It's Monday! What Are You Reading #713, February 3rd

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #712
Teaser Tuesday #720
WWW Wednesday #720
WOW #716
Will the Time Come #713
Third Sentence Thursday #703
Random Reads #689
First Lines Friday #716
Book Blogger Hop #382

Monthly ARC's March Round Up

Monthly Series February Round Up

Monthly ARC's Update 106
The Reward Challenge Update #698
Wheel of TBR #245
How Well I Stuck to It #550
Wrote that Review Update #547

Week 5 Reviews:
Hearts that Cut 

The Crimson Crown

The Man Who Died Twice 

The Bullet That Missed 

The Last Devil to Die

A Language of Dragons

Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters

The Party

Secret of the Broken King

Surrender of the Brutal King

Sacrifice of the Brave King

The Dryad Storm

Upon a Starlit Tide

The Traitor Sister

The Empress

Return of the Vengeful Queen

Bone Crier's Dawn

Capitana

An Alchemist's Vow

Blood & Steel

Bloodwoods Bonus Scene

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call

Vilest Things 

For She is Wrath

Phase Out Your TBR: 

Update 16

Update 17

Update 18

Update 19

Update 20

Update 21

Update 22 and Wrap Up

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Random:

The Bookworm Revolution February 2025 TBR

Book Battle February 2025 TBR

OK, so I got 53 posts in 7 days, and I had a pretty good week, I still had Jax, he's getting picked up today, but I got him an extra night because of how the flights are turning out. So I'm happy with that, and the reading, and reassembling my book room. I still have a lot of books to reorganize, but I'm hoping I'm in the final steps. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Week 5 Review: The Crimson Crown

From Goodreads:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the wickedest of them all? Snow White's dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale from the author of Malice.

Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White.

But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White's shadow to become the heroine of her own legend.

Her real "once upon a time" begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft.

Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs.

To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth's heart—and betrayed her.

As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive.

As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be.

A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.

My Review:


Author: Heather Walter 
Series: The Crimson Crown Duology #1
Read: January 25th, 2025 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: August 27th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 3

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was The Crimson Crown which was for the prompt ID, and I'll be reading The Party next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 

Prompt Fulfilled: 1C

Started On: January 22nd

Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: 1B

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM

Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: 1D

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM

Pages Read: 544

The Party by Natasha Preston

Prompt Fulfilled: 1C

Started On: January 27

Currently On: Page 0 of 352

Prompts Left: 1E, 1B, 1A

Read: 3

Pages Read: 1235

Phase Out Your TBR Update 13

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was The Crimson Crown which is for the prompt Red 12 and I'll be reading The Man Who Died Twice next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12

Started On: January 14th, 

Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 

Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7

Started On: January 15th

Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM

Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4

Started On: January 16th

Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6

Started On: January 17th

Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM

Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8

Started On: January 17th

Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM

Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10

Started On: January 18th

Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM

Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7

Started On: January 19th

Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM

Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12

Started On: January 21st 

Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM

Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche

Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3

Started On: January 23rd

Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM

Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6

Started On: January 24th

Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM

Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5

Started On: January 24th

Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM

Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM

Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 3:45 PM

Pages Read: 544

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12

Started On: January 25th

Currently On: Page 0 of 432

Prompts Left: Green 2, Green 9, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 9, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11

Books Read: 13

Pages Read: 6627

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 2

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was Hearts that Cut which was for the prompt 1B, and I'll be reading The Crimson Crown next! 

My Reading Journey:

Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani 

Prompt Fulfilled: 1C

Started On: January 22nd

Finished On: January 22nd, 4:28 PM

Pages Read: 355

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: 1B

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM

Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: 1D

Started On: January 25th

Currently On: Page 0 of 544

Prompts Left: 1C, 1E, 1B, 1A

Read: 2

Pages Read: 691

Phase Out Your TBR Update 12

So I've read my next book for the Phase Out Your TBR, and it was Hearts That Cut which is for the prompt Green Wild (Green 4) and I'll be reading The Crimson Crown next! 

