March Wrap Up

Hi! Let’s talk books because I need to talk about things that are not in any way related to the virus or my head will explode. Deal?

March has been good, reading wise, as I have completed 10 books. That’s the most so far this year, but I am determined to beat it. What can I say? I’m a bit of an overachiever sometimes.

• Number of books read: 10
• Number of pages read: 4029
• Average star rating: 3.7
• DNFs: 1
• TBR at the start of March: 60
• Books added: 5
• Books read: 4
• Current TBR: 61

I have a feeling no matter how many books I read in April, my TBR will keep growing.

I’m wondering now why I never posted a review on here for this one (insert thinking emoji – I’m addicted to it)? I got an eARC and I usually post reviews for those on here… Anyway, it matters not! I knew what the book was about when I requested it, but by the time I got approved for it I had no idea what to expect. So I dove in blind and it was a really good surprise. It’s a debut fantasy about a prophecy that foretells the “age of darkness”, told from 5 POVs, which I was apprehensive about at the start, but which ended up well executed. There Will Come A Darkness is an ambitious story – there’s a lot to the plot, magic system and the characters – but it delivers. It’s fast paced and engaging. The world building is solid. 5 POVs is stretching it, but for most of it, it works. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel and more from Katy Rose Pool.

Another great read! I finally finished the Three Dark Crowns series and it was everything! (don’t let the picture fool you, I know I put Two Dark Reigns there, but it’s cause I got this one out of the library and I don’t own it YET) This last book absolutely broke my heart but I weirdly enjoy that, so coming from my lips it’s a compliment. For a series that started mediocre for me, it really grew with each consecutive book and I can honestly say it became one of my favs. If you haven’t read it yet – you should.

I’ve posted a review for The Poppy War already, so I won’t be saying too much here. Another well done debut. It was exciting and well crafted. It’s not without faults, obviously, but I enjoyed it overall and will definitely pick up the sequel.

I’ve no idea how to review graphic novels. I picked up Locke & Key because I’m curious to start the Netflix show and I’d like to compare both. I’ve heard they’re quite different. This was a really gory and dark horror and I actually really enjoyed it. It made me very uncomfortable at times and we’ve already established that constitutes a good time for me (in case of books and movies ONLY, in case I need to specify).

This book has been on my radar for forever. I didn’t love it as much as I expected to, I found it a bit tropey and predictable, but it was by no means terrible, either. Some books just don’t age as well as others, and I’m sure have I read it when it was first released I would’ve liked it more. I think it tried to cram too many plot lines into this first book alone and hence felt disjointed at times. There was also some insta love I didn’t quite enjoy. I have a feeling the series gets better with each book, though, so I will definitely be continuing with it.

You might already know what I think about this book, and if you don’t check out this review, because I cannot rant any more.

I needed a break from fantasy and sci-fi, so I picked up this book because I heard, style wise, it was similar to Celeste Ng’s stuff. I do agree with that a bit, but nothing is as good as Ng’s books (in the hard hitting contemporary genre at least). The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a story about grief and teen suicide and (as I said it in my Goodreads review) deals with it better than Thirteen Reasons Why. I really connected with the main character. I almost cried once, and that deserves 4 stars.

Another book for which I have a separate review, that you can read here. I’ve nothing else to say. It was good, can’t wait to read the next book (I’ll be reading it in April).

I know what you’re thinking! Zaneta, why did you read this book if you hated the first book in the series? Well… that’s what happens when you go on a requesting spree and press that green button when you haven’t even read book 1 because you “have a feeling you’ll enjoy it”. Feelings LIE. And I committed. Review to come very soon.

I’ve decided to start utilising a TBR jar this year to finally get to some of the books that have been sitting on my shelf forgotten and unread. Stolen Time was my lucky pick. I got it in a subscription box last year and expected a tropey romance. Instead I got a book in which time travel actually make sense, with great and loveable characters and an exciting plot with sort of a heist. In other words – exactly my jam. I loved it! (even the romance) Can’t wait for the sequel to come out in 16 days!

My one DNF this month was Wakenhyrst. A friend of mine read it and liked it, so I decided to try it out. There was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn’t my cup of tea, so I decided to put it down.

And that would be it. How many books have you read in March? Have you read any of the ones mentioned above? What did you think?

Until next time!