Here is my really late update on all the books I read in February. I unintentionally stepped away from my blog for over a month, but I really want to reawaken my love for blogging. So here's hoping that talking about books will spark my interests...
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne - This book follows Darcy as she teams up with her longtime crush, Tom, to renovate her grandmother's home. I have been looking forward to this book ever since I devoured The Hating Game (which I read twice in the span of 48 hours). Unfortunately I couldn't get into the plot or connect with the characters, overall this was just an average read for me.
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson - This book centers around Isobel, an artist, who paints portraits of faeries. The autumn prince, Rook, takes her away to stand trial, after she paints him with a mortal flaw, revealing his weakness. This was a reread for me, and unfortunately this was a book that didn't age well the second time around. I still really enjoyed the writing style and the world building, but I wish the romance had more development.
Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savannah Ganucheau - This graphic novel follows Ari and Hector as they meet at the bakery Ari's family owns. I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it's a heartfelt story about a struggling business, two boys falling in love and discovering themselves. I also loved the art style and felt the characters and the storyline developed well.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard - This is the first book in the Witchlands series, and this installment focuses on Safi, a truthwitch in hiding because her magic is a coveted ability. My goal was to reread the entire Witchlands series in February before jumping into the latest installment, Bloodwitch. So obviously I failed at that, but I enjoyed this book the second time around, I especially loved the friendships and the world building in this series.
Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill - This graphic novel follows Greta as she becomes entwined in the care of tea dragons (think tiny dragons that all have personalities relating to different types of teas). This was such a cute and quick graphic novel that I absolutely became enchanted in. The art style is beautiful and the concept of tea dragons is so unique and adorable.
The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket - This is the fifth installment in A Series of Unfortunate Events. Over two years ago, I reread the first four books in the series in anticipation of the Netflix series, and since the show is now complete I want to return to my reread of this series. I really like this installment in the series, it was really nice to see an environment where the Baudelaire's could make friends, and I like that this installment starts to set up an arc for the rest of the series.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - This book is set in a future where people's whole lives have turned to virtual reality. This is a book that I have been meaning to read for years, after hearing nothing but good things about. I really liked the world that the author created and the various nods to the 80s, but this book didn't live up to all of the praise. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style and I really liked Art3mis, but I didn't like that her character is viewed entirely through the male gaze and I wish that she had been given a chance to shine on her own.
And those are all the books I read in February. Since the month is winding down I'll be sharing the books I read this month within the next couple of days and I hope to finish at least one more book before the month is up. - Jessica
