Sunday, December 31, 2023
Stats of 2023 Wrap Up
Time to do my stats wrap up for 2023! As always, I'm splitting things up, and this is just the wrap up, and the comparison to the previous year!
-Total read in 2023 - 955, up 233
-Total pages read in 2023 - 322277, up 80043
-Total hours listened to in 2023 - 1769.45, up 1145.06
-How many books I read that were stand alones and that were series-I read 186 books that were stand alones which is 17 more than 2022, and I read 769 books that were in series which is up 216 from 2022
-How many books I reread this year - 195 books, up 66 from 2022
-Series I started in 2023 and completed - 48, up 26 from 2022
-Series I started in 2023 and caught up to what's been currently published - 71, up 33 from 2022
-Series I started in 2023 and didn't finish - 20, down 17 from 2022
-Series I started prior to 2023 and completed - 87, up 43 from 2022
-Series I started prior to 2023 and continued - 108, up 9 from 2022
-Series I started prior to 2023 and didn't finish - 16, down 7 from 2022
-Series I've read since 2020, but didn't read in 2023 - 70, down 1 from 2022
-Total series I read in 2023 - 350, up 87 from 2022
-How many books I bought in 2023 - I bought 339 new, read 258, and haven't read 81, I bought used 170, read 90, and haven't read 80. For a total of 509 books, with 348 read, and 161 unread
-Where I got the books from
-What format I read the books in
In 2023, I had the usual suspects, as to what formats I read-physical book, ebooks, and audiobooks.
Hardcovers: 96
Paperbacks: 107
Mass Markets: 59
Ebooks: 498
Audiobooks: 178
Graphic Novels: 17
Books that I Bought After Read:
Bought Hardcover: 20
Bought Paperback: 23
Bought Mass Market: 7
Where I Got the Books From 2023
The sources of where I got books are primarily bought in 2023, owned previous to 2023, NetGalley, Edelweiss, Ebook.bike, and then a few other places.
Bought in 2023: 75
Bought After Read: 1
Owned Prior to 2023: 224
NetGalley: 187
Edelweiss: 60
Ebook.bike: 233
Online: 41
Library: 127
Audible: 38
Tour Books:
Review Books: 4
Miscellaneous: Free: 9, Pre-Order Incentive: 2
I have 2 books that I own as a physical book that are collection of 8 stories that I counted just once each, even though there's the 8 stories.
I had 1 books that I got though Edelweiss, and 1 books that I got through NetGalley but that I owned prior to 2023, so I put them in both sources.
I had 6 books that I got through NetGalley, and 0 books that I got through Edelweiss, that I bought in 2023 that I bought before I read, so I put them in both sources.
I had 7 books that I got though Edelweiss, and 9 books that I got through NetGalley, and 6 books that I bought in 2023, and 22 books that I owned prior to 2023 that I got through the library, so I put them in both sources.
I had 1 book that I got through NetGalley, and 1 that I bought in 2023, and 5 books that I owned prior to 2023 that I got through Audible, so I put them in both sources.
I had 1 book that I got through NetGalley, and 2 books that I got through Edelweiss, that I bought in 2023, and that I got through the library, so I put them all 3 sources.
I bought 8 book as ebooks, the rest I got as physical books.
Books I Bought in 2023 Stats
So the books I bought in 2023 for myself (I'm not counting gifts) that I paid for this year, I've continued with the spreadsheet, so I know exactly how many I bought, and from where.
Books Bought New: 157 from Store 1, 160 from Store 2, 2 from Store 3*, 1 from Store 4, 10 from Store 5, 7 from Store 8, 1 from Store 10, 1 from Store 14, for a total of 339, which is up 21 from 2022. Of those, I have read 258, and haven't read 81, though 16 of them are pre-orders that come out in 2023.
Books Bought Second Hand: 80 from Site 1, 25 from Store 7, 15 from Store 9, 9 from Store 11, 41 from Store 12, so for a total of 170, which is down 7. Of those, I have read 90, and haven't read 80.
So total, I bought 510 books which is up 23 from 2022, with 348 read which is up 25 from 2022, and 161 unread which is up 26 from 2022.
*Store 3 was Book Depository, which is no more, so after this, I will delete it, and what is store 4 will become store 3, and everything will move up, so I'll still compare the same stores, they're just going to be a different number next year
Series Untouched in 2023 Stats
So the series I started prior to 2023, picked up since 2020, and haven't thought of picking up in 2023 to what's been currently published are:
Wayward Mages by Sara Hanover
Bone Grace by Kathryn Purdie
Solar Wardens by Ian Douglas
Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn
Lady Slayers by Lana Popović
Goddess in the Machine by Lora Beth Johnson
A Forgery of Magic by Maya Motayne
Twin Daggers by MarcyKate Connolly
What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence
System Divine by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski
Iskar by Kristen Ciccarelli
Nova Vita Protoco by Kristyn Merbeth
Devil's Isle by Chloe Neill
Something Dark and Holy by Emily A. Duncan
Montague Siblings by Mackenzi Lee
Corpus by Jessica Khoury
Dustlands by Moira Young
Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
The Duke Hunt by Sophie Jordan
Wickery by Dana Swift
Hibiscus Daughter by Lana Popović
Trust Me by Mary Elizabeth Summer
The Hades Trials by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson
Cape Charade by Christina Dobb
The Lawful Time by Daniel B. Greene
Fable by Adrienne Young
The Dreamer by Maggie Stiefvater
V-Date.com by Juliet Lyons
Nil by Lynne Matson
The Once and Future Queen by Clara O'Connor
The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence
Follow Me Back by A.V. Gieger
Providence Falls by Jude Devereaux and Tara Sheets
Maggie O'Dell by Alex Kava
Survival Instincts by Adriana Anders
Peryn & the End of Days by Susan Ee
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
The Feuds by Avery Hasting
Unstoppable by Charlie Jane Anders
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
The Midsolar Murders by Mur Lafferty
Lightlark by Alex Aster
Newsflesh by Mira Grant
Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
Magic After Midlife by Deborah Wilde
Malice by Heather Walter
Greatcoats by Sebastien de Castell
Shades of Magic by Victoria Schwab, Illustrated by Andrea Olimpieri
Hometown Antihero by Amber Lynn Natusch
The Knot's Sequence by Amy McCulloch
The Guild Codex: Spellbound by Annette Marie
Market of Monsters by Rebecca Schaeffer
Manhattan Ten by Lola Dodge
Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little
The Sixth World by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman
The Graces by Laure Eve
The Books of Eva by Heather Terrrell
The Six by Mark Alpert
Zombie Apocalypse by Adam Gallardo
Never After by Emily McIntire
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
The Queen's Chair by Chloe Garner
70 series. Which is 1 less then last year, but I'll take it! Yeah that I picked up one more series that I had picked up since 2020 this year!
