March was an excellent reading month for me. I had two weeks off for Spring Break, so I really made the best possible use of my time and read so much while I was off work. It was a wonderful time and I read so, so many excellent books. It’s partly why I’m so behind on Wrap Ups. I found it pretty daunting to want to type up all the reviews for the books I read. However, it’s finally time so you’ll find my reading wrap up and March haul below the cut.
Books I hauled in March:
- Fate Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
- One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain
- The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black
- Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
- Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
- Kill for Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh
- Murder Road by Simone St. James
- The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
- Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
- The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall
- The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy
Books I read in March:
1. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main character, Misery, quite a lot. I also really liked the author’s take on supernatural and werewolves/vampires. They are really unique, and it was something that was fun to read about. I liked the storyline of the romance, and the way the two main characters slowly came together and then eventually became a couple. It was so, so great.
2. All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I loved this book. It was very well-written, and I really enjoyed the characterization of the main character. I liked the setting; it was all very atmospheric and spooky. The romance was a lovely addition to the story. I was very intrigued by the premise as the story continued. I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
3. Crumbs by Danie Stirling
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This graphic novel was so sweet and lovely. I loved the main characters and found their storyling and how they came together as a couple to be very compelling. I loved the world and the way the magic system worked. It was very unique and interesting. I just really wanted to live in this world and try some of the treats that were featured in the story.
4. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I read this because I felt that I should as its somewhat of a modern classic. However, I will admit that it wasn’t really my favourite. It was interesting enough and I wanted to follow through to see how I would like it. However, I just didn’t love some of the elements of the story. I did think it is a cool premise.
5. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: Another re-read with my class. It’s still great.
6. The Talk by Darrin Bell
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this story to be incredibly powerful. It was so interesting to read about the experience of growing up as a young black man in America. It was awful to read about how some people treated him and the racism that he faced. I found the different ‘episodes’ of his life that he featured to be really interesting. It was a great way to tell a life story.
7. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This was such a fun read. It was really interesting to read about two ‘good’ serial killers falling in love and going through some trials together. I felt that it was really unique and definitely a fun premise. There was definitely some gross parts to the story (the ice cream scene for one), but on the whole I liked how it was still very much a romance. I can’t wait for the next book.
8. In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This was a beautiful graphic novel. It was gorgeous in the illustrations. I found it hard to read in some ways, but it was an incredibly powerful and meaningful story. It was well-depicted in how Deb’s mental health was affecting her and how she coped with everything in her life.
9. Vox Machina Origins: Volume 3 by Jody Houser
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this to be an interesting story. I liked the main characters; they’re very fun. I felt that the characters are well-developed, and I like how they interact with each other. It did feel more unfinished in the story arc, but I still really enjoyed it. The art is so great.
10. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I have a full review of this book up on the blog here.
11. The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I liked the dynamic of the main couple in the story. They felt like they were well suited for each other. I loved the art style. The colours were very soft and lovely. I loved the character design. I enjoyed the premise of the story, and I loved the AI robot buddies.
12. The Escape by David Baldacci
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: I enjoyed this continuation of the series about John Puller. I really enjoyed learning more about his family dynamics, and especially about his brother. I liked the political mystery that was included. IT was fun not knowing who to trust as the story progressed.
13. The Last Delivery by Evan Dahm
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: There will be a full review of this up on the blog closer to it’s publication date. Keep your eyes peeled. It was excellent.
14. Winx Club Volume 2 by Rainbow SPA
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review:**Disclaimer: I recieved a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really cute collection of stories in the WInx Club universe. I really enjoy seeing these little episodes of things that they get up to, and seeing their friendship grow and develop over the course of the stories. It’s also interesting to see the conflict with the witches. Some of the side characters are pretty one dimensional at this point, but I imagine as the graphic novels continue there will be more effort put into developing some of them. If you liked the show, I think you would enjoy this.
15. Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I enjoyed this graphic novel. The juxtaposition of the two cultures that the main character was caught in was really interesting to read about. It must have been really hard for her to deal with. I was pleased with her journey throughout the novel, and enjoyed her character growth. It was well-illustrated as well.
16. What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: There will be a full review of this up on the blog closer to its publication date. Keep your eyes peeled!
17. Amber & Clay by Laura Amy Schiltz
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I found this novel really interesting. I haven’t read too much historical fiction like this, so it was cool to explore the world of ancient Greece. I liked both Rhaskos and Melistos as characters, and I enjoyed the interludes from the Gods. The story was well-paced, and the verse was very well-written.
18. Constellations by Kate Glasheen
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This was a very intersting graphic novel with an interesting study of a character who was dealing with some very complex issues. Gender identity and addiction are both very difficult things to deal with. I felt that they were both handled well and with nuance. The art style was unique and had great use of colour.
19. Ares: Bringer of War by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really enjoyed this addition to the Greek Gods series by George O’Connor. He uses really interesting narrative structure and each of the stories is always really interesting and well done. The art is beautiful, and the colour is also really good. I enjoy this collection a lot.
20. Apollo: The Bright One by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
21. Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
22. Hermes: Tales of the Trickster by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
23. Hephaistos: God of Fire by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
24. Dionysos: The New God by George O’Connor
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
25. Virals by Kathy Reichs
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was an okay read. I found it a little weird to have this very sci-fi book set in the universe of Temperance Brennan, though I fully admit I haven’t read the books and have only seen the television show Bones. It just seemed weird and it was hard for me to suspend my disbelief. The premise was interesting enough, and it kept me guessing with some decent plot twists. However, overall I just couldn’t buy in as much as I wanted to.
