books read: 2022 june

[meitachi]

I mostly read at the beginning of the month and the end, while traveling. In the middle, I was too busy and stressed, I guess. Also my weekend, when I normally carve out a day or two for reading, were pretty full. July will similarly be busy with two more sessions of YLI, so we'll see how much reading I can squeeze into those weekends.

1. Book of Night by Holly Black - Her first adult fantasy book! I think I liked it, though the worldbuilding took a bit of grasping. It fit the fairly narrow setting of this book, but I'm just trying to imagine how it works across the country and in larger cities and such. (Imo Ilona Andrews does that type of worldbuilding much better, with larger systems that realistically involve different communities and their politics.) I did like the somewhat-fraught sisterly relationship, and thought it harkened back to The Folk of the Air series -- a strength, I think. I really liked the love interest! Charlie as a main character I could take or leave, but I was rooting for the relationship!



2. The Long Game by Rachel Reid - The long-awaited sequel to Heated Rivalry, and it lived up to hopes and expectations. That Ilya and Shane really loved each other was never in doubt, but there were also still real "new" challenges they had to address in the relationship, stemming both from circumstance and from personal issues. I dearly love Ilya. I love Shane too, for all his obliviousness. They both make selfish choices, and some sacrifices, but I could also root for them because they both clearly did value and prioritize their relationship over their fears and were willing to make change and grow. Also they were just really cute and funny and dynamic -- all the fun pull of the relationship that worked for me in the initial book.



3. The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo - Translated from South Korean, a story about an aging assassin that is less about the thriller aspect and more about making peace with aging out of your skills and profession. And yes, there was some plot, but the main driver of the narrative was about growing older and closer to death. But not quite being ready to just give up. There was a sweet dog who didn't get enough screentime, and a doctor and daughter I would've maybe liked to get to know more of.



4. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman - A sweet BL webtoon about two boys who become friends and then boyfriends. I've read everything that's out online, which is approximately 4 volumes, I want to say? I will probably not watch the Netflix adaptation, even though the reviews are good. It is sweet! It deals with tough topics like coming out, eating disorders, anxiety, fitting in, coming of age, family relationships, and more, but at heart it's just two boys growing into themselves with each other. Supposedly will end in another chapter or two, but it's so much a slice-of-life and general "build yourself and build meaningful relationships" kind of theme that I don't think I'm necessarily pining for an Ending.



5. The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood - Somehow I thought this book came out this year, but it actually was released last year? Anyway, a cozy mystery set in a small town in the UK with an eccentric elderly lady who gets involved in how her neighbor died -- not a suicide but a murder, in her opinion. Obviously the murder mystery is the plot, but it is also about overcoming loneliness and making friends as women in different isolated roles/positions in life. That was nice. The solution to the mystery is deeply implausible, but overall it was a fun read so I'll look for the sequel.



6. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah - A debut fantasy novel that is clearly the first in a duology or trilogy; springing from the world and mythology of 1001 Arabian Nights, features a world with djinn and magic and murderous sultans and scheming princes. Generally paced well, but I'm still deciding how much I love the characters -- reviewers called the characters a strength but while it did feel the characters did grow/develop to some degree, because the book ended where it did, it was obviously they were only on step one of their overall character and relationship arc. So it felt a bit too unfinished for me, I think. I did like the djinn Qasir and am intrigued about his past, so maybe for that (and the new setting) I will read the second book.