My Reading Journey:

Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 12

Started On: January 14th, 

Finished On: January 14th, 7:28 PM 

Pages Read: 416

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 7

Started On: January 15th

Finished On: January 15th, 11:38 AM

Pages Read: 496

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 4

Started On: January 16th

Finished On: January 16th, 8:41 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Warrior God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 6

Started On: January 17th

Finished On: January 17th, 2:51 PM

Pages Read: 306

The Golden God by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 8

Started On: January 17th

Finished On: January 17th, 9:18 PM

Pages Read: 270

Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

Prompt Fulfilled: Yellow 10

Started On: January 18th

Finished On: January 18th, 2:28 PM

Pages Read: 441

Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 7

Started On: January 19th

Finished On: January 19th, 4:29 PM

Pages Read: 416

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 12

Started On: January 21st 

Finished On: January 21st, 9:41 PM

Pages Read: 554

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche

Prompt Fulfilled: Blue 3

Started On: January 23rd

Finished On: January 23rd, 7:37 PM

Pages Read: 432

The Secret War by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako Hishinuma and Madaug Hishinuma

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 6

Started On: January 24th

Finished On: January 24th, 2:48 PM

Pages Read: 208

Don't Let Me Go by Kevin Christopher Snipes

Prompt Fulfilled: Green 5

Started On: January 24th

Finished On: January 24th, 7:25 PM

Pages Read: 400

Hearts that Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou

Prompt Fulfilled: Green Wild (Green 4)

Started On: January 25th

Finished On: January 25th, 11:31 AM

Pages Read: 336

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: Red 12

Started On: January 25th

Currently On: Page 0 of 544

Prompts Left: Green 2, Green 9, Red 12, Yellow 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 9, Blue 7, Green 7, Blue 11

Books Read: 12

Pages Read: 6083

Will the Time Come #711, January 16th

Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!

Want to Join?

-Pick a book you have been meaning to read

-Do a post telling us about the book    

-Link the post up in the linky  

-Visit the other blogs

From Goodreads:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale from the author of Malice.

Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White.

But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White’s shadow to become the heroine of her own legend.

Her real “once upon a time” begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft.

Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs.

To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth’s heart—and betrayed her.

As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive.

As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be.

A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.

Why the time hasn't come yet...

This book came out a few months ago, but I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, though I really want to! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Random Reads #675, October 24th

Random Reads is a monthly meme (that I'm going to do weekly) hosted by I'm Loving Books to read some books that have been on our TBR piles for a long time. Using Random.org, I got 4741 which turned out to be The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter! It's been on my TBR pile since June 18th, 2022, and I added it because I love her writing and it sounded really good! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #690, July 31st

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The highly anticipated third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Supernatural Investigations series that began with Amari and the Night Brothers!

Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Nevermoor.

War has come to the supernatural world, and Amari’s two worst enemies are leading the charge.

Elaine Harlowe has manipulated her way into becoming prime minister, using her mind control ability to force the Bureau to take up her vicious grudge against magiciankind. Meanwhile, Dylan Van Helsing, the newly crowned leader of the League of Magicians—and Amari’s former partner—is after a destructive new power that would not only ensure the magicians’ victory . . . it would make him invincible.

With neither the Bureau nor the League safe for Amari, and her newly returned brother, Quinton, determined to keep her out of the fray, she and her friends decide to find a way to end the war on their own.

So when they learn that the only way to stop Dylan is to find powerful magical inventions known as Wonders, they go after them. But wielding these items comes at a terrible cost, and Amari will have to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice . . . because the Despicable Wonders will demand everything.

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale from the author of Malice.

Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White.

But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White’s shadow to become the heroine of her own legend.

Her real “once upon a time” begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft.

Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs.

To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth’s heart—and betrayed her.

As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive.

As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be.

A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.

One House Left by Vincent Ralph
Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

R.L. Stine meets Urban Legend in the next twisty horror novel by New York Times bestselling author Vincent Ralph.

"Ready or not. Whatever you do. The Hiding Boy is coming for you."

Sixteen-year-old Nate Campbell grew up in the shadow of Murder Road – a street cursed by the vengeful spirit of the Hiding Boy.

Every few years, for nearly six decades, a different house on that street has been the scene of a tragedy.

Nate and his family move to a new town as they try to outrun the curse once and for all. But, when he is pulled into his new friends' urban legend club, new ghost stories merge with old until there is nowhere left to run.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.

Perfect for fans of Kayla Cottingham, Andrew Joseph White, and Ryan LaSala.

