It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
What would you do if the dead started walking?
Would you hunt them?
Would you join them?
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.
The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
The idea of this was really cute, and I actually learned things? From a mid-grade book? Impressive. I’m a random trivia buff, so all the little factual nuggets in this were just *chef’s kiss* perfect. My biggest problem was that the story felt episodic. It was one thing to the next, with nothing connecting them, so it felt really choppy, and the timeline was really wonky because it’s just non-stop action all happening within several hours. It was a lot. I also just didn’t feel like Lenora had much of a personality. However, I picked this up because book two is coming out this year, and that one sounds action-packed, but like it might have a bit more of a central focus. I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I think I would have if the plot all tied together, so I’m excited for this next one.
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara (Review to be published 1/30)
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
This was going to be a four-star read … until the ending. It sort of just … ended? It was such an unsatisfying ending for me, because I felt like it tried to wrap things up, but then … didn’t really? This one was a bit of a struggle to get into, because Anappara does such a good job in immersing the reader in the setting. Which meant a lot of terms that I just didn’t understand, and there was no glossary, so I felt like I had to look a lot of things up to really understand what was going on, and that’s sort of frustrating for me. Once I got a little ways in, though, and words started to repeat, it was easier going to understand. I feel like there was a little too much going on. I picked it up for the magical realism, but that was sort of a lie. I mean, there were some chapters and things that hinted at it, but it never really developed into the beautiful thing I think it really could have been. I will say, though, that Anappara did a marvelous job of transporting the reader to this world, stricken with poverty and xenophobia and corruption. Telling the story through the eyes of a child was an interesting choice, but one that I enjoyed, because it kept the story light in an otherwise bleak setting. Plus, children just see the world differently, and it made the mystery part that much more unique. I did feel like the mystery stagnated in several places because of the point of view character, where the story slowed down and became a bit repetitive. But by the end, I was riveted and just wanted to find out how it turned out!
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
Okay, right off the bat, I want to say: pirates, snarky mermaid, and some soul magic. Sounds great right? And it was … mostly? I had a really hard time getting into it, and I’m not sure if it was the book or me, but it took me pretty close to forever to finish this, because I just kept setting it aside and not wanting to go back. I didn’t love the main character, but I admired her determination and fierceness. The thing I loved the most, though, were the side characters! Their personalities were so different, but each brought something to the table that was just brilliant and worked really well together. I really hope we get more of them in the sequel.
Shades of Magic Vol. 1: The Steel Prince by V.E. Schwab
★★★☆☆ || Goodreads
So, I thought I’d read somewhere that you could read this series if you hadn’t read the Shades of Magic books, but … I don’t think that’s true? I mean, okay, you obviously can read it, but there just wasn’t enough world-building in this, and I think it heavily assumes that you’re sort of familiar with the world already. This is one that I’d like to come back to after I read the original series and see if it changes my reading, because I was sort of lost through parts of this and had no idea what was going on. It felt like picking up a story that was already in progress rather than the beginning of something. The artwork was absolutely gorgeous, and I especially liked the way they drew the magic! The main character was likable enough, but the “trials” seemed really easy for how talked up they were. I’ll probably hold off on reading the rest until I finish the other series, though.
Reviews Posted This Week
Dread Nation by Justine Ireland
Status: 45%
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.
But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.
Guys. I am LOVING this so far. I mean, it opens with a bang that immediately sucked me in, and I always figured I’d like it, but wow, yeah, why didn’t I read this sooner? I am not a zombie person. They freak me out. But I came here for the awesome cover with the badass black girl and Jane’s snark, and I am so not disappointed. There are parts that are just so hard to read because of the racism, but at the same time, I feel totally vindicated, because at one point, I was like, “Wow, I hope zombies eat his face,” and then they totally did, and that’s obviously proof of my godlike power. Bow down to me, Bender of Stories, Changer of Timelines, you mere mortals! Muahaha!
As I predicted last week, Deathless Divide is still on my upcoming reads, because I didn’t quite make it through Dread Nation yet.
I’ve got some shorter ARCs coming up, so I’m going to try to squeeze them in soonish, since I’ve also got some buddy reads coming up. The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow caught my attention because that title was just so interesting, and it sounds like it’s going to gut my feels, so … right up my alley, yeah?
I’ve also got Twist coming up, and that premise just sounded too good to pass up. An MG about when a little girl’s drawings come to life and terrorize the town? Yes, please.
