🌸 May Reviews 🌷
May 1st- 31st
This is one of the best years I have ever had for reading with both the amount of books that I’m reading and also enjoying. In May, I read 14 books with a total of 4627 pages.
Book 74: The Magicians of Caprona
(Chrestomanci #4)
By Diana Wynne Jones
Read May 1st-3rd
Pages: 288
Release Year: 1980
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This is definitely my least favorite from the Chrestomanci series so far but it grew on me by the end. It still has Diana Wynne Jones’s wonderful writing style, whimsical storylines, and an interesting magic system. I love how each of the books in this series has the characters using a different type of magic.
The story is about two families filled with magicians who have been feuding for centuries. They each use their musical magic to help Caprona, but are constantly bickering with each other. The two families are the Montanas and the Petrocchis.
I enjoy stories about magical families very much but I think this story was much better when it focused on the perspectives of Tonino Montana and Paolo Montana, instead of the Montana family as a whole. It took me much longer to get into this story than it usually does for a Diana Wynne Jones’s book, but it grew on me by the last quarter.
Book 75: Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures
(Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology #2)
By Stephen Fry
Read May 3rd-4th
Pages: 415
Release Year: 2018
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Such an entertaining read. Stephen Fry is my favorite audio book narrator and I love his writing style. He does a masterful job of retelling these myths with his wit shining through. This was a great take on the myths. I have known most of these for years but I still enjoyed every minute of this book and learned quite a bit along the way. Stephen Fry's mythology series is one I highly recommend to both those wanting to get into Greek Mythology and those who are already fans. This is just that great.
Book 76: Troy
(Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology #3)
By Stephen Fry
Read May 5th-6th
Pages: 414
Release Year: 2020
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May 5th-6th reread:
I love how Stephen not only focuses on the story of the Trojan War but also gives background stories to set up many of the events which occur during the story. We find out how Priam became king of Troy, how Achilles’s parents met and married, how a golden apple was one of the catalysts of the Trojan war, and so many other backstories to many of our heroes on both the Trojan and Greek sides. One of my favorites of these stories deals with Odysseus’s actions to try and get out of going to war by pretending to have gone mad. I really enjoy how Stephen tells this story.
This is a wonderful version of this story that I highly recommend it to those who love Greek Mythology or who want to learn about it for the first time. Stephen gives a fully rounded story with more details than many others do. I also enjoy his historical context he gives in the Appendix.
“And his name will be remembered forever. How strange is our mortal zest for fame. Perhaps it is the only way humans can be gods. We achieve immortality not through ambrosia and ichor but through history and reputation. Through statues and epic song. Achilles knew he could live a long and happy life, but chose blood, pain and glory over serene obscurity.”
June 2021 review:
I will forever love Greek Mythology! Stephen Fry's books are so great and I completely recommend listening to the audiobooks of this series. I have been looking forward to this book ever since I knew he was going to be retelling the Trojan War. Now, I can't wait to read his version of The Odyssey which is one of my all-time favorite stories ever.
Book 77: The Story of Gumluck and the Heroes (Gumluck #3)
By Adam Rex
Read May 6th
Pages: 128
Release Year: 2025
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Another adorable story in the Gumluck series. This one had a great lesson for younger readers and I hope parents pick it up, along with the rest of the series. Gumluck is a true example of a hero and I think children could really use that story. Helvetica’s narration was great as always and I love the joke with the titles all having to have quest in them. Gave me a little chuckle. This and the previous books are perfect books for younger readers.
*Thank you Edeleweiss for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 78: Behooved
By M. Stevenson
Read May 6th-7th
Pages: 352
Release Year: 2025
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I had such a great time listening to the audiobook for this wonderful story. Natalie Naudus was a perfect pick for the narration and Bianca’s voice. This fantasy world was interesting and I loved the characters.
Bianca was a character I related to on many levels. She has a hard time believing in herself because of what she has been told by her parents about her chronic illness. It was so powerful to see her find confidence in herself. Also, I’m glad that her illness cannot just be magically cured and she keeps fighting even when she is having one of her flares of sickness and pain. Many times in fantasy where there is magic being used so much in the world, an illness would have been healed quickly in the book. It feels much more real to see her having to continue on even when she feels terrible and this shows her strength. I like that this was an empowering story along with the fantasy and romance aspects.