"A searing and poignant portrait of queer identity wrapped in an unflinching tale of terror." —Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight

"Modern horror at its best." —Bram Stoker Award Nominee Sarah Henning

It's never been safe for Fern, Jaq, or Mallory to come out to their families. As kids their emerging identities drove them into friendship but also forced them into the woods to hide in an old, abandoned house when they needed safety. But one night when the girls sought refuge, Mallory never made it back home. Fern and Jaq did, but neither survivor remembered what happened or the secrets they were so desperate to keep. 

Five years later, Fern and Jaq are seniors on the verge of graduation, seemingly happy in their straight, cisgender lives—until a spirit who looks like Mallory begins to appear, seeking revenge for her death, and the part Fern and Jaq played in it. As they’re haunted, something begins to shift inside them. 

They remember who they are. 

Who they want to love. 

And the truth about the vicious secrets hiding in their woods.  

This delightfully dark and pointed novel calls out the systems that erase gay and queer and trans identity, giving space to embrace queerness and to unleash the power of friendship and found family against the real monsters in the world.

Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A nobleman must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone wrong, diving into a world of malicious fey, enigmatic cults, and treacherous magic in this irresistible romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material.

The year is 1815, and Mr. John Caesar is determined to orchestrate a successful coming-out for his younger sister, Mary. Despite his best efforts, he is thwarted by the various interventions of a ragtag regiment of soldiers, a mysterious military cult, and a malicious fairy godmother.

When Mary is cursed by the fair folk, the dandyish Mr. Caesar is forced to work with the stolidly working-class—yet inescapably heroic—Captain James to rescue her. While Mr. Caesar is no stranger to dallying with soldiers, until now he's never expected one to stay. Or wanted one to. But even if the captain felt the same, there'd be no chance of anything lasting between them. After all, he and Mr. Caesar come from different worlds.

And lately, other worlds are the last thing either of them want to be dealing with . . .

Daydream by Hannah Grace

Expected Publication: August 27th, 2024
From Goodreads:

The third in the New York Times bestselling Maple Hills series follows fan-favorite Henry and a bookish fellow student who come up with a plan to help them both overcome their respective challenges in a difficult year.

When his procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new title of captain for the hockey team—which he didn’t even want—Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.

Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and as soon as she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. Too bad being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job, book club, and the novel she’s trying to write. But new experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her.

They just need to stick to their rule book.

Oh, and not fall in love.

The end of the month has some pretty wonderful books coming out that I'm so excited for! I need to read them! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #612, February 27th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #611
Teaser Tuesday #619
WWW Wednesday #619
WOW #615
Will the Time Come #612
Third Sentence Thursday #602
Random Reads #588
First Lines Friday #615
Book Blogger Hop #281

Monthly ARC's Update 31
The Reward Challenge Update #597
Wheel of TBR #144
How Well I Stuck to It #449
Wrote that Review Update #446

Week 8 Reviews:
The True Love Experiment

Morrighan

The Kiss of Deception 

Misrule

Not Your Ex's Hexes

Good Girl Complex

Bad Good Reputation 

The Darkest Angel

The Darkest Facts

The Darkest Passion

I'm the Girl

The Unearthly

Skylark

Shadowlark

Tours:

Falling for the Gravekeeper: Cover Reveal

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 9

Update 10

Update 11

Update 12

Random:

We Have the Cover of Fall of Ruin and Wrath!!!!

The Final Book Support Group Readathon Round 5 Sign Up

OK, so I got 31 posts in 7 days, it was a quiet week, but we were dealing with really cold temperatures, I think we were under a warning for most of the week. Plus it snowed on Monday, the first day that I came back to work, so that was fun! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Dead Letter Days! 

Dead Letter Days sees Eric, Casey and the others living in a lodge in northern British Columbia, where a message in a bottle leads to a cold case that will have Eric finally grappling with his past and preparing to move into his future with Casey.

Week 8 Review: Misrule

From Goodreads:

Does true love break curses or begin them? The dark sorceress of "Sleeping Beauty" reclaims her story in this sequel to Malice.

The Dark Grace is dead.

Feared and despised for the sinister power in her veins, Alyce wreaks her revenge on the kingdom that made her an outcast. Once a realm of decadence and beauty, Briar is now wholly Alyce's wicked domain. And no one will escape the consequences of her wrath. Not even the one person who holds her heart.

