This month has been a bit of a weird one for me. I have started receiving advanced reading copies of books and I really have not had much time for reading. This wrap-up post will be considerably shorter than previous months as a few of the books that I have read were ARC copies of Christmas books which I have something planned for in December. I won’t be mentioning them in this post however I did read three of them this month which puts my total of books for October at six.
These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong
Read: 1/10/20 – 10/10/20 Rating: 3.5/5
*I was given an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review, this book is still unreleased*
This was a great re-telling of a classic story. Even though I know the original story of Romeo and Juliet, I never found myself comparing the two plots as I was so invested in the mystery.
I actually wrote a full review of this which you can check out here if you want. I recommend checking this out when it’s available on the 17th.
Goodreads synopsis: “The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.
A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.
But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.”
With The Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Read: 13/10/20 – 26/10/20 Rating: 3/5
I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I thought I would. It took a really long time for me to become invested in any of the characters and the story, which is why it took almost two weeks for me to finish it.
I did really end up liking Emoni and the other characters, however, the story didn’t become that interesting for me until they got to Spain. This disappointed me as the Spain trip was so hyped up throughout, and I did really enjoy it, but it was over before it seemed to really start.
This was still an enjoyable read but it is not one I would read again.
Goodreads synopsis: “Ever since she got pregnant, seventeen-year-old Emoni’s life has been about making the tough decisions – doing what has to be done for her young daughter and her grandmother. Keeping her head down at school, trying not to get caught up with new boy Malachi. The one place she can let everything go is in the kitchen, where she has magical hands – whipping up extraordinary food beloved by everyone.
Emoni wants to be a chef more than anything, but she knows it’s pointless to pursue the impossible. There are rules she has to play by. And yet, once she starts cooking, and gets that fire on high, she sees that her drive to feed will feed her soul and dreams too. And anything is possible.”
The Magpie Society: One For Sorrow by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch
Read: 30/10/20 – 30/10/20 Rating: 4/5
I finished this book in less than four hours and if that doesn’t show you how much I enjoyed it then I don’t know what will. This was a great opener to what I am sure will be a fantastic series from Zoe and Amy. I am now very much anticipating the release of the second book.
Check out my full review of The Magpie Society here.
Goodreads synopsis: “Illumen Hall is an elite boarding school. Tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party – on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie.
When new girl Audrey arrives the following term, running from her own secrets back home in America, she is thrown into solving the case. Despite her best efforts to avoid any drama, her new roommate Ivy was close to the murdered girl, and the two of them can’t help but get pulled in.
The two can’t stand each other, but as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of this strange and terrible murder, they will discover that something dangerous is at the heart of their superficially perfect school.
Welcome to The Magpie Society.”