Monday, May 31, 2021

May Wrap-Up

Hello, all!

Can you believe we're already halfway through the year? May was definitely my best reading month so far in terms of enjoyment. I picked up a ton of really good books this month, so here's hoping that continues!




Audio:

-The Deep- Alma Katsu; 2/5
-The Hollow Places- T. Kingfisher; 3/5
-True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee- Abraham Riesman; 3/5
-The Real Deal- Lauren Blakely; 4.5/5
-The Silence of the Girls- Pat Barker; 4/5
-Last Chance Books- Kelsey Rodkey; 2/5
-Luck of the Titanic- Stacey Lee; 3/5

Digital:

-To Sir, With Love- Lauren Layne; 4/5
- Book of Secrets- Claudia Blood; 3/5
-Daughter of Sparta- Claire M. Andrews; 3.5/5
-Talk Bookish to Me- Kate Bromley; 2/5
-The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels- India Holton; 5/5
-Wendy, Darling- A.C. Wise; 3/5
-It Happened One Summer- Tessa Bailey; 5/5
-The Maidens- Alex Michaelides; 4/5

Physical:

-The Temporary Roomie- Sarah Adams; 4/5
-Rule of Wolves- Leigh Bardugo; 4/5
-Chasing Cassandra- Lisa Kleypas; 4/5
-Cold-Hearted Rake- Lisa Kleypas; 3/5
-Any Duchess Will Do- Tessa Dare; 3/5
-A Week to Be Wicked- Tessa Dare; 4/5
-We Can't Keep Meeting Like This- Rachel Lynn Solomon; 3/5
-The Nature of Witches- Rachel Griffin; 3.5/5
-Marrying Winterborne- Lisa Kleypas; 3/5

Some favorites were: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, It Happened One Summer, and The Real Deal. Some least favorites were: Talk Bookish to Me, The Deep and Last Chance Books.

What was your favorite/least favorite read this month?

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Currently...

Hello, all!

Time for a round-up of some favorites! Let me know some of yours!

Listening to:


SOUR- Olivia Rodrigo: I gave this a listen since everyone was raving about it, and wow, I get the hype. It feels very angsty-early 2000s and I'm into it. A lot of the songs are so catchy, but I find myself going back to: "brutal", "1 step forward, 3 steps back", "deja vu", and "good 4 u".

Hello, Exile- The Menzingers: Now that the weather is starting to turn warmer, I just want all the pop-punk all the time. That’s usually my genre of choice so I listen to it all the time, but something about nicer weather just makes me want to blast it all day long and this album has been my go-to.

“Beginning Middle End”- Leah Nobel: I’m not even kidding when I say this has been stuck in my head ever since watching the last To All the Boys movie. It’s so unbelievably catchy and adorable.

Watching:



The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: To be honest, it took me a little while to get into this, but once I did I ended up enjoying it. It was a lot more action-packed and serious than I was expecting, but I loved how they balanced it with Sam and Bucky’s hilarious banter. They have such a fun dynamic and I really hope we get more of them going forward.

Shadow and Bone: Oh goodness, did I love this. I was a little wary only because the Shadow and Bone series isn’t my favorite of Bardugo’s books, but this was such a great adaptation. The casting was perfect and all the little tweaks and changes they made still felt true to the story. I also liked Mal which was the most surprising bit of all since the book Mal is garbage. I need more, especially of my Crow babies, ASAP.

The Good Place: I watched the first season of this when it was on TV, but for whatever reason I stopped and what a fool past Heather was. This is so funny and I can’t help but feel like Chidi and I are one.

Misc.:



DW Home Candles: Hello, my name is Heather and I’m a candle addict. I can’t help myself when it comes to candles and I tried so hard not to give in to the Facebook ads I kept getting from this brand, but my resolve only lasts so long. I love sweeter scents and lemme tell you, these are fan-tastic. They smell so good that I almost don’t want to burn them. There’s such a variety on the website too, so there’s a scent for everyone. If you’re a candle lover like me, check them out!

Lore Olympus: Why did it take me so long to read this webtoon?! I’m obsessed. I’ve already re-read the entire thing twice. It’s my new little tradition to read the newest episode once it’s released on Sundays. I also just found out that the first volume is being released in October, so you better believe I pre-ordered it!

Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Podcast: Let’s keep it going with Greek mythology! I’ve really been embracing my mythology love this year and going full-throttle. I’m not really a fan of podcasts, but I figured I’d give this one a shot when I saw it on Spotify and I was hooked from the first episode. Liv Albert has this way of explaining the ins and outs of the gods and all their messy habits in a way that is both hilarious, honest, and educational. If you like podcasts and history, I’d recommend it!

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

May OwlCrate Review

Hello, all!

The theme for this month was "Expect the Unexpected."


I'm a sticker addict, so I'm pumped on this vinyl sticker inspired by The Gilded Wolves designed by Lion in the Trees. 



Like stickers, I'm also a bookmark addict and believe one can never have enough. This double-sided one was designed by Pixel & Ink Creative and has quotes from Scythe and The Fifth Season.





Then we had the next installment in the Darker Shade of Magic metal tin collection. The first one was for Red London, and now we have Grey London. I think I like this one slightly more than the first one we got because I just enjoy this design scheme better.


I was really excited when they mentioned there was going to be a Grishaverse item in this months box, and I'm a liiittle let down. This is a Rule of Wolves inspired scarf designed by Out of Print, but it's so small I'd like to see who's neck it could fit. The design is kinda cool, but not for me.



Usually, book boxes always go for canvas tote bags, so I was surprised to pull out this corduroy bag designed by Studio Kyra Calligraphy. The quote is based on Obsidio which is cool because the Illuminae Files is one of my favorite sci-fi series. It's pretty roomy too, so I think I'll get a lot of use out of this.



The book this month was The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He. This is a dystopian book said to be a twisty mix between Black Mirror and Studio Ghibli following two sisters. Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years with no recollection of how she got there, only memories of a sister that she's determined to get back to. Kasey is a sixteen-year-old STEM prodigy who has given up all hope of her sister ever being found, but still retraces her last steps to determine once and for all what happened. Both sisters harbor dark secrets they'll have to face if they hope to finally get back to one another.

Let me know what you all thought of this months box!

Friday, May 21, 2021

Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 4-13-21
YA - Thriller

The Mary Shelley Club- Goldy Moldavsky: After surviving a home invasion, Rachel Chavez is hoping to start fresh at Manhattan Prep. When she's dragged to a party, she witnesses a prank and discovers a secret society of students that pull off elaborate hoaxes inspired by horror movie tropes. Desperate to be included, Rachel is overjoyed when she's recruited into the elusive Mary Shelley Club, and relishes in the power of pranking her unsuspecting classmates. By playing into the fears of her classmates, Rachel finds she's finally able to bury some of the memories that haunt her every day since her attack. But when these jokes turn deadly, Rachel must confront her past and uncover who the true murderer is before she becomes their next target.

This is said to be a mix of Gossip Girl and Scream and I'd say that's a decent comparison. It did have me going into this thinking it was going to have more of a slasher vibe when it was more of a psychological thriller. That's not to say it was bad, it just wasn't necessarily what I was hoping for. The premise was still cool and had a lot going for it, but just felt watered down in some places. There wasn't anything about the pranks that was scary, but they did all bring about a sense of unease that grew throughout the whole thing, which I appreciated. I also liked how you got to see the pranks through the eyes of the victim rather than the club members. The characters were entertaining enough, and you could tell that Moldavsky was gunning to have Rachel come across as the stereotypical Final Girl. If you're familiar with Scream then you'll also probably be able to guess the big reveal, but despite figuring out what was coming, I did still like how it ended, even though I thought some things were left ambiguous. While it wasn't the best thriller I've ever read, I'd still recommend it just for the horror movie references alone.

Rating: 3/5

Pub Date: 4-6-21
YA - Historical Mystery

Pride and Premeditation- Tirzah Price: Lizzie Bennett is an aspiring lawyer who no one takes seriously due to her being a female. When a murder rocks London's high society, Lizzie jumps at the chance to prove her worth and show her father that she deserves a spot at his law firm. While digging for clues to prove that Mr. Charles Bingley has been wrongfully accused, Lizzie crosses paths with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the broody heir of the prestigious firm, Pemberley Associates. As a close friend to Bingley, Darcy refuses to let some random person help him, but Lizzie is relentless. The pair begrudgingly combine their efforts and soon discover there are darker motives at play. Lizzie can't help but feel a thrill at finally living her dreams-- not to mention, being around Darcy-- but when she finds her life is threatened, she'll have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

I've read a ton of Pride and Prejudice reimagining's, but this one managed to feel so fresh and unique. Lizzie is known for being a strong-willed character and that translated so well into her being this fierce force determined to do anything to solve a murder. I think Price did a great job at keeping the core values everyone loves about Lizzie Bennett but making her feel new. The other characters also fit so well into this new world and it was fun to read and try to solve the mystery alongside Lizzie. The pacing was good and there were so many twists that I was intrigued the entire time. I also enjoyed how Price including little callbacks to the original story. My only slight complaint was that I wish there was a little more romance between Lizzie and Darcy, but other than that this was very entertaining and I'm interested to see where the series goes from here.

