Monthly Wrap-Up: August 2024

I'm back! I'm finally back into reading full-length novels and I could not be more happy! I read a whole lot of different things this month. I read a total of 8 books, about 2500 pages total, which is about 1000 pages MORE than last month! Oh, that makes me so happy 😌

• 4 were full-length novels, 1 collection of short stories, and 3 were manga
• 7 were part of a series, and 1 was a standalone
• I started 2 series but finished 1!
• 4 were ARCs and 4 were finished copies
• 3 were physical books and 5 ebooks
• 5 were 5-star books, 2 were 4-star books, and 1 was a 3-star book
• 2 were indie-published, and 6 were traditionally published
• 3 were by a new-to-me author and 5 were by authors I've previously read
• 3 were adult books, 4 YA, and 1 middle grade book
• All 8 were fiction books
• 2 were sci-fi, 1 contemporary romance, 3 action, 1 mystery thriller, and 1 Greek mythology

Review: This Book Kills by Ravena Guron

Title: This Book Kills

Author: Ravena Guron

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 3rd 2024

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Source: eARC for review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: I'll make it clear from the start: I did not kill Hugh Henry Van Boren. I didn't even help... Well, not intentionally.

All Jess Choudhary wants is to keep her head down, do her work, and make it through high school without any problems. As a scholarship student—and one of only two students of Indian heritage—her future at the elite school depends on her ability to keep a low profile and spotless record. But when one of the most popular and richest kids in the school ends up dead in the exact same way as a character in a short story she wrote, Jess unintentionally finds herself at the center of the investigation.

And then Jess receives an anonymous text thanking her for the inspiration.

As rumors run rampant about who the murderer could be, Jess knows if she doesn't solve this mystery herself, she'll finally have something in common with Hugh: she'll be dead too.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

The title of this book is the thing that immediately grabbed my attention when I first came across this book. I was like, uhh...

Review: The Last Astronaut by David Wellington

Title: The Last Astronaut

Author: David Wellington

Genre: Adult, horror, sci-fi

Publication date: July 2019

Published by: Orbit

Source: Borrowed

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Synopsis: Mission Commander Sally Jansen is Earth’s last astronaut–and last hope–in this gripping near-future thriller where a mission to make first contact becomes a terrifying struggle for survival in the depths of space.

Sally Jansen was NASA’s leading astronaut, until a mission to Mars ended in disaster. Haunted by her failure, she lives in quiet anonymity, convinced her days in space are over.

She’s wrong.

A large alien object has entered the solar system on a straight course toward Earth. It has made no attempt to communicate and is ignoring all incoming transmissions.

Out of time and out of options, NASA turns to Jansen. For all the dangers of the mission, it’s the shot at redemption she always longed for.

But as the object slowly begins to reveal its secrets, one thing becomes horribly clear: the future of humanity lies in Jansen’s hands.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

I really loved this author’s other book Paradise-1 so I was really looking forward to reading more from him! Even though I didn’t love this as much as Paradise-1, I still liked it. I have been in the mood for sci-fi horror, and he really delivers!

So there’s this large object in space headed straight for Earth, an object that may or may not be a spaceship that has not attempted return communication, and an object that may or may not be alien in nature...

Review: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (Paola Santiago #1) by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Title: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

Series: Paola Santiago #1

Author: Tehlor Kay Mejia

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy

Publication date: August 2020

Published by: Rick Riordan Presents

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: Space-obsessed 12-year-old Paola Santiago and her two best friends, Emma and Dante, know the rule: Stay away from the river. It's all they've heard since a schoolmate of theirs drowned a year ago. Pao is embarrassed to admit that she has been told to stay away for even longer than that, because her mother is constantly warning her about La Llorona, the wailing ghost woman who wanders the banks of the Gila at night, looking for young people to drag into its murky depths.

Hating her mother's humiliating superstitions and knowing that she and her friends would never venture into the water, Pao organizes a meet-up to test out her new telescope near the Gila, since it's the best stargazing spot. But when Emma never arrives and Pao sees a shadowy figure in the reeds, it seems like maybe her mom was right...

