Monthly Check In | November 2021

Hello, lovelies! Look at this, two months in a row with a classic update. It’s almost like I’m getting back into the swing of this blogging malarkey! October was the first time for a while where I’ve had a solid month of content and broken 1k views. I know, its not about that. But sometimes it is – sometimes you need a little motivation to keep going.

Having decide to bring this blog to its roots, I’ve been having fun thinking up some different style posts which I might try out. Then, of course, I got a whole new idea of a second blog in a wildly different direction to this one, so currently trying to talk myself out of that, aha.

My intention for November is to get organised. I’ve got quite a few reviews stock-piled but nothing schedule in regards to posts or promotion. I’m looking into planners at the moment with the intention of being properly back on my game for the New Year.

But for now, let’s take a look at what I was reading last month.

October’s Reading

October’s Reading: 5 books

Year to Date: 50 out of 60 (1 ahead)

Wake of the Phoenix by Chelsea Harper | Review

Plot

War Hero. Thiefmaster’s apprentice. Traitors. Every title comes with a price.

Arkaen is a gods-damned saint. He sacrificed his childhood innocence fighting for the beleaguered rebellion in a civil war and relinquished a comfortable life with the man he loves to reclaim his place as high lord from corrupt nobles. Now, a hidden enemy is manipulating his lower lords into talk of rebellion, including the powerful Rogue Baron who is slowly swaying the city into questioning every move Arkaen makes.

With the help of his near-omniscient lover’s gift of foresight, Arkaen finds a potential ally in Niamsha, a reluctant thief trying to pay for her brother’s education. But Niamsha owes an insurmountable debt to the mysterious leader of her thieves guild and failing to pay means death—for her entire family. When her guild leader demands she join forces with the Rogue Baron himself, she finds herself caught in a political battle beyond her skills. Torn between protecting her family and following her conscience, Niamsha doesn’t know who to trust.

If Arkaen can win Niamsha’s loyalty, he might just prevent a second civil war and the destruction of everything he fought to protect. Or he might get them all killed.

Thoughts: It’s not often I manage to post a review in the same month as reading the book, but I’m on a mission to start publishing reviews closer to the publication date. I liked this – it had potential even if not all the elements worked for me. An enjoyable fantasy book.

Incursion by Mitchell Hogan

Plot

A corrupted power stirs from beyond the grave.
A sacred order of knights sworn to protect the world from evil.
The Necromancer Queen will rise again.

Seventeen years have passed since the Necromancer Queen Talia was overthrown and slain, and her capital city destroyed by the Knights of the Order of Eternal Vigilance.

Anskar DeVantte, raised in the sacred disciplines of the Order, is now ready to face the brutal initiation trials to become a consecrated knight-sorcerer.

But the further Anskar rises in the ranks the more his faith wavers, and he is beset by harrowing dreams and uncertainty. As troubling powers awaken within him, a schism grows between Anskar and his hallowed Order, and he draws the hungry gaze of the vanquished queen’s fanatical followers.

As Anskar pieces together the mysteries of his early life, and begins to understand the malevolent forces gathering in his path, he finds himself with a crucial choice to make:

Remain loyal to the Order’s righteous mission, or control the dark powers growing within him.

Either way, his destiny is steeped in war. The only question is, which side will he be on? 

Thoughts: Incursion was an interesting read. Again, it had potential, but didn’t live up to it. There was technically nothing wrong, other than a few major character resets which prevented any development and grew to be annoying. The idea was there, I’m just not certain it entirely worked for me personally.

Cataveiro by E.J Swift

Plot

A shipwreck. Ane one lone survivor.

For political exile Taeo Ybanez, this could be his ticket home. Relations between the Antarcticans and the Patagonians are worse than ever, and to be caught on the wrong side could prove deadly.

For pilot and cartographer Ramona Callejas, the presence of the mysterious stranger is one more thing in the way of her saving her mother from a deadly disease.

All roads lead to Cataveiro, the city of fate and fortune, where their destinies will become intertwined and their futures cemented for ever… 

Thoughts: I adored Osiris when I read it last year, and was excited to continue the series. It didn’t disappoint. Cataveiro is one of those solid reads; doesn’t necessarily make your heart race, but draws you into the characters, the world, and you want to see it through. I liked this.

Season of Storms by Andrzej Sapkowski

Plot

Geralt of Rivia. A witcher whose mission is to protect ordinary people from the monsters created with magic. A mutant who has the task of killing unnatural beings. He uses a magical sign, potions and the pride of every witcher — two swords, steel and silver. But what would happen if Geralt lost his weapons?

In this standalone novel, Geralt fights, travels and loves again, Dandelion sings and flies from trouble to trouble, sorcerers are scheming … and across the whole world clouds are gathering – the season of storms is coming… 

Thoughts: I was apprehensive about this because the reviews were negative. But I liked it. The timeline jumps around a bit which was a off-putting at times, and no idea where the subplot fitted in. But it was an enjoyable read and I’m not sure where all the negativity came from.

Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune | Review

PLot

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

Thoughts: Anyone who saw my review earlier in the week on this knows how much I loved this book. It was refreshing, funny and meaningful at the same time and has become one of my top books for 2021. If you need a book to feel, then this is the one.

What have you been reading lately? Let me know!

You may also like:

• Monthly Check In | October 2021
• Netgalley Shelf | October 2021

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