April Wrap-up #1: what I’ve read

Hoohoo, friends.

it is time for another wrap-up. Ok, I just wanted to say that I read more books than I got. But alas, that is a lie. Because I forgot the e-copies I received via Netgalley. But at least I bought less…

Books I’ve read

Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan ★★★★/5

When Ia, a notorious criminal and most searched person in space, is finally captured, she did not expect to be thrown into the Commonwealth’s military academy. Escaping and getting information about that place are her top priorities, but she did not see friendship coming her way. Or love.
I loved this book. Told from three different perspective, the reader gets a good overview of the characters and the universe they live in. Even though this is a debut, it did not feel like one, the writing style was amazing. There’s space. Sarcasm. Strong girls.

Circe by Madeline Miller ★★★★★/5

Circe, daughter of the Titan of the Sun, has been an outcast her whole life. She never really belonged. When she falls in love and casts a dark spell, she is sent to exile on the island of Aiaia.
Can we please talk about the atmosphere of the book for a second? Everything seems so slow and like a long summer’s day, dipped into innocence and emotions? I can’t even describe it. I just loved how the book was written. And I loved Circe, always growing, always learning. She is wonderful, there is no other word for it. None of the other characters grew on me, to be honest, most of them were awful, and I feel with Circe.

One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake ★★★/5

I won’t post a summary, so nobody gets spoiled.
However, here comes my opinion: Even though it was better than the first book, I still only thought it was okay. I actually really liked the last part of the story, but everything before that was just meh. I still don’t like any of the characters, and while the story itself is really great and interesting, I don’t like how it is realized in the end.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray ★★★★/5

When Noemi tries to rescue her best and only friend, she is stranded on a deserted spaceship. Almost deserted: One mech, a fighting machine from Earth, is still there and has been for 30 years. After the inital problems, they realize they need to work together to achieve their goals.
Yes, I liked. A lot of action and a lot of emotions, two enemies in close quarters in space? Yup, exactly what I liked. I enjoyed the witty banters and jokes, I liked the plot itself and how the world is described.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★/5

This is the 5 1/2 book in the Throne of Glass series by SJM. What was originally planned as a novella about Chaol, turned into a whole novel.
And in my opinion, it was the best in the ToG series. And while I wasn’t a fan of SJM during the last few months, this book sent me back to loving this series. I missed all of its characters so much and I was happy to read about Chaol, because he has been my favourite since his first appearance. And I loved seeing him grow in this one.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi ★★★★★/5

Zélie’s white hair marks her as one of magic descent, her mother was a powerful Reaper. But the night magic disappeared and Zélie’s mother died, everything changed for her. Despised for what she is, Zélie mainly tries to survive along with her brother and father. But when she helps a girl escapes from guards, she is a searched fugitive. Together, they go on a quest to bring magic back.
The worldbuilding is just… wow. It is lush and rich and just breathtaking. The characters were missing a bit due to the worldbuilding. But nevertheless, the reader gets to know the main characters pretty well, four people who could not be more different. Especially the two girls are amazing and strong. Much love for this book.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff ★★★★★/5

Mia is set on revenge. Orphaned by the consul, justicus and cardinal, she joins an order of assassins, the Red Church. There she learns every way to kill a person. She also finds friends and lovers, but her main goal is revenge. And so she trains and studies to become a full member of the Red Church.
I read this book in a day. And it was glorious. Even though I needed a few pages to really get into the story, it was totally worth it. The world building is A+, the characters, even secondary ones are actually characterized, I could picture their differences really well. The writing was amazing as well. The book was good enough to make me grab the second one immediately.

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff ★★★★/5

I’m not sure why, but I enjoyed this less than Nevernight. But it was mindblowing nevertheless and I am now in desperate need of the third book.

What did you read last month? What was your favourite?