Book Review Catch Up
I have a few books I either forgot to review or didn't feel up to reviewing this past month. Time to play catch up!
Wolf Tower, by Tanith Lee
A secondary world YA fantasy from 2001, about a young woman who escapes being the servant to a spoiled princess out into the wider world where she meets many strange people and sees many wondrous things.
This is a reread. Originally I read this when I was a teenager, and so I thought I would reread it to see if I still enjoy it. I read it back in August, and with its short 223 pages and fast pace, it was quick and easy to get through. There were a lot of parts I had forgotten, like the bait and switch romance, all the little culture worldbuilding, and how enjoyable the main character is. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
One thing I remember the most from the first time I read it was the main character's name and how I had it mixed up with my best friend's name. The point of view character is Claidi, and at the time my best friend's name was Kaloni, so I can see the mix up.
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
A hidden world middle grade fantasy about a telepathic twelve-year-old who learns she is not exactly human and has a home in a magical world where people travel via light and animals that are extinct in the human world are alive and well in the hidden world.
Another reread, but this one was only within the last few years, from back when I had thought about writing a middle grade book and tried reading a bunch to figure out what that means. This is a delightful book, with a precocious main character. There were a few things I didn't like about the framing of certain things (elves being vegan is a trope I cannot stand), but the writing was lovely and Messenger is very good with creating a wide variety of side characters to love.
Overall, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Surprise, another reread :) This one I listened to the Jim Dale audiobook, for that peak nostalgia, while driving to and from Kansas at the start of the month. It was so nice, and while there are definite quirks to the Dale version of the audiobook, it's still my favorite. I think this is the 4th or 5th time I've reread the first Harry Potter book? Now I just have to wait for the second audiobook to become available at the library.
Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.
So with those, I think I'm at 11 books read this year. Nowhere near my original goal of 25, but better than the average American.
Thoughts to share? I have a contact page now!