I know how it happened, but I still can’t seem to wrap my mind around the fact that I pretty much read 30 books last month…
I know a whole bunch of them are audiobooks and when you can listen to them for 6-8 hours a day (at 1.5x-1.8x speed) you can blow through them pretty quickly. But it’s still hard to grasp that I read 30 books in 31 days.
I’m a beast.
This post is a beast.
Overall, it was a pretty good reading month. A few duds, but I found some new favorites and I can’t wait to buy copies of them.
I honestly don’t have anything to say – I think I’ll just let this post speak for itself.
The Promise of Hades (The Hades Trials #3) – Eliza Raine & Rose Wilson
Audiobook Finished: March 1, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] This was a such a great ending to this series. The stakes are really now higher than ever. Persephone keeps trying Zeus’s patience, and you know what, the turd needs to be knocked down a few pegs.
Persephone is legit the biggest badass and I love every moment of it.
Like with the first two, I was sucked into the world as it came to life in my mind. I could see the Underworld, the various settings, trials and events. It was so easy to picture the Gods – and I’m pretty sure there were a few moments where I forgot I was listening to a book – I was definitely absorbed.”
The Castle School (for Troubled Girls) – Alyssa B. Sheinmel
eARC Finished: March 2, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] This book surprised me, and I’ve never been happier to be surprised. I definitely didn’t expect to cry tonight – sob my way through the ending. This book was one I didn’t know I needed. It was almost an act of catharsis. It’s amazing how we can just bottle everything up and continue on like nothing is the matter – that nothing is bothering us. If we refuse to acknowledge, then it can’t hurt us. I felt seen by this book, and I can honestly say that I recommend everyone picking it up and reading it. You won’t be disappointed.”
A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone #1) – Scarlett St. Clair
Audiobook Finished: March 2, 2021/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] Hades is yummy – for lack of a better word. And okay, this might be a tiny, miniscule spoiler – but the baking cookies scene…y’all read this book for that scene alone. Hell, I was watching a BookTok video where the person mentioned that scene, and that’s why I downloaded the audiobook. The King of Hell showing up in sweatpants to learn how to make cookies – legit I would just die right then and there.”
Phoenix Flame (Havenfall #2) – Sara Holland
eARC Finished: DNF @ 30% / March 3, 2021/ ⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] Do I even remember what happens in Havenfall? No.
Did I care about anything happening in this book? No.
Did I care about characters and their relationships? No.
In 30%, nothing remotely happened. Maddie legit just breezes through life, with all these half-baked plans and she just expects people to agree with her. I didn’t like Maddie in the first book, and she really didn’t do anything to ingratiate herself with me.”
Covet (Crave #3) – Tracy Wolff
Audiobook Finished: March 5, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] This was a good third book, it expanded on the characters and the world. While it was a little long and disjointed, it was still enjoyable as hell and I’m still very much trash for this series. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next and what impact Hudson’s comment at the end of the book will have. I’m lowkey terrified, and if it’s what I think it is, I might still riot.”
Sing Me Forgotten – Jessica S. Olsen
eARC Finished: March 7, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] I really enjoyed this. I was honestly a little worried going into this that I wouldn’t like it as much as I was anticipating I would. Sometimes I feel like Phantom retellings/adaptations can be hard to pull off, since the music is such a crucial part of the narrative. It’s what drives the emotion in the musical and it can be really hard transcribing that to a book. And while I’ve enjoyed Phantom adaptations in the past, they always end up falling flat.
Not this book.”
Falling Down Under (Seven Sisters Vineyards #1) – Errin Krystal
eARC Finished March 7, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] I loved this book, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. I have my suspicions of who might be the next focus – assuming I’m right about how I think this series is going to play out. If it’s either of the two people I’m thinking of, I cannot wait to watch them fall in love.
This was such a fun, light read. I just sat down and enjoyed it, no pressure. I could just turn my brain off, squeal a little and just have fun. This book is fun, it’s pure enjoyment and such a cute romance.”
Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters #1) – Jaymin Eve
eBook Finished: March 9, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] This is definitely a book you go into not expecting much. You’re going in for the spice, the ease and just for a fun time. If you go in expecting the best book ever written, you’ll probably be disappointed. If you go in expecting spice, enemies to lovers, drama, snark, magic, different realms, wolf-shifters (and all the crap that goes with them), then you’ll probably highly enjoy yourself.
