Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Since taking over as reviews editor at VBC I don’t have as much time to review the books I read, so I thought it might fun to do my reading wrap-up at the end of the month. While my heart still lies with paranormal romance and urban fantasy, I’ve started to branch out into other genres too, so I thought this might be a good place to say what I liked (or didn’t) if you fancy trying something a little different as well!
April was a pretty good reading month for me. I read 14 books in total: some I read, some I listened to on audio, and I loved nearly all of them!
Immortals After Dark series reread by Kresley Cole – ranging from 3 to 5 stars
At the very end of March I decided it was high time I got caught up on the Immortals After Dark series (VBC review of book 1, A Hunger Like No Other, here). Seeing as I’m now currently four books behind and it’s been three or so years since I read my last one, I decided to go back to the beginning. And it has been so much fun! I didn’t realize just how much of the earlier books I had forgotten, and I know having all the details back in my head will put me in great stead when I get to the newer books. I’ve been reading/listening to these mainly on audio, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Robert Petkoff does such an amazing job narrating, especially his accent work, really bringing the world and characters to life. I’ve made it up to book 10 and can’t wait to continue!
The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R. Ward – 3.5 stars
You can check out my full review of this one here.
City of the Lost and A Darkness Absolute (Casey Duncan #1 & #2) by Kelley Armstrong – 4 stars
Being a HUGE Kelley Armstrong fan, wherever she leads, I will follow! This new series is about an off-the-grid town in the wilds of Canada, where people with pasts go to disappear. It follows Casey as she walks away from her old life as a police detective and takes up the same vocation in Rockton. I love isolated settings, and with a town full of people who have seriously shady backgrounds, literally every one is under suspicion. These two books were thrilling and creepy and thoroughly enjoyable. If you’re a fan of Clayton (from her Women of the Otherworld series) you’re gonna love Eric, and if you love a grumpy mountain man, you’re gonna love Eric. Just the right mix of thriller and detective fiction, with more than a dash of romance.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – 5 stars
This is THE YA book of the moment, with hype everywhere. For me, that hype was totally justified. Inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, T.H.U.G. follows 16 year old Starr, an African-American girl who lives in a relatively poor neighborhood but goes to a private, mostly white, school. When she witness the shooting death of her friend by a police officer, Starr finds herself right in the middle of a town divided and huge social upheaval. This is a powerful, honest, heartbreaking story that gives an intimate perspective on a very relevant topic in today’s society. Highly recommended.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – 4.5 stars
I know, I’m ridiculously late to the party on this, nor have I seen the film, so I went into this spoiler-free (woohoo!). I wanted a page-turner and OH BOY did I get one! Being from England, in fact being from the very county this is set in, I could immediately relate to the setting, easily envisioning those monotonous commutes into London. Almost from the word go this book spirals into a tale of addiction, heartbreak, and mental health, all tied up into a thriller that just will not let up! A tour de force in the unreliable narrator, this had me constantly guessing. If you’re looking for a great fast-paced read (and you’re as behind the times as I am) this would be a great choice.
Great wrap up! I like this idea of including other genres.
I tried forever ago to read the Immortals After Dark series, but the first book just didn’t pull me in. I remember not liking it very much at all. I know this series is long-running and people love it so I may have to give it another try.
I’m a fan of Kelley Armstrong, but I haven’t read everything by her. The Casey Duncan books are definitely in my TBR list though, and I know I’ve seen a lot of good reviews about the books.
I’m also very happy to learn someone else is as behind as me when it comes to Girl on a Train 🙂
I haven’t read or seen the movie for this one yet either although it’s on my TBR list. I think I’d rather read the book before seeing the movie.
Thanks Amy 🙂
I wasn’t hooked on the IAD books until the second, which features an Immortals version of the Amazing Race!
Ooo you’re lucky to have avoided spoilers for The Girl on the Train as well! I haven’t heard great things about the film (although, I haven’t seen it myself). I was disappointed to learn that they decided to set it in the states. Really recommend the book, and I didn’t mention in the main wrap-up, but I switched between print and audio on this and the audio was fantastic!
I didn’t care for the first IAD (if we’re talking A Hunger Like No Other). It was a little too “dubious consent” for me. However, at Jo’s rec, I continued the series and HOLY COW IT IS THE BEST. So glad I kept reading. I think you’d like ’em. Plus, they’re stellar on audio.