My reading is getting slower and slower this year. I’ve decided it’s time to officially downgrade my reading goals and have set my Goodreads Challenge down to 100 books.
Speaking of reading challenges, I didn’t even glance at my selections for the mini Magical Readathon. I was rather disappointed, but recognise I’ve got a lot going on at the moment. And it turns out I will get a second chance, with the April edition of the readathon going ahead after all.
Mt TBR Status
Mt TBR @ 1 January 2022: 360
Mt TBR @ 28 February 2022: 389
Mt TBR @ 31 March 2022: 396
Items Read
21. Stiletto by Daniel O’Malley. Contemporary fantasy. Second in The Checquy Files. Tensions are high as the Checquy and the Grafters negotiate a merger after centuries of enmity. I found this to be a slightly weaker book than its predecessor, however the variety of female characters continued to be a delight. The story had plenty of political intrigue, action, character development and slime, maintaining its sense of humour. I also liked the choice to have the previous protagonist present but somewhat decentred.
22. Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev. Contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility. Third in The Rajes series. I liked this book more than its predecessor (which retold Persuasion), perhaps because it had an easier time of modernising the story. The characters were also more likeable.
23. Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. YA space opera. First book in the Aurora Cycle. Reviewed here (as part of the whole trilogy).
24. A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark. Alternative history with magic. First book in the Dead Djinn series. Book club pick. The youngest woman working for Egypt’s Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities gets called in when a secret brotherhood is murdered. Tons of fun. Somewhat similar to The Checquy Files with its blend of action, investigation and political intrigue, as well as lots of female characters in a variety of roles.
25. Sanctuary by Andi C. Buchanan. Contemporary fantasy. Review forthcoming.
26. Burntcoat by Sarah Hall. Literary dystopia. Book club pick. A celebrated sculptor weathers a pandemic with her lover at her warehouse studio. Gorgeously written and does some fascinating things with translating Gothic elements into a modern urban environment. However, tread carefully if you’re prone to pandemic feelings; this is not a light-hearted read.
27. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. Fantasy. Reread.
Acquisitions
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali DevBurntcoat by Sarah Hall
It Came from the Deep by Maria Lewis
The Wipe by Nik Abnett
12 Bytes by Jeanette Winterson
The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi
The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch
False Values by Ben Aaronovitch
Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee
NPCs by Drew Hayes
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
The Ex Hex by Erin Stirling
The Weed Forager’s Handbook by Adam Grubb and Annie Raser-Rowland