I hate to talk about this so soon (not really) but my time for reading festive ARCs is fastly approaching so I don’t want to commit to too many books in July. My plan this year is to start them as soon as I receive them, so I need to get some quicker reads done to stay ahead on reviews. This month’s post only includes three books but two are ones that I’ve wanted to read for quite a while now.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
I’ve owned this book for almost five years now and I keep telling myself I will pick it up soon. Well that never seems to happen, so I’m going to make it my mission to finally read it in July. I’m not entirely sure what keeps putting me off picking this up, it’s not a super long book and it’s a debut inspired by Persian mythology, so something I should be really excited to read. Plus I’m making it my mission to get through at least some of the backlog on my Kindle this year.
Synopsis: A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.
As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or monster.
Critical Role: The Tales of Exandria Volume 1 –The Bright Queen by Darcy Van Poelgeest
I’m yet to delve into the world of The Tales of Exandria so I’ve decided to start in July. I keep putting off reading my Critical Role graphic novels for some reason. Probably because I don’t want to finish them, does that make sense or am I right weird? Exandria is a world I can happily get lost in for hours on end so I really should start making my way through my collection.
Synopsis: Game Master Matthew Mercer joins Eisner Award-winning writer Darcy van Poelgeest (LittleBird) and fan-favorite artist CoupleofKooks in a brand new Critical Role story from the mighty Kryn Dynasty, collected in a trade paperback and ready to take its place in your Critical Role library.
Could the fabled Luxon be the downfall of the Kryn Dynasty?
Leylas Kryn, the Bright Queen, has spent multiple lives in pursuit of assembling the otherworldly Luxon. So when another piece appears nearby, Leylas sends her eternal lover Quana to collect it…with consequences that may threaten the entire Dynasty! Hope for the future clashes with darkness from the past in a stellar new story from the world of Critical Role!
Trusting Blake by Estelle Maskame
I don’t usually read books in series so close together but this is only included in Audible plus for a few more weeks so I want to listen to it before then. The final book isn’t included in the service but if I enjoy this one I would consider using a credit to buy it.
My review of book one hasn’t been posted yet but it was a pretty entertaining read hence why I’m willing to continue the series.
Synopsis: The electrifying sequel to Becoming Mila following Blake and Mila through the heat-filled days of a tempestuous summer.
What the hell just happened?! One cheating dad, one furious mom, and Mila stuck in the middle.
Enter chaos. Hit by an onslaught of revelations, Mila’s life is turned upside down. And when her A-list parents jet in from LA, they bring nothing but conflict, leaving Mila feeling betrayed and her Tennessee fun at a standstill.
But Blake is still there – with his easy smile, comforting touch and his guitar – and Mila turns to him more and more. Things are heating up between them and the pressure is becoming intense.
As the drama unfolds between their families and life starts to unravel, can Mila and Blake keep it together as summer draws to a close?
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