Like the Comet

Despite the extreme humidity, a full moon, and Mercury being in retrograde for a majority of it, June was a pretty okay month!

On a book-related note, I managed to finish a giant pile of library books I’d been working on since May which allowed me to tap into some of the books I own. Of course, that only lasted a moment because I’m an impulsive book requester at the local library and started accumulating a new small pile of library books that I have to work through again lol. But, the library is free and saves me money which prevents me from buying books I end up not liking. So, I’m calling it a win.

Anyway, enough rambling. Let’s jump into the books I read in June!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

RING SHOUT by P. Djeli Clark

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: D.W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. Now, rising in power and prominence, the Klan has a plot to unleash Hell on Earth. Luckily, Maryse Boudreaux has a magic sword and a head full of tales. When she’s not running bootleg whiskey through Prohibition Georgia, she’s fighting monsters she calls “Ku Kluxes.” She’s damn good at it too, but to confront this ongoing evil, she must journey between worlds to face nightmares made of flesh - and her own demons. Together with a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, Maryse sets out to save a world from the hate that would consume it.

My Thoughts: This was probably one of the best novellas I’ve ever read, hands down. Starting with how brilliantly the author included historical facts and events - such as the Tulsa Massacre and The Birth of a Nation inspiring the formation of the KKK - and blended them with the fantasy imagery to illustrate how strongly hate produces more hate and creates monsters out of people. Maryse, Sadie, and Chef were straight up bad asses, and I loved how the dynamics of their friendship mixed with each one’s character development. Though this experience was only 180 pages, it was action-packed, extremely well-paced, and I never felt like part of the story was missing. The gore, horror and overall symbolism included in this book to depict the ugliness that festers from racism was unapologetic and deeply felt. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short, but impactful read.

THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK by Kim Michele Richardson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry. The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading materials to the impoverished hill people. Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government’s new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.

My Thoughts: This book had a mildly slow start, but once it picked up about 30 pages in, I was invested. Cussy Mary is not your traditional protagonist. She isn’t overly defiant, she’s not outspoken, she doesn’t like creating waves with people who look down on her, and she doesn’t make any grand scenes. However, as the Pack Horse Librarian who delivers books to Eastern Kentucky people living in poverty, she is their heroine. Seeing Cussy through the eyes of her patrons makes you realize how brave, kind, and resilient she is as the main character. You will truly go through a slew of emotions following the highs and lows of “Book Woman’s” experiences. Also, I really thought the concept of Cussy’s blue-skin heritage was the fictional part of this historical fiction novel. However, after Googling it, there was indeed a lineage of blue-skinned people with a gene deficiency who settled in Kentucky in the early 1900s - which made this narrative even more interesting and impactful. This was a really lovely book that reminds us how important it is to be kind to others and the value of books in general. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a well thought out and researched historical fiction book!

Sidenote: I read The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes last year - which is also about the Pack Horse Library project in Kentucky - and though some people feel these books are the same, there are significant differences between them. So, in case you’re trying to decide whether to read one or the other, my recommendation would be to read both because each book is special in its own right. This one felt a little more researched and historically accurate tho.

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire. Laia is determined to break into Kauf - the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison - to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against them. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies. Bound to the Emperor Marcus’s will, Blood Shrike Helene faces a torturous mission of her own - one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturious and the Scholar slave who helped him escape and kill them both.

My Thoughts: What a WILD ride this book was. It had my heart pounding, mind racing, and the pages quickly turning. The author made a seamless transition from the first book (An Ember in the Ashes) into this one and the plot never skipped a beat - which was so satisfying because I fell right back into where I left off at an extremely steady rhythm. There were plenty of action-packed events, strategic scheming from all parties, and just a sprinkle of intimate emotional moments guaranteed to mess up your head and heart. Laia’s character development was a lot more satisfying this time around as we watched her shed some innocence and naivety that was a disadvantage in the first book. Elias’s story went nowhere I expected it to go lol, but I still love him as a main character. Helene’s POV surprised me the most in that I wasn’t expecting to be so invested. She goes through hell and back MULTIPLE times, and has to make the most difficult decisions out of any other character while battling her internal conflicts. I literally do not have one bad thing to say about this book and am here to admit that I’m whole-heartedly obsessed with this series- like please read it so I have someone else to talk about it with lol. :’)

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her nextdoor neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Flash forward 10 years, and it’s Liz’s senior year - a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes’s help. See, Liz’s forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and - horribly annoyingly - he’s hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He’s her in. But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must re-examine everything she thought she knew about love - and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This was everything I could’ve asked for in a rom-com-themed, enemies-to-lovers-trope YA romance novel. It was adorable and mischievous, the pop culture references were on point, and the main characters played off of each other perfectly with clever banter. Wes was my favorite - like ya girl was smitten with this thoughtful lad. If this book had existed while I was in high school, Wes FOR SURE would have set the bar for my expectations - I mean, I’m 27 and would love a guy as genuinely caring as Wes lol. Liz’s character had me banging my head against a wall a few times, but she was likeable and quirky enough that I couldn’t not root for her. Let me just say, was this an incredibly predictable plotline? Heck yes. Did I expect it to be predictable? Of course! However, I think that allowed me to enjoy the experiences of Wes and Liz so much more. It gave me all the swoony feels and laugh out loud moments without playing with my heart or leading me astray. Honestly, if you love rom-com movies or love some cheesy stories about love, I highly recommend this book!

ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now because anonymous texter, Ace, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light. Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his own photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power. Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re playing much more than a high school game.

My Thoughts: Before buying this book, I saw it was described as “Get Out meets Gossip Girl, but make it Black and queer,” and, by golly, is that accurate. This whole experience was just a WILD ride and had me saying “holy shit” out loud multiple times. It was dark, thrilling, and impossible to put down. The author did an incredible job of creating a twisted story that addresses the ugliness of timely issues including institutionalized racism, socioeconomic inequities, white-washed education system, and more. I liked that the book was in a point of view format, so that you got to see how Aces was affecting both Chiamaka and Devon on a personal level. The writing made it easy for me to vicariously feel the anxiety they were having in relation to the paranoia of not knowing who to trust, when Aces was going to strike next, and whether their lives were in physical danger. It was suspense city the entire time, and although the ending felt mildly rushed, this book was truly an experience I definitely recommend ya try.

ONE LAST STOP by Casey McQuiston

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For cynical 23-year-old August, moving to NYC is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures. But then there’s this gorgeous girl on the train - Jane. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things after all.

My Thoughts: This book has been getting hella hype and was definitely a “bookstagram made me buy it” purchase. I also read McQuiston’s Red, White, & Royal Blue a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so I was excited to dive into this one. For starters, the writing in this sci-fi love story has a whimsically poetic quality to it that makes the whole “falling in love slowly, then all at once” experience feel like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. The connection between the main characters, August and Jane, was undeniable and felt at the core of every new interaction they shared on the subway. I absolutely ADORED the secondary/supporting characters and this book would not be the same without them. Specifically, Myla, Niko and Wes - August’s roommates. Their personalities added such depth and kept the pace moving forward. Though there are only 422 pages to this novel, A LOT happens - which is both a pro and con for me. At one point about halfway through, the pace slowed down significantly, and I was like “Okay, this honestly probably could’ve been over by now.” However, I pushed myself to keep going, and it picked up again shortly after. This was a unique book to say the least and if you’re looking for an unconventional romance story, I recommend picking this one up for sure.

A REAPER AT THE GATES by Sabaa Tahir

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister’s life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. Yet danger lurks on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent, while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor’s volatility to grow her own power - regardless of the damage she leaves in her path. Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows that the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. During the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight. And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. However, in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that demands his complete surrender - even if that means abandoning the woman he loves.

My Thoughts: Well hot dang. I thought the second book in this series was eventful (see: A Torch Against the Night), but this one moved QUICKLY. From the moment you crack this book open until you hit the “Acknowledgements” page, there is so much to sort through. Dare I say, almost too much? Each character is caught up in their own sticky situation and though some of those journeys overlap, most are experienced by the individual - which means you gotta pay attention or else you’re going to miss something. Basically, everyone is fighting their own battles, but each of those battles is leading to an inevitable giant war between the mortal and immortal worlds. Because there’s so much going on, I felt like the character development wasn’t AS clear in this book as it has been in the past two. The only person you can clearly feel is going through some shit at a core level is Elias. His story has taken a TURN and requires this extremely empathetic character to give up the things that make him human (love, kindness, etc.) to fully take on his new role - which throws him into a TIZZY. Helene’s and Laia’s paths end up crossing a bit more than I was anticipating, but I loved the strong, woman-leader camaraderie. Obviously, I’m going to continue onto the fourth book of this series because I love it, but the amount of information and number of events that were packed into this one was mildly overwhelming, so make sure you’re paying pretty close attention to it. (Hence 4 stars instead of 5.)

LAST CHANCE BOOKS by Kelsey Rodkey

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Madeline Moore feels most like herself inside the musty bookstore, Books & Moore, that her family has owned for generations, and nothing is going to stop her from coming back after college to take over the store from her beloved aunt. That is, until a chain bookstore called Prologue opens across the street and threatens to shut them down. Madeline sets out to demolish the competition, but Jasper, the guy who works at Prologue, seems intent on ruining her life. Not only is he taking her customers, he has the audacity to be extremely cute as well. But that doesn’t matter because Jasper is the enemy and he will be destroyed. All’s fair in love and (book) wars.

My Thoughts: Ugh I wanted to like this book so much, but it just didn’t do it for me. The main character, Madeline, was really hard for me to like. She’s 18 years-old, but acted more immature than that. She’s incredibly impulsive and blinded by her own paranoid narrative that Prologue is out to get Books & Moore, that she’s just constantly plotting with no regard to how it will affect those around her - like someone got hit by a car as a side effect of her shenanigans. I found myself extremely frustrated with her for a good chunk of the book - especially, how unaware she was that Jasper had a crush on her. Like, girl?? He LITERALLY said, “Madeline, I like you.” And, she STILL thought it was a ploy to take down her store…..?????? Jasper’s character wasn’t annoying by any means, but there wasn’t a lot of depth to his personality. The storyline was a really cute concept, the pace was pretty decent and never hit a slow spot, and the small wins that happened throughout the book were enough to keep me reading. However, I know there are better YA romance books out there, so this wouldn’t be my first recommendation in that category by any means.

2021 Book Count: 48 down, 7 to go.

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already!

YOUR TURN! Let me know in the comments what book series you always recommend to people.