Arranged marriages are quite common in fantasy novels and I enjoyed seeing how M. Stevenson had Aric turn into a horse. There was so much humor because of this, especially with the horse puns. Bianca and Aric’s relationship was charming in every way. Aric is the type of character I adore. He at first seems to be aloof, but it doesn’t take long to see the man he really is. Such a sweetheart. I like how they both are able to help the other feel more comfortable being who they are. Their romance was sweet.
I look forward getting my own copy of this wonderful book for my collection and reading more of M. Stevenson’s writing. I recommend this book to cozy fantasy fans, fantasy romance fans, and fans of My Lady Jane.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARCs of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 79: Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1)
By Travis Baldree
Read May 9th
Pages: 304
Release Year: 2022
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Such a charming book. I don't like coffee but would go to Viv's shop in a heartbeat and try Thimble's baked goods. This is the perfect comfort read filled to the brim with wholesome characters, heart, and a found family I adored. Each character stole my heart and I hope we get more of Viv, Cal, Tandri, Thimble, and the many other characters in this world.
I love high fantasy books with low stakes.
Book 80: 1984
By George Orwell
Read April 10th-12th
Pages: 320
Release Year: 1949
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Orwell's writing drew me in at certain parts of the plot and at other times kept me disinterested. There are sections that rely too much on telling and they feel disjointed from the actual plot. They do help the reader learn more about the doctrine of the Party. I believe the story would have flowed better without some of it. The style really wasn't for me, but it still had me wanting to see what would happen to Winston.
1984 is a dark story which feels all too real. It's very much a cautionary tale, though I will say I have more faith in humanity than this gives us credit. I could not believe how horrific this became. Living in a world like the one depicted in this novel would be a nightmare.
It is world where the powers in charge are successfully taking away individually, freedom, and truth, while constantly using surveillance to watch everyone's every move. Big Brother is a well-known image from this novel. Pictures of him are everywhere Winston goes and are always watching. This gives an unsettling atmoshephere to the entire story.
I also wasn't a fan of the romance though I understand it's purpose in Winston's story. Julia was not given much other than being his love interest which wasn't surprising.
The message the readers get at end is haunting and poignant.
Book 81: Odyssey
(Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology #4)
By Stephen Fry
Read May 13th-15th
Pages: 400
Release Year: 2024
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A great finale to Stephen Fry's Greek Mythology series. I enjoy how Stephen not only tells Odysseus's journey home but gives even more information about the other Greeks and Aeneas's voyage from Troy.
Book 82: Lore Olympus: Volume 8
(Lore Olympus #8)
By Rachel Smythe
Read May 17th
Pages: 416
Release Year: 2025
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Another great volume in this series. They just keep getting better with each new installment. Rachel has done an incredible job retelling the Hades and Persephone myth so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Book 83: A Grief Observed
By C. S. Lewis
Read April 29th- May 17th
Pages: 76
Release Year: 1961
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One of my goals is to read everything C.S. Lewis wrote, at least what I can get my hands on. This one was very difficult to get through but it helped. My father passed away on November 19th, 2024. He was sick beforehand but his death was unexpected. Almost six months later, I still have moments where I get stuck in a fog. It's a common phrase to say that it gets better with time. I wouldn't say that. It just gets easier to cope with the pain, but he is on my mind all of the time.
"For in grief nothing ‘stays put.’ One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral?
But if a spiral, am I going up or down it?
How often—will it be for always?—how often will the vast emptiness astonish me like a complete novelty and make me say, ‘I never realized my loss till this moment’? The same leg is cut off time after time. The first plunge of the knife into the flesh is felt again and again.
They say, ‘The coward dies many times’; so does the beloved. Didn’t the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?"
