magic (maybe it'll have a science explanation later but for now I'll call it magic lol) powers. Definitely interested in the sequels!
Book Author: DJ Jamison
Book Genre: Romance
Finished Page Count: 222
Review: Started strong, but I began to lose focus about partway through. Probably in large part because the book began telegraphing the Oncoming Misunderstandings™ a *lot* and my squick about secondhand embarrassment kicked in big time. Yikes. (On my part, not objectively the book's part. I think. Look, that's not something I can objectively judge, it squicks me out *so bad*.)
Anyway, aside from that that it majority an enjoyable read. Benji and Ace are both sweet apart and they're sweet together. (Ace is the secret admirer and Benji's brother's best friend.) The secret admirer part was both and wasn't a large part of the book; I would expected more... idk, fun with it? But instead it hit upon my secondhand embarrassment very quick, (SPOILER) particularly the part where Benji assumed it's Jonas that's the secret admirer and won't budge on this belief even though it's based on like, nothing. Yikes 2.0. I also didn't like how much Benji consistently puts himself down, but it does get called out in the book.
I don't think this book is perfect, and it hit a few too many no's for me to enjoy it all the way through, but overall it's not bad.
Book Author: R. Cooper
Book Genre: Werewolf Romance
Finished Page Count: 665
Review: I think I just need to accept the fact I'm going to need to read everything R. Cooper has ever written. I've not yet read a book by Cooper I didn't like, lol. Give me mooooore.
This is part of the Being(s) in Love series and in this one Tim, a werewolf who knows nothing about being a werewolf and Nathaniel, sheriff of a werewolf refuge town that knows all about werewolves, are fated mates. But Tim is running from something, and the idea of staying in town is anathema to him. No matter how helpful everyone are. Or how hot Nathaniel is. Or how how in love Tim is with him.
I really liked this! It's a chonky book but it didn't feel chonky 😄 The characters were pleasantly distinctive and the relationship between Tim and Nathaniel was lovely; both angst and fluff and all the things. The progression of their relationship was very nice, and the way Tim figured out this werewolf thing and this relationship thing were good. Overall, I really enjoyed it!
Book Author: Lisa Henry & JA Rock
Book Genre: Historical Romance
Finished Page Count: 244
Review: I thought this was really fun! Loftus and Morgan are both debuting into society this Season, and have turned their eyes on the same marriage prospect; alas, they are stymied by each other and their great rivalry. Except, as they do rivalry things together, they start seeing each other in different lights. But no. No. They're rivals. They couldn't (*gasp*) be falling for each other, could they?
Noooooo. That's totally not what's happening. Oh look. A giraffe! (*runs away while you're not looking*)
Okay, so that might be what happens. You forced the truth out of me! I relent to your great detecting skills!
I thought it was a really nice read. Loftus and Morgan both certainly have Specific Personalities, but I thought they worked well together and it stayed firmly on the side of amusing for me. It was an entertaining read with a sweet romance and a nice ending, and I had a good time with it.
Book Author: Amithia Raine
Book Genre: Paranormal Romance (there's barely any paranormal in it, that's just like, *technically* what's happening)
Finished Page Count: 451
Review: This is a paranormal romance in the vein of a reaper falling in love with a mortal man. When the mortal man's abusive husband dies, the reaper takes over his body, loses all his memories, and now tries to make a new life with his new husband who's really confused why just losing his memories made 'Cal' such a better person. And then Cal, who is already in love with always!human Dawson, manages to woo his way into Dawson heart, and they live happily ever after.
This is very much a wish-fulfillment, self-indulgent, cheesy and trope-y romance. It also name drops so many famous movies that it got a bit distracting. The writing is not perfect; the characterization isn't particularly strong, it's difficult to tell what age/level-of-maturity anybody is supposed to be because the author just... doesn't really know how to write that? Maybe? Like, overall there's a sense 'improvements can be made'.
But it's not a bad book by any means. It's got really good flow so it's very easy to get into it and read, the characters are likable and the romance sweet, and I appreciate the fact that when Cal remembers he's a reaper, he tells Dawson and doesn't just like... lie to him about his identity. That's definitely a thing that bugs me about transmigration stories.
Overall it was an enjoyable read.
Book Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Finished Page Count: 482
Review: I finished this book—*checks notes*—one (1) day before the library loan expires, please praise me.
This is a fun adventure fantasy MG novel in the style of the Percy Jackson books, and it definitely shows. That said, I think it's well-written; the characters are all intriguing and the worldbuilding is super interesting, especially as a person completely unfamiliar with African American lore. I wonder if they'll do anything with the relationship between Tristan and his granddad in the sequel, as this one ended right after Tristan returns from his godly adventure.
Honestly, the granddad is my least favorite character in this whole book; I like even the actual villains a whole lot more. They were fun! Uncle C has *character*, a sense of presence and charisma even though he's a pretty hands-off antagonist. All the gods characters certainly have a sense of like... magnitidue to them, maybe?
Overall the book is really entertaining, and there's fun energy to all the character and the interactions between them. It was a really enjoyable read!