Pao has always relied on hard science to make sense of the world, but to find her friend she will have to enter the world of her nightmares, which includes unnatural mist, mind-bending monsters, and relentless spirits controlled by a terrifying force that defies both logic and legend.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

As someone who grew up in a Hispanic household, let me just say that this book sounded amazing! I was very much looking forward to it because it is so rare that the books I read ever incorporate the culture I grew up with. Especially when it’s spooky in nature! I mean, La Llorona?? Yes, please! These are the types of stories we were told as children in order to get us to behave: “Si no te portas bien, te va a llevar La Llorona.” (If you don’t behave, La Llorona is going to take you.) My childhood wasn’t traumatizing at all 🙃

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #382: Omg The Progress!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #416: A Book and Movie Marathon Kind of Week

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Some Shall Break (None Shall Sleep #2) by Ellie Marney

Title: Some Shall Break

Series: None Shall Sleep #2

Previous book in this series: None Shall Sleep

Author: Ellie Marney

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 2023

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: This electrifying, chilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller None Shall Sleep focuses on junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for.

After a harrowingly close contact with juvenile sociopath Simon Gutmunsson, junior FBI consultants Emma Lewis and Travis Bell went their separate ways: Emma rejected her Quantico offer and Travis stayed to train within a new unit of the FBI Behavioral Science division. But the unit’s latest case is feeling eerily familiar and Kristin Gutmunsson—Simon Gutmunsson’s eccentric twin—reaches out to Travis to send a warning: Emma is in peril.

When Travis and Kristin turn up evidence that points back to Daniel Huxton, the serial killer that Emma had escaped, things become more complicated. With a copycat on the loose, Emma returns to Quantico and is thrown back into her past traumas. Compelled to prevent more tragedy—even if it means putting herself in danger—Emma turns to Simon for help once again. But Simon is keeping secrets that could impact their entire investigation. Will the team be able to stop the Huxton copycat before time runs out for his next victims?

My rating: ★★★★★

I really enjoyed None Shall Sleep, but this book? I loved this book!

Review: Dark Quasar Ignites (Friends of a Former Space Janitor #2) by Julia Huni

Title: Dark Quasar Ignites

Series: Friends of a Former Space Janitor #2

Previous books in this series: Dark Quasar Rising

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, adventure

Publication date: August 22nd 2024

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review from author

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis: Impossible mission... or set up for failure?

Vanti’s handler sends her to Lewei to investigate a derelict ship. But she insists the agent take along a less-than-crack team to “help.” Saddled with a ravenous comm expert, a criminal inventory specialist, a timid chef, and a demolition expert who wants to blow up everything, Vanti must keep her wits about her simply to survive.

Command insists the mission is sneak into Leweian space, find the ship, discover what happened, and return with everything of value. And don’t let anyone know they’re there. It would be easy if anyone would follow the rules.

Aided by the reliable Arun and the inventive Elodie, plus Apawllo the cat, Vanti figures she can manage the impossible. If the whole thing doesn’t spontaneously ignite.

My rating: ★★★★☆

One of my favorite characters in the Space Janitor series is Vanti, so I am very happy that she now has her own series. And this book was just as fun as the first one!

Review: Mere Mortals by Erin Jade Lange

Title: Mere Mortals

Author: Erin Jade Lange

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, romance

Publication date: September 2022

Published by: Harper Teen

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: This hilarious, fresh take on a classic vampire tale follows a pair of hundred-year-old teenage vampires who are turned mortal and must face the greatest nightmare of all—high school.

Charlie and her brother, Reg, have been vampires for…a very long time. For a century, they enjoyed the glitz and glamour of life as members of the wealthiest vampire clan. But now, after one careless mistake, they’ve been expelled from the vampire community and dumped in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa, to live as mortals.

Suddenly Charlie has to deal with zits, tears, and—worst of all—high school. But things start to change when she and Reg find a group of friends, including the deliciously good-looking Dexter. And though Charlie would give anything to be vampire again, she begins to appreciate some of the new experiences that humanity brings too.

But nothing could make them forget the life they’ve left behind. When they’re offered a second shot at immortality, Charlie is desperate to seize it. It’ll just mean a total betrayal of all her new friends, who will have their minds wiped of their memories of her. She can handle that if it means she can live forever…right?