Series Continued and Unfinished 2023 Stats
So the series that I continued in 2023 and didn't finish or haven't caught up to what's been currently published are:
Mordecai Young by Maggie Shayne 43
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren 45
Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter (Reread) 52
Twisted Tales by Liz Brazwell, Jen Calonita, Elizabeth Lam, and Farrah Rochon 162
The Great Library by Rachel Caine 73
Nightshade World by Andrea Cremer 91
The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow 189
The Gardella Vampire Hunters by Colleen Gleason 207
Dragon Kin by G.A. Aiken 215
John Cleaver by Dan Wells 263
Guide Codex Universe by Annette Marie 270
Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich 291
Zodiac by Romina Russell 297
Stoker and Holmes by Colleen Gleason 300
Belador by Dianna Love 307
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Reread) 350
16 series. So down 7 series from 2022, which is great, that I didn't have many series that I continued on but didn't catch up or complete them.
Series Continued and Current 2023 Stats
So the series I started prior to 2023 and am current on are:
The Cosmere by Brandon Sanderson 1
Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare 9
Dark Olympus by Katee Robert 11
Jane Austen Tea Society Murder by Katie Oliver 13
Alex Stern by Leigh Bardugo 14
World of Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews 24
The Taking by Melissa West 25
Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep 27
Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber 28
Highlander Brides by Lynsay Sands 29
Avatar: The Last Airbender Comics by Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Illustrated by Gurihiru 31
The Folk of the Heir by Holly Black 39
In Death by J.D. Robb 40
Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer (Series Might Be Finished) 42
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr 46
Supernatural Singles by April Asher 50
Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong 56
Lady Sherlock by Sherry Thomas 57
Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost 62
The Black Jewels by Anne Bishop 64
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot 67
The Roots of Chaos by Samantha Shannon 72
Kendra Michaels by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen 80
A Deal With a Demon by Katee Robert 82
The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa 84
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher 86
Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter (Series Might Be Finished) 87
Mercy Thompson World by Patricia Briggs 88
A Jane Ladling Mystery by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe 92
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray 94
Mountain Lodge Mystery by Diane Kelly 98
The Atlas by Olivie Blake 100
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs 101
The Chronicles of Ixia by Maria V. Snyder 103
Psy-Changeling Trinity by Nalini Singh 109
Psy-Changeling by Nalini Singh 110
The All-Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (Reread) 116
Ghostwalkers by Christine Feehan 120
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen 123
Case Files of Henri Davenforth by Honor Raconteur 124
Eric Carter by Stephen Blackmoore 126
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton 128
Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs (Reread) 129
Antique Bookshop Mystery by Laura Gail Black 131
Galactic Bonds by Jennifer Estep 132
Shadow Riders by Christine Feehan 134
Fix-It Witches by Ann Aguirre 135
Southern Homebrew Mystery by Diane Kelly 137
Lily Adler Mystery by Katharine Schellerman 140
October Daye by Seanan McGuire 141
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo 142
Songs of the Amaranthine by Forthright 143
Veronica Speedwell by Deanna Raybourn 145
Torpedo Ink by Christine Feehan 155
Murderbot by Marth Wells 161
Fractalverse by Christopher Paolini 163
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson 167
Skyward Flight by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson (Series Might Be Finished) 168
Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout 173
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe 178
Temping Monsters by Kathryn Moon (Series Might Be Finished) 179
Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs 183
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 185
Immortal Guardians by Dianne Duvall 190
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree 192
Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara 193
Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire 195
Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly 201
Secret Shanghai by Chloe Gong (Series Might Be Finished) 203
Alveria Dragon's Akademy Universe by Ava Richardson 206
Embraced by Magic by Kerrelyn Sparks 212
The Embraced by Kerrelyn Sparks 213
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 216
Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep 217
Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep 218
A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong 223
Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak 228
Dark by Christine Feehan 232
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace 235
Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones 240
Married to Magic by Elise Kova 242
The Luminaries by Susan Dennard 249
The Hollows by Kim Harrison 251
Sigma Force by James Rollins 256
Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter 261
InCryptid by Seanan McGuire 264
Argeneau by Lynsay Sands 275
Smith's Shifter World by Shelly Laurenston 278
Eve Duncan by Iris Johansen 281
Dark-Hunter World by Sherrilyn Kenyon 285
Krewe of Hunters by Heather Grahahm 293
Fire & Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout 301
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen 302
Sword Soldier by T. Kingfisher 303
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini 306
Finlay Donovan by Elle Cosimano 310
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat 312
The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley 313
Death-Cast by Adam Silvera 319
Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel 320
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen 321
Monsters by Vanessa Len 325
A Rip Through Tim by Kelley Armstrong 327
Honey Badger Chronicles by Shelly Laurenston 332
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan, Illustrated by Fiona Staples 337
Heirs of Chicagoland by Chloe Neill 340
Monstress by by Marjorie M. Liu, Illustrated by Sana Takeda 343
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth 345
Leopard People by Christine Feehan 346
108 series. Which is 9 series more then last year, which I'm really happy with, that I've continued on with all these series and stayed current!
