August 2019 Wrap Up

August was an amazing month for me reading wise! I read a total of 16 books, the most I’ve read in a month in a while! Because I read so much, I won’t be including the books I DNF-ed, but just know for the most part, it was either to to personal taste or not being in the mood for that genre and not because I hated the books.

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Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh – 3.5 stars

This book is kind of complicated. I really enjoyed the first half and I can only point out one part of the second half that made me not enjoy it as much, but overall I still didn’t enjoy the second half as much as I wanted to. Maybe it’s because the necromancy was kind of pushed to the side for a bit? Also the second half introduced the romance which really shocked me. I had every confidence that it was going to be a friends-to-lovers f/f ship, but then it was a hate-to-love f/f ship with a completely different love interest?? What?

The first half really threw me for a loop, with the subplot about grief and addiction. It was an interesting turn for the book to take and it was something I wasn’t expecting, so good for it!

Then I participated in Cram-a-thon, for their weekendcram. I had a plan of 2 graphic novels and one novel, but I ended up reading 3 graphic novels and two novels within the weekend!

Kim & Kim Vol 1 – 3.5 stars

This was a reread for me! I enjoyed it as much as the first time I did. It’s a fun sci-fi/fantasy romp with trans rep! Definitely recommend checking out Kim & Kim, I think it deserves more fans.

Kim & Kim Vol 2: Love is a Battlefield – 4 stars

I really liked it! This was a more personal story, going more into the background of one of the Kim’s (compared to the previous bind up) which is why I think I liked this one more.

Fence Vol 1 – 4 stars

Man, I hate THE CAPTIVE PRINCE, but this has the makings of a classic gay enemies to lovers romance. I can’t deny that I liked it and want to read more. I felt like there wasn’t a lot in these volumes though? Like, there was enough to establish characters/settings/stakes, but I was still expecting more time to pass.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim – 3.5 stars

This book is kind of hard to rate. I think it’s safe to say I enjoyed the second half more than the first. Despite the summary, plot was less of a competition and more of a journey/road-trip, which was interesting. I feel like this is because Edan was really annoying and seemed to just be tormenting Maia with no “oh but hes helping her” because it really didn’t seem like he was.

Otherwise, Maia was an interesting protagonist, the book had lovely magic/dress imagery, and the book definitely veered into a direction I did not expect. Like, the competition? Barely takes up the first half, which really interested me!

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl – 4 stars

I reviewed this book! Read it here!

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller – 5 stars

Okay so, this was a reread of a beloved childhood book, so I was already on edge. This is probably more of a 4 star read, but the nostalgia is definitely real with this one. I very much enjoyed it and the characters even if it shows off it’s 2000s very clearly in how weight and clothing is talked about. Also, there should be gay characters because there are 6 middle school grade girls… and Ananka, the main character, discusses how pretty the other girls are very often.

So I can’t really recommend this series? But I want to because I enjoy it, but I know most people today probably won’t see it thought the nostalgia lenses I have.

Kiki Strike: The Empress’ Tomb by Kirsten Miller – 4 stars

Again, a reread. I still enjoyed it, but it shows off more of the problems I have with the series. There are like, six plot lines all at the same time that aren’t necessarily confusing, but they all link together very neatly. The failure of this is definitely that the main plot line is based on a failure to communicate which is not my favorite. Also, as a bonus, there are far more uses of the r-slur than necessary.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett- 3.5 stars

It was good! Definitely need to watch the show and reread it. It was funny, but also hard to read in some places especially when the plain adult humans were talking. My favorite parts were Crowley and Aziraphale and the Four Horsemen with some parts with the kids being very good.

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White- 4 stars

These characters have gone through so much, I can’t help but want to start at book one to relive how they started. As always, I loved Radu’s sections the most and I’m glad he got the ending he did. Lada on the other hand… I don’t know how to take her ending.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson – 4 stars

I wrote a review for this book. Read it here!

Kiki Strike: The Darkness Dwellers by Kirsten Miller – 3.5 stars

Okay so, I hated how abrupt the second book ended. Even when I was 12, I was disappointed and wanted more. Then two years ago, nearly a decade after first discovering Kiki Strike, I found of that this book was written in 2013.

It does hurt me that this book, my most anticipated book of all time, wasn’t as amazing as I ‘d hope. Again, 6 different plots that link back together, but I felt they were handled worse. If not worse, then the plots felt more spread thin. Also, this book has a big case of “everyone is in a heterosexual relationship” which brings me back to my first point of there needs to be some, if not all, gay girls in this group.

I still love the series and I can’t really complain over this surprise book I never in a thousand years expected to get, there was just a lot tackled in this book when what it was really missing was some lesbians.

Power & Magic Anthology – 4 stars

A complete surprise purchase from me! I definitely want to reread this. It was fun in places, but also dealt with some heavy themes and witchy and very very gay. If you can get your hands on a copy, do so.

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston – 4 stars (3.5? 3.75?)

Oof, this is hard. I really enjoyed it, like I loved the characters and the adventure, but after I read it, I realized that the characters felt flat (after trying to imagine fanfiction for the (canon) gay ship).

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera – 5 stars

I will be posting my review shortly so keep an eye for it! In short, just read this book, especially if you’re white and queer.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo – 4.5 stars

Please read this and listen to the audiobook especially. It was amazing and it reminded me of religious thoughts I had when I was a teenager. I already want a physical copy to highlight poems.

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No September TBR as I’m in college so I can’t really read as much as I have this summer.

What did you read in August? What are you planning on reading in September?