Grief is hard to describe but Jack (as he was known) perfectly encapsulates it here. This is his own reflections on how he felt after his wife, Joy (who he calls H. in this memoir), passed away from cancer. He fell in love later in life, after being friends for many years. His writing style always stands out to me and this is probably one of his best. At least from what I have read.
I like how Jack's stepson, Douglas H. Gresham, wrote an introduction for the work. He gives insight into Jack and his mother's relationship, along with additional information on this piece. I definitely want to pick up Douglas's book Lenten Lands, which is about his family. There are so many fictionalized versions of Jack and Joy's love story, but her son's perspective sounds even better.
I'm glad that I picked this up now. I have planned to read it for years and it just never felt like the right time. This took me quite awhile to get through because I stopped halfway through and didn't pick it up again until today. It was worth it.
Some days are better than others. Can't say how many times I've wanted to just call Dad up and tell him something. To see him again. It helps reading Jack's inner thoughts and connecting with another writer, even just for a short time. His writing here is incredibly moving and heartbreaking. I highlighted many lines that stood out to me and I quoted my favorite section above.
Book 84: When the Tides Held the Moon
By Venessa Vida Kelley
Read May 16th-18th
Pages: 464
Release Year: 2025
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An absolutely beautiful love story that feels like a fairy tale. Merpeople have been my favorite fantasy creatures ever since I was a little girl, who fell in love with Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Benigno and Río’s story holds as much magic as that story always has for me.
Venessa is an incredible writer along with being a remarkable artist. Their artwork stands out on the page. They made Benigno and Río’s world come alive in a way I will never forget. I’m thankful to be able to read a story like this with characters that feel so real. It is a story I know I will never forget and I cannot recommend it enough. To those who love mermaids, a beautiful LGBT romance, and a story that feels like magic: read this novel. I look forward to reading more of Venessa’s work in the future.
I will be picking up a copy for my own library. I cannot wait to see the beautiful illustrations in person.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 85: The South Wind (The Four Winds #3)
By Alexandria Warwick
Read May 18th-19th
Pages: 432
Release Year: 2025
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My favorite from the series so far.
I loved reading about Sarai and Notus’s relationship. Sarai is my favorite of the female leads in this series and I enjoyed the way the importance of music in her life was shown throughout this book. She is a stubborn and passionate character, who closely guards her emotions after being hurt so many times before. I could not get enough of her story.
There is a lot of family trauma in this book. This was emotional for me, which I was not expecting at all.
I like that this was a second chance romance and learning about Sarai and Notus’s previous relationship during the book, while also watching them fall for each other again. Though, I do wish they didn’t keep such important secrets from each other for so much of the plot, it is understandable why they did. Notus is a character I enjoyed just as much as Sarai. He is my second favorite of the Anemoi brothers. I like that they each are so well fleshed out in their books and I look forward to learning more about Eurus in his own. His introduction in this book was perfect.
This is a tale inspired by “Sleeping Beauty,” the Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, and also the myth of the Minotaur, three stories I love. Alexandria played with the curse of “Sleeping Beauty” in interesting ways throughout this book. I particularly liked that Sarai actually knows about the curse and how fatal it is going to be. Fairy tales and Greek Mythology are some of my favorites stories and I’m always interested in a story that retells them in new ways.
I like that each of the books is a standalone and how Alexandria brings the other brothers into the plot in fitting ways. The South Wind was a great addition to this series. It was definitely worth the wait between books. I’m highly looking forward to reading The East Wind when that comes out, hopefully next year.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Book 86: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
By T. Kingfisher
Read May 24th-29th
Pages: 306
Release Year: 2020
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Not my favorite of T. Kingfisher’s books. I do like her clever writing, but this doesn’t stand out as much as her others at least to me. Mona’s baking magic was clever and I like how magic works in this world.
Book 87: Castle Swimmer: Volume 2
(Castle Swimmer #2)
By Wendy Martin
Read May 30th
Pages: 304
Release Year: 2025
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I love Wendy Martin’s art style in this series. It is so beautiful! Another great volume, which surprised me in the direction it took with the prophecy. Definitely not at all what I was expecting. Kappa and Siren’s story is one that I am highly enjoying and I look forward to see what will occur next.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