Series Continued and Completed 2023 Stats
So the series I started prior to 2023 and completed are:
Jenna Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson 3
The Ivy Chronicles by Sophie Jordan (Reread) 7
The Bright & the Pale Duology by Jessica Rubinkowski 10
All Of Us Villians by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman 16
Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout 17
Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon 19
The Last Hours by Cassandra Clare 32
Goddess War by Kendare Blake 33
The Skyscraper Throne by Tom Pollock 34
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau 37
Paper Gods by Amanda Sun 41
Frostblood Saga by Elly Blake 44
The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson (Reread) 48
Malice Duology by Heather Walters 49
Skylark by Meagan Spooner 54
Rockton by Kelley Armstrong 55
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine 59
Ria & Rani by Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua 63
The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks 66
The Vindico by Wesley King 68
Elements of Cadence by Rebecca Ross 74
Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon by Yasmine Galenorn 78
The Shadow Game by Amanda Foody 81
The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten by Julie Kagawa 83
Cainsville by Kelley Armstrong 89
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Reread) 90
Starbound by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (Reread) 96
Wolf Springs Chronicles by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié 105
White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter (Reread) 112
Nightshade Prequel by Andrea Cremer 118
Starlight's Shadow by Jessie Milalik 121
No Kissing Allowed by Melissa West 122
The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole 133
Earth & Sky by Megan Crewe 136
The Anatomy Duology by Dana Schwartz 138
The Aether Chronicles by Suzanne Lazear 147
Weather Witch by Shannon Delaney 148
Teen Killers Club by Lily Sparks 149
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta 152
Royals by Rachel Hawkins 159
Conquered Earth by J. Barton Mitchell 166
The Honors by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre (Reread) 169
Kricket by Amy A. Bartol 174
The Taking by Kimberly Derting 175
Sirantha Jax by Ann Aguirre 176
Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson 177
Dred Chronicles by Ann Aguirre (Reread) 180
Alienated by Melissa Landers 182
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron 186
The Tomes of Kaleria by Honor Raconteur (Reread) 188
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston 191
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 194
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman 196
Sisters of Salem by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast 199
Alveria Dragon Akademy's Untameables by Ava Richardson 205
Gilded by Marissa Meyer 214
Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 219
Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 227
Silver Springs by Brenda Novak 229
Scholomance by Naomi Novik (Reread) 236
Salvation Cycle by Jodi Meadows 237
The Malediction Trilogy by Danielle L. Jensen 238
Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristin Simmons 243
Angels of the Dark by Gena Showalter (Reread) 244
The Diviners by Libba Bray 247
Jane Austen Murder Mystery by Tirzah Price 255
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Reread) 259
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd 260
Fairwick Chronicles by Juliet Dark 268
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus 273
Magnus Pack by Shelly Laurenston 276
Debutantes by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Reread) 279
Procedural Crime by Amanda Stevens 282
Lost Girls by Kate Ellison 287
Nadia Stanford by Kelley Armstrong (Reread) 290
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Brittany Cavallaro 292
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Reread) 299
Wilde Island Chronicles by Janet Lee Carey 311
Reaper by Rin Chupeco 318
Gamble Brothers by Jennifer L. Armentrout 322
A Hundred Names for Magic by Rin Chupeco 324
Dark Star by Danielle Rollins 326
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst 329
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon 331
Shades of Magic World by V.E. Schwab 335
The Shepard King by Rachel Gillig 336
Letters of Enchantment by Rebecca Ross 347
87 series. Which is up 43 series from the last year, so I finished a bunch of series that I had started in previous years, so yeah, I'm really happy with that!
Series Started and Unfinished in 2023 Stats
So the series that I started in 2023 and didn't finish or haven't caught up to what's been currently published are:
Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman 2
Holidates by Trillina Pucci 4
Hollow's Row by Trisha Wolfe 8
Sharing You by Molly McAdams 18
Unearthly by Laura Thalassa 53
Witches of Windsor by A.S. Fenichel 60
Blood Grace by Vela Roth 76
Faery Revolution by Chelsea Pitcher 85
Mercenary Librarians by Kit Rocha 130
The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie 150
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman 156
Emry Merlin by Robyn Schneider 198
Elementals by Michelle Madow 230
The Guide Codex: Warped by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobsen 269
Dark Eyes by Katrina Halle 272
Glimmer Falls by Sarah Hawley 274
Emma Nash Series by Chloe Seager 305
Heartstriker by Rachel Aaron 316
Sheriff Detective Kendall Stark by Gregg Olson 309
Gumiho by Kat Cho 338
20. Down 17 series, which is great, that there's 17 less series that I've started but haven't gotten current or finished, yeah!
Series Started and Current in 2023 Stats
So the series that I started in 2023 and caught up to what's been currently published:
Adrian X Isolde by Scarlett St. Clair 5
Monster Smash Agency by Kathryn Moon 12
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson 20
Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years by Ilona Andrews 23
Meant to Be by Julie Murphy, Jasmine Guillory, Zoraida Córdova, Christina Lauren 35
The Stolen Heir Duology by Holly Black 38
Dominions by Abigail Owen 47
Avalon Bay by Elle Kennedy 51
Whimbrel House by Charlie N. Holmberg 58
The Middlemist Trilogy by Claire Legrand 65
Emily Wilde by Heather Fawcett 69
House of the Dead by Nicki Pau Preto 70
Dead Djinn Universe by P. Djèlí Clark 79
Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken 95
Mythwoven by Piper J. Drake 97
Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu 99
Verity Kent by Anna Lee Huber 102
Hades x Persephone by Scarlett St. Clair 108
The Nightshade Kingdom by Hannah Whitten 113
Fairy Tale Retellings by Scarlett St. Clair 139
Crimson Sails by Katee Robert 144
The Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros 146
London Calling by Alexis Hall 153
Flesh and False Gods by Chloe Gong 154
Amaranthine Interludes by Forthright 157
Garden of the Cursed by Katy Rose Pool 160
The Dragon Scales Trilogy by L.R. Lam 170
Witches of West Harbor by Meg Cabot 194
The Library Trilogy by Mark Lawrence 197
Mead Mishaps by Kimberly Lemming 200
Bound to Fire and Steel by Kit Rocha 210
The Iron Crystal by Kathryn Ann Kingsley 211
Ghost Cupid by Allie Brahms 220
Forging Silver Into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer 221
Riven by Mindee Arnett 222
Rise of the Vicious Princess by CJ. Redwine 224
Unseelie Duology by Ivelisse Housman 225
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker 226
Awakened Fates by Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey 231
Drowned Gods by Pascale Lacelle 234
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 239
The Sunbolt Chronicles by Intisar Khanani 246
Awakening by Jennifer L. Armentrout 248
Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty 254
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen 258
The Asylum Saga by Jenny Adams Perinovic (Series Might Be Finished) 262
Regency Dragons by Stephanie Burgis 265
Witch and Hunter by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis 266
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin 267
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli 271
Expectant Detectives by Kate Ailes 280
The Zero Chronicles by Dan Wells (Series Might Be Finished) 283
Shadows of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon 284
Ernest Cummingham by Benjamin Stevenson 288
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller 289
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer 294
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare 296
Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto 298
Lady Petra Inquires by Celeste Connally 308
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng 314
Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast 317
Blades of Fury by Deya Muniz and Emily Erdos 323
The Powerless Trilogy by Lauren Roberts 328
Drowned by Cyn Balog (Series Might Be Finished) 330
Falling for Fables by Jenna Wolfhart 333
Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab 334
Maple Hills by Hannah Grace 339
Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman 341
Campus Diaries by Elle Kennedy 344
The Warden by Daniel M. Ford 348
Heromaker by Kendare Blake 349
71 series. Which is up 33 from last year, so I'm happy with that, that I'm current with all these series right now!
