It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
What is black and white and read all over?
What has roots that shows—up, up, up it goes but yet it never grows?
What has an eye but can not see?
Wait, no, that’s not right. We ask these three W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @Taking on a World of Words.
Romanov by Nadine Brandes
★★✩✩✩ || Goodreads
This book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t really my thing. I think it would appeal much more to fans of historical fiction and family drama, particularly those who enjoy the Romanov story. I, however, was expecting the fantasy to play more of a role, and it just really didn’t. The story was mostly about family, with a bit of a disappointing romance.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
★★★★★ || Goodreads
Guys. This. Was. AWESOME. I had some misgivings going in, because I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, especially not things set in space. But this was brilliant. I love the format and the way it became a part of the story (except for a few instances, where it was practically impossible for me to read pages, which kind of irked me). I will say that if you have the option, read the physical book. I started on the Kindle, and it totally didn’t do it justice, and I’m glad I bought a physical copy. Also, I can’t decide whether I’m in love with AIDAN or if he terrifies me. Maybe a little of both? He’s so cold and brutal, the way that only a hyperlogical AI can be, and yet he tries.
The Malice of Fortune by Michael Ennis
Against a teeming canvas of Borgia politics, Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci come together to unmask an enigmatic serial killer, as we learn the secret history behind one of the most controversial works in the western canon, The Prince…
When Pope Alexander dispatches a Vatican courtesan, Damiata, to the remote fortress city of Imola to learn the truth behind the murder of Juan, his most beloved illegitimate son, she cannot fail, for the scheming Borgia pope holds her own young son hostage. Once there, Damiata becomes a pawn in the political intrigues of the pope’s surviving son, the charismatic Duke Valentino, whose own life is threatened by the condottieri, a powerful cabal of mercenary warlords. Damiata suspects that the killer she seeks is one of the brutal condottierri, and as the murders multiply, her quest grows more urgent. She enlists the help of an obscure Florentine diplomat, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Valentino’s eccentric military engineer, Leonardo da Vinci, who together must struggle to decipher the killer’s taunting riddles: Leonardo with his groundbreaking “science of observation” and Machiavelli with his new “science of men.” Traveling across an Italy torn apart by war, they will enter a labyrinth of ancient superstition and erotic obsession to discover at its center a new face of evil—and a truth that will shake the foundations of western civilization.
This is a book club book, and I’ve already spoken to several members who said they gave up on it. It seems this was a miss for most of the club so far, and I’m just starting it, so … we’ll see. I confess, I have misgivings. xD However, the rest of the book club and I seem to have very different tastes in books, so who knows. I might really enjoy it. One of them said they figured I’d probably be one of the only ones to finish it, so that gives me hope.
I’m actually not sure what to read next! Ahhhh, decisions! I borrowed an e-book of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, but it’s due in five days. So if I end up DNFing The Malice of Fortune, that’ll be my next read. If not, I’ll probably end up waitlisted.
I loved Nevermoor, so I’m ready to read the sequel, Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow, and for sure looking forward to some more Jupiter. I’ve been putting off reading Hero at the Fall, because I love this series SO MUCH and if I read this book, that means it’s over. I’m not ready for it to be over. Someone hold me. T_T But I really can’t keep putting it off anymore, because I NEED to know how it ends.
All of your books are new to me. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you! I’m sure I will. Hard to go wrong with the TBRs I’ve got lined up. 😉 Looking forward to them.
Ooh I’m glad I held out on Romanov, I would’ve been up for a fantasy/magic driven version but not necessarily just a revisioning and romance!!
Oh and if you loved Nevermoor, Wundersmith takes the magic and twists even further!!!
Yeah, I felt bad about rating Romanov so low, because it wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t a me book, and so not what I expected (especially after Fawkes, which was way more evenly balanced with fantasy and historical fiction and action).
Yes! I can’t wait for Wundersmith. Looking forward to seeing more of that world.
I think that’s a fair and understandable perspective on your review, we can’t love everything and what one adores another will dislike and vice versa- it’s good to hear different opinions and they are good reasons to help readers like me looking for the magic.
Since you loved Illuminae so much I recommend checking out House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. The formatting is hugely important to that book too, though I suspect it may be a more daunting read than Illuminae. Happy reading!
http://musewithmeblog.com/2019/05/01/www-wednesday-may-1-2019/
Oooh, thanks for the recommendation! Sounds creepy and perfect! I’ll have to grab a copy.
I was wondering about Romanov. I feel like i’m Probably going to have the same thoughts about it. I’m not into historical fiction or family drama.
Yeah, I feel like it’s great if that’s what you’re going in expecting. For fantasy fans, it’s maybe not as appealing. Her book Fawkes does a much better job of blending the historical fiction with the fantasy, in my opinion. 🙂
Thank you for the insight! It’s very helpful. That does answer my question. 😊
Everyone keeps talking about Illuminae so I know I need to read it. I haven’t come across anyone yet that didn’t rave about it! Love your list. Have a great week!
Yes, go forth and read it! It was magnificent, and I’m already sad that I have to wait until tomorrow before I grab the sequel from the library.
I have to say I didn’t enjoy Wundersmith as much as Nevermoor, though possibly that was partly because I was constantly getting distracted by other books, ARCs and library books and that sort of thing. But I hope it lives up to everything from the first book for you!
Sometimes that happens with sequels. There’s just not as much wow and magic as your introduction to the world. But hey, even if I don’t like Wundersmith quite as much as Nevermoor, it’d still be pretty high up there. xD Thanks!
Illuminae trilogy is just <3
I haven’t read Illuminae, but I just finished Aurora Rising by Kaufman and Kristoff, and it was an easy five stars for me – such a good book!
Oooh I’m so looking forward to that book! I have to wait until my library gets it in after release, which usually takes about a month, but I’m so excited for it! Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Shame you didn’t enjoy Romanov! But yay to Illuminae I want to read it!
Can’t recommend Illuminae enough! Heading to the library today to get book two, and I’m so excited. 😀 Hope you enjoy it if you get to read it.
I have it only list to read I will hopefully get there one day lol
Apologies for not commenting last week. Your books look great. I’ve got Wundersmith on my TBR ist too
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it. 🙂