I had a really good reading month in January, I managed to read 13 books and a graphic novel. So here are the books I read and some of my opinions on them:
Uprooted by Naomi Novik - This is a fantasy novel, set in a place protected by a magician, named the Dragon, who in return for protecting the villages, picks a girl every ten years to serve him. Our main character, is unexpectedly picked by the Dragon, thinking all her life that her best friend would be picked. I did not like this book, I really didn't enjoy the writing, the characters, and the story. This book just became a struggle for me to read, and I went through a bit of a reading slump while I made my way through it. This was a disapoint read because I had seen a lot of good things about it, but this book was not for me.
Passenger and Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken - This is a duology following, Etta, a girl who only wants to play violin but her whole life is thrown upside down when she is introduced to her family's time travel roots and she is then thrown in the center of a time travel war. I really enjoyed this duology, the characters were so interesting and really opened my eyes to the different prejudices they faced during the historical times they lived in (for example, Nick is a free man who was born during the American revolution). These books were very character driven and I loved those elements.
Windwitch by Susan Denard - This is the second book of the Witchlands series. I absolutely loved the first book, Truthwitch, and I couldn't wait to read this one. This book takes place right where Truthwitch left off, and this book was very character development driven. Not a whole lot happened concerning the overall plot of the series, but as a reader I learned so much more about these characters that I love. I can't wait for the next book to come out, because I really love this series.
Books 1-4 in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket - This series follows the Baudelair sibling, who have recently been orphaned in a fire, as they try to evade Count Olaf, who is after their family's fortune. This was one of my favorite series when I was growing up, and I wanted to reread the first four books in anticipation for the new Netflix series. I hadn't reread these books since I was young and I had forgotten so much of the plot. I loved revisiting these characters, and I love the writing. I ended up binge reading these, and they are so short that it's easy to read one in less than an hour and a half, but they are a little repetitive. I hope to finish this reread soon, because I love these books as much as I did when I was young.
The Lost and Found by Katrina Leno - This book follows online pen pals, who met during a support group, as they both embark on separate road trips to meet each other. I really enjoyed this book, especially the various relationships surrounding this book. I was initially drawn to this book because it's set in my hometown, and I hadn't read anything set where I live before, it's both cool and weird to read a book set in a fictionalized place of the world you live.
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera - This book follows Griffin after his best friend and ex-boyfriend, Theo, has just died in an accident, and he remembers the history they shared and the present that he lives in without Theo. This book was an emotional whirlwind and I really enjoyed these characters' story. The story alternates between the past and present, and I loved how those two were weaved together. Adam Silvera has an amazing ability to write moving and profound novels, and I look forward to more releases from him.
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst - This is a fantasy novel, centered around Princess Dennaleia, who is betrothed to marry a prince of another kingdom where her magical ability is considered illegal, and she starts to develop romantic feelings for the prince's sister. I really liked this book, but I think I went into it with too high of expectations. I really liked the world that this was set in, and how sexuality is normalized, and the romance within this story was really well done. I would have liked to see more world building and expanding on the magic system, I also wanted to see a little more character development, but overall this book was pretty well written.
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - This book is set in a world fighting monsters, following Kate and August, who are on opposite sides of a divided city. I'm a pretty big Victoria Schwab fan, and although I find her adult fiction books better written, I really enjoyed this YA book. I really loved how Kate and August formed an unlikely friendship, and how they interacted. I'm really looking forward to the sequel, which comes out in June.
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi - This book follows Maya, who has been shunned her whole life because of a horoscope that promised a marriage of death, but she finds herself as queen of a strange world and married to a man of power. I loved the inspiration that Greek myth and Indian folklore had on this book. I absolutely loved the first half of the book, and then the second half had some strange plot points that I couldn't entirely follow, but still enjoyed. I really enjoyed this book, and I ended up reading it in a day.
Wires and Nerves, Vol. 1 by Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate - This is the first in a graphic novel series, that is a sequel to The Lunar Chronicles, and follows Iko. I love The Lunar Chronicles, it's one of my favorite series and I love how the story was continued into this graphic novel. I love how the characters and the story were well translated and I can't wait for Vol. 2 to be released.
And those are all the books I read last month. There's a lot of books that I'm looking forward to coming out in February and I hope I'll be able to get to all of them. - Jessica
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