At the beginning of the year I was trying to read my Bookopoly TBR before the month is over and keep the post in the month it was related to. Even though I was not very confident about managing all my planned TBR for May, I am happy to report to have managed to read all my Bookopoly TBR before the end of the month!
You can check out my original TBR post HERE. To my great success in finishing the whole TBR before the month ended I can thank the great books I got to pick to read in May! The amount of books I rated with five stars is well above average for me. I will reflect on that more in my Monthly reading review post soon!
Here are the books I’ve read in May for Bookopoly and what I thought about them!
Prompt: Stana recommends
Book: Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★★
This is one of the books that made me think I would not make it and read all of my planned TBR in May. It is not the longest book I planned to read but it is a second to longest. The longest is actually the next book of this series. I was unsure what to expect from this book. It was filled with scenes with over the top magical abilities and schemes and ended up on a brutal over the top cliffhanger. I loved so many different POVS. I liked having more choices in the characters I can get interested in. I do plan on finishing this series soonish! If my schedule allows it I might even try putting out a review for the whole series since my impression changed from book to book. My friend whose recommendation prompt this book was for is still waiting on me to finish the series to have a hopefully lovely chat about it.
Prompt: Sequel
Book: Memory (Vorkosigan Saga #10) by Lois McMaster Bujold ★★★★★
Vorkosigan saga is still one of my favorite book series. Considering that it is space/spy/action/adventure/political saga and not my usual romance type genre it should count as an extra great reading material! To add to the exception is the fact that I own and read these books in Croatian translation. Every time I read one of the books from the series I am delighted anew. This book was a turning point in the adventurous life of Miles Vorkosigan. As always it was easy to tune into the human part of the book in the futuristic setting. The author delivers wisdoms in a very quiet and surprising ways. Extraordinarily pensive science fiction novel. My only pet peeve is that while the covers look fittingly scifi action packed, I have given up on wondering what the scene on the cover should mean for the book in particular. At least it is the original cover and artwork by Igor Kordej and not one of the other covers that grace editions in English.
Prompt: Favorite author
Book: The Prisoner’s Throne (The Stolen Heir Duology #2) by Holly Black ★★★★★
I was in love with Wren’s story and her POV in the previous book. Waiting for more than a year to read the second book did not take away from my enthusiasm at all! Oak’s POV was deliciously one sided and nerve wrecking. He is a true heir to Cardan with more freedom and even stronger penchant for getting himself into and out of trouble with his quick tongue. Some things were hard to follow but the reactions and thought process of the mmc were more than enough to compensate. I loved Oak and Cardan dynamic even though it came late in the book. I need more Cardan and Jude stories in my life! You can check out more of my ramblings on this book HERE.
Prompt: Most recent purchase
Book: The Sea Witch: A Little Mermaid Retelling (For the Love of the Villain #1) by Rebecca F. Kenney ★★★★
I am actually sad this book was marketed as a Little Mermaid Retelling because it turned out to be so much more. While there were some truly spicy scenes I have a feeling that the author did not give them as much as attention she should have. The backstory was interesting and there were so many side plots that could have been used to enrich the story. Some moments were a bit cringey and some of the characters were over the top cruel and dislikable. Expected a lot more tentacle action. Overall I liked the story and the ideas. I was intrigued with the “villain gets the girl” trope and was excited to read more books with it. I am not sure about keeping up with this series though.
Prompt: Small book
Book: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill ★★★
The only book I’ve rated three stars – all others were four or five stars for me this month. Even though I obviously have a few genres that I keep coming back to this books does not belong to any of those. This is a ghost story and a book I have had on my shelf for a while now. I’ve decided to read it in order to decide if I am going to keep it or pas it on to someone else. It is even a part of a year long project I have right now – you can check out more about it HERE. Scary stories have yet to make an impression on me. It was an okay story but it has not really moved me in any way. I liked the dog I guess….
Prompt: TBR game
Book: Alpha (Shifters #6) by Rachel Vincent ★★★★
I liked this book more than I wanted to like it! What was supposed to be a beautiful ending of a series I loved has turned into my research for the spin-off books whit some of the characters that are mentioned through the series. My TBR has grown as did my wishlist. To point out how much I like this book series I will just mention that I am keeping it in not so pretty paperback cover edition and the books are even different sizes! I’m keeping them. They are urban fantasy with an interesting take on strong female character and complicated relationships. TBR game prompt is for some dive rolls I had to do for May The Force Read With You 2024. and you can check out more on that HERE. Hint: I’ve already added and read one of the short story spin off novella!
My thoughts on my experience with Bookopoly May 2024.
Reading more five and four star rating books have been doing good things for my reading enthusiasm and drive. These stories I decided to read in May are on my mind even after I’ve finished reading the books. There are several book series that are on my priority TBR right now and I will be skipping Bookopoly rolls for June in order to indulge and read on the book series that are making me excited to get my hands on the next book. This type of enthusiasm needs to be savored and enjoyed fully while it lasts!