Series Started and Completed in 2023 Stats
So the series that I started in 2023 and completed are:
Hurog by Patricia Briggs 6
A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers 15
Aralorn by Patricia Briggs 21
Sianim by Patricia Briggs 22
Briar U by Elle Kennedy 26
The Rift by Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Illustrated by Gurihiru 30
Themis Files by Sylvain Neuvel 36
Smoke and Shadow by Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Illustrated by Gurihiru 61
Raven by Patricia Briggs 71
Reawakened by Collen Houck 75
Dead God's Heart by Lilith Saintcrow 77
The Book of Tea by Judy I. Lin 93
Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 104
The Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda 106
Blood Heir Trilogy by Amélie Wen Zhao 107
Skyhunter by Marie Lu 111
Hades Saga by Scarlet St. Clair 114
Semiosis by Sue Burke 115
The Blood of Stars by Elizabeth Lim 117
The Iron Fey: Evenfall by Julie Kagawa 119
Once Upon a Con by Ashley Poston 125
Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl 127
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun 151
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker 158
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey 164
Rogue Queen by Jessie Mihalik 165
The Last 8 by Laura Pohl 171
Take Them to the Stars by Sylvain Neuvel 172
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes 181
The Thorne Chronicles by K. Eason 184
North and South by Gene Luen Yang, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Illustrated by Gurihiru 187
Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong 202
Loom Saga by Elise Kova 204
Solitaire by Alice Oseman 208
A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan 209
Given Duet by Mindy McGinnis 233
The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman 241
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim 245
Life's a Witch by Brittany Geragotelis 250
Air Awakens by Elise Kova 252
These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling 253
Imbalance by Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrated by Peter Wartman 257
Pride by Shelly Laurenston 277
Erin Blake by Sheryl Scarborough 286
The Mortician's Daughter by C.C. Hunter 295
The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto 304
Reign of Chaos by Ava Richardson 315
The Last Finestra by Emily Thiede 342
48 series. Which is up 26 from last year, which is great, that I read some really great books, and series, so yeah, I'm happy with that!
What I Wanted to Read in 2023
Mainly another year of just minimal titles in here, because there's just so much to read, adding new books to my various TBR's just doesn't sound great to me. But I had some really great books, and I think I read most to all of them, so I'm happy with that!
Week 52:
Nothing Planned!
Week 51:
A Matter of Secrets and Spies by Honor Raconteur
Week 50:
Random in Death by J.D. Robb
Week 49:
The Study Chronicles by Maria V. Snyder
Week 48:
Nothing Planned!
Week 47:
Defiant by Brandon Sanderson
Week 46:
Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat
Week 45:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Week 44:
A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Week 43:
Nothing Planned!
Week 42:
Nothing Planned!
Week 41:
Nothing Planned!
Week 40:
The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson
Week 39:
Aftermarket Aftermath by Seanan McGuire
Week 38:
Nothing Planned!
Week 37:
Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Week 36:
Payback in Death by J.D. Robb
Week 35:
Nothing Planned!
Week 34:
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Tie Me Knot by Allie Brahms
Week 33:
Nothing Planned!
Week 32:
Nothing Planned!
Week 31:
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot, Shards of Glass by Michelle Sagara
Week 30:
Nothing Planned!
Week 29:
A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Week 28:
Nothing Planned!
Week 27:
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
Week 26:
Nothing Planned!
Week 25:
Nothing Planned!
Week 24:
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews
Week 23:
From the Grave by Kresley Cole
Week 22:
Nothing Planned!
Week 21:
Nothing Planned!
Week 20:
Nothing Planned!
Week 19:
Nothing Planned!
Week 18:
Nothing Planned!
Week 17:
Resonance Surge by Nalini Singh
Week 16:
The Study of Poisons by Maria V. Snyder
Week 15:
Master of Souls by Rena Barron
Week 14:
Falling for the Gravekeeper by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe, The Frugal Wizard’s Guide for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson, The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray
Week 13:
The Gargoyle's Captive by Katee Robert
Week 12:
Nothing Planned!
Week 11:
Nothing Planned!
Week 10:
Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, The Quarantine Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, The Queen's Price by Anne Bishop
Week 9:
Dead Letter Days by Kelley Armstrong
Week 8:
A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas
Week 7:
Nothing Planned!
Week 6:
Encore in Death by J.D. Robb, Radiant Sin by Katee Robert
Week 5:
Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
Week 4:
In Her Highlander's Bed by Lynsay Sands
Week 3:
Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews
Week 2:
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Week 1:
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
Wrote that Review Update #490, December 31st
My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for The Female of the Species, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, A Grim and Sunken Vow, Leopard's Hunt, Burning Dawn, Born to Be Badger, A Year to the Day, The Assassin Game, Ruthless Vows, Bone Weaver, The Rest of the Story, Dawn of Fate and Valor, The Warden, Pacifica, Fire in You, Tangled Up in You, Saga, Volume 11, Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy and Azula in the Spirit Temple, This Cursed Light, so I have 19 of 19 reviews written!
And as always, I want to review this week's reviews!
What about you guys? Happy reading!
How Well I Stuck to It #493, December 31st
Week 1:
Nothing Planned!
Another free week to start off the new year, just to read all the things on the various TBRs.
Week 52:
Nothing Planned!
vs.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano, A Grim and Sunken Vow by Ashley Shuttleworth, Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan, Burning Dawn by Gena Showalter, Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston, A Year to the Day by Robin Benway, The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay, Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros, The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen, Dawn of Fate and Valor by Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey, The Warden by Daniel M. Ford, Pacifica by Kristen Simmons, Fire in You by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren, Saga, Volume 11 by Brian K. Vaughan, Illustrated by Fiona Staples, Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy by Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrated by Peter Wartmen, Azula in the Spirit Temple by Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrated by Peter Wartmen, This Cursed Light by by Emily Thiede
Yeah, I read a good number of books, so I'm happy with this week! Can't wait for this next week, and the new year! What about you guys? Happy reading!
Wheel of TBR #188, December 31st
I saw Codie's Book Corner doing the Wheel of TBR, and I thought that sounded like a great way to pick what to read from your TBR. So thanks to her! I'll only do 3 spins, because I'm doing this every week, and so it won't make up my total TBR of the week, but it'll be a start!
