For some reason, I was really dreading writing my December wrap-up. I thought it was going to be super long and I’d need all day to do it. Boy, was I wrong. 

Usually, in December I’m rushing through books to reach my yearly goal, but that didn’t happen this year. I’ve completely smashed my target and basically forgot to read anything. Also, the fact that I went home for Christmas for almost two weeks meant I didn’t have time to read. 

Yes, you will see I crammed in a couple of graphic novels on the very last day of the year to try and bulk out this post. I’m not ashamed. 

Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy #5) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti 

Read: 02/12/22 – 12/12/22

I won’t lie, I’m really starting to love this series. Which I never thought I’d be saying, as eight months ago I started the series and really didn’t enjoy the first book. Well good for the authors for getting better I suppose. There are definitely still moments that I find cringe-worthy but they are being few and far between. 

I have a full review of this planned for next week so I’m not going to write too much here. It would have been posted sooner, but festive content happened. 

Synopsis: After the devastating events at Zodiac Academy, we have to deal with this darker world we’re faced with.

Lionel seeks to hurt us, the Nymphs seek to hurt the entire Fae race, and between all of it, we just have to try and survive each day as it comes.

I’m afraid of everything falling apart, but it looks like it already has.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Read: 12/12/22 – 14/12/22

I chose to read this as a bit of a palette cleanser, I did not expect to love it as much as I did. What do you mean he used to sit outside her window to listen to her practice piano, are you trying to make me cry? Sorry slight spoiler. 

The speed of which I got through this proves just how much I enjoyed it. Again I’ve got a review coming soon so keep an eye out if you want to read my full opinions.

Synopsis: Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door 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. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a lawn gnome’s severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange.

Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. 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 reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.

Dune: The Official Movie Graphic Novel by Lilah Sturges

Read: 31/12/22

I’m going to be posting a proper review of this in a few days so I’ll keep this short. If you haven’t seen the film or read the original series, do not read this graphic novel. It barely made sense to me and I watched the film not that long ago. To be fair I found the film confusing too. 

The art style looks great though, very realistic. 

Synopsis: A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Spectacle Vol. 2 by Megan Rose Gedris

Read: 31/12/22

Just like the first volume I felt like this had a lot of potential that wasn’t fully reached. This is a shame because I love the concept and the art is drawn very well. I’m reviewing this entire series as I was sent a copy of volume 5 so keep your eyes peeled for those. 

Synopsis: A murder is tough thing to solve, even without temperamental performers, supernatural occurrences, and the ghost of the victim giving commentary. But as Kat’s only link to the living world, it’s up to scientifically-minded Anna to figure out who killed her sister—before any more murders rock the small traveling community. Yet as she gets closer to finding a lead, even more unbelievable events obscure the truth: roustabouts start sprouting horns, performers grow forked tongues, and a demon visits Anna’s sleep at night. Does Kat know more than she’s letting on? And can Anna keep the circus—let alone herself—safe?

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Like this post? Why not read this one too: 2023 Reading Goals