Book Author: Cat Sebastian
Book Genre: Historical Romance
Finished Page Count: 217
Review: I think this book is absolutely lovely. Peter is at a crossroads, trying to figure out what he wants in life, and when he graduates and he spots fellow new-graduate Caleb---who he's perhaps paid more attention to than is wise over the years---needing a ride to Los Angelos for his new job, Peter offers to to give him one without a second thought.
During the following 10 days, they fall in love.
With each other.
Their relationship is delightful, lovely, absolutely fantastic to read. I liked them both, and the progression as they got to know one another and got together was really smoothly done. There was basically no side-characters in this book; nevertheless, there's a solid thread to the other characters that exist outside of Caleb-and-Peter's world by virtue that so much of the story is Caleb and Peter, individually, needing to make choices about their happiness, and how this relates to their families, and what should and should not be sacrificed to make family happy.
Yeah, Caleb and Peter's relationship was lovely, and I'm super glad they found each other. Happily ever after! ;D
These are pretty short reviews, since the purpose was just "hey I read this book!"
Biggles Flies East (Apr 3)
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Book Genre: Adventure
Finished Page Count: 362
Review: A fun adventure romp with (temporary, Biggles is actually pilot and von Stalhen is... uhm, a soldier? idk I missed his actual job since he's going around scheming so much lol) spies playing cat-mouse games with each other as they try to figure each other out. This was a reread; it was the first Biggles book I ever read and I liked it just as much now as I did then! I thought that moment of reveal, that final confrontation between von Stalhein and Biggles was really well done. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I'm def going to read more Biggles (just have to decide which one, *there are so many of them*)
Project Hail Mary (Apr 6)
Book Author: Andy Weir
Book Genre: SciFi
Finished Page Count: 512
Review: Absolutely lovely. I love the optimism in it, the people actually getting shit done and fixing things, and I love the friendship between Rocky and Grace. How like, enthusiastic they are with each other; and it doesn't devolve into a 'shoot first' situation. They help each other! They take care of each other! They're friends! ❤️
And I adore the ending, too. ||Grace risking his life to save Rocky and his people is just <3 I adore. All of it. And how welcoming and eager they are to make Grace's stay on this alien planet pleasant and nice Yeah, I just really love it. It was lovely. The sciencing was interesting too, but I think it was the relationship between Grace and Rocky that made this Great for me. A good time overall, highly recommend! ❤️
Claimed by the Orc Prince (Apr 7)
Book Author: Lionel Hart
Book Genre: Fantasy Romance
Finished Page Count: 233
Review: I didn't particularly enjoy this. The characters didn't click for me, the worldbuliding wasn't really interesting and the writing wasn't that captivating. To be honest, my eyes glazed over a lot. Like, I think it's fine? But not really for me, and overall I didn't enjoy the experience. It was pretty much annoying (to read, not necessarily the book itself, if that makes sense? like, there was nothing that stood out and bugged me, but reading it on the whole still bugged me. look, idk I just didn't vibe with this) from start to finish.
The romance between Taegan and Zorvut was sweet, sure, but I just wasn't able to get invested in anything.
Captured (Apr 7)
Book Author: Sam Burns, W.M. Fawkes
Book Genre: scifi romance
Finished Page Count: 222
Review: I really liked this! I think the resolution was a little quick and the revelation of Lucas being (SPOILER) and what this means for the other humans could have been more expanded upon. Like, idk, I felt like we were building up to it for the whole book (at least it was obvious to me in would pan out that way) and yet it was kind of just... glossed over a bit. But it was still a nice read! Maybe it'll be in the sequels!
Overall it was a good experience. The romance between Lucas and ~~it has been two seconds I have forgotten his name heeeeelp~~ Kaelum (I hope I'm right *sweat*) is very sweet. Their interactions were cute and the progression of their relationship interesting. I also found the world building intriguing, and I like the inclusion of the magic (maybe it'll have a science explanation later but for now I'll call it magic lol) powers. Definitely interested in the sequels!
Secret Admirer (Apr 10)
Book Author: DJ Jamison
Book Genre: Romance
Finished Page Count: 222
Review: Started strong, but I began to lose focus about partway through. Probably in large part because the book began telegraphing the Oncoming Misunderstandings™ a *lot* and my squick about secondhand embarrassment kicked in big time. Yikes. (On my part, not objectively the book's part. I think. Look, that's not something I can objectively judge, it squicks me out *so bad*.)
Anyway, aside from that that it majority an enjoyable read. Benji and Ace are both sweet apart and they're sweet together. (Ace is the secret admirer and Benji's brother's best friend.) The secret admirer part was both and wasn't a large part of the book; I would expected more... idk, fun with it? But instead it hit upon my secondhand embarrassment very quick, (SPOILER) particularly the part where Benji assumed it's Jonas that's the secret admirer and won't budge on this belief even though it's based on like, nothing. Yikes 2.0. I also didn't like how much Benji consistently puts himself down, but it does get called out in the book.
I don't think this book is perfect, and it hit a few too many no's for me to enjoy it all the way through, but overall it's not bad.
