Hello, readers! How are you? What have you been reading recently? How is it already May? I’m sorry for my absence from this blog but I figured it was time to make a comeback! Anyway, in April I read seven books, which is four more than I read last month but still a good number of books considering I’m still suffering from a reading slump. According to Goodreads, I read a total of 3165 pages and my average rating of the month was 4.12 stars, so whilst I didn’t read as much as I would like I did read some great books this month! Hopefully May will be my month to get back on track!
Books Read in April
A consistent reading routine? We don’t know her. Right now, I’m either not reading at all or devouring a book in one sitting, with no in-between. Here’s what I read in April:
Bring Me Back by Kristen Granata
A contemporary romance about hope, mental health, and the healing power of love.
I started the month of April reading this book as I saw Kristen’s TikTok about it. She made it seem like it was her life and then said, “If you want to know more read my book.”
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
Three weddings. Three funerals. A better person would have been devastated…
This was such a good read. The world-building was brilliant and it was a fast-paced novel that I couldn’t put down. As this is a debut, I look forward to more from the author.
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.
I absolutely loved this, was totally hooked, and gorged it in a day! Perfect for the fairytale reader who has always wanted the heroine to grow sharp teeth and bite Prince Charming—as a gesture of affection, of course.
City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
Welcome to the City of Nightmares. We hope you don’t end up too dead or horrifically mutilated during your stay.
It was an enjoyable read that started off a little slow but ended up capturing my interest; it just wasn’t my favorite. Overall, this book is full of dark humor and delightful chaos.
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The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
Love and duty collide in this richly imagined young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.
**This book is surrounded by controversy. However, I wanted to read it for myself and see what was going on.**
It was hard to really connect with the characters and although I enjoyed the writing and plot of the book the thing that was really missing for me was that connection.
The Darkening by Sunya Mara
The only hope for a city trapped in the eye of a cursed storm lies with the daughter of failed revolutionaries and a prince terrified of his throne.
Such an interesting and unique fantasy story with brilliantly written characters. There are plenty of things left unresolved at the end of this first book that make me curious to see what happens in the next!
Seven Faceless Saints by MK Lobb
Discover what’s lurking in the shadows in this dark fantasy debut with a murder-mystery twist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco.
This read lured me with that intriguing title and beautiful cover. The plot was so fast-paced that it really kept you turning the pages beyond my bedtime. The end really had me surprised, I’m so looking forward to the next book.
The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim
A journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world or break it…
I absolutely loved this book too. The story was gripping and compelling and I think the plot was very well executed. There were some parts that I wanted to be explored in so much detail, but there were others that felt absolutely perfect, so in the end I wasn’t too upset.
A Few Quotes I Like
“If nightmares had music, they’d sound like the Storm.”
― Sunya Mara, The Darkening
“If I must be a villain, I will be one of my own making.”
― Gina Chen, Violet Made of Thorns
“the thing that scares men with power most is a woman with more of it.”
― Emily Thiede, This Vicious Grace
“She wanted to rip down the sky and shred it with her fingernails, to pluck every star from the fabric of heavens until fathomless darkness matched the void inside her.”
― Emily Thiede, This Vicious Grace
Reading Goal Check In
If you are a Goodreads user, you know there is an option to do a reading challenge. You set how many books you want to read in a year and Goodreads will track how many books you’ve read, how close or far away you are from your goal, and when you’ve completed it.
Since we’re almost halfway through the year, here’s an update on how my Goodreads reading challenge is going!
Books Currently Reading
May’s Most Anticipated Read
Cherish by Tracy Wolff
The sensational conclusion to the massive #1 New York Times bestselling series…
Grace’s story continues outside Katmere Academy’s walls with Cherish. Now that they’ve graduated, she and her friends must travel to the Shadow Realm to rescue one of their own. But new surprises lurk around every corner, and a betrayal could destroy them all.
Top 4 Choices up Next on my TBR
Some Closing Words
How was your reading month? Have you read any of these books? Did you add any of them to your TBR? Let me know in the comments!
livinliterary 
One response to “April Wrap-up”
Yes! I loved This Vicious Grace! I cannot wait for the sequel!!
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