Rating: 4/5

Pub Date: 4-6-21
Adult - Historical Romance


The Duke Undone- Joanna Lowell: While on her way to class at the Royal Academy, painter Lucy Coover stumbles upon a drunken man passed out naked in an alleyway. Not wanting to leave this poor man, Lucy covers him up and gets help before rushing off. Unable to get the vision of the man's naked form out of her mind, Lucy paints him in very vivid detail. When it's discovered that the man was the Duke of Weston, Lucy's life is turned upside down. As a second son, Anthony Philby was looking forward to getting away from his family's sordid history and striking out on his own. But when his brother dies, Anthony is left to inherit everything...with a few stipulations. If Anthony falls into any scandal, he can kiss his independence goodbye. Needless to say, Anthony does not need a naked painting of him circulating high society. When Anthony confronts Lucy, the pair agree: Anthony will help Lucy save her home, if she helps him find his sister, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. As the pair work together, neither can deny the feelings brewing but with mysteries swirling around them, is it worth the risk?

This was not at all how I expected it to be. I went in thinking it'd be a fun historical romp about a woman accidentally painting a nude duke, and while that was a sliver of the overall plot, it was more of a family drama/mystery. There were so many things happening at once: from Lucy trying to save her building from being condemned to Anthony trying to gain his inheritance and find his missing sister that it made the story feel muddled. I think if Lowell had just picked one plot point to focus on it would've made this much more enjoyable and less of a mess. The writing itself was also bland, and the banter and chemistry between the pair felt very forced. There were a few moments that I thought were sweet, but overall, this just didn't do it for me.

Rating: 2/5

Book of Secrets- Claudia Blood (Pub Date: 5-15-21): Joshua Lighthouse never wanted to be a hero, but when the Earth he knows undergoes a dangerous Merge with the magical world of Myth, he finds he has no choice. Those who survived the Merge formed into factions-- human and the Others. Joshua leads the Human Protection Agency, which tries to keep the peace and maintain the safety of all humans in the city. If that wasn't enough, Joshua is also tasked with keeping the legendary Book of Secrets from falling into the wrong hands. With the anniversary of the Merge creeping closer, Joshua finds his life once again turned upside down when the book is stolen. He's betrayed by those closest to him and a bounty placed on his head. Now, Joshua is on the run from the same organization he spent his life serving and is thrust into a race against time to prevent an all-out inter-species war that would effectively end all life as they know it.

This had a few things going for it that I liked: 1. I enjoyed the premise of earth colliding with this other world and how the remaining humans have to learn how to coexist with all these different life forms. 2. The diverse cast of creatures you come across. Some I'd never heard of in fantasy before such as lizardfolk or death kitties (some bat-porcupine hybrid which sounds like it'd either be cute or terrifying to look at). The writing is very easy to digest and I did fly through, however, some bits felt too wordy and repetitive which made it feel clunky. The character themselves were fine, but I would've liked to have seen a little more depth to them because they occasionally felt a tad one-note. I think if you tend to lean more towards urban fantasy but you want just a sprinkle of sci-fi on the side then this would be a good one to pick up.

Rating: 3/5

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Blog Tour: Talk Bookish to Me Review

Hello, all!

Big thanks to Graydon House for having me as part of the blog tour for Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley!

Pub Date: 5-25-21
Adult - Contemporary

Kara Sullivan is a whiz when it comes to relationships, just not her own. As a bestselling romance author, Kara can churn out swoon-worthy moments at the drop of a hat, but not so much when it comes to real life. With the stress of her best friend's upcoming wedding and the deadline for her latest novel looming (the one where she has yet to write anything), the last thing Kara needed was to be blindsided by the fact her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Thompson, also happens to be in the wedding party. The unexpected arrival of her first love, and first heartbreak, throws Kara for a loop but it also sparks a fire in her and she's finally able to write for the first time in weeks. 

