Diana Wynne Jones’ Charmed Life
I sort of lost interest in rereading the rest of the series I was on, and then nothing new was grabbing me, and simultaneously I was grumbling online and someone suggested I reread a children’s book AND one of my discords was discussing Diana Wynne Jones, so here we are. This is cute on a reread and was a nice brain break.
Sharon Shinn’s Shifter and Shadow
The second book in the series actually leads right into this new one, which focuses on Kirra and Donnall’s trip to an island with a bunch of sick children, to try an unconventional cure. Really pleasant and fun read! There are also some middle aged lesbians hanging out! I’m glad Shinn decided this story was worth telling. A/A-.
Sharon Shinn’s The Thirteenth House
I almost skipped rereading this one because there’s a lot of romance involving a married man, which I’m really not into. (I love Kirra, so it’s a frustrating plot to read). But I vaguely remembered that there were political things happening that matter for the later books, so, here we were. And actually I loved everything in this book that didn’t involve the doomed romance! Action, intrigue, friendship, magic, healing—lots of good stuff. Onto the next!
Sharon Shinn’s Mystic and Rider
There’s a new novella in this series out this week, a perfect excuse to reread! But actually a fantasy novel about a kingdom whose peace is threatened by a sect of religious fanatics who want to kill innocent people and start a civil war is not actually that escapist right now, sadlol. Still, I love this book. Shinn does such a good job of creating an interesting world of magic and politics and plot, and throws in a really great slow building romance. I also love all the camaraderie between the characters. Really enjoyable read.
Freya Marske’s Cinder House
Marske’s latest is a retelling of Cinderella where Ella is a ghost, haunting the house where her stepmother murdered her, being abused by her stepsisters even in death. And then she makes a deal with a fairy that will let her pass for living for three nights, so she can go to the Prince’s ball and dance (and eat!). I was really enjoying this, but was like, how can this wrap up in a satisfying way? And then it DOES! I loved this!!! Adorable!!!! A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in October.
Emma Lathen’s Accounting for Murder
I really enjoy this series but I’m sort of parceling them out so I don’t burn out on them. In this one, Thatcher is drawn into things when an accountant is murdered while auditing the books for a company where things may be hinky. I did guess what was going on but it was still satisfying to see Thatcher figure it out. A-.
Megan Whalen Turner’s Return of the Thief
I ended up skipping the fifth book, which is kind of a standalone and which I remember being really slow, and jumped right to the conclusion of the series. Solid story, narrated by a disabled boy who witnessed all sorts of historical events firsthand. Good conclusion.
Megan Whalen Turner’s A Conspiracy of Kings
The fourth book brings back one of my favorite characters from book one as political situations get more complicated and a young king has to take back his country. Anyway I’m tired so just know this book is great and this series is great.
Megan Whalen Turner’s The King of Attolia
The third book in this series is told primarily from the POV of guardsman who doesn’t like or respect the new king, and how all that progresses. I do love a character who plans and plots and outsmarts everyone else!
Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen of Attolia
I love a book with POLITICS, PLANS, AND PLOTS! And a tiny bit of a weird romance. Oh, and gods who meddle just a little! Great characters and such a satisfying read.
Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief
Sometimes you’re just in the mood to reread something fun, and this book is fun! It’s actually one of those books that’s better on a reread, when you can see how all the pieces come together. Anyway, it’s the story of a gifted thief who’s forced to come on a mission to find and steal a legendary stone for political reasons. I think one of the reasons I’m rereading this series is I was in the mood for something with politics/diplomacy/cleverness and this hits the mark—please recommend me any other books in this vein!