Hello fellow boozie readers!

Sam’s Update:

It’s Magical Readathon!! Working hard to be a Metal Charmer, and we basically cut out TV so that I can get my 9 books and an Outstanding….. cause I’m Type A.

What Sam finished this week:

• Charms: A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay: This was such an interesting story. Told in multiple POVs all surrounding this one character and only this one time in his history. I never really knew what the book was about until the end really. I plan on doing a full drunk review of this, so look for my thoughts there before it comes out on May 14th.
• Potions: Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik: This is the next installment of Temeraire. This one was set in Australia and it was a lot of “we’re walking… and then we’re walking… and then we’re walking”… well more flying but you get my point. My least favorite so far.
• Ancient Runes: A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer: This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and for once I didn’t hate it? I dislike that it’s going to be a series, cause I’m not really sure where it’s going to go and seemed like a forced sequel but hey. I’ll definitely be reading it.

What Sam’s reading now:

It’s O.W.L.s Magical Readathon bitches!!

• Defense Against the Dark Arts: Reign the Earth by A. C. Gaughen: I’ve been meaning to read this since it’s been on my shelf since it came out. But hadn’t gotten around to it. Our main squeeze Shalia has her marriage arranged to the King of a neighboring kingdom to stop a war. Turns out he’s a raging asshole. I hope he dies. 
• Transfiguration: Mirage by Somaiya Daud: I’m about half way through this book. It’s a eastern inspired sci-fi with our main lady Amani, taken from her home to serve as a body double for the crown princess, who is literally the worst. I get the feeling she’s gonna fall in lurve, but I am really REALLY enjoying it so far.

Ginny’s Update:

It was a big reading weekend! Let me know if you’ve read any of these, or have thoughts!

Currently Reading:

• An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole: Hell Yeah Alyssa Cole! This is set during the civil war and Elle is a badass spy who is undercover in the deep south as a slave.  Malcolm is also a spy who is located in the same place but as a guest for Elle’s slaveowners.  They’re also super attracted to each other and Elle HATES that that is the case.  So far this is kind of awesome.
• Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant:  I read the quasi-standalone story that precedes this a few years ago and I am so here for killer mermaids. Victoria is going to go on a search to try and find out what actually killed her sister on the (conspiracy fueling) mystery aboard [insert ship name here – sorry it’s been so long since I read the first book and I straight up don’t remember]. Gonna be a book filled with murder and vengeance.

Completed this week:

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• Mr. Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau: So the writing does feel less stilted as you get further into the book, or maybe I got used to it.  This ended up being a pretty fun story about realizing that you can be accepted for the parts of you that aren’t fun and pretty and easy to talk about.  I did enjoy that, and the personal growth in both characters about the weight they felt they needed to pull around in the world. 3.5/5
• Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay:  Welp, this is for book club and considering Sam hasn’t read this one yet I’m going to say little here and possibly write a review instead.  There’s a whole lot of machinations and chess pieces. 
• How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin: I put this one back on my to-read shelf. I can have a hard time with short-stories and I was reading this as an audiobook.  It takes me longer to get in tune with a story when I’m listening instead of reading and I decided this one would be worth purchasing in a hard-copy format so I’ll definitely be bringing this one back around.
• Runaways: Far From Home Trade 1 by Rainbow Rowell: I’m going to be honest I found this a bit disappointing.  Some of that is on me. I don’t exactly know much about the Runaways (I watched maybe three episodes of the show) so I came into it knowing nothing. And watching a team come back together while knowing nothing about them was probably not the best way to do it.  But I still didn’t connect with any of the characters and I feel no need to keep up with the series 2/5
• Once Upon A Marquess by Courtney Milan: Yet another book club book.  Judith has been betrayed by Christian, who did the research that branded her brother and father traitors and lead to their subsequent deaths.  Years later, Judith needs Christian’s help.  Christian is what people in the day would have termed as “Odd,” I get the feeling he’s probably on the autism spectrum (as is Judith’s youngest sister) which was really nice to see in a romance novel.  I did have a hard time getting into the book, I’m not sure if it had something to do with the betrayal, or the fact that I wasn’t familiar with the language the Judith and Christian spoke to with each other (think lots of metaphors and stories and characters and stuff), but once the book got going it was just a good read. 3.8/5

Minda’s Update:

Going into O.W.Ls Magical Readathon week 2! Completed my Herbology exam and hoping to finish my Ancient Ruins and Defense Against the Dark Arts this week. Or at least one of them.

What Minda finished this week:

• These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch –  Herbology – After reading Snow Like Ashes series, I knew the author was brilliant at creating a layered world that kept me engaged throughout. And she did it again with this book, too. 4/5 shots, review pending.
  Herbology ✅

What Minda is reading this week:

• Uprooted by Naomi Novik – Ancient Ruins – A little over 50% through and I am LOVING it so far. The heroine frustrated me at first, but now I’m totally here for it.

Linz’s Update:

Linz was working until an ungodly hour because reasons. She’ll catch us up next week.

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Melinda, Linz, and Ginny