I think since I’m in London now and surrounded all the time by books and book talk, it’s hard for me to believe that I’ve only had time to finish three books. I half-re-read Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman in anticipation of an amazing talk she did for the debut of her memoir, Just Sayin’. I also listened to half of Stephen King’s The Gunslinger, which I’ll probably finish in November. If anyone has good audiobook recommendations I’m all ears! (lol)
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adayemi
In my case, this book fell victim to too much hype. Few books have I felt so guaranteed to like; fewer still have lived up to that kind of expectation. While I like each of the elements of this novel in principle, the execution stumbles enough that the concept itself doesn’t quite save it. I would still recommend this to genuine young adult readers who love adventure and fantasy.
Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang
There’s a new dark academia tour de force on the block. But she’s not like other dark academia; but for possessing the common tropes that make a novel dark academia, Babel is the boldest indictment of the evils of English academia I’ve read to date. That’s what I realize I was waiting for, through The Secret History, If We Were Villains, The Atlas Six, and even Legendborn: violence.
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
I am still reeling from finishing this entire book in two days. I’m not going to give it five stars yet because I still don’t entirely understand Atlas’ deal, and I think we’re supposed to. Or what Blake actually means by the Atlas Paradox and destiny in general throughout the book.
But the interpersonal shenanigans. WHEW. I am blown away. I love existing in Blake’s characters’ heads…maybe more than anyone’s??
ejstories 