Hello!

Here’s our weekly wrap up from the WRFB crew =)

Sam’s Update:

GUYS I FINISHED MY NEWTS! I canNOT believe I did it, but I did. I’m also working on this terrible cold, and I have a sty on my eyelid, but nothing can keep me down because I am a METAL CHARMER!! I also have BookNet Fest next weekend, which is super exciting. I’ll be on a couple panels (!!) and I’m v v nervous. If you see me, please come say hello!!

What Sam finished this week:

• NEWTs E-level Ancient Runes: Nottingham by Nathan Makaryk: Another ALA ARC grab, but am listening on audio since it came out on Aug 6th. In this story, Robin Hood follows King Richard on his crusade and it’s Maid Marian who is steals from the rich to give to the poor. I really REALLY wanted to like this, but if I’m being completely honest, I only finished it because of the NEWTs. It was SO. BORING.
• NEWTs O-level Arithmancy: Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo: Picked this up at ALA. This book was described to me as a found-family heist story, which caught me right away. Yet, this was another disappointment. I’ll tell you more about it in my review.

What Sam’s reading now:

• Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte: I started this one on audio, seems good so far. This is a story where the kingdom is divided into 4 sectors, each sector has its own specialty. There are rules that are intended to ensure that technologies don’t cross over and affect their societies. We’ll see how it goes.
• That’s all I’m reading because Darkdawn comes out tomorrow and my ass will be reading that IMMEDIATELY.

Ginny’s Update:

Happy Labor Day Monday! I hope everyone had a nice sleep-in. I certainly did. It’s been a busy week, and I kind of got sucked in to watching the second season of Critical Role and probably haven’t read as much as usual. Quality over quantity? Nope, certainly not. I’ve read pretty much the same things I would have read otherwise.

Currently reading:

• The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden: This book is set in South Africa in the future where everyone seems to have a personal robot and the gods aren’t doing so hot. I’m excited to see where this goes as there’s a pretty eclectic group of POVs. This is one of those books that as soon as I start reading it, I have trouble putting it down, but it’s picking it up in the first place…

Finished:

• Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn: As with the other book in this series, this was a very sweet light-hearted read. I’m always pleased when the tension doesn’t come from the most obvious thing i.e. person A has a secret they won’t tell person B even though they very obviously should. The characters are sweet, I liked how Kat for the importance of her job, and the fact that the main characters were bruised in complementary ways. 4/5
• Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan: Courtney Milan looked at the romance industry and thought “there aren’t enough Victorian old lady lesbians falling in love” and decided to fix that. Honestly though, this book was delightful. Ms. Beauchamps has worked for the same job for x years (I forgot how many) but was fired 11 months before earning her pension. She ends up hanging out with glamorous rich lady Mrs. Martin to force her shitty nephew to leave. This book is basically coming up with funnier and funnier ways to vex an asshole. 5/5
• City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett: This is the sequel to City of Stairs and boy do I have some opinions. I’m planning on reviewing this but this book is set five years after the events of the first book. General Turyin Mulaghesh had decided to retire in a fanciful manner but has been pressed back into service to complete her required time. She’s being used as a spy by friend and current ruler Shara, and is sent to Voortyashtan which had been ruled by a war-mongering god until said god was murdered. This book is dramatic!
• The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker: This is exactly what I expected it would be. It reads more like an telenovela than Jane Austen but is going very much for the Austen-esque plot twists. Freddy Carlton is the granddaughter of Theater royalty and Griff is a theater critic. She ends up in a show on his property and they fall in lurv. Except evil plots are afoot? This book was a fun read but probably won’t have any sort of lasting impression on me. 3.5/5

Minda’s Update:

At least NEWTs are over so I don’t have to feel guilty about not feeling like reading!

What Minda is reading now:

• The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young – Will pick back up this week! I have a flight to and from Boston that should be good for this.

Linz’s Update:

We are all super jealous because Linz is at DragonCon. If you check out our Insta, you’ll see some highlights including seeing Brandon Sanderson’s panel!

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Melinda, Linz, and Ginny