As much as Kara doesn't want to admit it, Ryan has become her muse and if she wants to finish her newest historical romance before the deadline, she needs him around. After a mishap gets Ryan and his dog kicked out of a fancy hotel, Kara offers up her apartment as a way to keep her creative juices flowing. Ryan reluctantly agrees and soon the pair are sharing the same space after ten years apart and it seems like the feelings they shared never truly went away for either of them. Sure, Kara's writing has never been better, but when all the heartache and pain she's kept bottled up comes bubbling to the surface, is it worth it?

This had all the key phrases that catch my attention. Bookish main character? Check. Second chance romance with a sprinkling of enemies-to-lovers? Check. The main guy has a dog? Sign me up. But, unfortunately, this missed the mark on every level. Aside from a few funny banter bits, the writing felt stiff and some of the character interactions almost felt unnatural. Kara and Ryan never popped as main characters, and if I'm being completely honest, half the time I was trying to remember their names because they made that little of an impact on me. I do know that Ryan owned an overweight Celine Dion obsessed bulldog, though, because that was my favorite part of the whole thing. The pair just lacked any sort of chemistry or sexual tension. My tea kettle gives off more steam than their relationship. Even the dramatic bits felt flat and bland. The one thing I did enjoy was reading the parts of the novel that Kara was writing. I would've much preferred to read that story than this one. I really wanted to love this, but sadly, it was just full of lackluster characters and a forgettable plot.

Rating: 2/5

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Soulmate Equation Review

Hello, all!

Whenever I see a new Christina Lauren book on Netgalley, I can't hit the request button fast enough. Big thanks to them for the copy of The Soulmate Equation!

Pub Date: 5-18-21
Adult - Contemporary

Jess Davis is a single mother who would rather spend her free time crunching numbers than going on dates. Numbers and data are dependable, unlike most people in Jess's life. When she was younger, her hard-partying mother was never in the picture, so Jess was raised by her grandparents-- who now help Jess raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno. Jess knows what it feels like to be left behind, and she refuses to let anyone disrupt the careful balance she's created. But as happy and content as she is, she still gets lonely.

When Jess learns about a new matchmaking company called GeneticAlly which can determine your soulmate based on your DNA, she's hesitant, to say the least. After some prodding from her best friend, Jess sends in her sample not expecting to be matched with the founder of the company, Dr. River Pena at an unheard of 98%. Jess can't wrap her head around the situation, especially since River is the same broody quiet man who frequents the same coffee shop as her every morning. To prove the data GeneticAlly proposes an experiment: they'll pay Jess to spend time getting to know River. Despite her skepticism, Jess is in no position to turn down their offer, and as the pair grow closer, neither can deny that science might be on to something.

I'm such a sucker for CLo books and this was no exception. It's just so effortless to fall into their stories and every character always feels relatable in some way. I loved how nerdy both Jess and River were and how they connected over data and numbers. It was so cute watching their relationship develop and I thought they balanced each other out very well. River also had that shy quality that I find so endearing in love interests. I also loved the family dynamic between Jess, her daughter, and her grandparents. Her daughter was especially adorable and had me smiling the whole time. My only slight critique was that a lot of the statistical information went over my head because I don't have a numbers brain, but I can appreciate just how much research went into making sure all the science was correct. Aside from that, I thought this was highly enjoyable.

Rating: 4/5

Friday, May 14, 2021

Second First Impressions Review

Hello, all!

One of my favorite contemporaries is The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, so whenever I see she's coming out with a new book, it automatically goes on my TBR. I've been looking forward to her newest release, Second First Impressions, since last year and I'm so happy to say it was definitely worth the wait.

Pub Date: 4-13-21
Adult - Contemporary


Ruthie Midona is twenty-five years old going on a hundred. She's always felt more comfortable surrounded by the elderly, which is perfect since she works at a retirement villa, and caring for the endangered tortoises that roam the property. Ruthie has never felt confident in herself and when she runs into a handsome tattooed guy at the gas station who mistakes her for an old woman, she's mortified and her embarrassment only increases when she finds out he's the son of the new property developer and her new neighbor.

