Overall mood: preoccupied. As October has been the final month of postgrad classes, personal stuff, and the exam season, I have been rather busy. Finding the time to read when other things should take precedence can bring about a lot of guilt, so I haven’t read as many books as I thought (mainly the first week or two of November reviews have dropped off the reading list).

Books read:

Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness, 4/5

I enjoyed the read, but it did feel a little busy or unfocused. Deborah Harkness is a wonderful storyteller and can evoke strong setting and imagery, so the novel was full of fabulous place and space establishment and the character deep dives made more a great additional tale in the All Souls series. I am glad I read it, but I don’t feel the need to buy it.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang 4/5

An action-packed, intense, and lethal epic fantasy full of historical detail, multi-faceted and polarising characters, dark themes and a plot demanding engagement and investment. It is a long read at times, and some chapters feel like they diverge from the main plot, but overall it is an incredible novel and I highly encourage any adult fantasy readers who haven’t picked The Poppy War up yet to do so.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu, 4/5

The Red Scrolls of Magic is a fun and lively Shadowhunter tale with a romantic twist and the best selection of characters in the Shadowhunter Chronicles. That last one might be a little biased, but the characters are a variety of faces I wasn’t expecting to see together, and they all interact spectacularly. A must-read for Shadowhunter fans out there and a trilogy not to be forgotten in the chronicles.

The Shadow of Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft, 4/5

A hair-raising horror that will stick with you for years to come, especially on those nights you wake and cannot fall back asleep. Fantastic storytelling with keen, precise detail and intriguing characters, The Shadow Over Innsmouth is a great starting point to H.P. Lovecraft’s works and a stand-out piece of cult horror literature.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer, 4.5/5

Cinder is the perfect blend of fairytale retelling and sci-fi, making for such a compelling and interesting story world. I love the characters, the overarching plot details, the drama and the divergence from the fairytale story which gives it a special flare. The Lunar Chronicles are a series I highly recommend, for YA readers especially. I cannot wait to continue my reread of the series.

Murder at King’s Crossing by Andrea Penrose, 4/5

An interesting addition to the Wrexford and Sloane mystery series, Murder at King’s Crossing stirs up some trouble for members of this ragtag investigative household. It felt a little mellow compared to others int he series, but the subplots and personal stakes in this mystery were well thought out and gave the main plot some additional tension to play with.

Ghosts by Siobhan Harvey, 4.5/5

A beautiful compilation of poems from a stellar voice in the field, Siobhan Harvey’s Ghosts deals with many heavy and difficult themes with grace and understanding. The repetition of imagery and phrases links the works in ways that creates a sense of familiarity and evokes many emotions. I’m not a poetry person, but I felt connected to this collection in ways I didn’t expect.

Babel by R.F. Kuang, 4/5

A historical fiction dark academia that is a staple in academia circles, Babel comments on and critiques the aspects of academia and colonialism that hit all the right notes. The themes and micro-aggressions are handled so well (much better than Yellowface, imo) and there are many aspects of this book that linger after reading. It is the kind of book you could take your time with or read in one sitting, but trying to find a middle ground will prove challenging.

Rough Pages by Lev AC. Rosen, 4.5/5

I have been awaiting this book and I was not disappointed. Rough Pages delves into an area of homosexual history I hadn’t considered and shares a glimpse of the cruel reality of being non-straight in 1950s San Fransisco. The mystery is centred around books, queer publishing, queer authors, and the sharing of queer literature. It is an incredible read and one that will incite further research.

Currently reading:

The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

The final book in this awe-spiring adult fantasy trilogy, The Republic of Thieves is my final book in my Spooktober reading challenge. The trouble is I don’t want to rush it, so I will be taking my sweet time to read this 720 page novel. Not only does it deserve the careful attention and time, but it is such a well-written and evocative book I cannot read it any faster in fear of spoiling the experience. I want to savour it and give it the respect and devoted reading time it deserves, so you’ll be seeing The Republic of Thieves again in November’s monthly reading summary.