May has been an interesting month, to say the least. It has felt incredibly long and yet I didn’t get that much reading done, I have work to thank for that. I mean I did read quite a lot but considering I had an entire week off I thought I would have gotten through more than I did.

Surprisingly I did a few re-reads, only graphic novels so nothing too impressive but that’s still good for me as I never do re-reads. 

I did also read an ARC of This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron, however, I am reviewing it next month so I won’t talk about it here. Just know that I really enjoyed it. 

Ruthless Fae (Zodiac Academy #2) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti 

Read: 25/4/22 – 11/5/22

I’m still trying to push my way through this series. I’ve been told it gets better but I’m still wondering when that will happen. The writing does seem a little better but it does often make me cringe still. 

The story in this installment was super slow to get started and at times it was a little painful to get through. 

I did a full review of Ruthless Fae earlier this month, check it out here.

Goodreads synopsis: They tried to break us.

They almost did.

But we’re not going anywhere.

The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don’t know what’s coming. Fighting them one on one isn’t an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won’t be easy, but if we pull it off, they’ll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.

Besides, they’ve already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do? 

Ruin and Rising (Shadow and Bone #3) by Leigh Bardugo 

Read: 25/4/22 – 11/5/22

I’ve finally finished this series! It only took me about three years (oops). This was so ridiculously slow that I thought about not finishing it. Also because I knew what happened anyway and it felt a little futile to continue when I wasn’t enjoying it. 

Luckily for the book, it started picking up the pace and actually got interesting about halfway through so I did actually finish it. Cutting it a little too close for my liking though. 

Check out my review here.

Goodreads synopsis: The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu

Read: 7/5/22 – 15/5/22

The Stand-In was a good audiobook with a decent storyline. I did quite enjoy it but it was very predictable. If you want to see my full opinions on this book you can do so here.

Goodreads synopsis: Gracie Reed is doing just fine. Sure, she was fired by her overly “friendly” boss, and yes she still hasn’t gotten her mother into the nursing home of their dreams, but she’s healthy, she’s (somewhat) happy, and she’s (mostly) holding it all together.

But when a mysterious SUV pulls up beside her, revealing Chinese cinema’s golden couple Wei Fangli and Sam Yao, Gracie’s world is turned on its head. The famous actress has a proposition: due to their uncanny resemblance, Fangli wants Gracie to be her stand-in. The catch? Gracie will have to be escorted by Sam, the most attractive—and infuriating—man Gracie’s ever met.

If it means getting the money she needs for her mother, Gracie’s in. Soon Gracie moves into a world of luxury she never knew existed. But resisting Sam, and playing the role of an elegant movie star, proves more difficult than she ever imagined—especially when she learns the real reason Fangli so desperately needs her help. In the end all the lists in the world won’t be able to help Gracie keep up this elaborate ruse without losing herself…and her heart.

Taproot by Keezy Young 

Read:16/5/22

This was very meh. The art style was amazing but the story was all over the place. I really wish I had enjoyed it more as it sounded really good, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. 

Read my review here if you want. 

Goodreads synopsis: Blue is having a hard time moving on. He’s in love with his best friend. He’s also dead. Luckily, Hamal can see ghosts, leaving Blue free to haunt him to his heart’s content. But something eerie is happening in town, leaving the local afterlife unsettled, and when Blue realizes Hamal’s strange ability may be putting him in danger, Blue has to find a way to protect him, even if it means… leaving him.

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan 

Read: 15/5/22 – 16/5/22

I enjoyed this installment a lot more than the first. You know the characters better and the terminology starts to make more sense so it’s a much easier read. 

The fact that I read this so fast is also what made it so enjoyable. I feel like I need a quick read every now and again and this was a good choice. 

Goodreads synopsis: The heroic son of Poseidon makes an action-packed comeback in the second must-read installment of Rick Riordan’s amazing young readers series. Starring Percy Jackson, a “half blood” whose mother is human and whose father is the God of the Sea, Riordan’s series combines cliffhanger adventure and Greek mythology lessons that results in true page-turners that get better with each installment.

In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book’s drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come. 

Heartstopper Vol. One by Alice Oseman

Read: 20/5/22

Heartstopper is my entire personality at the moment and I don’t think that will change any time soon. When I say this is my whole life I really mean it. It’s so comforting and wholesome I just love it so much. 

Goodreads synopsis: Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they’ve never met … until one day when they’re made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised.

Heartstopper Vol. Two by Alice Oseman

Although it’s the shortest volume I think it’s my second favourite. Charlie’s birthday is one of my favourite ‘scenes’ in both the novel and the TV show, so I have a soft spot for this volume. 

Read: 20/5/22

Goodreads synopsis: Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie’s gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn’t.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family … and himself.

Heartstopper Vol. Three by Alice Oseman

Read: 20/5/22

This is by far my favourite volume. Nick and Charlie are super cute and I love that you get to see more of some of the side characters. Especially Darcy who is my favourite. The whole Paris trip is so fun and I actually like that in volume three more serious topics are handled. 

Goodreads synopsis: In this volume, we’ll see the Heartstopper gang go on a school trip to Paris! Not only are Nick and Charlie navigating a new city, but also telling more people about their relationship AND learning more about the challenges each other are facing in private…

Meanwhile Tao and Elle will face their feelings for each other, Tara and Darcy share more about their relationship origin story, and the teachers supervising the trip seem… rather close…? 

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WANT TO SEE WHAT I’VE BEEN READING LATELY? CHECK OUT MY GOODREADS HERE and my storygraph here

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Like this post? Why not read this one too: What I Watched: May 2022