Hello, hello and welcome back to another episode of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words, which means I’ll be answering these questions:
- What did you read last?
- What are you currently reading?
- What will you read next?
Since last week, I managed to finish 2 books. I’ve been reading quite slowly this past week as work has been extra busy and I’ve been extra tired.
Live Love Lasso by Hazel Mack, A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Live Love Lasso (Pine Gulch Ever After #1) by Hazel Mack ★★★☆☆
I’ve been looking forward to this new monster romance for a while so I’m genuinely sad to say that I didn’t love this. I liked exploring Pine Gulch, learning more about its monster residents, and how unique they are for not having a Keeper. I also liked our MCs and other characters well enough for the most part, but I didn’t fall in love with them the way I thought I would. I wasn’t entirely sold on their ‘fated mates’ romance because I didn’t feel their chemistry or connection. I also think I expected more depth and I didn’t find it here. 😩 I’m still gonna read the next book since I’m curious about the couple, but I just hope I enjoy it more!
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim ★★★¾
This was an enjoyable buddy read with Anna! I admittedly have a soft spot for Lim’s stories. Her writing is always a pleasure to read, her world-building is whimsical and magical, and her characters are endearing and easy to root for. I enjoyed reading about the underwater dragon realm, Ai’long, and following our MC, Tru, as she teams up with an unlikely ally to break a curse and save her family. That said, while I enjoyed it overall, I don’t think it has really left a big impression on me. Part of it is that I wanted much more depth from the story and characters, but I think I might really just be outgrowing YA now. I would still recommend it though, especially for those who love YA, who are looking for a ‘starter fantasy’ that’s lite on the fantasy but still whimsical enough to take you away from reality!
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak, Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan
- 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World⇢ 67% ⇢ I’m making slow progress with this. Its been a pretty tough and emotional read so I feel like I don’t want to read it on the train in case I cry, which is highly likely, especially at the point that I’ve reached in the book. This is really such a beautiful but heartbreaking story. I might save the rest of this for a weekend binge!
- Voyage of the Basilisk ⇢ 55% ⇢ Charlotte, Leslie, Veros, and I are continuing our group read of the Lady Trent series and I’m enjoying this a lot! It’s every bit as academic/research-minded as the previous books, but I love the addition of Isabella’s son, Jake, joining her journey. There are also some other new characters that I like—one in particular is a standout 👀 and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds!
I’m starting a buddy read with Chris on Friday but not sure what we’re reading next! I’m throwing in some options for some of my reading challenges, but also other reads that I’m keen to pick up asap.
What are you currently reading? I hope you’re enjoying whatever book you’ve picked up, friends!
dinipandareads 
I’m currently reading The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Anne Krentz.
In the last week I read 🥁
1 Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
2 Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian
3 Recruiting Libra by Eve Langlais
4 Canyon Killer by Cindi Myers
Not sure what next. Probably the new Jordan L Hawk which should arrive in my in box on Friday
Gill
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Ooh, how did you go with the Jodi Taylor book? Did you enjoy it (although I don’t see the rest of the books in the series on your list and it seems you usually read the series straight through if you enjoy it!)? Happy reading, Gill!
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i wasn’t that keen on the Jodi Taylor book. I’m on book 2 at the moment which is better. I’ll read the series at some point. I only have the first 3 at the moment. Probably try to get the rest from the library
gill
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Oh, but you’ve gone on to the second already! Glad to hear that it at least gets better. I’m still curious about it but maybe I won’t bump it up my TBR then… I hope you enjoy the books more as you go on!
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I really, really need to try out Elif Shafak’s work! I feel like I would really enjoy them. I’m super happy to see you’re still enjoying Lady Trent! (I dressed up as her for world book day last week haha!)
I just said in my reply to you on my blog, but I have definitely outgrown most ya now myself. I am a little sad about it, but also it means I don’t feel the pressure anymore to read a lot of new stuff I know I might not enjoy!
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The only Elif Sharak I have read is Rivers in the Sky which I really liked. Her writing is gorgeous.
I know you what mean about YA. I only read them now if I get a really reliable recommendation or the premise sounds brilliant.
Have a great reading week
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I love Elizabeth Lim’s writing and definitely have to get to A Forgery Of Fate this year. What you’ve said about outgrowing YA has me a little worried though – especially as I’ve felt similarly on a few occasions lately 😬 Im sorry to hear that the Hazel Mack book wasnt what you hoped for too. Its always frustrating when a pairing lacks chemistry.
I wonder who the standout new character of the Lady Trent book is (as if I don’t know and feel exactly the same 😂😂 definitely love them!!) So glad you’re enjoying both of your current reads. I really loved being back in a Lady Trent book.
Ooh did you see that The Only Good Indians now has a sequel out this year?
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Glad to see you’re enjoying your current reads! I should be able to start The Only Good Indians next week if that works for you? And I’ve just heard there’s a sequel out later this year so we picked the perfect time to read it lol.
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Omg yes, I saw that there was a sequel-ish story coming out later in the year and I got really excited and wanted to tell you! Next week sounds good to me, maybe mid-week if that’s OK for you? 😃
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Hahaha mid-ish next week sounds perfect!
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Would you say this Marie Brennan books are sort of comparable to the Emily Wilde trilogy? You mentioned the academic nature of them, which reminded me of Emily Wilde. Emily Wilde has been a surprise hit with my mom, so now I’m always on the look out for similar things!
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I would say it might be a bit more academically written? It’s very much into the research and science of dragons, but also about the people/cultures/customs encountered along the way, and told to us through a memoir… A lot of people do find it slow and a little too “boringly descriptive”, and there have been moments (ngL!) but there’s something really cosy about the story and Isabella is a great protagonist. She gets up to some wild stuff and we get to see her grow from a young woman and also in the research field. I would say the first and third are my favourites so far, but the second dragged a bit for me. I would definitely recommend them though—the audiobook especially, if you/your mum can get it!
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Thank you, that’s very helpful!
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