Little Wolf (Apr 11)
Book Author: R. Cooper
Book Genre: Werewolf Romance
Finished Page Count: 665
Review: I think I just need to accept the fact I'm going to need to read everything R. Cooper has ever written. I've not yet read a book by Cooper I didn't like, lol. Give me mooooore.
This is part of the Being(s) in Love series and in this one Tim, a werewolf who knows nothing about being a werewolf and Nathaniel, sheriff of a werewolf refuge town that knows all about werewolves, are fated mates. But Tim is running from something, and the idea of staying in town is anathema to him. No matter how helpful everyone are. Or how hot Nathaniel is. Or how how in love Tim is with him.
I really liked this! It's a chonky book but it didn't feel chonky 😄 The characters were pleasantly distinctive and the relationship between Tim and Nathaniel was lovely; both angst and fluff and all the things. The progression of their relationship was very nice, and the way Tim figured out this werewolf thing and this relationship thing were good. Overall, I really enjoyed it!
A Rival for Rivingdon (Apr 15)
Book Author: Lisa Henry & JA Rock
Book Genre: Historical Romance
Finished Page Count: 244
Review: I thought this was really fun! Loftus and Morgan are both debuting into society this Season, and have turned their eyes on the same marriage prospect; alas, they are stymied by each other and their great rivalry. Except, as they do rivalry things together, they start seeing each other in different lights. But no. No. They're rivals. They couldn't (*gasp*) be falling for each other, could they?
Noooooo. That's totally not what's happening. Oh look. A giraffe! (*runs away while you're not looking*)
Okay, so that might be what happens. You forced the truth out of me! I relent to your great detecting skills!
I thought it was a really nice read. Loftus and Morgan both certainly have Specific Personalities, but I thought they worked well together and it stayed firmly on the side of amusing for me. It was an entertaining read with a sweet romance and a nice ending, and I had a good time with it.
Should the Sky Fall (Apr 19)
Book Author: Amithia Raine
Book Genre: Paranormal Romance (there's barely any paranormal in it, that's just like, *technically* what's happening)
Finished Page Count: 451
Review: This is a paranormal romance in the vein of a reaper falling in love with a mortal man. When the mortal man's abusive husband dies, the reaper takes over his body, loses all his memories, and now tries to make a new life with his new husband who's really confused why just losing his memories made 'Cal' such a better person. And then Cal, who is already in love with always!human Dawson, manages to woo his way into Dawson heart, and they live happily ever after.
This is very much a wish-fulfillment, self-indulgent, cheesy and trope-y romance. It also name drops so many famous movies that it got a bit distracting. The writing is not perfect; the characterization isn't particularly strong, it's difficult to tell what age/level-of-maturity anybody is supposed to be because the author just... doesn't really know how to write that? Maybe? Like, overall there's a sense 'improvements can be made'.
But it's not a bad book by any means. It's got really good flow so it's very easy to get into it and read, the characters are likable and the romance sweet, and I appreciate the fact that when Cal remembers he's a reaper, he tells Dawson and doesn't just like... lie to him about his identity. That's definitely a thing that bugs me about transmigration stories.
Overall it was an enjoyable read.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Apr 24)
Book Author: Kwame Mbalia
Book Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Finished Page Count: 482
Review: I finished this book—*checks notes*—one (1) day before the library loan expires, please praise me.
This is a fun adventure fantasy MG novel in the style of the Percy Jackson books, and it definitely shows. That said, I think it's well-written; the characters are all intriguing and the worldbuilding is super interesting, especially as a person completely unfamiliar with African American lore. I wonder if they'll do anything with the relationship between Tristan and his granddad in the sequel, as this one ended right after Tristan returns from his godly adventure.
Honestly, the granddad is my least favorite character in this whole book; I like even the actual villains a whole lot more. They were fun! Uncle C has *character*, a sense of presence and charisma even though he's a pretty hands-off antagonist. All the gods characters certainly have a sense of like... magnitidue to them, maybe?
Overall the book is really entertaining, and there's fun energy to all the character and the interactions between them. It was a really enjoyable read!
Peter Cabot Gets Lost (Apr 30)
Book Author: Cat Sebastian
Book Genre: Historical Romance
Finished Page Count: 217
Review: I think this book is absolutely lovely. Peter is at a crossroads, trying to figure out what he wants in life, and when he graduates and he spots fellow new-graduate Caleb---who he's perhaps paid more attention to than is wise over the years---needing a ride to Los Angelos for his new job, Peter offers to to give him one without a second thought.
During the following 10 days, they fall in love.
With each other.
Their relationship is delightful, lovely, absolutely fantastic to read. I liked them both, and the progression as they got to know one another and got together was really smoothly done. There was basically no side-characters in this book; nevertheless, there's a solid thread to the other characters that exist outside of Caleb-and-Peter's world by virtue that so much of the story is Caleb and Peter, individually, needing to make choices about their happiness, and how this relates to their families, and what should and should not be sacrificed to make family happy.
Yeah, Caleb and Peter's relationship was lovely, and I'm super glad they found each other. Happily ever after! ;D