Princess Aurora saw through Alyce's thorny facade, earning a love that promised the dawn of a new age. But it is a love that came with a heavy price: Aurora now sleeps under a curse that even Alyce's vast power cannot seem to break. And the dream of the world they would have built together is nothing but ash.

Alyce vows to do anything to wake the woman she loves, even if it means turning into the monster Briar believes her to be. But could Aurora love the villain Alyce has become?

Or is true love only for fairy tales?

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! I loved the first book,, and I don't know why I couldn't pick this one up sooner. But I'm glad I finally did, I loved the conclusion to Alyce and Aurora's story! It was amazing, and I couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the pair of them so much! 

I honestly felt bad for the both of them. Alyce was afraid that the only person who ever loved her was going to wake up poisoned to her. Aurora woke up, and found everything completely changed, and she lost everything, including the Alyce that she loved. So the emotions there were fraught. 

All that Alyce and her court built in the century that Aurora was asleep, it was pretty fantastic! To have a space for these races where they're abhorred by the human and fae population...everyone should have that, and I'm glad that they did so! 

A bit theme in this book was about vengeance and forgiveness. That each side has bad blood, and retaliating against one causes the fued to continue and grow, and at what point do they stop, do they stop before everyone is gone? And that was really great! 

This was a really fantastic read, and I can't wait to see what Heather Walter writes next! 

Author: Heather Walter 
Series: Malice Duology #2
Read: February 20th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Loved the first book and it's a End of Series 2023 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Book! 
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: May 10th 2022

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

WWW Wednesday #618, February 15th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently reading The Dare, and I'm having such a great time! 

I read The Play, and it was such a great romance! 

I'm going to read Misrule, and I can't wait, I loved the first book! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #577, June 27th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #576
Teaser Tuesday #584
WWW Wednesday #584
WOW #580
Will the Time Come #577
Third Sentence Thursday #567
Random Reads #553
First Lines Friday #580
Book Blogger Hop #246

Monthly ARC's Update 15
The Reward Challenge Update #562
Wheel of TBR #109
How Well I Stuck to It #414
Wrote that Review Update #412

Week 25 Reviews:
This Woven Kingdom

Malice

Daughter of the Redwinter

Girls of Storm and Shadow

Girls of Fate and Fury

Nora Goes Off Script

Sorrow's Knot

The Defiant Heir

Red, White and Royal Blue

Dig Two Graves

As the Shadow Rises

Into the Dying Light

Be the Serpent

Such Dangerous Seas

Whatever-You-Want-A-Thon:

Update 38

Update 39

Update 40

Update 41

Update 42

Update 43

Update 44

Update 45

Update 46

Update 47

Update 48

Update 49

Update 50

Update 51

Update 52

Update 53

Update 54

Update 55

Update 56

Clear Your S**t Readathon: 

Update 5

48-Hour Mini Star Hop Readathon: 

June 2022 Sign Up

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Update 9 and Wrap Up

Random:

Ali Hazelwood Author Page

OK, so I got 56 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty busy weekend with the readathons, and I read some fantastic books, so it was a pretty great week! And this coming week, I'm going to have the doggies with me every night, even during the week, so that's going to be really great! I can't wait! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Week 25 Review: Malice

From Goodreads:

A princess isn't supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of "Sleeping Beauty," true love is more than a simple fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love's kiss.

You've heard this before, haven't you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn't care, either.

Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar's throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn't bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can't stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it's what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.

Nonsense again.

Because we all know how this story ends, don't we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—

I am the villain.

My Review:
Oh, I loved reading this book! This was such a great retelling of Sleeping Beauty-and from the so-called villain's perspective! And that it's queer, was just even better! I just loved Alyce and her story! I can't wait to read more!

Alyce is very bitter, and very sarcastic, which is well deserved. It was great narration to read! She's been treated horribly because of her heritage, that she's half Vila. She has no friends, she does have an animal companion, but there's almost no positive interactions in her life until she meets Aurora. And boy, did I love their relationship with on another! 

This world with the fae and the graces was so interesting to read! There was a history to the realm that was interesting, and the fights, and it was all so intriguing, and tying into why Alyce was being treated the way she was. And you have to consider, history is written by the victors, and there's a lot that Alyce doesn't know. 

