July 2022 Reading Wrap Up ~ Book Notes by Athina

Hello everyone!!

Well, July is over so what better thing to do than a reading wrap up. In this month I read 9 books, of which 4 were physical books, 2 audiobooks and the rest were ebooks.

I also had two 5-Star reads and many 4-Star ones.

Let's start...

A Song Among the Silence (The Rythmist Cycle #1) by Julie Janis

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the world - building and I found the magic system very interesting and unique. I really liked the story and I loved the plot twists and tensions.

I liked our main characters, Kota and Derrick and their character development and relationship dynamics. I am also curious to see what will happen to the "villain" of our story Killian. Alfi of course was my favourite of all.

Rating: 4 Stars

Check out my review here

I received an ebook by the author

Η Θαυμαστή Ιστορία του Ανθρώπου από την Αρχή by Gianni Rodari (Original title: La storia degli uomini / The Magnificent history of the man from the beginning)

In this book Gianni Rodari tells the story of humanity from the beginning until around the middle of the 20th century. It reads like a fairytale and it's written in a way everyone can read it despite their level of knowledge.

I really enjoyed reading it and I believe that it will be great for middle grade children

Rating: 4 Stars

I read the Greek translation but I don't know if there is a translation in English. I couldn't find one.

Book Of Night (Book of Night #1) by Holly Black

This is Holly Black's adult debut and it is a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies.

My feelings are mixed for this book. I liked the writing style and I found the magic system interesting but a little complicated. I also really liked the plot twists towards the end.

However, I didn't like the pacing of the book and I couldn't connect with the characters.

Rating: 3 Stars

Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy by Kate Heartfield

The war between Assassins and Templars wreaks havoc in the Victorian era, in this breakneck thriller which opens up a whole new chapter of the Assassin’s Creed universe and of course I really enjoyed reading it as it's full of the rivalries between Assassin's and Templars.

I liked the storyline and the writing but I would prefer it to be more action packed. It seems that all the action happened towards the end. However I really liked how we got to the ending and the plot twists.

Rating: 4 Stars

Check out my review here

Expected Publication: August 2nd

I received an eARC from Netgalley & the publisher

The River of Silver : Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy by S. A. Chakraborty

I loved this collection of stories and deleted scenes from the Daevabad trilogy. It was everything that I wanted from my favourite characters. It was really good to be back in this magical world. It is a beautiful collection and it perfectly compliments the main trilogy.

Rating: 5 Stars

This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1) by Emily Thiede

I wasn't expecting to like this one but I loved it. Thanks to the #btww girls that picked this book for our monthly read I found a new favourite book.

This book has strong main characters, slow-burn romance and an interesting magic system.

Rating: 5 Stars

The Valkyrie's Daughter ( The Helheim Prophecy #1) by Tiana Warner

It is a thrilling, intricate, and romantic #OwnVoices LGBTQ fantasy that builds on Norse mythology into a beautiful story all its own.

Lately I really enjoy reading Viking / Norse mythology inspired books and this one was no exception.

I liked the writing style and I loved the story. There is an LGBTQ+ slow burn romance in the book that was perfectly done. I also really liked how the relationship between Sigrid and Mariam evolved as well as the friendship dynamics between Sigrid, Mariam and Fisk.

Rating: 4 Stars

Check out my review here

I received an eARC from Netgalley & the publisher