Also, I had SIX holds come through on my Overdrive all at once. Yes, you read that correctly: six. How I’ll get through them … I don’t know. I probably won’t. I’ll have to throw some back and cross my fingers that the wait isn’t too long. xD But the first of these (many) books I had come through that I want to try to get through is Dark Shores. I guess All the Stars and Teeth just put me in a real piratey mood. I’ve been meaning to read this one, and I saw the sequel is coming out in May, and I figured it’s a good time to get down with some pirates (but really, is there ever a bad time?) so I grabbed this.
Chat With Me
What are you reading this week? Anything you’d recommend? Link to your WWW posts below so I can visit you!
Follow Me
I’m still disappointed in myself that I haven’t read Dread Nation. Super glad you’re loving it!
Tammy. For real. Go read Dread Nation. xD I shirked work today to finish it, because I just couldn’t not. That’s 55% of a long freaking book in one day. I love it so much. I don’t know what took me so long to read it, either, but phew.
I can’t wait to read the sequel to Dread Nation. I liked it so much better than I anticipated when I read it last year. I’m reading book #2 in the Longmire series and also need to finish The Stand in early February.
I definitely didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, either. Makes me wonder what the heck took me so long to read it. I’ve heard great things about the Longmire series! My grandmother loved it. Hope you enjoy.
I’m intrigued with Dread Nation! Should start finding a copy already!
You totally should! I loved it so much and just can’t recommend it enough.
I’m getting more excited already!😉
Sorry to hear that a lot of your recent reads we’re kinda iffy, but glad to hear that you’re loving your current read.
And wow, 6 books coming in at once! Guess you’ll just have to give up sleep, eating, or work (or even all 3) to get through them all! 😉
I haven’t read it yet, but I’m curious to see what you think of Dark Shores–I loved Jensen’s Malediction trilogy!
Here’s my WWW Wednesday post if ya wanna check it out:
http://www.areyoumybook.wordpress.com/2020/01/29/www-wednesday-january-29th-2020/
I mean, can’t win them all, right? I’ve still had a pretty outstanding January reading-wise as far as how many five stars I’ve given out lol.
Sleep is for the weak!!!! I can’t give up the eating thing, though. I mean … food. Otherwise, what’s even the point of things? xD
True! I feel like every time I see you post, you’re plowing through new books! I’m glad January has included a lot of 5 star reads for ya 🙂
And yessss, food is definitely superior to sleep. Life is meant to be lived 24/7 awake and snacking 😅
Yeeeah, but remember that one of my goals this year was to read more graphic novels and MG books. So it’s not like I’m plowing through 10 adult books in a week or something like that. xD I’ve been sort of trying to rotate my reads and get in a little of everything.
Ahhh, gotcha! Lol I also said I wanted to read more graphic novels and MG this year but have I done so yet? Nope. Actually…I have read a graphic memoir, but it was for class. 😅
And focusing on a variety of reads sounds smart!
I’ve actually somehow succeeded? I don’t know. I’m as astonished as everyone else. This month is already slowing down, though, so I guess it was just January? XD
Yesss, you got this! And Feb. just started–you can still cram in a bunch in the second half of the month! I can’t wait to see all the MG and graphic novels you read this year! 🙂
Challenge accepted! Let the cramming … commence! xD
I loved Dread Nation (especially Jane’s snark) – listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. Maybe you’ll become a zombie person after this!
Oooh, I might have to check out the audiobook. The book was so voicy that I imagine it’d be a treat to listen to. I might. You never know. xD I still have to read Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, and I’m pretty sure there are zombie-ish creatures in there, too? Maybe this will be a year of the zombies. xD
Enjoy your reading!
I really want to read dread nation as well!
(www.evelynreads.com)
I finished it and I’ve started the sequel already, and I so highly recommend them! I hope you get the chance to.
Ooh I thought it was a standalone!
No, it’s a series! No idea how many books, but I’m in no hurry to leave this world. 😉
I really like your intro. hehe. And LOL to “Wow, I hope zombies eat his face,” To be honest, Dread Nation have been on my TBR since it came out. I remember adding it and purchasing a kindle copy the day it was out. I don’t know why i haven’t gotten around it though. Maybe this year. 🙂
Thank you! I have so much fun thinking up the intros each week. xD Yeeeah, I purchased a copy, like, two months after it came out, I think? And I *just* read it. So … ummm … you’re not alone? xD I so highly recommend it, though! It’s tied for my favorite January read.
You’ve definitely made me curious about Dread Nation! Have a wonderful weekend. xx
I finished it, and I loved it! Definitely one I’d recommend.
[…] Round Two || There Can Be Only One ✦ January 1 ✦ January 8 ✦ January 15 ✦ January 22 ✦ January 29 ✦ First Line Friday 56 || Would You Play The Game? ✦ First Line Friday 56 || Let’s Try […]