Oh, that ending was evil! I guess I should've seen the main part of it coming, that Aurora would end up sleeping. But everything surrounding it, that was a total shock, and that so much betrayal and awfulness was surrounding her? Well, it's understandable why she reacted the way that she did! 

This was a really amazing read, and I can't wait to read the sequel! 

Author: Heather Walter
Series: Malice Duology #1 
Read: June 18th, 2022
Source: Ebook.bike  
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a 2022 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, DAC Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Book and a RR Book!
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: April 13th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Clear Your S**t Readathon Update 4

I read my next book for the Clear Your S**t Readathon, and it was Malice which is for the prompt Rainbow Brite, and I'll be reading Thicker Than Water next! 

My Reading Journey:

Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston

Prompt Fulfilled: Polaroids

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 255

Rise of the Catalyst by Honor Raconteur

Prompt Fulfilled: Manic Monday

Started On: June 5th

Finished On: June 5th, 8:47 PM

Pages Read: 261

Hide by Kiersten White

Prompt Fulfilled: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Started On: June 7th

Finished On: June 7th, 8:30 PM

Pages Read: 256

Malice by Heather Walter

Prompt Fulfilled: Rainbow Brite

Started On: June 18th

Finished On: June 18th, 9:15 PM

Pages Read: 470

Thicker Than Water by Maggie Shayne

Prompt Fulfilled: Walkman

Started On: June 

Currently On: Page 0 of 386

Books Read: 4

Pages Read: 1142

Prompts Left: Breakfast Club, NES, Care Bears

Whatever-You-Want-A-Thon Update 35

I read my next book for Whatever-You-Want-A-Thon, and it was Malice which got me 375 points, and I'll be reading Daughter of Redwinter next! 

My Reading Journey:

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

Points: On a Previous TBR, LGBTQ+, Join Sprints

Started On: June 1st

Finished On: June 1st, 7:39 PM

Pages Read: 352

You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

Points: Favourite Genre, Different Format, 2021 Release, Complete a Personal Goal

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 9:00 AM

Pages Read: 336

Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston

Points: Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Join Sprints, Continue the Series

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 255

Here Kitty, Kitty by Shelly Laurenston

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Join Sprints, Continue the Series

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 8:49 PM

Pages Read: 308

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Join Sprints, BLUE on the Cover

Started On: June 3rd

Finished On: June 3rd, 7:32 PM

Pages Read: 384

Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Favourite Genre, Join Sprints, Purple Cover, Weapon on the Cover

Started On: June 3rd

Finished On: June 3rd, 11:37 PM

Pages Read: 480

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston  

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled, Host Fave, Less Read Genre, Diversity, Quarter of Goal

Started On: June 4th

Finished On: June 4th, 5:57 PM

Pages Read: 416

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston  

Points: The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, Host Fave, Less Read Genre, Diversity

Started On: June 4th

Finished On: June 4th, 10:29 PM

Pages Read: 400

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Favourite Genre, LGBTQ+, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 5th

Finished On: June 5th, 10:24 AM

Pages Read: 336

Rise of the Catalyst by Honor Raconteur

Points: Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled. Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Diversity 

Started On: June 5th

Finished On: June 5th, 8:47 PM

Pages Read: 261

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins 

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled, BLUE on the Cover, Spooky Book, Join Sprints, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 6th

Finished On: June 6th, 9:30 PM

Pages Read: 336

Hide by Kiersten White

Points: Borrow a Book, Cozy Reading Time, Spooky Book, One Word Title, LGBTQ+, 4 Bingos

Started On: June 7th

Finished On: June 7th, 8:30 PM

Pages Read: 256

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Points: Cozy Reading Time, One Word Title, Join Sprints, Last Letter, First Letter, Weapon on the Cover, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 8th

Finished On: June 8th, 1:22 PM

Pages Read: 273

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Favourite Genre, Different Format, Poll, LGBTQ+, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 8th

Finished On: June 8th, 10:15 PM

Pages Read: 368

Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Last Letter, First Letter, Continue the Series, Guilt-Free Activity, Half of Goal 

Started On: June 9th

Finished On: June 9th, 8:22 PM

Pages Read: 448

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

Points: Under 300 Pages, Borrow a Book, Different Format, Guilt-Free Activity

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 10:51 AM

Pages Read: 192

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Points: 2021 Release, Borrow a Book, Spooky Book, Other Diversity 

