February Wrap Up

In the month of February, I managed to read 7 books. This is a quick wrap up of those titles.

Flame in the Mist – Renee Ahdieh – DNF

It was not because this book was bad, I have struggled with Ahdieh’s writing before, but that was more to do with pace than it was the actual writing. I had really enjoyed the start of Flame in the Mist, but I’ve had a very strange reading month, and been very ill, so some books have fallen by the wayside. For now, this has been removed from my TBR, but I have left it on my Kindle to return to eventually.

A Darker Shade of Magic – V.E Schwab – Unrated

I had some difficulties with this. I have previously loved all things Schwab, and so I was really excited to get to this series, but there was something about the constantly jumping perspectives in this book that I just didn’t like. Later in the book, as we listen to more of Lila’s story and just flit between her and Kell, I began to enjoy the book a lot more. But earlier on I just found it irritating? I did read this when I was at the height of a Flu virus though, and perhaps this made it hard for me to follow and therefore it wasn’t as good as I hoped? I am reserving judgement. My plan is to read this again in the summer, and then instantly read the next two. I will rate it then.

Hunting Prince Dracula – Kerri Maniscalco – 5 stars

I adored every moment of reading this book and I feel like I could instantly start to read this again. I mean seriously, I am tempted to go and get Stalking Jack the Ripper and start all over again, and I cannot wait for Escaping from Houdini – I am so excited! The characters were even better than in the first book, their relationship is a wonder to behold, I found the writing fast-paced and magnificent, and the mystery was really fun.

Anatomy of a Scandal – Sarah Vaughn – DNF

I purchased this book as Wayne and I will be hearing Sarah Vaughn and Clare Mackintosh talk about their latest books. I did manage to get to around page 90/100 but I just couldn’t make myself want to read more. I didn’t really like the concentration on politics and Oxford and a class system that I don’t really enjoy reading about. There was too much focus on the past and not enough on the actual case, and so I found myself not caring, and not pulled in at all. I didn’t feel like any of the characters were likeable, and I couldn’t have cared less about them. I keep thinking I’ll return to this, but it is really unlikely.

The Cruel Prince – Holly Black – 2 star

Here’s the thing… I completely get what others are saying, and I don’t want to write this author off completely, but my experience of reading The Cruel Prince was just not a pleasant one. There are amazing reviews out there for this novel, but there are also some reviews that will highlight everything I felt. Additionally, not enough reviews will point out my biggest issue with this book – the bullying and abuse are so extreme – for me, it turns out it was just too extreme. When that is coupled with a plot that was so damn slow, so slow that the plot didn’t actually seem to kick in at all until page 300, then I had to rate this low. Please remember, this is my personal opinion, and that is completely valid. You can like this book, and I have spoken to many others who have and they have assured me not to write off Holly Black for it, but if you like and dislike the things I do – give this a miss.

The Mitford Murders – Jessica Fellowes – 4 star

I really enjoyed this novel. It is a historical fiction murder mystery, and I love golden age detective fiction and the 1920’s which it harks back to. I found the world fantastic and quaint, with a very gritty undertone to it that made it so much more realistic. I adored those elements. The mystery was great, and I loved Louisa and George – such fantastic characters. However, I have no idea why it is called ‘The Mitford Murders’ the fact that the Mitfords are in it doesn’t make a single bit of difference to anything in the story. It is so unimportant it is unbelievable. It could have been any family, any family at all? That didn’t hamper my love of the book…But it is confusing?

Love, Simon (Simon vs the Homosapien Agenda) – Becky Albertalli – 3 star

There is really nothing wrong with this book. It is cute and quaint. A sweet book that is funny and has heart. I would love to read it as my 16-year-old self, and I would love to give it to my 16-year-old friends to read. The issue is, that now i’m much older, I didn’t really identify with anything in it, as it is now, it was just an okay, very reasonable, general good read, and that was about it. So a 3 star from me.

 

So that is February for me. It was a very odd reading month with some mixed books, but I’m happy that I managed to read what I did. I also started Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray, but I haven’t finished that yet, so that will be on the wrap up for next month!

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