Title: Lady Midnight
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Dark Artifices #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 669
Length: 19h 44m
Narrator: Morena Baccarin
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
It’s so weird to not know how a Shadowhunter series ends. Other than just finishing LADY MIDNIGHT, my last first reading of one of these stories was back in 2018. I had forgotten how much Clare loves to toy with her readers’ emotions. I thought Jace and Clary’s forbidden romance was going to be the death of me, but Emma and Julian’s might be harder since they actually are parabatai.
Speaking of Emma and Julian, I’m so happy we get a whole series that focuses on them and the Blackthorns. I loved meeting them in CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE and often wondered what happened to them after those events. They lost so much and their lives were upended more than most of Clare’s characters. I’m glad that most of them are doing well despite their circumstances. I felt for Julian and all the responsibility he had taken on. It made me hate the Clave more so than I have in the past. One of these novels, I really hope they get a decent Consul who’s more willing to accept change and quit causing so much torment to their own people.
One of my favorite parts of LADY MIDNIGHT were the cameos of my favorite characters. I especially loved Jem with Church and seeing Jace’s faux-arrogance from another point-of-view. Both made me smirk like I was part of an inside joke. I’m curious to see how well Simon has taken to being a Shadowhunter. I’m also really curious why Jem and Tessa are no longer Shadowhunters. While I’m happy they’re in the story, it’s really hard that Will isn’t part of the story as well.
I thought the story was fun and even a bit unique as compared to the other Shadowhunter novels because of the circumstances with Mark, Helen, and the cold peace. The story was just as intense as its predecessors. I’m curious to see what’s going to happen next. There’s so much on the line as far as the Los Angeles Institute and the Blackthorn family are concerned. I’m also really curious about Annabel Blackthorn. Is she going to be good or evil? I’m guessing the latter since Malcolm Fade is no longer a threat. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait for new releases and find out soon.
Lady Midnight
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Dark Artifices #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 669
Length: 19h 44m
Narrator: Morena Baccarin
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
It’s so weird to not know how a Shadowhunter series ends. Other than just finishing LADY MIDNIGHT, my last first reading of one of these stories was back in 2018. I had forgotten how much Clare loves to toy with her readers’ emotions. I thought Jace and Clary’s forbidden romance was going to be the death of me, but Emma and Julian’s might be harder since they actually are parabatai.
Speaking of Emma and Julian, I’m so happy we get a whole series that focuses on them and the Blackthorns. I loved meeting them in CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE and often wondered what happened to them after those events. They lost so much and their lives were upended more than most of Clare’s characters. I’m glad that most of them are doing well despite their circumstances. I felt for Julian and all the responsibility he had taken on. It made me hate the Clave more so than I have in the past. One of these novels, I really hope they get a decent Consul who’s more willing to accept change and quit causing so much torment to their own people.
One of my favorite parts of LADY MIDNIGHT were the cameos of my favorite characters. I especially loved Jem with Church and seeing Jace’s faux-arrogance from another point-of-view. Both made me smirk like I was part of an inside joke. I’m curious to see how well Simon has taken to being a Shadowhunter. I’m also really curious why Jem and Tessa are no longer Shadowhunters. While I’m happy they’re in the story, it’s really hard that Will isn’t part of the story as well.
I thought the story was fun and even a bit unique as compared to the other Shadowhunter novels because of the circumstances with Mark, Helen, and the cold peace. The story was just as intense as its predecessors. I’m curious to see what’s going to happen next. There’s so much on the line as far as the Los Angeles Institute and the Blackthorn family are concerned. I’m also really curious about Annabel Blackthorn. Is she going to be good or evil? I’m guessing the latter since Malcolm Fade is no longer a threat. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait for new releases and find out soon.
The Gods Will Sing Our Song
Author: Autumn Krause
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 15h
Narrator: Sophie Oda, Major Curda
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I really loved THE GODS WILL SING OUR SONG. I thought it was a beautiful and haunting story surrounding the harsh realities of the Japanese internment camps during World War II. The story and history were intense and compelling. There were so many times that I was angry on behalf of those who suffered. I cried because of the unnecessary deaths that could’ve been prevented had the people had access to proper care.
I loved how each character represented a different aspect of internment camp life. It gave the reader a broader view of the trauma and injustices Japanese Americans faced at the hands of their own government. While I knew some of the history regarding the internment camps, I appreciated learning more of what happened even though it was hard to witness. This story made me appreciate the resilience of Japanese Americans during this time in history.
I loved that Krause used magical realism to portray some of Japanese culture. I loved the intersection of Buddhist and Christian beliefs. I especially loved both Ren and Violet. I loved seeing them grow and become more confident in their convictions and actions. I also loved that their love story added some hope and compassion to an otherwise unconscionable and tragic one.
One Night On The Island
Author: Josie Silver
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Spice: 1.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 368
Length: 10h 21m
Narrator: Davis Brooks, Eleanor Tomlinson
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I ended up really enjoying ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND. I thought it was a thought-provoking story about love, life, and consequences. I loved the setting. Even though it took place in winter and seemed so stormy and frigid, I’d love to go to Salvation Island and stay there for a while. The residents seemed amazing.
At first I didn’t like Cleo very much because I thought she was really whiny, but she grew on me. I loved her determination to figure out what she wanted in life and go in an opposite direction than she was. I thought it was interesting that she didn’t see how shallow and vapid her friends were in London until she was away from them. It beautifully illustrated that sometimes being too close to a situation doesn’t allow you see if properly.
I loved Mack. I felt for him and I don’t blame him for going to Salvation Island under the circumstances he was in. While I’d never date or fuck someone I was still legally married to, I don’t feel like he cheated on Susie because they were separated and she was already in another relationship. I felt bad for his wife in the end, but I also understood that she didn’t want him around until she realized he was falling for someone else. She couldn’t have it both ways.
I loved the audiobook so much. Eleanor Tomlinson was amazing as Cleo. I love her voice. And, I thought Davis Brooks did a great job as Mack.
Extra Witchy
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Fix-It Witches #3
Genre: Magical Realism, Romance
Spice: 3 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 344
Length: 10h 12m
Narrator: Ava Lucas
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
Also in this series: Witch Please, Boss Witch
My Thoughts
I wasn’t sure I was going to like EXTRA WITCHY as much because I wasn’t really interested in Leanne’s character in the previous two books. However, she and Trevor really surprised me. Their story ended up being my favorite. I loved both the premise and the execution. (I really loved the Futurama misquote scene. It made me so happy.)
I loved that Trevor called Leanne “butterfly.” It melted my heart each time he said it. I related a lot to Trevor. I’m glad getting out of his parents’ basement and away from his family’s toxicity helped him heal. I’m glad Leanne helped get him on that path and that his life became more fulfilling.
I really enjoyed seeing more of the politics in the witch world. I was so happy that Leanne campaigned for witches to come out in the open and that she and Danica were finally able to tell Trevor and Titus who they really were. I loved that Titus had already guessed and that all the major problems in the world made the news not very newsworthy, lol.
Fangirl Down
Author: Tessa Bailey
Series: Big Shots #1
Genre: Romance
Spice: 3.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 369
Length: 11h 29m
Narrator: Callie Dalton
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I liked FANGIRL DOWN so much better than CHASE ME. I felt like there was so much more heart in this story. I loved the premise and characters a lot. I loved how Wells’ life changed after he let Josephine in. I also loved that he called her Belle because of her sign. I’m glad Josephine was able to feel like she was still strong and capable even though she let Wells in. I’m excited to read Burgess and Tallulah’s story next.