My rating: ★★★★☆

If you’re like me, you’ve read your fair share of books about just-turned vampires trying to navigate their new undead life. But have you ever read a book about a vampire being punished by turning them back into a human?? Because that’s what this book was!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #381: It Keep Getting Worse! (But Hopefully It'll Get Better?)

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Sunday Post #415: My Addiction to Paranoia and Preserve is Unreal

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Bout of Books Readathon

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are reading sprints, daily Discord questions, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For all Bout of Books 41 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Review: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke

Title: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

Authors: April Genevieve Tucholke, Stefan Bachmann, Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, A. G. Howard, Jay Kristoff, Marie Lu, Jonathan Maberry, Danielle Paige, Carrie Ryan, Megan Shepherd, Nova Ren Suma, McCormick Templeman, April Genevieve Tucholke, Cat Winters

Genre: YA, horror

Publication date: August 2015

Published by: Dial Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror.

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Even a monster wants to be loved.

I was excited to read this because I love horror stories and this anthology included some authors that I knew! For these types of books I usually like to touch on every story and say a little about them, but honestly, that seems like a lot of effort for a book I didn’t love.

Review: Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep #1) by Mira Grant

Title: Into the Drowning Deep

Series: Rolling in the Deep #1

Prequel novella: Rolling in the Deep

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: November 2017

Published by: Orbit

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.

Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Killer mermaids. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. I know I said that about the prequel novella, but it’s still true!

Do I think they found mermaids?
Yes. Of course I do.
And I think the mermaids ate them all.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #380: The List Just Keeps Getting Longer

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #414: It's Basically Spooky Season, Right?

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Saving Mitch (The MacDonald Brothers #1) by Emily Matthews

Title: Saving Mitch

Series: The MacDonald Brothers #1

Author: Emily Matthews

Genre: Adult, romantic suspense

Publication date: January 2020

Published by: Emily Matthews

Source: Amazon freebie

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis: A hot-headed cop. A beautiful witness. And a bad guy after them both.

Officer Mitch MacDonald’s life is irrevocably changed when his partner is killed in the line of duty. His obsessive search for the culprit is about to cost him his job. When clumsy veterinarian Maggie Tucker witnesses a crime that could help Mitch catch the suspect, he must set aside his growing attraction to her to find the killer and keep them both safe.

When Maggie meets Mitch, sparks fly, but not in a good way. He witnesses her most embarrassing moment and then writes her a ticket! She immediately dislikes him, but once they are forced to spend time together, she begrudgingly finds herself falling for his sexy, bad-boy ways.

When the killer catches up with them, and Maggie is in danger, Mitch will do anything to save her. But when all is said and done, he’s left wondering who saved who.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

Oh my god, this book...

I have always said that I’m not much of a romance reader, but as the years go by, I’m starting to realize that I like romance more than I thought I did. Do I read a copious amount of them? No. I read a handful a year, plus most of the books I read have romance in them. So I’m starting to figure out what I like and what I don’t like. And let me tell you, what this book had to offer, I did NOT like.

Review: Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant

Title: Rolling in the Deep

Series: Rolling in the Deep #0.5

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Subterranean Press

Source: Gift card purchase

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Synopsis: When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn't expect actual mermaids. They certainly didn't expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench…and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Killer. Mermaids. That is all you need to know going into this.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #379: I Love This Series Already

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #413: Updates and Builds

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Frightmares by Eva V. Gibson

Title: Frightmares

Author: Eva V. Gibson

Genre: YA, horror, mystery

Publication date: July 2022

Published by: Underlined

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: In a Florida tourist trap, a summer acting job turns into a real-life horror show when a cast member turns up dead—then disappears.

Dave is spending his final summer before college working at Frightmares House of Horrors, a struggling haunted house attraction held together by malfunctioning killer clown mannequins, a cheap replica Annabelle doll, and a lot of improvising.

After a particularly disastrous shift ends in an employee walkout, Dave reluctantly takes over a role for his friend, however, he makes a horrifying discovery—a real dead body, hidden on set. But when Dave returns with help, the body is gone.

Though the killer covered their tracks, Dave realizes they must know what he saw. Could he be their next target?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I really enjoyed this book for the most part! I liked the premise and I thought the place is was set in was fun! The haunted house attraction they worked at sounded like absolute chaos and it was just falling apart and it was great!