Rules:
Of the books from the last week, I read Born to be Badger by Shelly Laurenston, Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, and I've started Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake.
Prompts Used This Week:
Physical Book, Ugly Cover, Author As Last Read.
Rules:
1. For each week of the month, I'll do 3 spins each week to read each week though I do have the rest of the month to read them. Once a prompt is used, I'll randomly choose one from the list, keeping track of how often a colour comes up. If colour comes up 3 or more times in month, I'll do another spin once it comes up 3 times.
2. If I don't read a book that week or at least start it before the end of the month, then for my next week of spins, I have to add a punishment for each book unread. I'll roll for each unread book, and have to apply each and every punishment chosen to the week.
3. Each month I'll get a prompt from my Binge Read Wheel (either specifically picking the prompt, or spinning the wheel) and I have to read at least 9 books, though I can read more!
Of the books from the last week, I read Born to be Badger by Shelly Laurenston, Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, and I've started Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake.
Binge Read Wheel:
For this month, I chose Yearly Goals. I read Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan, A Year to the Day by Robin Benway, The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay, Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros, The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen, Dawn of Fate and Valor by Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey, The Warden by Daniel M. Ford, Pacifica by Kristen Simmons, Fire in You by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren, This Cursed Light by Emily Thiede, so I've read 42/9+.
For this coming month, the wheel chose Physical TBR.
Physical Book, Ugly Cover, Author As Last Read.
Physical Book-Chartreuse-Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas-I own this physically, so that works!
Ugly Cover-Green-For the Last Time by Heidi Perks-This cover isn't really ugly, it's just plain, there's the forest and water, and the figures, and it's not pretty, it's more average, but I'm counting it!
Author As Last Read-Spring Green-The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter-I last read The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter, so this is the next book in the series, and it's by the same author!
Colour Totals:
Red: 0
Orange: 0
Yellow: 0
Chartreuse: 1
Green: 1
Spring Green: 1
Cyan: 0
Azure: 0
Blue: 0
Violet: 0
Magenta: 0
Rose: 0
Prompts for Next Week:
So those are some of the books I'm going to try to read this week. What about you guys? Happy reading!
Colour Totals:
Red: 0
Orange: 0
Yellow: 0
Chartreuse: 1
Green: 1
Spring Green: 1
Cyan: 0
Azure: 0
Blue: 0
Violet: 0
Magenta: 0
Rose: 0
Prompts for Next Week:
Audiobook-Red
Reading Challenge Prompt-Orange
Literature Map-Yellow
Favorite Author-Chartreuse
Even Chapters-Green
Series As Last Read-Spring Green
Paperback-Cyan
Library Book-Azure
Genre Most Read-Blue
Booktuber Read-Violet
Narrator As Last Read-Magenta
Coin Toss-Rose
The Reward Challenge Update #641, December 31st
The Reward Challenge is almost the complete opposite to a book buying ban as you'll end up buying lots of new books throughout the challenge but only after you've completed a certain amount of reading. It was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, so thanks to her for starting it!
OK, so I read The Female of the Species which counts twice as a SAC 2023 Book, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, A Grim and Sunken Vow which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Leopard's Hunt which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Burning Dawn which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Born to Be Badger which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, A Year to the Day which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book, The Assassin Game which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, RR Book and SAC 2023 Book, Ruthless Vows which counts 5 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, Historical Fiction 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Bone Weaver which counts 3 times as a Edelweiss Book and a SAC 2023 Book, The Rest of the Story which counts 3 times as a Edelweiss Book and a SAC 2023 Book, Dawn of Fate and Valor which counts 3 times as a NetGalley Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, The Warden which counts 3 times as a NetGalley and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Pacifica which counts 3 times as a 2023 Dystopia Book and a SAC 2023 Book, Fire in You which counts 4 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Tangled Up in You which counts 5 times as a 2023 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Edelweiss Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Saga, Volume 11 which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Azula in the Spirit Temple which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, This Cursed Light which counts 6 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book.
So I have 68 counts which translates to $34 this week! I'll use it to buy books!
OK, so I read The Female of the Species which counts twice as a SAC 2023 Book, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice which counts 3 times as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, A Grim and Sunken Vow which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Leopard's Hunt which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Burning Dawn which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Born to Be Badger which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, A Year to the Day which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book, SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book, The Assassin Game which counts 4 times as a NetGalley Book, RR Book and SAC 2023 Book, Ruthless Vows which counts 5 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, Historical Fiction 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Bone Weaver which counts 3 times as a Edelweiss Book and a SAC 2023 Book, The Rest of the Story which counts 3 times as a Edelweiss Book and a SAC 2023 Book, Dawn of Fate and Valor which counts 3 times as a NetGalley Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, The Warden which counts 3 times as a NetGalley and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Pacifica which counts 3 times as a 2023 Dystopia Book and a SAC 2023 Book, Fire in You which counts 4 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Tangled Up in You which counts 5 times as a 2023 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Edelweiss Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book, Saga, Volume 11 which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Azula in the Spirit Temple which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, This Cursed Light which counts 6 times as a End of Series 2023 Book, NetGalley Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book.
So I have 68 counts which translates to $34 this week! I'll use it to buy books!
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Bookgammon Readathon Update 6 and Wrap Up
So I read my next book for Bookgammon Readathon, and it was Going Bovine which was for the prompt Roll 6, and yeah, I read some really great books and I hope we get another round!
My Reading Journey:
Steelstriker by Marie Lu
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 5
Started On: December 17th
Finished On: December 17th, 12:15 PM
Pages Read: 400
Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 4
Started On: December 17th
Finished On: December 17th, 3:54 PM
Pages Read: 304
Knight Assassin by Rima Jean
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 2
Started On: December 20th
Finished On: December 20th, 10:05 PM
Pages Read: 300
A Year to the Day by Robin Benway
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 3
Started On: December 26th
Finished On: December 26th, 2:31 PM
Pages Read: 352
Bone Weaver by Aden Polydoros
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 1
Started On: December 27th
Finished On: December 27th, 5:03 PM
Pages Read: 448
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Prompt Fulfilled: Roll 6
Started On: December 30th
Finished On: December 30th, 1:40 PM
Pages Read: 480
Prompts Left: None Left!
Read: 6
Pages Read: 2284
Reindeer Readathon Update 10 and Wrap Up
So I read my final book for the Reindeer Challenge, and it was Going Bovine which was for the prompt Sleighing It. I read some really great books, and had a great time and I can't wait for the next round!
