This is probably going to be a failure, but I gave myself some easy ones XD




July 25th - Rolling along, between book club books, reading A Perilous Undertaking, which is the second in a great Victorian series, the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn!

Heartless by Elsie Silver

3/5 Stars
5/5 Steam
I was disappointed, I enjoyed it up through chapter 20 and then it fell of the rails for me.

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

2/5 Stars
0 Steam
I have never said WTF so much while reading a book in my entire life.

Leaf of Faith by Lisa Bouchard

3.5/5 Stars
0/5 Steam
It was cute! Very much the author's first book, but I met her at a local witch's market and she was the SWEETEST! Had a good twist near the end.

Cities of Smoke & Starlight (Gate Chronicles #1) by Alli Earnest

4/5 Stars
0 Steam
Everything I want in a book. It was marketed to me as the banter of The Mummy movies, meets Anastasia, which sign me tf up! It did not disappoint. I would describe it as a post-apocalyptic dystopian steampunk sort of ride! The characters and their banter are TOP NOTCH. Good slow burn, great world building!

Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

2/5 Stars
1/5 Steam
I was bored. Coming off the highs of the second Gate Chronicles. Predictable, lacked depth to the characters and storyline. Spite read in 24 hours for book club. Did like some of the chapters were a 70something year old woman, she was the highlight!

Realms of Wrath & Ruin (Gate Chronicles #2) by Alli Earnest

2/5 Stars
0 Steam
Though the third one is not out yet, it doesn't feel like second-book syndrome. So much good worldbuilding and story progression. Characters show growth, storyline didn't really stall out. The cliffhanger tho, need book 3 ASAP!

Future Squares

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley for my classic I've never read, I'm still in the beginning, but generally enjoying. I failed you MJ, I'm sorry!
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis for my author of color
A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn for my next in a series - current read!
Neon Gods by Katee Robert for my retelling (Hades/Persephone)
Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker - Gin's favorite!

Suggestions I Have

Fairytale retelling; Spindle's End by Robin McKinley, a fairly straightforward Sleeping Beauty, but so wonderfully written
Pre-1900/Historical Fiction/Romance; The Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, starting with A Curious Beginning! Cannot recommend this series enough!

Recommendation Requests

I need somebody's favorite book to try!
The best seller list has failed me twice so far, but I need something from there or something new!
Something outside my normal genres of romance/historical/fantasy!