Monthly Wrap-Up: September 2023

The best month of the year is almost here!! I am SO excited for October and all the spookiness it has to offer! September was good though. Lol. I read 6 novels and 3 novellas, for a total of 2356 pages, which is only like 50 more pages than last month. Lol.

• 3 books were a re-reads
• 8 were part of a series and 1 was a standalone
• 5 were ARCs and 4 were finished copies
• 2 were hardcovers and 7 were ebooks
• 4 were 5-star reads, 4 were 4-star reads, and 1 was 3 stars
• 1 book was by new-to-me authors/previously read, and 8 I've previously read
• 4 were indie published, and 5 traditionally published
• 4 were adult and 5 YA
• 3 were urban fantasy, 1 sci-fi, 4 mystery thrillers, 1 horror

Review: Dark Quasar Rising (Friends of a Former Space Janitor #1) by Julia Huni

Title: Dark Quasar Rising

Series: Friends of a Former Space Janitor #1

Other series in the Space Janitor Universe: Space Janitor | Tales of a Former Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, adventure

Publication date: October 8th 2023

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review from author

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Synopsis: In the heart of enemy territory, Vanti must save the day without blowing her cover... or her cool.

Security for a reality star cruising on a billionaire's space yacht should be excellent cover for secret agent Lindsay "Vanti" Fioravanti. Her boss, the famous Elodie-Oh, doesn't care where they go, as long as it's viral.

Then Arun, the ship's owner and pilot, grabs an opportunity to do business on Gagarin--a planet emerging into capitalism with enthusiasm. Getting in on the new market is a huge risk, but could offer enormous rewards. And visiting Gagarin gives Vanti the chance to recruit new informants.

But when a shipmate is kidnapped, Vanti and Arun must come to the rescue. Can they do it without exposing Vanti's secret identity? And if not, who will feed the cat?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have been obsessed with the Space Janitor world ever since I discovered it two years ago, so to tell you that I was excited when I found out Vanti was going to get her own book is an understatement.

Review: Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson

Title: Good Girl, Bad Blood

Series: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #2

Previous book in this series: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Author: Holly Jackson

Genre: YA, mystery

Publication date: April 2020

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Outlet | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late?

My rating: ★★★★★

Another great mystery from Holly Jackson! I cannot get over how good her writing is! I really enjoyed this!

Review- Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (Olympians #2) by George O'Connor

Title: Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess

Series: Olympians #2

Previous book in this series: Zeus: King of the Gods (#1)

Author: George O'Connor

Genre: Middle Grade, graphic novel, fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: April 2010

Published by: First Second

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Step into a world of fearsome battle, cruel treachery, and fierce loyalty. Your guides are the three Fates, eerie figures who weave the tale of life. Their subject today is Athena, warrior goddess. Five astonishing tales of brave Athena's adventures lies ahead.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I really liked this series! I love that they’re retold myths in the form of graphic novels! (Also, the kids at the school I work at LOVE this series! Lol.)

Review: None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney

Title: None Shall Sleep

Series: None Shall Sleep #1

Author: Ellie Marney

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: A psychological thriller about two teenagers teaming up with the FBI to track down juvenile serial killers.

In 1982, two teenagers—serial killer survivor Emma Lewis and US Marshal candidate Travis Bell—are recruited by the FBI to interview convicted juvenile killers and provide insight and advice on cold cases. From the start, Emma and Travis develop a quick friendship, gaining information from juvenile murderers that even the FBI can't crack. But when the team is called in to give advice on an active case—a serial killer who exclusively hunts teenagers—things begin to unravel. Working against the clock, they must turn to one of the country's most notorious incarcerated murderers for help: teenage sociopath Simon Gutmunsson.

Despite Travis's objections, Emma becomes the conduit between Simon and the FBI team. But while Simon seems to be giving them the information they need to save lives, he's an expert manipulator playing a very long game... and he has his sights set on Emma.

Captivating, harrowing, and chilling, None Shall Sleep is an all-too-timely exploration of not only the monsters that live among us but also the monsters that live inside us.

My rating: ★★★★☆

A girl created by a serial killer who hunts serial killers.

If you're a fan of Criminal Minds like I am, then this is the book for you! It gave me some serious Criminal Minds vibes and I loved it!