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 11:00 AM

Pages Read: 128

Book of Night by Holly Black

Points: Join Sprints, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Spooky Book 

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 7:13 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Proof Is in the Poison by Diane Kelly 

Points: Join Sprints, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, GREEN on the Cover

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 288

Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly

Points: Complete a Personal Goal, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, Spooky Book, Guilt-Free Activity, Three Quarters of Goal

Started On: June 11th

Finished On: June 11th, 11:18 PM

Pages Read: 320

When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire

Points: Weapon on the Cover, Join Sprints, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Continue the Series, LGBTQ+

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 4:07 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Queen by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 4:59 PM

Pages Read: 72

The Prince by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 6:04 PM

Pages Read: 64

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 9:30 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series, Goal

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 5:52 PM

Pages Read: 337

The Guard by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 6:43 PM

Pages Read: 64

The Favorite by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 7:41 PM

Pages Read: 80

The One by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 10:00 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

Points: Poll, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, On a Previous TBR, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 14th

Finished On: June 14th, 10:05 PM

Pages Read: 480

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

Points: 2021 Release, Cozy Reading Time, Different Format, One Word Title, LGBTQ+, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 15th

Finished On: June 15th, 6:35 AM

Pages Read: 336

Girls of Paper of Fire by Natasha Ngan

Points: Favourite Genre, Join Sprints, Borrow a Book, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, LGBTQ+, Other Diversity 

Started On: June 16th

Finished On: June 16th, 2:18 PM

Pages Read: 416

Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde

Points: 2021 Release, Purple Cover, Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Guilt-Free Activity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 16th

Finished On: June 16th, 7:19 PM 

Pages Read: 340

Do Not Disturb by A.R. Torre

Points: Less Read Genre, Join Sprints, Recently Hauled, Cozy Reading Time, GREEN on the Cover, Guilt-Free Activity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 17th

Finished On: June 17th, 8:05 PM

Pages Read: 368

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Points: Favorite Genre, Host Fav, Borrow a Book, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, Other Diversity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 18th

Finished On: June 18th, 5:20 PM

Pages Read: 512

Malice by Heather Walter

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, One Word Title, Last Letter, First Letter, 2021 Release, LGBTQ+

Started On: June 18th

Finished On: June 18th, 9:15 PM

Pages Read: 470

Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald

Points: The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Guilt-Free Activity, Weapon on the Cover, LGBTQ+

Started On: June 19th

Currently On: Page 0 of 352

Points: 15550

Books Read: 35

Pages Read: 10036

Prompts Left: None Left! 

Whatever-You-Want-A-Thon Update 34

I read my next book for Whatever-You-Want-A-Thon, and it was This Woven Kingdom which got me 550 points, and I'll be reading Malice next! 

My Reading Journey:

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

Points: On a Previous TBR, LGBTQ+, Join Sprints

Started On: June 1st

Finished On: June 1st, 7:39 PM

Pages Read: 352

You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

Points: Favourite Genre, Different Format, 2021 Release, Complete a Personal Goal

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 9:00 AM

Pages Read: 336

Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston

Points: Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Join Sprints, Continue the Series

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 255

Here Kitty, Kitty by Shelly Laurenston

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Join Sprints, Continue the Series

Started On: June 2nd

Finished On: June 2nd, 8:49 PM

Pages Read: 308

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Join Sprints, BLUE on the Cover

Started On: June 3rd

Finished On: June 3rd, 7:32 PM

Pages Read: 384

Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Favourite Genre, Join Sprints, Purple Cover, Weapon on the Cover

Started On: June 3rd

Finished On: June 3rd, 11:37 PM

Pages Read: 480

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston  

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled, Host Fave, Less Read Genre, Diversity, Quarter of Goal

Started On: June 4th

Finished On: June 4th, 5:57 PM

Pages Read: 416

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston  

Points: The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, Host Fave, Less Read Genre, Diversity

Started On: June 4th

Finished On: June 4th, 10:29 PM

Pages Read: 400

Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Favourite Genre, LGBTQ+, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 5th

Finished On: June 5th, 10:24 AM

Pages Read: 336

Rise of the Catalyst by Honor Raconteur

Points: Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled. Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Diversity 