26. The Suspect by LR Wright
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: I picked this up because I learned that it’s being adapted into a television show, and that it is set where I live, which made me really curious. It was interesting to know who the murderer was from the start of the story and then we got to watch Karl try to put all the pieces of the mystery together. It was definitely a bit outdated in comparison to modern sensibilities, so I hope that gets updated when they make the show. I had fun and will be continuing the series.
27. Mason Falls Mysteries: The House by Raelynn Drake
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was a fun little mystery. I enjoyed the way it threw you right into the mystery/action of the novel. The premise of the kids exploring a haunted house and then looking up the mystery and trying to figure it out was a fun read. There wasn’t a ton of character development, but the novel was quite short so it’s somewhat understandable. It was still interesting enough that I would recommend it to reluctant readers that I know of.
28. Behind the Screen by Israel Keats
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was more young adult than the last book in my opinion, though it was definitely still a pretty easy read. The characters were interesting an the story was good. I liked the bond of sisterhood that was featured in the story.
29. Aught but Death by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was quick and fun, but I should have probably read Chain of Thorns before reading this. However, I still had a good time. It was well-written. I really enjoy Lucy and Cordelia’s friendship.
30. We Jace You a Clary XMas by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was a fun little read. I liked the dive back into the Shadowhunter universe. I especially enjoyed the journey back through Clace’s relationship origins. It was fun to revisit, and I do really think that they are interesting characters.
31. Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was an intersting mystery, though it wasn’t my favourite by Megan Miranda. I liked how the setting was somewhat isolated and remote, which is one of my favourite tropes in a mystery. It really raises the stakes and adds to the tension. The story did have a lot of tension. The cold case elements were a fun additions, and I liked how they all ended up being connected.
32. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tinterra
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: I really loved this book. The premise really worked for me in how it was structured and in the general content of the book. Lucy wasn’t set up to be a likeable character, but I absolutely loved her. She was strong, and I really enjoyed her dark sense of humour. The story kept me guessing, and I had a really fun time reading it. I highly recommend this. It really reinforced my love of podcasts as a part of a mystery.
33. Sleep While I Sing by LR Wright
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: It is interesting to read more about Karl Alberg and to see how he solves the mysteries that come his way. I enjoyed the setting because it’s interesting to see how her interpretation of the area matches with my lived experience of it. However, I really think that this author has an issue with teachers because her killers in this book and in the first book were both teachers. I didn’t love all the fatphobia included in this story.
34. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Physical Copy
Review: This mystery was chock full of twists and turns. I had no idea where it was going to take me, but I honestly had so much fun along the way. The characters were quite morally grey, which is always interesting to read about. The story was well-written, and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen.
35. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This was a book that I never read when I was younger, so it was interesting to read some more classic young adult. That being said, I think I probably would have loved this more if I had read it when I was in high school and in my Twilight phase. However, I am not anymore, so I didn’t end up loving it. I will say that it’s definitely better than Twilight. It was interesting to have the main point of view be the perspective of a male character. It was a fun read.
36. Bloom by Kevin Panetta
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was so cute, and I loved the coming of age and coming into what you wanted to do aspects. Ari and Hector were great characters. I did want more development of the romance because I just really wanted more of them as a couple/together. I do recognize it was a slowburn, but they were just so cute that I wanted to see more. I loved the art style. It was really well-suited to the story.
37. Skim by Mariko Tamaki
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This wasn’t my favourite book by Mariko Tamaki. The characters were interesting but I think I wanted more from it. It was kind of quiet in some ways, but it was more of a coming of age story than anything. I didn’t super love the art style, but it was really cool to see the unique design of all of the characters.
38. Four Faces of the Moon by Amanda Strong
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was a really interesting story. I liked the sort of stop-motion video style that was used and how it was like a longer picture book style story. The story and journey through the past was interesting and I found the information included at the end quite informative and helpful.
39. Fire Starters by Jen Storm
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was a quick little read. It was very well-illustrated and I liked the character design. It was very short, but it was able to get a lot of story across. I enjoyed it, but I do wish there had been a few more pages so that the ending could have been developed a little bit further.
40. Illegal by Eoin Colfer
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: This was a heartbreaking story. The main character was so sweet and determined, but it was very hard to read about all the terrible and awful things that happened to him. It’s hard to know that this is a lot of people’s lived realities. The art was really beautiful, and added to the emotional nuance of the story.
41. Begin Again by Emma Lord
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: eBook
Review: **Disclaimer: I recieved a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a cute romance. I loved the coming of age elements, and Andie was such a great protagonist. I really loved watching her come to terms with who she is and how she can’t always fix everything. The friendships that she gained throughout the novel were so special, and I loved their friend group as a whole. This book made me cry a lot as she dealt with her grief. It was handled in such a lovely way. I cannot recommend this book enough.
42. Princess Bride (Abridged) by William Goldman
Rating: 3 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Review: This abridged audiobook read quite similarly to the plot of the movie, which was definitely fun. However, I think I still would like to read the whole novel at some point. I’m curious about what happens in the rest of the story and if there is more development.
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