Don’t take the book too seriously, and you’ll just fall headfirst into it, and you’ll enjoy yourself!”
Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2) – Cassandra Clare
Audiobook Finished: March 9, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] My poor Mathew. He’s still my favorite, but Jesse might be a close second. But Matthew. Hearing more about his past, his trauma, why he acts the way he does, I just want to give him a hug. I also kind of loved the tension between him and James. I know. I hate that the tension was there, because they’re Parabatai, but at the same time, it added such an interesting element to their relationship. I do think Matthew abused his relationship with Cordelia, but that remains to be seen.”
Flames of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #1) – Amelia Hutchins
Audiobook Finished: March 10, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] lowkey had no idea what I was getting into. I ended up really enjoying the book, spice aside. I mean, I enjoyed that too, but the plot in the latter half of the book really picked up. It felt like the first half of the book’s focus was on the inexplicable attraction between Aria and Knox and the sex. Whereas the second half featured the plot more heavily. It became more about personal revenge and politics of ruling. In regard to the plot – it kind of reminded me of From Blood and Ash or the Throne of Glass series. It was high fantasy, high stakes, pain, betrayal, tension and just really enjoyable. And it leaves you going what the fuck just happened…where’s book two?”
A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone #2) – Scarlett St. Clair
Audiobook Finished: March 11, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] I don’t know about you, but I kind of love it when there’s a lot of angst and drama and refusal to communicate. Now, you might be thinking none of those things sound like a good time. But St. Clair makes it work. Threaded through with Persephone’s budding power, the undercurrent of darkness swirling inside of her, Hades own insecurities and the stressors of everyday life – this book keeps you hooked. You just want to yell at the two of them to just communicate, but of course they don’t.”
A Secret in Onyx (Onyx Trilogy #1) – Jessica Florence
Audiobook Finished: DNF @ 25% / March 15, 2021 / ⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] Between the cover and the synopsis, I was immediately hooked. An SSF take on Fae? Count me in. Melding together dystopian SF with High Fantasy concepts? Yes please.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet any expectations I had. And I don’t think my expectations were too high. Usually I’m all for a “Chosen One” trope, but this just felt too contrived. Like, there was no other option other than the MC being a chosen one. It felt like it came out of left field, and I couldn’t suspend my disbelief to buy into it.”
Namesake (Fable #2) – Adrienne Young
eARC Finished: March 16, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] This book keeps you turning the page, falling in love with the characters and then suddenly you’ve reached the end. Fable and West are adorable – even through the ups and downs. I don’t think I was as blown away with this book, but that might just be because the hype surrounding it hasn’t yet reached a crescendo. Fable was so utterly fantastic and beat all my expectations.”
Fight for Her – Liz Plum
eARC Finished: DNF @ 10% / March 15, 2021 / ⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] I know it’s an ARC, that it’s not a final published copy and therefore there will be mistakes. This felt more like a first rough draft and it’s a mess. Within the first 10% it’s incredibly repetitive. It’s also really clear that the author relied heavily on stereotypes as none of the characters have any kind of depth and they’re all highly unlikeable.
The MC, Scarlet, is the worst.
We’re supposed to like her, she’s not like other girls, and she knows her boyfriend’s personality sucks, but stays with him anyways.”
We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) – Hafsah Faizal
Audiobook Finished: March 16, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] This book sucks you in right from the begging. Hafsah created such an interesting and vivid world – I had no problems envisioning it. It played like a whole movie in my mind and now I desperately wish it were a movie, or a tv-show. I loved the characters, Altair might be my favorite, his personality is just so perfect and great fun. Lowkey he kind of reminds me of Baldair from Elise Kova’s Air Awakens Series.
There were so many good moments and moments that had me actually “wtf-ing” – but like, in the best “I didn’t see that coming” way possible.”
Wicked Wings (Seraphim Academy #1) – Elizabeth Briggs
Audiobook Finished: March 17, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] I enjoyed Olivia as a character and her motivations really worked. She’s pretty smart and reminds me a lot of some of my favorite badass heroines. She’s incredibly strong and resilient – she’s had to be.
I also really loved the kind of fresh take on Heaven and Hell lore. It’s familiar, but in a whole new light – I really liked it. It kept “true” to what is relatively common knowledge but felt unique enough that I could almost believe the author created it all up herself.”
