Soooooo. 24 books. Yes. 24 books! The last couple months I’ve been reading 5 – 8 books a month and all audiobooks or graphic novels. So this is a significant different. I read 1 eBook, 2 physical books, 17 graphic novel/mangas & 4 audiobooks. And because every time I mention individual issues of graphic novels as single books read I get comments that I end up having to delete. I record my reads in the way I read them. So if I read it as an issue then I record it as a single read. If I read it as a volume then I record that as a single read. If I read two books in a bind up then I record it in a single read. Pretty simple but someone always seems to have an issue haha.
Physical & eBooks
Starting with the eBook, I read A Spindle Splintered. I picked this one up on a whim on Scribd. I’d seen good things about it and I like a good retelling. I was left a little underwhelmed with this one. I rated it 3.5 stars which is still a good rating but it wasn’t as stand out as it could be. The characters were pretty good & I enjoyed the diversity but the magic system was one of those things don’t have to make sense, it just is what it is situations which I’m not a fan of and the plot was just a little lackluster.
Next is Nothing More to Tell. Karen M. McManus books are always a good time and this one was no exception. I ended up rating it 4.5 stars. Not the best of hers I’ve read but not at the bottom of the pile either. This one left me guessing and had me on the edge of my seat. Super enjoyable YA mystery and always with a little drama.
Lastly for this format is Hotel Magnifique. This one gave off a similar vibe to Caraval by Stephanie Garber which I initially enjoyed but the series lost be at book 2. This one featured my favourite genre combo. Fantasy & Mystery. I enjoyed the characters, the world and the magic system of this one but what stopped it from being a 5 stars was that the plot dragged a bit in the middle and the the ending felt quite rushed.
Graphic Novels/Mangas
Let’s start with The Librarian of Auschwitz which is a graphic novel adaptation of the book featuring the same name by Antonio Itube. I have read that book but the writing style just wasn’t for me though the story intrigued me. So this graphic novel was perfect. The same story but a different way of telling it was exactly what I needed. I gave this 5 stars! While I can’t say it’s enjoyable as the story is horrific but the illustrations were amazing and it was an incredible adaptation. Highly recommended checking it out!
Next is Withlight. This one I didn’t know existed until it caught my eye at a book shop. I picked it up nearly straight away and it was pretty good. A solid 3.5 star graphic novel. I enjoyed the general story, the characters and the magic system. However I have never been a fan of the stockholm syndrome trope which this graphic novel is based on. That definitely took away some of the enjoyment.
Next we have a Manga, Alice in Borderland: Vol 1. which I only realised when searching google for the book cover that there is a TV show based on this one. Which I will definitely check out after I read the Mangas. I didn’t really know what to expect from this one. I’d seen it mentioned a heap and it’s always available in the Manga section at book stores. So I decided to finally pick up Vol 1 in a book store. I really enjoyed it and I’m very keen to get my hands on the other volumes to keep reading. The whole premises is just fascinating.
Lastly for this little group is Shadow of the Bird. This is a MG Fantasy and this is the sequel to book 1, The Girl & the Galdurian. I had a lot of fun with this serious. It’s just an easy, adventure filled fantasy graphic novel duology. Rated 4 stars and recommend checking it out if you need something a bit easier.
Now we have Vol 1 – 4 of Levius/est. This is a pretty intense Sci-Fi Manga series. I rated Vol 1 3.5 and that was a reread as I needed a bit of a refresh before continuing. Vol 2, 3 & 4 were all rated 4 stars. I’m yet to pick up Vol 5 but I will soon. I’ve been a little engrossed with my current read. This is definitely one of those books/series that I can’t really pinpoint what I like or don’t like but I know I’m having a good time reading it but it’s not blowing my socks off. I don’t really have any more explanation than that haha.
Next we have Issues 6 through 10 of Wynd. I really enjoy this series but I’m sad that Issues 11-15 aren’t out yet! August isn’t too far away though. This is a fun, action filled graphic novel series. I love these characters, they are just so precious and the world/magic system is very interesting.
Lastly for Graphic Novels we have Mamo #1-4. I’m yet to read Issue 5 of this one too and probably should sooner rather than later haha. This is a wholesome & fun adventure. I really enjoy these characters & I love the mystery and the plot.
Audiobook
You guys may know that I usually read more than 4 audiobooks a month but this month majority of my time was dedicated to two 800+ page books. I started The Priory of the Orange Tree on the 2nd of May & finished A Day of Fallen Night on the 26th. So, a good portion of the month. While I did really enjoy both of these books they definitely weren’t absolute favourites. I gave both books 4 starts though I think I enjoyed Priory a little more. I think it was the hype that killed these ones for me a little. As well as the length. It felt dragging at times and I don’t think I would have gotten through it if it wasn’t for the audiobook.
Beyond the Wand was another impromptu pick up for me. I was going onto Audible to spend some built up credits & it was in the suggested on the home page. Tom has always been an interesting one, so I thought why not. I did really enjoy this one too. It was really fascinating and I really enjoyed his ability to tell a story.
Lastly for the month is Legends and Lattes. I had no idea I was going to pick this up but I’m really glad I did. I ended up rating this one 5 stars. It’s just a cozy, wholesome story and I really enjoyed my time reading it. I love all the characters, they are al so damn precious.
Well that is all the books I read in May! Let me know what your favourite read from May was in the comments.
Dusk Angel Reads 
Oh adding Hotel Magnifique to my TBR because I felt similar about Caraval but didn’t end up getting to book 2. I’ve read Beyond The Wand and really enjoyed it. I do have to say I like the cover of Legends and Lattes you posted. I always see the other cover posted but like this one a lot.
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