It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
Would you open a glowing notebook?
Would you disturb a bottle tree?
What if you fell into another world?
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.
12 books in the Dragonblood series by Michael Dahl
I’m not going to list these out, because wow, there was a lot. This are middle grade books I discovered with my daughter. She was looking for some horror books that were easy reads, and we stumbled on Michael Dahl, and I fell in love with his illustrations and the look of his books. When I found this series, I obviously had to check it out because, duh, dragons, but also Dahl. These are for really little readers, transitioning from early readers to juvenile, which means it’s hard for me to really rate them. I loved the artwork, like always, but some of them left me scratching my head by the end of the story and wondering what the point was. It didn’t feel like a full book. There were several that were really good, though! If you stumble across a Michael Dahl book in your library, they take just a few minutes to read, but I recommend checking out the gorgeous illustrations.
The Demon Notebook by Erika McGann
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
I thought this sounded really interesting, but it was a bit too midgrade for me. Which is nothing wrong with the book, since it’s meant for that audience, obviously. I can see middle school girls loving it. The spooky factor was definitely there, but in an accessible way that wasn’t too scary. The characters faced a lot of normal middle school drama like boy crushes and school and bullies, so I can definitely see its appeal for that age group.
Burn the Dark by S. A. Hunt (Review posting on 1/16)
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
This was such a hard one for me. It was dark and sinister and full of action, just like I’d hoped. But it wasn’t too much so, with some great humor to lighten the mood here and there. The biggest problem I had with this book was that it was comped with Supernatural, and it felt a little too much like Supernatural. I kept seeing parallels between the two, but Supernatural did it better. I also guessed most of the big plot turns based on what Supernatural had done.
Bulwark by Brit Lunden
★★☆☆☆ || Goodreads
This one sounded super creepy, and it was to a certain extent, but the writing really held it back. It was very choppy and full of info dumps. It’s a Hansel and Gretel retelling with a bit of a neat twist. It was a quick read, and it even had an alternate ending (and I loved the second ending). The biggest things I struggled with for this book were the writing style and the cheesy, teen-esque romance (despite these being adults).
The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg (Review posting on 1/20)
★★★★★ || Goodreads
I kind of whizzed through this book, because I was so charmed by it. The blurb gave me sort of Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, and as I read it, I kept picturing the story in that animation style. The writing had that sort of charm: something almost whimsical overlaid onto a dark and horrendous undertone. Maybe that’s just me, but I’ll take it. I’m a huge fan of enemies to lovers and slow burn romance, which all just worked really well here for me. The only qualm I had was the world-building was a little vague, and there was a whole backstory with Enna’s father that was integral to the plot but never explained, so now I have so many questions left unanswered, and that’s frustrating.
Reviews Posted This Week
Diamond City by Francesca Flores
Status: 32%
Good things don’t happen to girls who come from nothing…unless they risk everything.
Fierce and ambitious, Aina Solís as sharp as her blade and as mysterious as the blood magic she protects. After the murder of her parents, Aina takes a job as an assassin to survive and finds a new family in those like her: the unwanted and forgotten.
Her boss is brutal and cold, with a questionable sense of morality, but he provides a place for people with nowhere else to go. And makes sure they stay there.
DIAMOND CITY: built by magic, ruled by tyrants, and in desperate need of saving. It is a world full of dark forces and hidden agendas, old rivalries and lethal new enemies.
To claim a future for herself in a world that doesn’t want her to survive, Aina will have to win a game of murder and conspiracy—and risk losing everything.
Full of action, romance and dark magic, book one of Francesca Flores’ breathtaking fantasy duology will leave readers eager for more!
I’ve been really feeling urban fantasy lately. This book had me at assassin. Gosh, I’m so predictable. I’m enjoying this, but not as much as I thought I would, I guess? Honestly, I think this is just me, because I’m coming down with something, and it’s hard to enjoy things when you want to sleep all day. It’s suitably full of action and stabbiness, and I have some suspicions about things, and I can’t wait to see if they come true.
The only complaint I really have so far is that the world-building isn’t very solid, and the soft magic system is a little too soft. I don’t need all the scientific details about how magic works, but I need it to make sense within the confines of the world, and this just … doesn’t. Yet? Maybe it will make more sense later, since it’s only briefly touched on the magic thing, so I’m thinking it might be a bigger plot point later.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Status: pg 66/482
Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it-–is that a doll?-–and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?
I’ve been looking forward to reading this one for years, since shortly after it was announced. This is a group buddy read with Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads and Annemieke @ A Dance With Books. I was so hyped up for it that I was a little afraid to start, because how could it possibly live up to my (ridiculously high) expectations? But y’all … it has so far. I mean, I guess there’s technically still room to go awry, but I’m loving it.
Tristan is a very voicy character and so darn relatable. I’ve laughed out loud several times already. All the characters so far have big personalities, and there’s a ton of action and adventure. I’m not very far into the meat of the story yet, but I’m excited. I’m ready for this.
At the top of my list is still Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, sitting pretty, since I haven’t quite gotten to it yet. I’m going to just officially add All the Stars and Teeth to that, too, since I hope to get to at least one or the other this week.
