Enjoyable Reads - January Edition
What have you been reading?
It’s always nice to share about books that we’ve enjoyed and/or loved reading, the ones that linger in our minds even after we’ve set them down. Many of the books that I’ve found were because a colleague or friend recommended them. So, I thought I’d share some of what I’ve been reading in recent months, and what I’m looking forward to being released.
Ember Eternal by Chloe Neil
I’ve been reading Chloe Neill for quite some time and have loved her many worlds: vampires, magic users, alternate fantasy/historical. It’s all been delightful. Recently, she came out with something new, a romantasy: Ember Eternal. This has been a worthy addition to her catalog.
Fox, the main character, is an engaging thief who finds herself in an unexpected predicament that leads her into a gripping adventure. There are fights, kissing, mysteries, friends, magic, and much more (including a dusty library–sacrilege!) This is a very fun read and a great way to chase away the winter blues. Having heard that she’s working on the next installment, I’m looking forward to it!
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Another book that I recently read is Shield of Sparrows. I hadn’t really heard too much about the story, so I’d come in pretty blank, though I had seen the cover a lot on social media. To me, it almost seemed like the best way to approach a book, rather like seeing a movie without having the benefit of trailers. The world that Devney created is incredibly engrossing and different. Her characters are well fleshed out and realistic. There are monsters that fascinate me (I’m always a major “critter” fan. Jurrasic4everwhat?) This story is compelling and enticing, leaving the reader wondering what will happen next. My only note is that it ends on a cliffhanger in the best way. I honestly said out loud, “Wait?! What?! Whatdya mean it ends here?” Can’t wait for the sequel to arrive on April 7th!
A couple of other books that I’m looking forward to reading:
Patricia Briggs’ Winter Lost (I know, I know, I’m late to the party). This is the 14 the book in the Mercy Thompson series, which I absolutely adore! I suspect that I hadn’t gotten to this one yet because it’s like knowing that you have an incredible bottle of wine, or bag of coffee, and once you crack it open, it’s done faster than you’d think. She is a mainstay of the UF community for a reason.
Also, I’m taking a foray into the YA realms and am going to try Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and Lightlark by Alex Aster. I’ve heard so many good things about these two fantasy series that I have to check them out myself. I’m always a fan of dragons and magic, so let’s go!
