This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books they’ve read and share what they have got up to during the last week.
It’s been a frustrating week, which is a shame because it’s also been half-term. I haven’t been very well – running a slight temperature with sore sinuses, occasional stabbing pains in the head and backache. Nothing major – but once again, I ended up in bed too tired to do anything else but read or listen to audiobooks. I’m now up and about, but still feeling very washed out. And rather depressed that my energy levels have been so badly affected by a relatively minor illness☹.
While my writing has been impacted by being forced back to bed during Wednesday and Friday – I am really pleased that for the first time since March 2021, my monthly wordcount for May is approaching respectable levels at just over 38,000 words. I wrote 10,000 words on reviews and blog articles and just over 28,000 words creatively, which was a combination of my adaptation of Picky Eaters and continuing writing Conclave of Dragons, the fifth book in the Picky Eaters’ series.
I may have had a rough time healthwise, but being consigned to bed again meant I was hitting the books hard and found a golden thread of THREE outstanding reads in a row. Which immensely cheered me up.
Books I’ve read this last week:
AUDIOBOOK – Earth Spells are Easy – Book 1 of the Grimoires of a Middle-Aged Witch series by Renee George
As a forty-three-year-old, newly divorced, single mom, I know two things for starting over sucks, and magic isn’t real. At least that’s what I thought. I mean, starting over really does stink, but when it comes to magic, I have to rethink everything. I’ve spent the last year since my ex left me going through the motions. Get up. Work. Care for a grumpy teenager. Cook dinner. Go to bed. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Nothing changes …
Until it does. After bidding on a box of old books at an estate auction, I’m experiencing changes. And I’m not talking about menopause.
My garden gnome Linda has come to life. No, really. Her name is Linda, and she never shuts up. A chonky cat with a few secrets of his own has adopted me. And a gorgeous professor of the occult tells me I’m a witch. Right now, I’m not sure who’s crazier–me, Linda, or the hottie professor. If this is my new reality, it’s nature’s cruel midlife trick. I’m learning fast that Earth spells might be easy, but they aren’t cheap. All magic exacts a toll, and if I don’t master the elements, the elements will be the death of me. Literally.
This urban fantasy adventure featuring a middle-aged protagonist was an enjoyable caper. I particularly liked Linda the garden gnome and the teenage son was refreshingly believable. 8/10
DRAMATISED AUDIO PRODUCTION – Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor and adapted by Marty Ross
‘So tell me, Dr Maxwell, if the whole of history lay before you…where would you go? What would you like to witness?’
When Max, a recent ancient history graduate, is offered a mysterious job at St Mary’s Historical Research Institute, she quickly comes to realise this isn’t any old stuffy research library. At St Mary’s the historians don’t just study the past – they revisit it.
What begins as an academic exploration of events, such as the Peterloo Massacre, takes a dark and dangerous turn, and the historians of St Mary’s soon learn that it’s not just history they’re fighting….
Follow the tea-soaked disaster magnets of St Mary’s as they rattle around history. Because wherever these historians go, chaos is sure to follow.
I enjoyed this eventful version of a much-loved series, which was adapted very well. Though the humour tended to get a tad lost in amongst all the drama and action. That said, I found this a riveting adaptation and it reminded me why I love Taylor’s writing all over again. 9/10
Elusive – Book 2 of the Scarlet Revolution series by Genevieve Cogman
Revolutionary France is full of blood and bite as vampires plot for power.
Eleanor, once a lowly English maid, is now a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, known for their daring deeds and rescuing aristocrat vampires from the guillotine.
This time, Eleanor and the League are investigating the disappearance of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, the notorious French statesman and diplomat. But they soon uncover two vampire parties feuding for power and learn Talleyrand’s disappearance is part of a bigger, more dangerous scheme that will throw France into bloody chaos.
This is a cracking sequel to Scarlet – see my review. Cogman’s skill in weaving vampires into this historical adventure is superb. Review to follow.
The Book Keeper – Book 2 1 of The Unholy Island series by Sarah Painter
Mysterious, magical, and a little bit deadly… Welcome to Unholy Island.
Luke Taylor was searching for his missing twin brother when he discovered a new purpose on a magical tidal island. Living in a quirky bookshop is a dream come true – he just didn’t expect it to be so damn dangerous.
Running a business on a tiny island was always going to bring challenges, but Luke didn’t bargain on strange customers, hexed books, or a sentient shop that seems to have its own ideas about how things ought to be done. Not to mention his deepening feelings for the island’s resident witch…
Esme Gray became the island’s Ward Witch seven years ago and has built a life of safety and quiet for herself. A balm for her abusive past. Her feelings for the new Book Keeper have disturbed those calm waters, and when his life is threatened, she doesn’t hesitate to dive in to help. But is she strong enough to pull them both out alive?
I love Painter’s Crow Investigations series – and was thrilled when I discovered last year that she’d started this spin-off series set within the same world, but a very long way from London. This paranormal fantasy featuring a small, half-forgotten island community is a gripping page-turner that had me reading waaay into the small hours.
10/10
AUDIOBOOK – The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg
Ex, the youngest member of the Phi Hunters Order, has spent his life slaying the ghosts and demons of Suyoram Kingdom. While he takes great pride in his mystical trade, collecting dwindling bounties and peddling butchered spirit organs lacks the glory he craves. He’s determined to hunt down Shar-Ala—a demon of nightmares, of madness—who has eluded even Ex’s masters.
In a provincial village along the way, Arinya, a charming muay-boran champion, manages to save Ex him from a brutal ass-kicking, despite being nine-months pregnant. In return, she asks him to escort her through the dangerous spirit-filled forest, where ghosts salivate over the scent of the unborn.
Feeling responsible for Arinya’s safety, Ex vows to help her return home. But as more of Arinya’s secrets emerge and the elusive demon nears, Ex must face dangers from both men and monsters or lose not only the respect and sanctuary of his guild but also the woman he’s trying not to fall in love with.
This one was recommended to me by Mogsy at The BiblioSanctum – a blogger I very much respect, who highly praised this one. I got hold of the audiobook version and found I agreed. Fabulous world-building, wonderful quirky characters and a lovely twisty plot. 10/10
My posts last week:
Castellan and His Wise Draconic Tips on Life
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of NETGALLEY arc Stolen Pieces by S.K. Golden
*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of NETGALLEY arc An Intrigue of Witches – Book 1 of the Secret Society Mystery series by Esme Addison
Sunday Post – 26th May 2024
Hope you, too, had some brilliant books to tuck into and wishing you all a happy, healthy week😊.
Brainfluff 