Books Read April 23rd - 29th
Two Series Finished and A Return of Beasts
Gleanings: Stories from the Arc of a Scythe (34/60) – Neal Shusterman (Arc of a Scythe #3.5)
The Arc of a Scythe series was phenomenal, so I couldn’t pass up this collection of stories. Some were prequals, one story was set in the future, and others were adjacent to the main series. This book provides more insight into events happening behind the scenes during the main books and answers things that were glossed over. This is worth the read if you have read the Arc of a Scythe series – which you should!
(e-book)
A Soul to Heal (35/60) – Opal Reyne (Duskwalker Brides #2)
Delora is cast out of her village for committing murder. Pushed over a cliff and into the Veil, she conveniently lands on Nameless, a fledgling duskwalker introduced in book one of the series. Delora is in the depths of a deep depression, so she is numb to the revelation that a Mavka healed her and is caring for her. A blossoming love story ensues, and two lonely people learn to trust each other and become a family.
This book was still spicy like the last one, but yet again, Opal Reyne has written a story so good it holds its own beyond the spice. I enjoyed learning more about the Mavka/duskwalker origin story, and I was grateful this wasn’t a repeat of the first book’s plot. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment which takes us out of the Veil and involves a demon slayer.
(e-book)
Lone Women (36/60) – Victor Lavalle
Adelaide Henry journeys from her family’s farm in California to Montana to homestead in 1915. All she brings is an unusually heavy steamer trunk containing her family’s curse. When the curse is unleashed, other “lone women” homesteading in the area join her to reign in the monster and pursue a better life for themselves.
I went in with no expectations and came away impressed. I found I couldn’t stop listening which is understandable when the book begins with Adelaide burning her family's house down. All the threads of the story come together at the end, and the writing is highly immersive. I’d never read a western like this before.
(audiobook)
Immortality: A Love Story (37/60) – Dana Schwartz (The Anatomy Duology #2)
Hazel is summoned to London to care for Princess Charlotte, heir to the throne. She discovers a secret group who have taken the tincture to become immortal which was introduced to Hazel by Dr. Beecham in the first book. Hazel is still distraught over Jack’s disappearance, because she was sure he’d return to her if he took the tincture she offered him prior to his hanging. She is also trying to finish her treatise while contemplating feelings for a fellow doctor. Hazel navigates the British royal court while figuring out how she will find her place in a profession ruled by men.
The second book has redeemed its predecessor! Despite my qualms with the first book, I had purchased the duology as a set, so I figured I’d give the second book a shot. While the pace of the ending seemed to increase out of nowhere, I was happy with how it ended. If you had “meh” feelings about the first book, give the second a chance.