Reading Journey:
Tempting the Best Man by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Prompt Fulfilled: Cupid/Christmas Carols
Started On: December 1st
Finished On: December 1st, 9:12 AM
Pages Read: 179
Never a Hero by Vanessa Len
Prompt Fulfilled: Prancer
Started On: December 4th
Finished On: December 4th, 11:47 AM
Pages Read: 528
The Study Chronicles by Maria V. Snyder
Prompt Fulfilled: Rudolph
Started On: December 4th
Finished On: December 4th, 10:35 PM
Pages Read: 362
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
Prompt Fulfilled: Dancer/Christmas Lights
Started On: December 17th
Finished On: December 17th, 8:45 PM
Pages Read: 464
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Prompt Fulfilled: Donner
Started On: December 23rd
Finished On: December 23rd, 1:28 PM
Pages Read: 368
A Grim and Sunken Vow by Ashley Shuttleworth
Prompt Fulfilled: Comet/Christmas Star
Started On: December 24th
Finished On: December 24th, 10:27 PM
Pages Read: 640
Burning Dawn by Gena Showalter
Prompt Fulfilled: Blitzen
Started On: December 25th
Finished On: December 25th, 10:32 PM
Pages Read: 445
The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay
Prompt Fulfilled: Dasher/Christmas Elf
Started On: December 26th
Finished On: December 26th, 10:05 PM
Pages Read: 338
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen
Prompt Fulfilled: Vixen/Christmas Tree
Started On: December 27th
Finished On: December 27th, 9:30 PM
Pages Read: 448
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Prompt Fulfilled: Sleighing It
Started On: December 30th
Finished On: December 30th, 1:40 PM
Pages Read: 480
Prompts Left: None Left!
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 4362
Week 52 Review: This Cursed Light
The highly-anticipated sequel to the epic romance hailed as one of the best fantasies of the year!
When the gods make the rules, the players must choose: Sacrifice their love to save the world, or choose love and let it burn?
Six months after saving their island from destruction and almost losing Dante, Alessa is ready to live happily ever after with her former bodyguard. But Dante can't rest, haunted by a conviction that the gods aren't finished with them yet. And without his powers, the next kiss from Alessa could kill him.
Desperate for answers, Dante enlists Alessa and their friends to find the exiled ghiotte in hopes of restoring his powers and combining forces with them to create the only army powerful enough to save them all. But Alessa is hiding a deadly consequence of their last fight—a growing darkness that's consuming her mind—and their destination holds more dangers than anyone bargained for. In the mysterious city of the banished, Dante will uncover secrets, lies, and ghosts from his past that force him to ask himself: Which side is he on?
When the gods reveal their final test, Dante and Alessa will be the world's last defense. But if they are the keys to saving the world, will their love be the price of victory?
In This Cursed Light, Dante and Alessa face their most daunting challenge yet when the Gods demand they prove their worth by choosing the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity, once and for all.
My Review:
This was such a fantastic sequel! I really enjoyed the first book and how original was, and I loved spending more time with these characters, as they dealt with the aftermath of what happened, and the threat that they're now facing!
This Cursed Light was really fantastic, to get both Alessa and Dante's perspective as they go on this adventure! Because Dante died at the end of the last book, he doesn't have his powers, which in and of itself is awful, but it also means that they can't touch. The only idea that might help him is finding a group of ghiotte and seeing if he can regain them. I loved getting both of their perspectives!
Once with the ghiotte, it was interesting, to have the opposite dynamics, Alessa and her friends are despised, mainly because how the ghiotte were treated, and that Dante is welcomed, is wanted, that he's being treated pretty great while they're making a rundown house habitable. It was a really great roles reversal!
That offensive that the gods chose for this confrontation, that was diabolical. But at least now, having overcome that challenge (which was much more twisty then usual) they can have peace, after so many generations of Finestra fighting, they don't have to face the demons any longer.
Utterly loved reading this book and I'd love to read more by Emily Thiede!
Author: Emily Thiede
Series: The Last Finestra #2
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a End of Series 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Published: December 5th 2023
Author: Emily Thiede
Series: The Last Finestra #2
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a End of Series 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Published: December 5th 2023
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| 5/5 Hearts |
 |
| 5/5 Books |
 |
| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Reviews: Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy, Azula in the Spirit Temple
Set in the post-series comics era of the beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise, fans will get to see a new part of the original timeline that they've never seen before. A stand alone comic about the best earthbender and inventor of metalbending, Toph Beifong. Written by Faith Erin Hicks (The Adventures of Superhero Girl, The Last of Us: American Dreams) and illustrated by Peter Wartman (Stonebreaker, Over the Wall) and Adele Matera, the same team behind the Imbalance trilogy.
A brand new stand-alone comics story from the world of The Last Airbender!
Azula continues her destabilizing campaign against the Fire Nation and her brother, Fire Lord Zuko.
But after a failed attack on her latest target, Azula finds herself in a mysterious forest temple inhabited by a solitary monk…or is it something more mysterious? Azula must confront her past, and finally face her chance at redemption.
Written in consultation with Avatar Studios, the veteran team of Faith Erin Hicks, Peter Wartman and Adele Matera is back with a new story in the world of The Last Airbender.
My Review:
I had such a great time reading these stories! Toph is such a beloved character, and Azula is a really interesting one, and I had a great time with these one off stories (and I can't wait for the Uncle Iron story, which I hope we see Zuko in, since we haven't seen him in a while!) and I'm so glad that we got this time with these characters!
Toph is bored, she's done well with the school, but her first students can handle instructing the new students. But since she's a part of Team Avatar, people are scared of her and think that she would report rule-breaking. So she's bored. I had such a great time with her meeting a lava-bender, and dealing with nomad band of secret tunnel fame!
Azual in the Spirit Temple, yeah, was really interesting. Because she's powerful, but she's also villainous (not because she's a girl, but partially who she is as a person, and part how she was raised) and she's not right in the head, and has some mommy issues.
I am a bit confused as to what was going on, with the caretaker of the temple, and what they were making Azula see. I don't know why they let her go, but she does show a bit of growth through this issue, which was great to read. But I'm still a bit confused.
These were really fantastic to read and I can't wait to read more from this world!
Authors: Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrated by Peter Wartman and Adele Matera
Series: Avatar: The Last Airbender Comics #7, 8
Read: December 29th, 29th, 2023
Source: Online
Reason Why: Love this world and these graphic novels, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books!
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Published: February 16th 2021, October 24th 2023
Authors: Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrated by Peter Wartman and Adele Matera
Series: Avatar: The Last Airbender Comics #7, 8
Read: December 29th, 29th, 2023
Source: Online
Reason Why: Love this world and these graphic novels, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books!
