I had a busy February but had some time off work ,so I managed to read quite a few books, built a Lego Land Rover,badly crocheted a toy and finally managed a parkrun without stopping!
Here is my month in books
Challenge Updates.
Beat the Backlog Feb Update
I read three books from my backlog but then couldn’t walk past a sale sign in a bookshop and ended up with three more!
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Nophek Gloss by Essa Hansen (review here)
This was a fast paced, adult science-fiction, space opera with many dark themes with an underlying revenge story. A page turner.
The Unspoken Name A. K Larkwood (review here)
This fantasy had advanced tech, diverse worlds, ancient Gods, an intriguing heroine and the best enemy to not quite friend trope
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
I have read three historical fiction books, so I’m still on track to completing the challenge
.Jane and the Year without summer by Stephanie Baron ( review)
I can’t believe I haven’t come across The Being Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron before I took part in the Jane and the Year without Summer blog tour, where Jane Austen solves a murder at the Spas.
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The Son of York by Amy License (review here)
I loved reading about the War of the Roses from the perspective of Edward the Fourth and couldn’t put this down even though I knew exactly what was going to happen- it was historical fiction after all.
Red Monarch by Bella Ellis (review here)
The Bronte sisters make a formidable team as they try to find a friend’s husband and end up taking down a Kingpin of the underworld
ARC reviews
I was lucky to be part of a a few amazing blog tours and accepted for ARCS on NetGalley
The Christie Affair by Nia De Gramont(review)
I was so pleased to be part of the blog tour for this ambitious fictional account of Agatha Christie’s disappearance with added murder mystery and social commentary.
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies (review)
This action-packed fantasy was a whole lot of fun to read- a complex and intricate fantasy especially as unlike a lot of other fantasies ( I’m looking you grimdark) the darkness stays firmly off-page.
The Beyond by Ken Brosky(review)
I don’t read a lot of horror, but I was intrigued by the blurb and I wasn’t disappointed-this book is more than your just bog-standard horror with thrills and scares (but don’t worry there are plenty of thrills and scares in The Beyond). There is a science-fiction edge to this book that I loved
The Clockwork Magpies by Emma Whitehall (review)
I loved this heart-warming fantasy debut with lots of feisty women, a strong theme of friendship and a clever heist.
36th Street by T Napper (review)
I found this sci-fi thriller set in Vietnam thought-provoking with its themes of identity, memory and the how changing the narratives of the past can change the present.
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James the Third by Maggie Ballinger( review)
Have you ever wondered whether Britain would be any different if we had a King on the throne instead of Queen Elizabeth? This book explores and alternate Britain where King Edward and his wife have a surprise baby boy, James, in their late forties changing the line of succession.
Age of Ash by Daniel Abraham( review)
I was really excited to read this book partly because the author is one half of James S. A Corey who created the complex world of The Expanse and I wasn’t disappointed. This epic fantasy explores the impact of grief.
The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews ( review here)
Beautifully written literary historical fiction set in the time of witchfinders.
OTHER BOOKS
Here are some books I’ve read but have not reviewed on my blog
A Line To Kill by Anthony Horowitz
I enjoy reading books where authors or literary characters turn detective but A Line To Kill author writes himself into the story as the ex- Detective Hawthorne’s side kick takes this to the next level, This book features the author interacting with his agent and publishers (and they talk about book bloggers) but then flying to a book festival in Alderney where they have to solve a murder of a typically hideous murder victim.
The Pineys: Book 1, My Cousin, the Piney byTony DiGerolamo
This was a fast-paced, action packed horror with interesting characters and plenty of humour
Windsor Knot by S.J Bennet
This was a book club choice. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second turns detective to solve a murder in this slightly, unrealistic, love letter to the Queen.
Series review
I read this completed trilogy years ago and it still remains one of my favourite particularly because of Mahala- a city built vertically.
The Rojan Dizon Trilogy By Francis Knight ( review here)
Books I didn’t finish( but have put aside for another time)
Unfortunately, there are two books I have had to put aside as I couldn’t get into them
Selin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft
I was looking forward to this one but I just couldn’t get into this, the writing and world building was really intricate but there was a certain lack of strong women that has put me off for the book.
Trance by Adam Southward
This was one from my backlog list but I didn’t like the main character, he felt a little smug and entitled but this could me just me.
How was your reading this February?
Series Book Lover 