Last month, I wrote about how I wasn’t happy about having read ‘only’ 11 books in March. I felt like I could have read more, and that I wasn’t keeping up with the book blogging community. As a newbie, it can be quite intimidating entering the community. Especially when surrounded by those that can read so fast! But I’ve since grown to feel more comfortable in myself and my reading habits. I may not be the fastest reader or the one reading every award winner, but I still matter. I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere quite yet.
This month, I started a book series that I am rather embarrassed about. I haven’t told anyone. I haven’t even shared it on Instagram. So keep reading until the end to find out what that is!
Ok, let’s get going with this (overdue!) April round up!
Rival Queens: The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots by Kate Williams
After watching Mary Queen of Scots a while ago, I got really into researching that period of history. I was obsessed with the Tudors growing up. And, I actually ended up studying them twice at school because I moved halfway through the year so did it at both schools. I still know nothing about the Egyptians!
I’ve read so many Tudor books, from Philippa Gregory to Antonia Fraser, as well as pretty much any TV show and movie about that time too! I loved The Tudors TV show back in the day with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer.
However, as much as I loved the Tudors, I never really knew much about Mary Queen of Scots and so was excited to learn more. That is apart from the TV show Reign, but I don’t fully trust the historical accuracy of that show!
Kate Williams’ book is a really well laid out book, and she writes in a ‘fiction’ like way about the two cousins. Despite being a non-fiction historical book, it still manages to sweep you away and you find yourself feeling close to Mary and Elizabeth. There is so much more depth explored about them and their lives, so for anyone interested in that era, this covers it all!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, PS I Still Love You, Always & Forever by Jenny Han
After watching and loving the Netflix movie last year, I was intrigued to have a read of the books. I wasn’t sure at first. It takes quite a while for the letters to get sent out and for the action to get going. But I like the larger focus of family and the sister’s relationship in the book.
The second one was better. I think this was because I didn’t know where the plot was going, and you really get a sense of Lara Jean growing as a character.
A big part of what made the Netflix movie so popular was Noah Centineo’s charisma and his chemistry with Lana Condor. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out in the next movie, as another love interest gets thrown in!
I then had a surprise library hold waiting for me on the Saturday. I didn’t expect Always & Forever to arrive for quite some time! So, to celebrate, I ended up reading it in record time and I think it is my favourite of the series! It is a fitting end to the story, with so many ups and downs. My heart was in my throat half the time!
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This is one clever book that takes some time to process. Taking a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery story and turning it on its head, this is my favourite book of the month. I don’t want to say much, to avoid spoilers, but… it’s a lot of fun. It’s worth a go even if you’re not usually into mystery/crime type novels, like me.
It sucks you in with its atmosphere, keeping you on your toes until the very end. A film adaptation would be amazing, as it was very visual and cinematic, but it would take some careful doing. I can only imagine how complicated it was to write, so to adapt it would be a whole other kettle of fish.
I don’t often feel this way, but I might even give this a reread one day. There were just so many layers and twists, I would love to read it again to see how the pieces all fit together.
Every Colour of You by Amelia Mandeville
My heart is still broken after reading this. I was literally sobbing in bed as I finished reading Every Colour of You, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be the same.
I love a good romance but haven’t read a proper one for quite a while. Now I remember why I haven’t, as they usually seep into my soul, and I’m left feeling somewhat bereft by the time I get to the last page!
ECOY is a little bit special. It’s about that early twenties time in your life when things are all a bit up in the air, and you’re trying to figure out this thing called ‘adult life’. Zoe and Tristan are possibly the best-written characters I’ve read in a long time. I know them inside out, I lived with them, and I felt what they felt. I am so looking forward to seeing what Amelia Mandeville writes next!
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Angie Thomas does it again! After loving The Hate U Give a couple months ago, I couldn’t wait to read her latest novel. It certainly lives up to expectation, building on the fantastic world-building skills from THUG, this time with new characters and story. There are similar themes running through, as the protagonists are both young black girls trying to navigate life. But it feels different enough that it’s still fresh and there is a lot to take away from it
Thomas is excellent at writing families and neighbourhoods, placing the reader right in the action. It’s quite an emotional rollercoaster, and it kept me gripped all the way to the last page.
The Cherries by D.B. Carter
Set in the rolling countryside of Devon, this is an area I know well, having grown up in such a village. The characters are recognisable as the kind you’d find here, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the kind of places close to my heart. Whimsical at times, the book has strong characters and is a comforting read, following Luke from The Cherries and Susan from next door, over many years.
While I like some parts of the book, there are a few aspects I didn’t like as much. I think this is due to my not being the target audience. For instance, there is a strong emphasis on faith and religion throughout the story, which I was uncomfortable with. The pacing is also slow at times, and then later felt rushed later on.
There are many different stories and characters introduced, all with their own problems and issues to face. I would have preferred a closer look at fewer characters, perhaps even stretching across more than one book. I also would have liked more focus on just Susan, Marian, Luke, or Jenny, as they felt the strongest of the characters, as well as more focus on the romance. However, each character reflected a true dynamic in country life, and so overall it is a relatable and comfortable read.
(I was kindly provided with a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown
I really enjoyed Savannah Brown’s debut novel TTAKS. The synopsis seemed quite vague, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Yet, I ended up really connecting with Sydney, as she deals with her father’s death and everything that gets uprooted from that.
Brown’s writing is truly excellent as we deal with fresh grief and the turbulence of young adulthood. It’s a very emotional read but isn’t too heavy and stays on the right side of hopeful. I honestly could have continued reading this story for weeks, I didn’t want it to end!
After by Anna Todd
This is the one I was rather embarrassed about sharing. I read this one on Wattpad which had, what can only be described as, the worst writing I have ever read. However, I couldn’t help but keep reading. By the cliffhanger at the end, I knew there was no getting away from it – I was hooked!
I’m sure many of you have heard of the ‘After’ series, which has recently been turned into a movie. But if you haven’t, it is basically One Direction fan fiction, turned into a five-part book series. Think Fifty Shades of Grey, but even more awkward (if that’s possible).
The basic plot is as follows. Naive Tessa starts college only to meet English ‘bad boy’ Hardin. (This is Harry in the Wattpad version, as he was originally based on Harry Styles). Her life then becomes about ‘after’ meeting him and their budding romance. There are lots of ups and downs and crazy twists, so I see now how it got so popular!
Anyway, it’s kind of a guilty pleasure. Honestly the only thing keeping me sane lately, as my other books haven’t been all that great. I would like to do a full post about being ashamed of reading certain books. So stay tuned for that.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows is a fantasy novel that’s all over bookstagram and so I thought I’d give it a go too. It has also been announced that both this and Bardugo’s other Grishaverse series, Shadow and Bone, are being adapted into a Netflix show. So, I was curious to see what all the fuss is about!
It took a lot for me to keep reading this book. It took over 100 pages before I felt somewhat connected to it. But, I was tempted to just stop reading before then. Perhaps I made a mistake reading this before the Shadow and Bone series. I felt completely lost; thrown into a complex world with lots of characters and no context.
This book is high fantasy, and I’m beginning to think that’s just not my genre, as I’m also struggling with the Priory of the Orange Tree at present. It isn’t until the main plot of the heist – breaking in and out of a secure prison – gets going that I became I little more invested.
Over time some of the characters endeared themselves to me, but that ultimately wasn’t enough in the end. I would give this a three out of five, as it is good writing and wasn’t bad. Just really not my cup of tea. I am intrigued enough to read the sequel at some point, but I won’t be rushing to do so anytime soon.