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Published: February 16th 2021, October 24th 2023
Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Azula in the Spirit Temple:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: Saga, Volume 11
While Hazel and her family fight for scraps to survive, the rich and powerful race to forge new allegiances in the universe's never-ending war.
Romeo & Juliet meets Star Wars in this genre-blending, sci-fi/fantasy space opera about star crossed lovers from enemy worlds. An epic for mature readers, Saga follows new parents Marko and Alana as they risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war. A multiple award winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece and one of the most iconic, bestselling comic book series of its time.
The SAGA series has sold over 7 million copies to date across all formats, has been translated into 20 languages, and has garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, plus a Hugo Award, British Fantasy Award, Goodreads Choice Award, Shuster Award, Inkwell Award, Ringo Award, and more. It has been featured in such mainstream media outlets as TIME, Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, NPR, and beyond, and has become a pop culture phenomenon.
My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this volume! I've really enjoyed this series from the beginning, and oh man, this volume brings up the emotions! That someone tried to prey on their grief, that was horrible. And some interesting developments in the war occured.
The idea that they could get this product, and turn back time, and bring back their dads, that's such an emotional thing. And a total scam, and I'm so sorry that they had to go through that. This series is full of hard lessons, but that one was harsh.
Mainly, I want to talk about Issues 65 and 66. Because both had some really important scenes. Like 65 showed Hazel and co. getting a home, and her saying she was happy, while showing the fight with Petrichor and The Will, and Sophie getting in the way. It shows another aspect of war, of each side wanting to protect their side, and avenge their side. Sophie's death, urgh, I'm conflicted, because she did die, but she got in the way of Petrichor getting her revenge, but on the guy who saved her from slavery, but she's also the one that got The Brand killed. Complicated!
But then there was the next chapter, back at the lighthouse, D. Oswald Heist's old place, and I'm so glad, because we got to see Ghüs, as well as Upsher (yeah, we've caught up with everybody left alive before the big break!), as they dealt with Agent Gale (who we saw a bit of a backstory, and how Alana rejected him). That they're working on breaking the cycle of violence, and Gale is a perfect candidate, given how many he's murdered through the course of this series. Though there were some moments that I was very very nervous!
Loved reading this installment and I can't wait for the next volume!
Authors: Brian K. Vaughan, Illustrated by Fiona Staples
Series: Saga #11
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: Online
Reason Why: Love this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Image Comics
Published: November 29th 2023
Authors: Brian K. Vaughan, Illustrated by Fiona Staples
Series: Saga #11
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: Online
Reason Why: Love this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Image Comics
Published: November 29th 2023
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: Tangled Up in You
A witty and deeply romantic modern reimagining of Disney's Tangled, by the New York Times bestselling author duo Christina Lauren, part of the acclaimed and bestselling Meant to Be collection.
She has a dream. He has a plan. Together they'll take a leap of faith.
Ren has never held an iPhone, googled the answer to a question, or followed a crush on social media. What she has done: read a book or two, or three (okay, hundreds). Taught herself to paint. Built a working wind power system from scratch. But for all the books she's read, Ren has never found one that's taught a woman raised on a homestead and off the grid for most of her twenty-two years how to live in the real world. So when she finally achieves her lifelong dream of attending Corona College, it feels like her life is finally beginning.
Fitz has the rest of his life mapped out: graduate from Corona at the top of his class, get his criminal record wiped clean, and pass himself off as the rich, handsome player everyone thinks he is. He's a few months short from checking off step one of his plans when Ren Gylden, with her cascading blonde hair and encyclopedic brain, crashes into his life, and for the first time Fitz's plan is in jeopardy.
But a simple assignment in their immunology seminar changes the course of both their lives, and suddenly they're thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire on a road trip that will lead them in the most unexpected directions. Out on the open road, the world somehow shifts, and the unlikely pair realize that, maybe, the key to the dreams they've both been chasing have been sitting next to them the whole time.
My Review:
This was such a fun read! I've really enjoyed getting into this series, with these series of stand alone romance retellings of various Disney movies. This latest one of Tangled, from Christina Lauren, yeah, I just had to read it, and it was so good!
Tangled is one of the more recent movies, though it did come out like a decade and a half ago, it's not one that I grew up with, it came out when I was in high school. So while it doesn't have that nostalgia factor, this story was still such a delight to read!
Ren has lived a very isolated life, which given that this is a modern day retelling, was very interesting how they pulled it off. Fitz wants more for his life, and he knows how he's going to get it. And then they meet each other, and things get a little wild.
Watching them fall in love was so cute and sweet, and I just adored their story! The way that they told this story with their own parts of their writing, bringing the familiar story beats with the journey, with the emotions and similar but updated backstories, it just worked so well! They were a perfect grumpy/sunshine!
I had such a great time reading this book and I can't wait for whatever comes next!
Author: Christina Lauren
Series: Meant to Be #4
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a 2023 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Expected Publication: June 25th 2024
Author: Christina Lauren
Series: Meant to Be #4
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a 2023 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Expected Publication: June 25th 2024
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: Fire in You
From the # 1 New York Times and International bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout writing as J. Lynn, comes a richly moving story about heartbreak and guilt, second chances and hope. Full of familiar, fan-favorite characters and no two people more deserving of a happy ending, Fire In You will burn bright beyond the last page…
Jillian Lima's whole world was destroyed in a span of a few hours. The same night her childhood love, Brock 'the Beast' Mitchell, broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by the hand of a stranger with a gun. It takes six years to slowly glue together the shattered pieces of her life, but Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret. She takes a job at her father's martial arts Academy and she’s going out on her first date since a failed relationship that was more yuck than yum. Jillian is determined to start living.
She just never expected Brock to be a part of her life again. But he's firmly back in her life before she knows it, and not only is he older, he’s impossibly more handsome, more teasing and more everything. And when he sees Jillian, he’s no longer capable of thinking of her as the little girl who was his shadow growing up or the daughter of the man who gave him a second chance at life. He sees the woman who’d always been there for him, the one person who believed in him no matter what.
Brock knows she's the one he should've made his, and what begins as a tentative friendship quickly turns to red-hot chemistry that sparks a flame that burns brighter than lust. Falling for Brock again risks more than her heart, because when the past sorrow-filled and guilt-ridden past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they've fought to build together, and destroy the dreams of those they care most about.
