June Reading List

[unicornduke]

Oh god it's July already

Read in June

•  The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi - solid fantasy world that gets a lot more interesting as the book goes on. I found the main character annoying and not super relatable at first, but her backstory explains a lot as it's revealed. More of a YA flavor - library e-book
• Uprooted by Naomi Novik - I tried reading this book back in 2021 and got to a part where they kissed when the mage held her captive and I threw it away in disgust but I'm glad I pushed through that because the rest of the story is way way better and gets incredibly wild
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik - really really amazing fairytale style fantasy book, I really enjoyed it - library e-book
• The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao - holy shit this was good. Started out with a huge conflict between characters and they needed to make amends in order to save the planet and uncover the secrets of the world ending earthquakes. Extremely intense, very good, can't wait to read the sequels - library e-book
• Fire Logic by Laurie J. Marks - this book has everything, intrigue, genocide, magic, betrayal, the hero's journey, conflict between cultures, lesbians and other queers. really liked the writing style a lot, can't wait to read the next one in the series - library e-book
• Soulstar by C.L. Polk - third and final in the series, focuses on a really interesting character, and you know, they overthrow the monarchy and build a democracy. Like the review that finally got me to get reading the series again, each book gets gayer and more socialist as they go - physical library book
• Empire Ascendant by Kameron Hurley - second in the series, shit gets real, lots of characters die, very good making me give a shit about the various characters- physical library book

DNF

• To Gaze Upon WIcked Gods by Molly X. Chang - got about 40% into the book and was too annoyed by the main character and the interactions between what would probably become a love interest to continue.  - library e-book
• The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz - started out good, definitely an interesting idea, but quickly got annoyed by the tell not show of characters emotions in dialogue. Also how many times do you need to tell me that characters are disgusted by the idea of animals existing and providing things for humans. Some kind of weird vegan thing? I dunno.  - library e-book
• Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon - Just couldn't get into the writing style and was annoyed by the characters - library e-book

Comments

[unicornduke]

Ooh, I bet spinning silver really does get better on the second read.

Don't worry about the Terraformers anymore, I think I read about twice as much as you and it only gets duller and less interesting.

[reedrover]

Good to know about Terraformers.

Also, Water Logic was a decent if unmemorable follow to Fire Logic. If you can’t find a copy I can mail you mine.

[unicornduke]

Thanks for the offer! My library has all of them as ebooks, which is interesting, so I'll get the series that way.