Sinful Things (Seraphim Academy #2) – Elizabeth Briggs
Audiobook Finished: March 17, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] This picks up right where book 1 leaves off, Olivia is suffering the aftermath of the Princes’ actions. Olivia is feisty and dead set on revenge – and how she goes about it is perfect and wholly justified.
Callan can suck it. As much as I love him and his gruff demeanor, he acted like a giant ass in the first book. It carries over to this book, but as we learn more about all the Princes – what makes them tick – his actions become a little clearer. He was still a jerk though.”
Fallen Kings (Seraphim Academy #3) – Elizabeth Briggs
Audiobook Finished: March 18, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] Olivia is still insanely likeable and she’s probably become a favorite heroine – she’s just fun, honest and really felt like a breath of fresh air. I don’t know how else to describe it. She’s made mistakes, sure, but she’s just such a good character. Not totally helpless, but not entirely self-sufficient either.
Her relationship with her boys is still So Good, and those certain scenes…*cough* if you know, you know…with all 5 of them…”
Legacy (Starlatten #3) – Darby Cupid
eARC Finished: March 19, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] This was such a satisfying ending to this trilogy. I’m so glad that I got to go on this journey with Dylan, Crystal, Jaik and Co. It was epic to say the least, and full of emotional ups and downs, drama, trauma, action and betrayal and a few twists that left me surprised.
The emotional arcs that Dylan, Crystal and Jaik go through in this book are intense and felt so realistic. They’re all struggling under immense pressure and weight. They don’t always handle every situation right. But in the end, we get to see them grow into the people they were always meant to be. Faced with nearly impossible odds and facing the unknown, it’s not surprising they struggle and lash out. But the fact that they always work through the problem versus letting it fester is so good.”
Kisses and Croissants – Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
eARC Finished: March 22, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] I inhaled this book in one sitting. It’s adorable and so addicting that I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to put it down. Though, I will say I was anxious af, and so stressed because I knew that it would play out like all rom coms, and I didn’t want shit to hit the fan. I loved Mia and Louis so much. They are so precious, and I just didn’t want either of them to get hurt. So, I spent a good chunk of time during the first half of the novel, incredibly stressed lol.
I was bracing for the moment everything went to hell.
And then that thing happens at the end. I was lying in bed, and I legit freaked out, rolled over and screaming into my pillow. I didn’t expect that to happen, and I thought the worst.”
Demon King (Claimed by Lucifer #1) – Elizabeth Briggs
Audiobook Finished: March 22, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] Overall, I loved this book. It’s really well done; it feels familiar but plays with the lore and weaves together a couple of different stories. Hannah is refreshing and fun, has a little bit of bite and despite having her whole world turned upside down, she handles it fairly well. From the moment you start this book, you’re sucked in, and suddenly you’re at the end. Unfortunately, the second one isn’t out on audio yet, but you know damn well I’ve already purchased the second one. The ending to this book leaves you going what the fuck just happened – in the best way possible. I cannot wait to find out what Lucifer just set into motion and what that means for everything.”
Trickery (Curse of the Gods #1) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington
Audiobook Finished: March 23, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR
“[…] Not going to lie, Willa is fucking annoying in this book. The whole incredibly clumsy thing was irritating. But I’m not going to lie – the idea of 5 brothers…I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
The introduction of the Abcurses is great and individually I really like them. Arrogant, boastful, morally grey in some regards and more than happy to treat everyone beneath them like dolls.”
Persuasion (Curse of the Gods #2) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington
Audiobook Finished: March 24, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR
“[…] Oh boy – stuff happens in this book. Willa is a mess – prior to her partnering up with the Abcurses, I honestly don’t understand how Emmy kept her alive. She’s a mess. She’s chaotic and so much is happening. The fact that Willa is claimed by 5 Very Powerful Brothers – they all share a connection and chaos is starting to trickle through Blesswood – it’s amazing and wholly addicting. I inhaled this book, just like I did the first one.’
Seduction (Curse of the Gods #3) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington
Audiobook Finished: March 25, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR
“[…] Aros might be my favorite of the brothers – idk. I love how tender he is with Willa. I love how once she entered their lives; everything just gets upended. It’s lowkey equal parts hysterical and annoying. Willa is still incredibly accient prone and almost ditzy and it’s honestly a bit aggravating. The fact that the brothers treat her like a doll is also lowkey hysterical and annoying. Things are starting to happen; the plot is picking up and shit is definitely about to go down. I can’t seem to stop reading though. The minute I finish one book, I have to start the next.”