Teddy Prescott is a bit of a mess. An aspiring tattoo artist who doesn't take life too seriously, something that frustrates his straight-laced business-minded father to no end. When Teddy runs out of couches to crash on, his father takes the opportunity to teach Teddy how to grow up. He'll let Teddy live in one of the on-site apartments in the retirement home as long as he earns his keep. Thinking he'll just change a few lightbulbs, Teddy agrees, but Ruthie has plans of her own to get back at him. Two of the villa's most eccentric residents have placed an ad for yet another assistant to torment with their outlandish requests, and Ruthie knows it'll be the fastest way to get Teddy to cut and run. But what she didn't plan on was how Teddy could give as good as he gets, or how his endless charm would break through all her safety walls.

I can't get over how sweet this was! I was hooked right from the start and a lot of that has to do with the characters. Ruthie was so kind and willing to go above and beyond for everyone. There were times where I wished she stood up for herself a little more, but for the most part, I felt she was so relatable. Teddy is that specific breed of man-child who coasts through life on his charm alone and dang, if I didn't buy right into it. I couldn't get enough of him trying so hard to get Ruthie to crack and their flirty banter was everything. My favorite part though was the Parlonis, especially Renata. She had me cracking up every time she opened her mouth. On the surface, this just seems like a fun slow-burn opposites attract romance, but as the story goes on, there's this underlying sense of tenderness and personal growth that takes it to a whole other level. Were there bits that felt too convenient or a little cheesy? Of course, but I still loved every minute.

Rating: 4/5

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

People We Meet on Vacation Review

Hello, all!

I fell in love with Emily Henry's writing last year after reading Beach Read (review here), so it was a no brainer that I'd pick up her latest release, People We Meet on Vacation. Not only did I love it, but it also completely solidified her as a new auto-buy author for me.

Pub Date: 5-11-21
Adult - Contemporary

Ever since meeting their freshman year of college, it’s always been Poppy and Alex. The pair could not be more different: Poppy is loud and a little obnoxious, Alex likes to read books at bars and owns multiple pairs of khakis. But since sharing a car ride home for summer break, they’ve been inseparable. Now, as adults they spend most of their time living far apart—Poppy in New York City where she writes for a travel magazine, and Alex in their small Ohio hometown teaching high school English—usually only getting together every summer for one adventure-filled week of vacation. That is, until two years ago when they ruined everything.

Poppy has everything she could ever want, and yet, she’s stuck in a rut. When asked when the last time she was truly happy, Poppy knows immediately that it was when she was with Alex. Sucking up her pride, she reaches out to her ex-best friend hoping she can convince him into taking one last trip with her. To her shock, Alex agrees. With so much riding on this vacation, and things going wrong left and right, Poppy only has one week to lay all her cards on the table and hopefully win Alex back. Can the pair ignore the elephant in the room and go back to how they used to be? Or is it possible they were always meant to be more?

Can I just live in an Emily Henry book? She has a way of making me fall for her characters right from the very first page. Poppy and Alex are so different but they work so well together. Poppy is colorful and Alex has this nerdy grandpa vibe that I adored. I think he might be my new book boyfriend. Their banter is hilarious and their interactions had me smiling the entire time. I loved how this is told in both the present day and also in flashbacks to their past vacations. You get to see how their friendship evolved over the years and just what transpired that caused them to get to where they are at the beginning of the story. Even though there’s your typical rom-com drama, overall, this was so lighthearted and fun. If you’re a fan of When Harry Met Sally, I think this would be perfect for you.

Rating: 5/5

Monday, May 10, 2021

Book Haul

Hello, all!

I've made it a point this year to buy less books, and I'm proud to say I've been sticking to that. (Although, there maybe another one of these coming soon because I've recently become obsessed with ThriftBooks 😬). These are what I've either picked up, been gifted, or sent by publishers in the last few months. As always, any recommendations, let me know!


1. A Murderous Relation- Deanna Raybourn
2. The Nature of Witches- Rachel Griffin
3. The Nightingale- Kristin Hannah
4. Ariadne- Jennifer Saint
5. The Ladies of the Secret Circus- Constance Sayers
6. The Witch's Heart- Genevieve Gornichec
7. Rule of Wolves- Leigh Bardugo
8. A Court of Silver Flames- Sarah J. Maas
9. 84, Charing Cross Road- Helene Hanff
10. Witch Hate Atelier, Vol. 7
11. Athena's Child- Hannah Lynn
12. Twice Shy- Sarah Hogle
13. How to Fail at Flirting- Denise Williams
14. Enjoy the View- Sarah Morgenthaler
15. We Can't Keep Meeting Like This- Rachel Lynn Solomon
16. To Have and to Hoax- Martha Waters
17. Pride and Premediation- Tirzah Price

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Blog Tour: Ariadne Review

Hello, all!

