Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Book 19 of 2018 is Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend.

I only found out after reading this that it was written by an Aussie female author. That makes me proud because this is one of the best books I've read this year.

The female protagonist is curious, robust and sensible. Unlike most young adult novel heroines, she isn't clueless and silly. She thinks for herself and makes sensible decisions.

This world is phantasmagorical and wonderful. Reminds me of Night Circus.

Read it. Read it. Read it.

5 destinies out of 5.

Should I read this? Yep.
What did I learn? Female authors write brilliant characters and not just female ones.

Hunter

Book 69 is Hunter by Mercedes Lackey.

Another fantasy book with an interesting premise and a strong independent heroin. Her hounds of hell are vicious but kind, a little like she is.

The competition is a little too easy for the main character. She wins everything, with so much power at hand. The Hunger Games balanced the competition a lot better than this book does. It is still enjoyable and I may continue to the series.

3 hell hounds out of 5.

Should I read this? Yeah, it's entertaining and enjoyable if you like fantasy and strong female characters.
What did I learn? I do not want the gates of hell to open... ever.

La Belle Sauvage

Book 57 is La Belle Sauvage by Phillip Pullman.

Having never read The Golden Compass, I picked up this book because everyone was excited about it. Yes, yes, I didn't ask why they were excited.

This is obviously a very well established and thought through world and that came across in this famous prequel. I didn't feel I was missing anything except maybe nostalgia in picking this up first.

On of my next series will have to be His Dark Materials, for sure.

5 spirit animals out of 5.

Should I read this? This would suit most ages and fiction appetites, so yes.
What did I learn? I need to read the children's classics that I missed.

Caraval

Book 56 is Caraval by Stephanie Garber.

I love love loved this book.

Initially put off reading this by the idea of the girls being trapped on an island was wrong. That is a small part of this phantasmagorical story.

When I thought I'd never find another book like Night Circus, I was sad. This is that book and it is a series! Although it isn't released yet, I'm excited to continue in this world.

There is too much to explain and most would give away the mystery.

It is magical. It is mysterious. It is a game. Or is it?

5 twists and turns out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. No matter who you are, yes.
What did I learn? I love magic, beit real or not.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

Book 48 is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson.

I've seen this book on best seller lists, in bookstores and did want to read it but it took my upcoming trip to Chicago to push me into reading it now and quickly.

This is a thick book so I wasn't confident in finishing it within the week I had before leaving for for my long weekend in that city.

I'm glad I started it. I'm glad I had no idea that it was non-fiction until about halfway through when I googled it and found out it was based in truth... actual truth.

As I head to that city hoping I shan't meet a serial killer, I'm excited to see the city that hosted the 1893 World's Fair. The city with soggy ground, enclaves, a huge mix of different people, high standards in food and a history.

Mostly, that history.

5 dead wives of 5.

Should I read this? One of the best books I have read in a while and absolutely the best historical non-fiction I've read in a decade.
What did I learn? No Air BNBs.

Hopeless Magic

Book 30 of 2017 is Hopeless Magic from the Star-Crossed series the by Rachel Higginson.

I read the first book from this series a month ago and enjoyed it enough to want to read the second book.

After finishing this arduous read with a whining teenage girl and her band of merry teenage men chasing her along with the "once you have sex you are bonded for life" message, I was glad it ended. There will be no more reading from this conservative non-subtle instruction on how young women cause trouble by speaking their minds and should think carefully of who they will marry because he owns you forever.

It. Was. Painful.

This had to have been written by a middle aged suburban housewife who wished she had never married her boring muggle husband.

1 spoilt Omaha teenage victim out of 5.

Should I read this? No. The first book ends implying more lies ahead in this book but nothing does.
What did I learn? First books in a series should be standalone.

Glass Sword

Book 27 of 2017 is Glass Sword. It is the second book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.

It took me so long to read the second book in this series because the first book didn't do much for me. Everyone was raving about it but it felt too much like a young teen girl-in-love bore. The second book improves greatly though. This has ensured that I will read the next one.

One thing I would like authors to stop doing is writing middle books like the 0.5 or 1.5 books in a series. It's just money making and waters down the quality of the series to me.

4 dead silver bloods out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Read it directly after the first to improve the first book and continue the series.
What did I learn? I enjoy female protagonists who aren't concerned with their many love interests and instead fight for their cause. Need more books like that.

Reckless Magic

Book 26 of 2017 is Reckless Magic from the Star Crossed series by Rachel Higginson.

This is another young adult fantasy series but it stands alone. Someone horrible said it was a cross between Twilight and Harry Potter. I want to slap that idiot. This is quite original in many ways. Being written by a woman means the female characters are not weak pathetic girly girls in love but more like Katniss in her strength and kindness.

There are irritating teenage girl moments but that soon is done with as the characters grow.

This is a series that I will continue when my brain is tired and I want a little read. Absolutely one I will enjoy.

3 magical talents out of 5.

Should I read this? Only for young adult book fans.
What did I learn? I love easy to read series and that's why I like Young Adult literature.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Book 12 of 2017 is The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.

This was such an odd book about magic but I loved every single second of it.

I have nothing to really compare it to except maybe Night Circus for the phantasmagorical storyline.

5 stolen babies out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Absolutely, yes.
What did I learn? Your magic is only a curse when at first you don't know how to control it.

The Master Magician

Book 12 of 2016 is The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg.

This is the third book in The Paper Magician series.

If I had stopped at the first book, I would have missed the quality of books two and three. This series improved exponentially in time.

There are much better feminist protagonists but placing this in a historical setting helps justify her behaviour. Thing is, Jane Austin would have slapped her silly.

The second book is the peak of this series and I'm not stoked with how this went but it was ok.

Three teenage girls in love with their teachers out of five.

Should I read this? Only if like me, you have Kindle Unlimited. I'd not have read this series if it wasn't free to me, thanks to a Prime subscription.
What did I learn? Women can undermine themselves far too easily by dating colleagues. In all eloquence, I stick with the idea that you shouldn't shit where you eat.