September Reading Update | New Faves + Some Disappointments

Hello fellow book lovers,
I haven't posted at all this month, and it's partly because I've been spending most of my time on Instagram (mostly in the stories) and I've re-started my BookTube again after 6 years. And also it's partly because I don't really know what to do with my blog anymore. I'm constantly in war with myself whether to just take it down and concentrate on Instagram and grow my BookTube, or to get it going again because there are some instances (like right now) when I have the biggest urge to blog.

Anyway, throughout my whole to blog or not to blog dilemma, my reading hasn't been suffering. It's actually flourishing because I've just been reading whatever the heck I want. I'm going to highlight some of the ones I like and the ones that disappointed me.

Because I want to end on a good note, I'm going to start with the disappointments:

The hype for Wicked Saints was insane! Everyone and their mother was talking about it. It was one of my most anticipated books in the latter half of the year. I was in love with the cover and so excited for it that I bought multiple copies (different special editions from book sub boxes).

And then the book came out and reviews started to pour in and they're mostly lukewarm and I started to feel a bit nervous. So, I didn't read it right away and lowered my expectations. I finally picked it up earlier this month, and I gave it 2 stars.

Basically, it's a rip off of the Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series. The heroine Nadya (the supposed badass because the tag line was freaking "let them fear hear") was bland as oatmeal and in a roomful of YA heroines she blends with the furniture--that's how boring she is. Malachiasz, one of the other main characters and Nadya's love interest, is the Darkling's less awesome twin. Nadya and Malachiasz's romance took over, escalated way to too quickly, and the definition of instalove. The only parts I kind of enjoyed were Serefin's chapters and one half of the magic that had to do with the gods (the other part where they have to rip out random pages from magic books to power up was nonsensical to me).

Now, I don't know what the heck I'm going to do with my multiple copies of Wicked Saints. At this point, I don't even want a copy of my shelf despite the fact that I'm still in love with that cover.

My other big disappointment was Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid. Now, the book wasn't bad. I actually really like the really quirky heroine Janie. She was cute and endearing, and I really enjoyed reading from her perspective. As for the hero, Quinn, he's another story. I did not like him at all. He came off as bossy in a not-cute way and high-handed. He always ordered for her whenever they went out to eat, which didn't bother the heroine but bothered me, among other things. I did not like him at all. Things were happening, but at the same time story dragged. I read it just to finished it, but I wasn't engaged for the most part.

I ended up giving it 3 stars, which means I didn't hate it. BUT! I read so many glowing reviews about how funny it is, how Quinn is the best, how fun it is and one of the best contemporary romances in the market. My expectations were high going in, especially since this is my first Penny Reid book, but I was just let down.

Unfortunately for me, I put so much stock in those glowing reviews that I bought the entire Knitting in the City series. ARGH!! *face palm* So, one of these days I am going to pick up the next book in the series (which, unfortunately is again Janie and Quinn's book) but I'm hoping it's one of those instances where each book is better than the next?? *crosses fingers*


Now, the books I read and LOVED in September!

 After A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas sat on my shelf for almost two years, I finally picked it up this month and I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner!

It was slow to start, but once I got past the first few chapters and the plot got going, I couldn't stop reading it. I love our heroine, Charlotte Holmes, but all of the secondary characters were wonderful as well. The entire cast were all fleshed out, and I had a good time matching them to Arthur Conan Doyle's characters and applauding the feminist take on the original.

The plot was multi-layered and the mystery was so good! I was kept guessing throughout. I was most especially impressed with the clever writing--the tone and voice was on point.

I enjoyed A Study in Scarlett so much, that I immediately started reading book 2 in the series, A Conspiracy in Belgravia (it wasn't as good as Scarlett, but still very entertaining and it took the characters and the story in a different trajectory and I am excited to see where it will lead). I gave A Study in Scarlett 4.5 stars! I highly recommend!

Another series I started was Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews (this was also my first ever read by the husband-and-wife author duo). I gave Burn for Me 4 stars.

It was a great start to the series--I love the characters, the world-building and magic, the slow burn romance that's developing between Nevada and Rogan, and all the non-stop action.

Nevada was awesome! She's tough and kick-ass but with a good head on her shoulders--she knows what she's capable of and doesn't go running off into situations she knows she cannot handle--my favorite kind of heroine. I love her quirky family, and some of my favorite scenes featured them being their eccentric selves and had a good laugh.

The hero, Rogan, I like him but I know we have more to learn about him and his powers and what he does. Like I said, I'm loving the romance developing between him and Nevada and I can't wait for it to bloom in the next books.

Very entertaining series! And I'm excited to read more and, in this instance, I am so happy I already bought the next two books so I can pick them up anytime I want.

Happy reading,
Michelle