Other than that? I don’t knoooow. I’ve been feeling so tired and run down lately, so I’ve been struggling to keep up with my reading like I’d hoped. Maybe this week will turn around. I’m thinking I should probably start Dread Nation, since the sequel, Deathless Divide comes out in a couple weeks, and I somehow got an eARC? I know, I’m as shocked as you are. I’m really looking forward to it!
Chat With Me
What are you reading this week? Anything you’d recommend? Link to your WWW posts below so I can visit you!
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Wow, you finished a lot. 🙂 Enjoy your reads Sammie and have a great week. 🙂
Yeah, but they were mostly teensy 30-page books for juvenile readers. 😛 They were still fun, though.
I’m sure they are. 🙂 🙂
I read Diamond City and enjoyed it, but agree with you about the world-building – I could have used a little more explanation. I loved Dread Nation – listened to the audiobook a couple years ago (the narrator is outstanding), and I’m so jealous you got an ARC of the second book. Happy Reading, Sammie! https://teripolen.com/2020/01/15/www-wednesdays-what-am-i-reading-amreading-7/
I’ve hit a point where Diamond City is finally picking up and there’s just action, action, action, and I’m appreciating it a lot more now. xD I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Dread Nation! I’m so excited to pick it up.
I hope you feel better soon! I’m glad to see that 5 star rating for The Will and the Wilds. I’m starting it this week😁
I hope you enjoy it! If you get Howl’s Moving Castle vibes … let me know! I suspect it might just be me. xD My mind works in mysterious ways.
Enjoy your reading!
I’m reading One dark throne, and I’m listening to THe unhoneymooners!
(www.evelynreads.com)
I hope you enjoy them! The Three Dark Crowns series has been on my TBR for ever.
You know… I actually might open a glowing notebook. I would know it was a stupid idea, but I might do it anyway…
I hope you feel better soon! I’ve been fighting something off too, but for me it’s at the “sit still and read all day” stage instead of the “sleep all day” stage, so it’s been better for my reading than things like, you know, cleaning house.
I mean, at least you’re old enough to know that “no harm comes from reading a book” is patently false, right? xD There’s no helping curiosity, though, even if you know better haha.
Man, I’ll trade lol. I did some cleaning today and a little bit of reading, and now I’m just like … 1:00 means nap, right?! Last day this week I can do that before it’s back to work lol. Hope you get to feeling better soon, too!
Yup, sometimes I think I’m part cat. Too curious for my own good at times.
I’ve been back at work all week. I did manage to do laundry, though! But… I mean, that’s about it really.
I’m definitely curious about All The Stars And Teeth! I hope you will enjoy your books this week. Happy reading! xx
Thank you! I’ve heard really good things about it so far, so crossing my fingers it’ll be another five star. I’ve done amazingly well so far this year with five star reads lol
That’s definitely a great way to start the year!
All the Stars and Teeeeeeth!!!!
I can’t wait to see what you think of Dread Nation!!!! I can’t wait to start Deathless Divide
Yeeees, so many good books lately! My heart’s likely to explode from all the excitement if the publishing industry doesn’t give us a teensy break soon. Maybe just choose one month where they only publish cheesy romances, so the romance readers get their day in the sun and I can rest? xD
I feel like that’s what Nov/Dec was except I was too busy with the move from hell to get a break. Or at least feel it and read some backlist books. Next year I will be ready!
I dunno, my November was completely packed still. xD December didn’t have a ton of ARCs for me, but I was busy with family all month, so my reading time sort of vanished.
Yeah I don’t have that problem lol
So you’re telling me you read 16 books this week? Are you kidding me?? It’s so fun that you’re able to share your love of reading with your daughter and pick up series together like that!
It’s a shame you had some disappointing books this week, but I’m glad at least one of them was amazing & that you’re enjoying Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky right now!
I mean, to be fair, most of those were teensy easy reader level books. xD So they don’t really count. 😛
I’ve had a pretty good year so far, though. I’m impressed already. Tristan Strong is really good!
Eek, Burn the Dark sounds really derivative! I’ve seen a couple like that around, alas. I guess when something’s so popular, it’s so obviously doing it right that people jump on in…
Here’s my WWW post!
I mean, to be fair, Supernatural is awesome. And Burn the Dark was a pretty good book, but it definitely felt a little too much like Supernatural. Or maybe I wouldn’t have noticed if it hadn’t been comped to it? Who knows?
I haven’t read any of these books! So I will be taking notes of several that sound interesting like Djinn Patrol and Black Girl Unlimited. There’s just too much books but so little time to read!
Anyway, happy reading and here’s mine, too: https://happymesshappiness.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/www-wednesday-15-jan-2020
I definitely think we need more reading time. We should start a petition. xD
Haha! Now! 😉
I Love your intro! LOL It’s so fun 🙂
Thanks! I have a lot of fun with it. xD
Killing it with the reads, Sammie! This year is starting off really slow for me and it’s frustrating me to no end 😂 I just want the reads to pick up, damnit! But no… I’m reading at a snails pace and driving myself mental (just kidding, sort of). Looking forward to definitely reading more eARCs soon, starting with the two due at the end of the month! Also keen to hear your thoughts on Dread Nation 😍
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a slow start. 😛 Everyone loves the underdog, and then you can pull off a fabulous finish. 😉
So glad you loved The Will and the Wilds! I can’t wait to read it.
I hope you get a chance to! It was such a fun romance.
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