Hey everyone!!

Hope you all had a great second week of Magical Readathon! I know we did! It’s been a tough week, but I think we’re all getting settle in to the new normal and things will calm down.

Sam’s Update

This week was a bit better than last. I think I’m starting to get the hang of this…

What Sam Finished:

• Transfiguration: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson: This is a stand alone novel where our main lady Elizabeth, a teenager brought up in an enchanted library, is accused of a crime she hasn’t committed. Murder, in fact. And she begins to uncover a conspiracy that puts other lives at risk. She teams up with a sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon servant Silas to figure it out. I really liked this a lot. I haven’t read a stand alone in ages and I definitely needed one.
• Charms: Ruthless Gods by Emily Duncan: This is the sequel to Wicked Saints a gory AF Russian inspired fantasy story. Nadya and Serefin done fucked up and this is the story for them to try and fix it. I didn’t like this as much as book 1 but it was still enjoyable. Drunk review coming soon.

What Sam is Currently Reading:

• History of Magic: Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell: This is the sequel to Carry On. A sequel that we didn’t deserve but we got anyway. This is sort of a spoof on Harry Potter fanfiction that began in another of Rowell’s books, Fangirl, which was also great. Basically this is Simon (Harry) and Baz (Malfoy) go to America and it’s the best. In the beginning when they get to Chicago, they assume it’s a quick trip to LA… like less than a day and I was rolling lol. Really loving this.
• Ancient Runes: The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkowski: (I have a real photo here to show that my beautiful special edition has a heart on it so it counts) This is a story of a girl who’s living a pretty shit life working for and being raised by this abusive woman. But as with most abusive relationships, she has no idea. Anyway, she ends up in prison for something dumb and she meets this person who is charming and they get them both out early. The pace in this is glacial but I think the characters are super compelling. Hope to finish this in the next day or so.

Minda’s Update

Magical Readathon continues! Two classes down, at least 4 to go.

What Minda finished:

• Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin – For Defense Against the Dark Arts as a book set on the sea/coast. The book is a thriller/mystery surrounding the events of a sister’s unsolved death in the Caribbean and the aftermath. I had a lot of emotions about this one. Mostly negative I think? Definitely left me unsettled.

What Minda is reading now:

• Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire – For my Ancient Ruins OWL. About a school devoted to helping children who return from alternate worlds move on in our world. I’m really digging the logic/nonsense virtue/wickedness descriptors.
• Impostors by Scott Westerfeld – Counts for Charms with the white cover. Premise of the book is two girls are inseparable… because one is the other’s double. Made for fighting, the double steps in for a dangerous deal and needs to keep her cover to survive.

 

Ginny’s Update

Hi Everyone,

It appears I really am in a slump. The only book I really finished this week was the Dungeon Masters Guide (I’m starting a campaign with some friends! Can’t wait for that). But I’ve found it really hard to get myself to read, it’s a lot easier to listen to a podcast, watch something, or play a game.

What Ginny Finished:

• Hilariously Ever After by Various Authors: Hahaha, I lied, I finally finished this monstrosity. Not only did this anthology have like 6 books and 8 novellas, I even enjoyed 1 and a half of them…. Honestly, it comes down to a lot of plots I didn’t enjoy, and writing that was probably fine five years ago. I don’t particular enjoy “taboo” relationships, poorly written children, or shaming of fat people, sexual predilections, looks, etc. I really really really don’t suggest this anthology.

What Ginny is Currently Reading:

• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: I’m not super feeling the low key romance in this book. I’d almost have preferred a written history of the library. Like I said, I’m just having a hard time focusing.
• The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders: This book is super solid so far. The beginning starts with a note about translations which makes it seem like the book is a historical track and I basically nerded out over that hardcore. I’m still working on putting together some of the pieces but I am really enjoying this once I get myself to pick it up.
• Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett: This is the sequel to Foundaryside and it picks up in a great place. I really enjoy this guys writing style, and the world feels so complex and well done. Also, this book has a lot, and I do mean A LOT of body horror. Still, I’m so excited to see where this one goes.

Until next time, we main forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Ginny, and Minda