My Review:
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Wait for You #6
Read: December 29th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2023 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: November 2th 2016
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: Pacifica
Marin is corsario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him. Sailing the ocean to chase adventure is in her blood. But these days no one cares that the island town her people call home is named after her grandfather. They have a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger – and one who thinks that girls are meant for the kitchen or the brothel. Marin knows she's meant for more than that, and with the sudden influx of weapons on the island, and rumors of a pending deal with the enemy oil nation in her wake, she knows a big score to gain the council's favor is the only way to save her people, and herself.
Ross lives a life of privilege. As the president's son he wants for nothing, but he longs for a life of adventure. On a dare, he convinces his best friend Adam to sneak out to the Docks, the site of local race riots between the poor Shorlings and the upper class. But when Adam is arrested along with the other Shorlings, and not even the president is willing to find him, Ross finds himself taking matters into his own hands. He journeys back into the Docks, ready to make deals with anyone, even a beautiful pirate, if it means Adam's safe return.
When Marin and Ross meet in dangerous Shoreling territory he sees a way to get his friend back and she sees her ticket home. The ransom a president’s son would command could feed her people for years and restore her family's legacy. But somewhere in the middle of the ocean, Marin must decide if her heart can handle handing over the only person who has ever seen her as more than a pirate.
My Review:
Author: Kristen Simmons
Read: December 28th, 2023
Source: Own
Reason Why: Love her writing, and it's a 2023 Dystopia Book and a SAC 2023 Book!
Publisher: Tor Teen
Published: March 6th 2018
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: The Warden
For fans who have always wanted their Twin Peaks to have some wizards, THE WARDEN is a non-stop action adventure story from author Daniel M. Ford.
There was a plan.
She had the money, the connections, even the brains. It was simple: become one of the only female necromancers, pass as many certifications as she could, get a post near the capital, then… profit. The funny thing about plans is that they are seldom under your control.
Now Aelis, a daughter of a noble house and a trained Magister of the Lyceum, finds herself in the far-removed village of Lone Pine. Mending fences and delivering baby goats, serving people who want nothing to do with her. But, not all is well in Lone Pine, and as the villagers Aelis is reluctantly getting to know start to behave strangely, Aelis begins to suspect that there is far greater need for a warden of her talents than she previously thought.
Old magics are restless, and an insignificant village on the furthest border of the kingdom might hold secrets far beyond what anyone expected. Aelis might be the only person standing between one of the greatest evils ever known and the rest of the free world.
My Review:
I had such a great time reading this book! The synopsis sounded really good and I loved watching this story unfold, as Aelis got used to being in such a remote area to protect. I was thrilled to read it, and see what adventures she would have!
Aelis is the daughter of someone important, and she was really skilled in a few areas. So to be assigned to a far remote area-one that takes months for mail to get to, she isn't happy about it. But neither is the town, they don't want a warden, and haven’t been keeping up the residence. Watching her make it habitable was so much fun to read!
Watching her start to make a place there, getting to know the villagers, find where she is wanted and where she isn't, where she can do the most good, it was almost slice of life, but there were little moments that were building the story.
This is the start of the series, and it was setting up the world and the magic and history, things that increasingly became part important to the plot. Finding out why things were going on until she was facing a bad guy who I'm so excited about to see what’s going to happen next!
Loved reading this book and I can't wait to do continue with the series!
Author: Daniel M. Ford
Author: Daniel M. Ford
Series: The Warden #1
Read: December 28th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel 2023 Book!
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: April 18th 2023
Read: December 28th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a Prequel & Sequel 2023 Book!
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: April 18th 2023
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: Dawn of Fate and Valor
Born a royal heir.
Fallen from grace.
Born as the daughter of the Saintess Queen, now my hands are soaked in blood.
I am a killer.
I am Awakened.
I am a Queen without a throne.
Against the wishes of my escort guard, Solomon, I must seek the aid from the kingdom of my betrayer. As the connection between Solomon and I soars to new heights, one thing is becoming incredibly clear…
My newfound abilities have brought with them secrets.
Dreams torment me, and I am lost to understand what they mean … and why the image of my Goddess's lover looks like Solomon.
A mad prince, a lost friend, mortal enemies … I have to find a way to save my country and my sanity.
My Review:
Reading this book was just so great! I loved the first book, and I was looking forward for this one, and yeah, it was a fantastic sequel! I loved being back in this world with these characters, and boy, did the story continue on in this book!
This book starts as they're arriving at Bartoli, and doesn't end until they are leaving. And boy does a lot happen in this book! Like she came into her own powers, and gained some information, like the fact that she's the reincarnation of a goddess-and Solomon of said goddess's lover. Things that I'm so excited to continue on and finish in the fight!
One thing that really boiled my blood is the way the Bartoli royals treated her, it was utterly horrendous, like their son didn't murder her father and take over her country, they were just so cavalier about it all. It was so immensely frustrating!
Devenry really needed the time in this book. She survived what happened in the first with Solomon's help, but she was pretty helpless. She learns and trains and grows into herself in this book, to the point where she can go back and face Nasir, and I can't wait for that showdown!
Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to see how the story is going to wrap up!
Authors: Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey
Series: Awakened Fates #2
Read: December 28th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Published: January 16th 2024
Authors: Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey
Series: Awakened Fates #2
Read: December 28th, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book!
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Published: January 16th 2024
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
Week 52 Review: The Rest of the Story
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen comes a big-hearted, sweeping novel about a girl who reconnects with a part of her family she hasn't seen since she was a little girl—and falls in love, all over the course of a magical summer.
Emma Saylor doesn't remember a lot about her mother, who died when she was ten. But she does remember the stories her mom told her about the big lake that went on forever, with cold, clear water and mossy trees at the edges.
Now it's just Emma and her dad, and life is good, if a little predictable…until Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother's family—her grandmother and cousins she hasn't seen since she was a little girl.
When Emma arrives at North Lake, she realizes there are actually two very different communities there. Her mother grew up in working class North Lake, while her dad spent summers in the wealthier Lake North resort. The more time Emma spends there, the more it starts to feel like she is divided into two people as well. To her father, she is Emma. But to her new family, she is Saylor, the name her mother always called her.
Then there's Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little. Roo holds the key to her family's history, and slowly, he helps her put the pieces together about her past. It's hard not to get caught up in the magic of North Lake—and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo's spell as well.
For Saylor, it's like a whole new world is opening up to her. But when it's time to go back home, which side of her will win out?
My Review:
Author: Sarah Dessen
Read: December 27th, 2023
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2023 Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: June 4th 2019
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |