It's Monday! What Are You Reading #719, March 17th

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 #718
Teaser Tuesday #726
WWW Wednesday #726
WOW #722
Will the Time Come #719
Third Sentence Thursday #709
Random Reads #695
First Lines Friday #722
Book Blogger Hop #388

Monthly ARC's Update 110
The Reward Challenge Update #704
Wheel of TBR #251
How Well I Stuck to It #556
Wrote that Review Update #553

Week 11 Reviews:

Shadow's Heart

The Executioners Three

His Mortal Demise 

You Don't Live Here

Writing Mr. Wrong

Go Luck Yourself

Lessons With the Mothman

Enchantra 

Pride or Die

Crown of Slumber

The Body Market

On a Quiet Street

Phase Out Your Seriesathon: 

Update 18

Update 19

Update 20

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 18

Update 19

Spring Into Reading-A-Thon: 

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Update 9

Roll of Reads Readathon: 

Update 4

Update 5

OK, so I got 40 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty decent week, I read some really good books, andI can't wait for this coming week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Sunrise of the Reaping!

When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Week 11 Review: His Mortal Demise

From Goodreads:

These Violent Delights meets Divine Rivals in the explosive finale to The Last Bloodcarver duology—with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired romantasy world.

Kochin is a heartsooth—a rare being with the ability to heal any wound. Any wound, that is, except death.

Intent on defying nature and bringing Nhika back to life, Kochin keeps her body in a life-preserving casket and waits for a miracle. Stricken with grief and descending into madness, Kochin realizes the answer to his desperate quest can only lie in one Yarong, the lush yet battle-ridden island the first heartsooths called home.

Months later, Nhika wakes in a familiar manor-house, with Kochin nowhere to be found. As she traces his footsteps across Theumas, she discovers the haunting path he walked to bring her back, and a world changed by war.

When Kochin discovers the true and grisly way to resurrect a person from the grave, he must decide exactly how much he is willing to sacrifice, in order to reunite with the woman he loves...

Don't miss this stunning dual-POV follow up to THE LAST BLOODCARVER, where morals will be tested, hearts pushed to the limit, and fates determined once and for all. Vanessa Le's jaw-dropping sequel is a bloody and luscious spectacle to be devoured in one sitting.

My Review:
I had such an amazing time reading this book! I loved the first book, and with the way things ended, I was looking forward to seeing how they were going to back from that. Though I didn't remember if it ended with Nhika's death, or with her waking up. 

How this story was told, alternating between Kochin's perspective, starting from 6 months ago and slowly progressing to the point where Nhika's story starts when she wakes up alive, was fantastic. The mystery was how he figured out how to bring her back, and where he was, if he'd survived it. Loved it!

This was more his story then hers, which was great, since she did go through a lot there. That he's working through his grief and his hope to bring her back, and his family and the guilt he feels having been duped, it was fantastic.

I loved that last 3rd of the book, where answers were had, and it was just a matter of dealing with the bad guy. I really enjoyed how that worked, we don't see it playing out like that very often, and I'm glad that things were resolved like that.

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Vanessa Le! 

Author: Vanessa Le 
Series: The Last Bloodcarver #2
Read: March 10th, 2025 
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a End of Series 2025 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Expected Publication: March 18th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Spring Into Reading-A-Thon Update 3

So I read my next book for Spring Into Reading-A-Thon, and it was His Mortal Demise which was for the prompt New Life, and I'll be reading Writing Mr. Wrong next! 

My Reading Journey:

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by Nisha J. Tuli

Prompt Fulfilled: Holi Festival of Colors

Started On: March 6th

Finished On: March 6th, 2:47 PM

Pages Read: 491

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

Prompt Fulfilled: New Life

Started On: March 9th

Finished On: March 9th, 7:28 PM

Pages Read: 348

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le

Prompt Fulfilled: Road Trip

Started On: March 10th

Finished On: March 10th, 10:52 AM

Pages Read: 400

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong

Prompt Fulfilled: March Madness

Started On: March 11th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Prompts Left: Spring Cleaning, New Beginnings, Wet T-Shirt Contest, Let it Shine, Spring Fashion, Rewind, April Showers, Luck of the Irish, Self-Care, Read the Group Book, Spring Forward,  Love Is In The Air, Over The Rainbow, Spring Break, Refresh Your TBR, Aquamarine, Women's March, Cherry Blossoms, Aries, Tiptoe Through The Tulips, Tiny Umbrellas

Read: 3

Pages Read: 1239

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 18

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was His Mortal Demise which was for the prompt 3B Enjoy Solitude, and I'll be reading On a Quiet Street 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 27th

Finished On: January 27th, 10:53 AM

Pages Read: 352

Return of the Vengeful Queen by C.J. Redwine 

Prompt Fulfilled: 1E

Started On: January 30th

Finished On: January 30th, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 400

I Am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

Prompt Fulfilled: 1B

Started On: January 31st

Finished On: January 31st, 2:00 PM

Pages Read: 336

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong

Prompt Fulfilled: 1A

Started On: January 31st

Finished On: January 31st, 6:36 PM

Pages Read: 416

The Half King by Melissa Landers

Prompt Fulfilled: 2A North

Started On: February 8th

Finished On: February 8th, 7:28 PM

Pages Read: 512

Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger

Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South

Started On: February 9th

Finished On: February 9th, 6:48 PM

Pages Read: 330

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West

Started On: February 15th

Finished On: February 15th, 9:18 PM

Pages Read: 545

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard 

Prompt Fulfilled: 2B West

Started On: February 16th

Finished On: February 16th, 3:26 PM

Pages Read: 496

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan

Prompt Fulfilled: 2E South East

Started On: February 20th

Finished On: February 20th, 6:47 PM

Pages Read: 496

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Prompt Fulfilled: 2D North East

Started On: February 21st

Finished On: February 21st, 9:15 PM

Pages Read: 384

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli

Prompt Fulfilled: 2C South 

Started On: February 23rd

Finished On: February 23rd, 10:50 PM

Pages Read: 514

Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Prompt Fulfilled: 3B Bring Sword

Started On: March 2nd

Finished On: March 2nd, 10:32 PM

Pages Read: 309

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher

Prompt Fulfilled: 3C Bring Wand

Started On: March 6th

Finished On: March 6th, 7:13 AM

Pages Read: 147

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

Prompt Fulfilled: 3A Find New Friends

Started On: March 7th

Finished On: March 7th, 11:48 AM

Pages Read: 640

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le

Prompt Fulfilled: 3B Enjoy Solitude

Started On: March 10th

Finished On: March 10th, 10:52 AM

Pages Read: 400

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass

Prompt Fulfilled: 3D Inspect Well

Started On: March 14th

Currently On: Page 0 of 320

Prompts Left: 3C Try New Food

Read: 18

Pages Read: 7512

Spring Into Reading-A-Thon Update 2

So I read my next book for Spring Into Reading-A-Thon, and it was The Executioners Three which was for the prompt New Life, and I'll be reading His Mortal Demise next! 

My Reading Journey:

Queen of Shadows and Ruin by Nisha J. Tuli

Prompt Fulfilled: Holi Festival of Colors

Started On: March 6th

Finished On: March 6th, 2:47 PM

Pages Read: 491

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

Prompt Fulfilled: New Life

Started On: March 9th

Finished On: March 9th, 7:28 PM

Pages Read: 348

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le

Prompt Fulfilled: Road Trip

Started On: March 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 400

Prompts Left: Spring Cleaning, New Beginnings, Wet T-Shirt Contest, Let it Shine, Spring Fashion, Rewind, April Showers, Luck of the Irish, Self-Care, Read the Group Book, Spring Forward,  Love Is In The Air, Over The Rainbow, Spring Break, Refresh Your TBR, Aquamarine, Women's March, Cherry Blossoms, Aries, Tiptoe Through The Tulips, March Madness, Tiny Umbrellas

Read: 2

Pages Read: 839

Waiting on Wednesday #721, March 5th

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

Sunrise of the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Expected Publication: March 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

The Hallow Hunt by Margie Fuston

Expected Publication: March 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Bly has nothing left to lose in her quest to save her sister in this thrilling sequel to The Revenant Games that’s perfect for fans of All of Us Villains meets Kingdom of the Wicked.

Bly won the Revenant Games, but she lost everything else.

In her desperation to resurrect her sister, Bly betrayed Kerrigan, the vampire who she’d planned to sacrifice to the witches before she fell in love with him—only to find out that Elise was never dead. With nothing left, Bly will do whatever it takes to locate her sister.

Her only lead on Elise lies with Kerrigan’s brother, Donovan, who she turned over to the witches in place of Kerrigan. She spends her nights tracking down witch prisons to rescue him. Meanwhile, Kerrigan is also searching for Donovan, but after Bly’s treachery, he refuses her help.

But when the vampire queens accuse the two of them of treason, they’re only offered one escape from retrieving a mystical root that only grows on the banks of the Hallow Pool, where legend says that vampires and witches were created. Now Kerrigan and Bly must find a way to work together if they want to keep their lives and save their siblings.

But they’re not the only ones hunting in the forest, and as their feelings for each other rekindle, they risk being torn apart once more.

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le

Expected Publication: March 18th, 2025
From Goodreads:

These Violent Delights meets Divine Rivals in the explosive finale to The Last Bloodcarver duology -- with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired romantasy world.

Kochin is a heartsooth -- a rare being with the ability to heal any wound. Any wound, that is, except death.

Intent on defying nature and bringing Nhika back to life, Kochin keeps her body in a life-preserving casket and waits for a miracle. Stricken with grief and descending into madness, Kochin realizes the answer to his desperate quest can only lie in one place: Yarong, the lush yet battle-ridden island the first heartsooths called home.

Months later, Nhika wakes in a familiar manor-house, with Kochin nowhere to be found. As she traces his footsteps across Theumas, she discovers the haunting path he walked to bring her back, and a world changed by war.

When Kochin discovers the true and grisly way to resurrect a person from the grave, he must decide exactly how much he is willing to sacrifice, in order to reunite with the woman he loves...

Don't miss this stunning dual-POV follow up to THE LAST BLOODCARVER, where morals will be tested, hearts pushed to the limit, and fates determined once and for all. Vanessa Le's jaw-dropping sequel is a bloody and luscious spectacle to be devoured in one sitting.

3 books that I can't wait to come out, I love these authors and these series, and I can't wait for these latest installments! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #675, May 13th

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 #674
Teaser Tuesday #682
WWW Wednesday #682
WOW #678
Will the Time Come #675
Third Sentence Thursday #665
Random Reads #651
First Lines Friday #678
Book Blogger Hop #344

Monthly ARC's Update 72
The Reward Challenge Update #660
Wheel of TBR #207
How Well I Stuck to It #512
Wrote that Review Update #509

Week 19 Reviews:
Grave New World

My Salty Mary

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

Blood and Wrath

Heiress Takes All

One Killer Problem

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers 

The Deer and the Dragon

The Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch

A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire

The Return of Ellie Blake

Six Scorched Roses

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King

The Last Bloodcarver 

I'll Be Waiting

Cursed Crowns

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 24

Update 25

Update 26

Update 27

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge:

Update 6

Update 7

Update 8

Update 9

Update 10

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Phase Out Your TBR: 

Update 8

Update 9

Update 10

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Random:

Bout of Books 40 Sign Up

Carissa Broadbent Author Page

Joan He Author Page

Scott Reintgen Author Page

OK, so I got 55 posts in 7 days, and it was a pretty good week, I read some really great books, and I only have 5 more work days before 2 weeks of vacation, including my birthday, so I can't wait for that! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Masquerade of the Heart!

Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious—and deadly—Evergarden society, all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. This edge-of-your-seat duology finale is perfect for fans of Veronica Mars, These Violent Delights, and Chain of Iron.

Caraza sits poised on the edge of chaos. Tensions rise between the Five Families and trouble brews in the Marshes—and Marlow is at the center of it all. In the tragic aftermath of the Vale-Falcrest wedding, Adrius refuses to speak to her, publicly vowing to find a wife before the year is out. Despite her heartbreak, Marlow is still intent on breaking his curse. To do so, she'll have to play loving daughter to the man who cast it. But the closer she gets to her father, the more she starts to question if he's really the villain she's made him out to be.

Marlow has learned by now that in a city steeped in secrets and lies, not everything is as it seems. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Marlow must decide who to trust—and how high a price she's willing to pay for the truth.

Week 19 Review: The Last Bloodcarver

From Goodreads:

The tantalizing romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver, the first in a two-book debut -- with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A cold-hearted, ruthless being who can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, she is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure.

When Nhika is caught using her bloodcarving abilities during a sham medical appointment, she's captured by underground thugs and sold to an aristocratic family to heal the last witness of their father's murder.

But as Nhika delves deeper into their investigation amidst the glitz of Theumas' wealthiest district, she begins to notice parallels between this job and her own dark past. And when she meets an alluring yet entitled physician's aide, Ven Kochin, she's forced to question the true intent behind this murder. In a society that outcasts her, Kochin seems drawn to her...though he takes every chance he gets to push her out of his opulent world.

When Nhika discovers that Kochin is not who he claims to be, and that there is an evil dwelling in Theumas that runs much deeper than the murder of one man, she must decide where her heart, and her allegiance, truly lie. And -- if she's willing to become the dreaded bloodcarver Theumas fears -- to save herself and the ones she's vowed to protect.

My Review:
This was such a fantastic read! I loved this world and the magic, and I just wanted to know more. Nhika, who can't help but help heal others, even when she knows it's going to cause her trouble, who has a prickly exterior to help hide her inner softie, I just loved it! 

That her natural abilities are looked are looked at that make her out to be inhuman, that people would consider eating her body because they don't think of it as cannibalism, that there's such a fear that gloves became the norm to prevent skin to skin contact, it's awful. That she helps heal this lady that traditional medicine wouldn't be able to help, and then is accused of hurting her...that hurt.

This family that she kinda joins on the periphery, that they don't fully trust her, but she's one of them, I loved that for her. Watching them deal with this potential murder, meeting a heart soother who wasn't related to her, Nhika deals with a lot in this book! 

The wait for the next book is going to be long. I've already read book 2's synopsis multiple times, and all I want to know is what he's going to do, that she's going to follow his trail to figure out what he did. Because I need to know! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more! 

Author: Vanessa Le 
Series: The Last Bloodcarver Duology #1
Read: May 10th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: March 19th, 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Update 12

Ok, so I read my next book for Clean Sweep ARC Challenge, and it was The Last Bloodcarver and I'll be reading I'll Be Waiting next! 

My Reading Journey:

Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger

Started On: May 1st 

Finished On: May 1st, 11:35 AM

Pages Read: 396

Blood and Ruin by Rumer Hale

Started On: May 2nd

Finished On: May 2nd, 10:27 AM

Pages Read: 322

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon

Started On: May 3rd

Finished On: May 3rd, 6:52 PM

Pages Read: 400

My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Started On: May 4th

Finished On: May 4th, 10:25 PM

Pages Read: 512

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

Started On: May 5th

Finished On: May 5th, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 464

Blood and Wrath by Rumer Hale

Started On: May 6th

Finished On: May 6th, 11:17 AM

Pages Read: 384

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Started On: May 6th

Finished On: May 6th, 9:01 PM

Pages Read: 368

One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans

Started On: May 7th

Finished On: May 7th, 4:31 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Deer and the Dragon by Piper C.J

Started On: May 8th

Finished On: May 8th, 9:56 AM

Pages Read: 448

A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley

Started On: May 8th

Finished On: May 8th, 10:05 PM

Pages Read: 448

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Started On: May 9th

Finished On: May 9th, 2:28 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

Started On: May 10th

Finished On: May 10th, 10:42 AM

Pages Read: 384

I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong

Started On: May 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Books Read: 12

Goal: 25 Books

Pages Read: 4782

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Update 11

Ok, so I read my next book for Clean Sweep ARC Challenge, and it was The Return of Ellie Black and I'll be reading The Bloodcarver next! 

My Reading Journey:

Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger

Started On: May 1st 

Finished On: May 1st, 11:35 AM

Pages Read: 396

Blood and Ruin by Rumer Hale

Started On: May 2nd

Finished On: May 2nd, 10:27 AM

Pages Read: 322

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon

Started On: May 3rd

Finished On: May 3rd, 6:52 PM

Pages Read: 400

My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Started On: May 4th

Finished On: May 4th, 10:25 PM

Pages Read: 512

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

Started On: May 5th

Finished On: May 5th, 5:25 PM

Pages Read: 464

Blood and Wrath by Rumer Hale

Started On: May 6th

Finished On: May 6th, 11:17 AM

Pages Read: 384

Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Started On: May 6th

Finished On: May 6th, 9:01 PM

Pages Read: 368

One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans

Started On: May 7th

Finished On: May 7th, 4:31 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Deer and the Dragon by Piper C.J

Started On: May 8th

Finished On: May 8th, 9:56 AM

Pages Read: 448

A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley

Started On: May 8th

Finished On: May 8th, 10:05 PM

Pages Read: 448

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Started On: May 9th

Finished On: May 9th, 2:28 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

Started On: May 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 384

Books Read: 11

Goal: 25 Books

Pages Read: 4398