Started On: June 5th

Finished On: June 5th, 8:47 PM

Pages Read: 261

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins 

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Recently Hauled, BLUE on the Cover, Spooky Book, Join Sprints, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 6th

Finished On: June 6th, 9:30 PM

Pages Read: 336

Hide by Kiersten White

Points: Borrow a Book, Cozy Reading Time, Spooky Book, One Word Title, LGBTQ+, 4 Bingos

Started On: June 7th

Finished On: June 7th, 8:30 PM

Pages Read: 256

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Points: Cozy Reading Time, One Word Title, Join Sprints, Last Letter, First Letter, Weapon on the Cover, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 8th

Finished On: June 8th, 1:22 PM

Pages Read: 273

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Favourite Genre, Different Format, Poll, LGBTQ+, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 8th

Finished On: June 8th, 10:15 PM

Pages Read: 368

Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Last Letter, First Letter, Continue the Series, Guilt-Free Activity, Half of Goal 

Started On: June 9th

Finished On: June 9th, 8:22 PM

Pages Read: 448

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

Points: Under 300 Pages, Borrow a Book, Different Format, Guilt-Free Activity

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 10:51 AM

Pages Read: 192

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Points: 2021 Release, Borrow a Book, Spooky Book, Other Diversity 

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 11:00 AM

Pages Read: 128

Book of Night by Holly Black

Points: Join Sprints, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Spooky Book 

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 7:13 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Proof Is in the Poison by Diane Kelly 

Points: Join Sprints, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, GREEN on the Cover

Started On: June 10th

Finished On: June 10th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 288

Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly

Points: Complete a Personal Goal, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, Spooky Book, Guilt-Free Activity, Three Quarters of Goal

Started On: June 11th

Finished On: June 11th, 11:18 PM

Pages Read: 320

When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire

Points: Weapon on the Cover, Join Sprints, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Hybrid Genre, Continue the Series, LGBTQ+

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 4:07 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Queen by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series, 1 Bingo

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 4:59 PM

Pages Read: 72

The Prince by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 6:04 PM

Pages Read: 64

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Join the 48 HR Readathon, Continue the Series

Started On: June 12th

Finished On: June 12th, 9:30 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series, Goal

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 5:52 PM

Pages Read: 337

The Guard by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 6:43 PM

Pages Read: 64

The Favorite by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, Under 300 Pages, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 7:41 PM

Pages Read: 80

The One by Kiera Cass

Points: Favourite Genre, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Continue the Series

Started On: June 13th

Finished On: June 13th, 10:00 PM

Pages Read: 368

The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

Points: Poll, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, On a Previous TBR, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 14th

Finished On: June 14th, 10:05 PM

Pages Read: 480

Pumpkin by Julie Murphy

Points: 2021 Release, Cozy Reading Time, Different Format, One Word Title, LGBTQ+, 3 Bingos

Started On: June 15th

Finished On: June 15th, 6:35 AM

Pages Read: 336

Girls of Paper of Fire by Natasha Ngan

Points: Favourite Genre, Join Sprints, Borrow a Book, The, An, Of, A, And, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, LGBTQ+, Other Diversity 

Started On: June 16th

Finished On: June 16th, 2:18 PM

Pages Read: 416

Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde

Points: 2021 Release, Purple Cover, Cozy Reading Time, Hybrid Genre, Guilt-Free Activity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 16th

Finished On: June 16th, 7:19 PM 

Pages Read: 340

Do Not Disturb by A.R. Torre

Points: Less Read Genre, Join Sprints, Recently Hauled, Cozy Reading Time, GREEN on the Cover, Guilt-Free Activity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 17th

Finished On: June 17th, 8:05 PM

Pages Read: 368

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Points: Favorite Genre, Host Fav, Borrow a Book, Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, Other Diversity, 2 Bingos

Started On: June 18th

Finished On: June 18th, 5:20 PM

Pages Read: 512

Malice by Heather Walter

Points: Cozy Reading Time, Guilt-Free Activity, One Word Title, Last Letter, First Letter, 2021 Release, LGBTQ+

Started On: June 18th

Currently On: Page 0 of 470

Points: 15175

Books Read: 34

Pages Read: 10036

Prompts Left: None Left!