I’m in the middle of three books, two of which I’ve been reading since… I think last year? The fact that I forgot when I started them says enough of how my reading’s been lately lol. Thankfully, three isn’t a big number considering the fact that I started book number three just two weeks ago. I’ve got myself a middle grade, a historical fiction, and a fantasy to share with you today.
This has also been on my shelf for a long period of time and I’m only two chapters in. This is what I’d like to call my emergency read. It’s so cozy and soft, the kind of cozy that can only be found in a middle grade. So when I’m feeling really, really mentally and physically exhausted and none of my books make me feel soft on the inside, I pick this one up. It’s about three siblings who find out that they’re witches and the ongoings of their lives in their small village that they’re never allowed to leave. If you’re looking for something that makes you think of an early 2000’s kids Halloween movie, I suggest you pick this one up.
This book has taken me way too long to finish. It is what it says it is. This book follows the explorations of life through the eyes of a gentleman in a Russian society that no longer accepts the ways of the aristocrats. It’s very slow moving and nothing gripping has happened yet for me to pick up my reading pace. The whole plot of the book so far is about an aristocratic Russian man who’s imprisoned in a giant hotel in Moscow. We get to see him find a new routine and discover new people, ways of life, and other realizations. I’m not too bothered by the fact that I’ve been reading this book since last November/December because it’s just one of those books that’s going to take me forever to read and digest. It’s dense in the kind of way that there’s so many discussions of life and other existentially deep topics hidden in simple mundane things as him deciding which wine to drink with his soup or which wine goes better with duck. I don’t want to breeze myself through the plot and miss anything.
I first heard this book from Riley over on YouTube and instantly added it on the list of to buy’s. Riley’s reading taste is the only one I mostly mesh with. I don’t read all the kind of books she reads but I learn about new releases and some hidden gems from her that tend to often become some of my favorites. For example, “The Bridge Kingdom” series, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, and more. I think the reason why I find myself going back to her for recommendations is because of the weird cross section of stuff that I would like and things that are completely out of my reading experience/comfort zone.
This book specifically fell on my radar because it’s based heavily on Pre-Columbian civilizations and involves a ton of queer representation. I remember hearing from her review/recommendation that this book has one of the most interesting crew of characters I’ve read about in a long time including a crow god who doesn’t have eyes, a pirate, and a priestess. Personally to me, that sounds like a cast of characters who will make the most interesting plot. Other than my knowledge of the characters, I had no other expectations going into the story.
Seventy pages in, I’m not entirely amazed. The prologue of this book was hands down, amazing. It started off so strong, chilling, and gripping. You have some sense of what’s going on but at the same time, you don’t. I feel the introductions of all the characters were done really well but after that, it’s been a bit slow. It feels as if the author has dive into the world right away and I haven’t had time to connect with the characters so when one of them is receiving death threats and is put in a multitude of tense situations, I don’t really care yet?
I know I’ve barely made a dent in this book so I can’t wait to read more of it.
What are some books you’re currently in the middle of?
I have the audiobook for Black Sun and started it but haven’t listened in awhile. I need to get back to it!
I hope you enjoy it!