Hello, lovelies! I know my wrap-up is a tad late, so I’ve decided to put both my February and my March wrap-ups in the same post. Things have been so busy for me lately—a new set of classes have begun, my internship, my other internship, and trying to balance it and also have some personal time has been hard.
Don’t worry, we got this. Maybe. Hopefully.
I’m also fully vaccinated now, so that’s some good news. We (my boyfriend, myself, and my roommate) are planning a small trip in May that hopefully will get us out of the funk that has been this past year and a half.
However, I’m hoping with this post I can come back and start posting a bit more regularly, but if you’re looking for daily stuff, check out my Instagram and my Tiktok. It’s a whole mood.
And without further ado, let’s get into it!
🌸February Wrap-Up🌸
🌸What I loved🌸
Bloodlaced by Courtney Maguire
Bloodlaced was one of those books that I had 0 clue what I was getting into. I drove in headfirst and found myself in a puddle of my own tears. If you’re looking to be more involved in the LGBT community, specifically with a non-binary main character, then look no further.
You can read my full review here, and my interview with Courtney Maguire here.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
ACOMAF is arguably the best book in the series thus far. I reread this book in anticipation of ACOSF, and as always, I was not disappointed.
You can read my full review here.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I read ACOTAR as a reread for ACOSF, and I found myself questioning why I originally gave this book 5 stars because…I really hated rereading it. It was interesting for sure, and there were moments I enjoyed immensely, but there were points that I found myself clawing to get through since I’d already read it.
You can read my full review here.
🌸What I really, really didn’t like🌸
Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
🌸 DNF’ed at 34%
I tried so hard to like this book (it was even one of my most anticipated reads for the year with Black authors), but unfortunately, it just didn’t work out for me. I had to trudge through it until I got to the point where I had to call it quits. I think the story would have been much, much better without the fantasy aspect.
You can read my short review on Goodreads. I didn’t feel it was fair to make a full review since I didn’t finish the book.
🌸The In-Between🌸
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
ACOWAR was the worst book in the series for me. Why? The stakes felt like they were meant to be high, but we all know nothing’s going to happen to these characters because of amazingly large plot armor surrounding them all. It’s not that I want any of them dead, because I would be devastated, but like…It’s hard to care about what’s happening when you know nothing will actually happen.
You can read my full review here.
🌸March Wrap-Up🌸
🌸What I loved🌸
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
I didn’t love ACOSF completely, but it was the only book I could really put into this category for April. I loved Nesta’s redemption, but other parts I could have lived without.
You can read my full review here.
🌸What I really, really didn’t like🌸
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
I had such high hopes for this book because I absolutely adored Peter Pan as a kid growing up (Return to Neverland was by far my favorite cartoon). But this retelling just did not do it for me, and honestly…nothing really happened until the last 80%. I continued to read it because I held onto hope.
You can read my full review here.
Finding Bryan by Matthew Kesselman
I didn’t have that many expectations for this book because I was requested to read it, but still. The main character reminded me of my own dad way too much and when there’s a main character that I despise I’m quickly turned off. I said originally in my review that I didn’t love nor hate it, but I just…really didn’t like it. It’s hard to explain.
You can read my full review on Goodreads.
🌸The In-Between🌸
Pariah’s Lament by Richie Billing
I know what you’re thinking. “Jess, you rated ACOSF the same but it’s in your loved category, what gives?” That’s because I’ve been so involved in that series and the characters that I still loved it even though there were flaws.
Onto Pariah’s Lament. I really loved the worldbuilding and story and found the morally grey areas intriguing, but the characterization was not there. I would have loved to get more into our characters.
You can read my full review here, and my interview with the author here.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus was like a cake that looks so amazing on the outside but is way, way too sweet on the inside to the point where something just doesn’t taste…right. The writing is lyrical and magical, but the characters had no substance.
You can read my full review on Goodreads.
Dark by Kat Kinney
I was requested by the author to read this, and I’m glad I did! The story is set in Texas with a cute cafe bad boy and a forbidden romance that’s not so forbidden anymore. I’m more into super slow burn romance—this happened pretty fast to me—which is why it got rated lower per my personal tastes, but it was a great read that I for sure recommend. Book 2 is out as well!
You can read my full review on Goodreads.
That’s my wrap-up for February and March! April’s already started and I have read some absolute killers (hint hint: I got an ARC copy of The Crown of Gilded Bones) and look forward to sharing those with you.
Until next time!