Strength (Curse of the Gods #4) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington
Audiobook Finished: March 26, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK/ GR
“[…] The plot is really under way, Willa is finally acting more like a semi-capable being and not just some accident prone ditz and it’s beyond refreshing. Her relationship with the Brothers is omfg, steamy spice – and the more tender moments are wonderful. I love that she changed their whole world. Things are happening, secrets are revealed, and the Gods are stirring. War is coming and it’s not going to be forgiving.’
Neutral (Curse of the Gods #4.5) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington
Audiobook Finished: March 26, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR
“[…] I knind of want a whole series about Cyrus and Emmy now. Cyrus is legit one of my favorite characters in this series – I love his judgmental, moody ass. He’s so condescending and arrogant, but it’s somehow endearing. I’m also an absolute sucker for a male character who can’t understand why he’s so interested in a girl, and why that girl has such power over him. Emmy is also really great and I love how she wields power like she’s always had it – she has Cyrus under her thumb and it’s amazing.”
Floodpath (Outlaw Road #2) – Emily B. Martian
eARC Finished: March 26, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] I loved Lark and Veran. Somehow, they’re both incredibly capable, strong messes and it’s such a wonderful mix. They’re complex characters, forced to survive and make their own ways in the world. Iano and Tamsin definitely had their own share of struggles and watching them figure out how to navigate each other is a little heartbreaking and painful, but so satisfying. Watching Tamsin come into her own after everything that had happen to her – watching her find her voice again – So Good.
I had no trouble at all imagining and picturing this world the author created. None. At all. It’s so vivid and cinematic at points. It played like a movie in my head, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are so many little things in this book that I enjoyed immensely.”
Pain (Curse of the Gods #5) – Jaymin Eve & Jane Washington 
Audiobook Finished: March 27, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️= / Review TK / GR
“[…] This was ultimately a pretty good ending. As much as I love the Abcurses, they did end up being a bit much – tbh, I kind of got tired and overwhelmed by them. I was almost more interested in Cyrus and Emmy. That being said, the plot really picked up and it was a good culmination of everything that these characters have gone through. It was refreshing to have Willa really come into her power.”
My Song’s Curse (Duet of the Gods #1) – Poppy Minnix
eBook Finished: March 28, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR
“[…] And then there’s Lula and omfg I loved her too. She’s such a strong character. She has to be, right? As a siren she has to be incredibly careful and while she could give into her nature, she rises above it, uses it to do good. I loved the fact she uses her ability to reform terrible people – it’s lowkey hilarious. But while she’s this incredibly strong character who knows what she wants and can’t ever have it because of what she is – she also has these really tender and vulnerable elements. And a lot of those elements are the same ones that make her incredibly strong.”
Daughter of Darkness – Juliana Haygert
eBook Finished: March 29, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] For only being 364 pages, this book felt so long. Overall, I was pretty disappointed in this. It just didn’t meet my expectations and I kept growing bored. It took forever for things to happen. And then things suddenly sped up to a lighting fast paced and I didn’t appreciate it.
I was not a fan of the dual timelines – the past and present. I didn’t realize that the book was doing that at first, so I was really confused. It took me a few chapters before I caught on. I also didn’t really like that the past and present were basically mirroring each other. Now, I love a good reincarnation, fated love story as much as the next person – but for events to play out almost exactly the same as the past…”
Go the Distance (Twisted Tales #10) – Jen Calonita
eARC Finished: March 30, 2021 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR
“[…] I will say that I have a sort of love/hate relationship with these books. I don’t ever find them actually “twisted”. I don’t know. I get that the authors are taking the well known and loved movies and altering the plots to be something slightly different. But to me “twisted” has almost a darker connotation. I’m always left having enjoyed it, but also feeling a little bereft.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, Meg felt a little out of character – I didn’t quite get the sass she has in the movie. But I did appreciate the backstory and how her character was shaped. I think I still like Movie Version Megara over this version but having more depth to her character is really nice. She was always capable in the movie, and you care about her, but you can really get behind her and her actions in this book.”
Writing The Universe 
The Demon King and The Promise of Hades are on my list! Great post! 🙂
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Woo! I hope you enjoy them!
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