One of my most anticipated releases for this year was Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, and I'm going to be real honest with you, when I was asked to be a part of the blog tour for it, I went full on Elaine Benes level excited. So a massive thank you to Flatiron Books for having me!

Pub Date: 5-4-21
Adult - Fantasy

Ariadne and her sister Phaedra are Princesses of Crete and have spent their lives living with monsters. Their father, King Minos, is cruel and feared throughout the lands, but it's nothing compared to the beast that lurks just below their feet. In a labyrinth far below the ground, prowls the Minotaur-- Ariadne's brother who has spent years locked up for being born half man-half bull. Minos uses the Minotaur's bloodlust as a means of getting back at the people of Athens for killing another of his sons by having them send a ship of sacrifices every year. Ariadne has never taken part in the savagery, but everything changes when she meets Theseus, the Prince of Athens and the beast's newest sacrifice.

Ariadne is immediately taken by Theseus and is willing to do whatever it takes to help him kill the Minotaur, even if that means betraying her family and people. In exchange for her help, Theseus promises that he will take her back to Athens with him where they'll be wed. During their escape from Crete, they stop at an island for shelter but Ariadne wakes the next morning to find she's been abandoned. Stuck on a remote island with barely any food or water, Ariadne resigns herself to her fate but is saved and taken in by the god, Dionysus. As the pair grow closer, Ariadne can't help but wonder: is she finally getting the happy ending that was promised or will she just be a pawn in another man's quest for power?

I have one word for this debut novel and that is stunning. Saint's writing is beautiful and captivating. She expertly weaves together this tapestry combining family, duty, love, betrayal, and reclaiming a woman's worth. Often in mythology, women are the silent victims always having to pay for the sins of the men around them, and Saint gives these women a voice and an outlet for their stories to be told. I loved how you got perspectives from both Ariadne and her sister Phaedra because they were both betrayed in different ways by the same man, and you can see how that shaped them into the women they became. They both show how resilient women can be. There are so many little nuances that Saint embeds throughout that just really made the story come alive. My only slight critique is that there were moments I wish were fleshed out a little more, such as the infatuation between Ariadne and Theseus, just so the full impact could be felt. Other than that, I thought this was heartbreaking in the best possible way.

Rating: 4.5/5

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Top 5: Star Wars Books

Hello, all and May the Fourth Be With You!

I'm sure you all know by now how I adore Star Wars. It was the first big fandom I was ever a part of and it's been a major part of my life since I was five-years old. I was always known throughout school as "the Star Wars girl" and it's a label I'm still proud to rep. As I got older, I started getting more into the expanded universe and so for this Top 5, I figured I'd share some of my favorite Star Wars books. 


1. Heir to the Empire Series- Timothy Zahn: This was my first foray into the expanded universe and still my favorite. I adore Zahn's writing and this series introduced one of my all-time favorite characters: Grand Admiral Thrawn. 



2. Leia: Princess of Alderaan- Claudia Gray: This follows a sixteen-year old Leia as she trains and studies to become the heir to Alderaan. It's such a fun look at how she came to be the political, sassy, and calculating badass we all know and love.


3. Queen's Shadow- E.K. Johnston: I know the prequel movies get a lot of hate, but they blessed us with Padmé Amidala, and then Johnston took her story to a whole other level. This follows Padmé after stepping down from Queen and taking up a position on the Galatic Senate. It gives you such an unique perspective on the events of the prequel movies, and I loved seeing more from her and especially how she interacted with her handmaidens. (Also, the follow up Queen's Peril is great, too!)


4. Doctor Aphra- Sarah Kuhn: This is a recent release and it was so fun. Doctor Aphra is a fairly newer character introduced in the comics that I immediately fell in love with (she kinda has this if-Indiana Jones-was-morally-corrupt vibe that I dig, and she has these murder bots that are hilarious). This is a solid read for those who might not be as familiar with her.


5. Death Troopers- Joe Schreiber: The thing I liked most about this one was how unexpected it was. Usually, Star Wars books are very sci-fi heavy but this has more of a horror vibe which was cool. It follows an Imperial prison barge that breaks down and its only hope is an abandoned Star Destroyer floating nearby. But when a boarding party is sent over to investigate, they find a lethal disease that starts picking them off one-by-one. The writing wasn't my favorite, but I appreciated how it tried to do something different.

Let me know some of your favorites!