Here we are again, the end of another month. And what a month March has been! Coronavirus, social distancing, self-isolating, lockdown and no toilet roll (I’m still confused as to why it was toilet roll that people decided to hoard.) Amongst the chaos I have not done a lot of reading, I actually read double the amount of books in January! I’ve tried my best to read a little everyday though and keep going so I think I have enough books to do a roundup! Being in lockdown is surprisingly stressful so I’ve found it quite hard to settle down and read- does anyone relate? Either way life goes on and so do my monthly roundups. THE BOOKS MUST GO ON.
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman
What I liked about it: a disaster situation, very appropriate for the current world climate! Gripping. Distinct viewpoints. Atmospheric.
What I didn’t like about it: nothing really, it is well rounded.
My favourite character: Alyssa, she did her best in a hard situation and never abandoned her brother
Position in series: 1/1
Genres: young adult, science fiction, climate change
THE RUNNERS UP:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
What I liked about it: The glamour, the gayness, how gripping it was. The drama, the mystery and that incredible ending.
What I didn’t like about it: I wasn’t that attached to Monique who was one of the two main characters. A littler more time with her might have improved this, but it might have just taken away from Evelyn which I definitely don’t want.
My favourite character: Evelyn Hugo herself, of course. I do have a soft spot for Harry though.
Position in series: 1/1
Genres: historical fiction, romance, drama
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
What I liked about it: I had fun reading this, the enemies to lovers trope, the tension and the fairy-tale feel.
What I didn’t like about it: I needed more of the sassy crew. Just endless sassy crew.
My favourite character: Lira probably, although I am quite attached to THE ENTIRE CREW.
Position in series: 1/1 sadly
Genres: young adult, romance, fairy-tale retelling
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
What I liked about it: the deliciously descriptive writing, the tension, the immersive intensity.
What I didn’t like about it: the fact that women were ever burned as witches.
My favourite character: Maren, that naïve old soul.
Position in series: 1/1
Genres: historical fiction, LGBT, awesome
In conclusion, I have read a lot of standalone novels this month and they were awesome. If you’d like to try something slightly different, I read both A Smuggler’s Path and A Noble’s Path by I.L.Cruz this month and they were great fun, slightly chaotic fantasy. Remember to wash your hands and stay inside, I hope you’re all well and if you want to talk about anything feel free to message me! Let’s hope April goes a bit better than March 🙂
