Gavin > Recent Status Updates

Bought this back in 2017 or 2018 and finally getting to reading it. I’ve read a bunch of abduction fantasy/romance tales of late, and this is another in the same mould, but the draw of this one is the fact that it has the FMC abducting the MMC. I love a good trope reversal!

Start has been solid.

I’m going with the Graphic Audios for this Murderbot reread. Just getting myself up to speed again before I try the TV show when the final episode drops this Friday!

I’ve just spotted 10th Anniversary Editions of ACoTaR on Audible and I’m so tempted to buy them. Problem is I already have the original audios (with three different narrators over the course of series) AND the Graphic Audios. The new ones are all narrated by Elizabeth Evans.

I like this series but have not read anything from it since book 3.5 way back in 2018. I feel like Eve being tempted by that Apple!

Still plodding my way through this one. I’ll make it to the end but I’m probably pulling the plug on the series at that point. Which is annoying since I already own the third book!

Stalling a bit on this series. It is not awful just a bit…dull. I’ll try to make it to the end of this book but I doubt I’ll pick up the third one. Which is a bit annoying since I bought the second and third book in a deal!

Jumping through a lot of hoops but I’ve finally managed to get the ebook of this one plugged into an AI app so I can listen to it. The quality is a long way short of professional narration but probably an upgrade on Alexa, which is my normal go-to way to listen to books without audio.

Been ages since I last read my old favourite Paradise. It is definitely feeling a tad more dated nowadays.

I’ve stalled a bit in my Iron Flame read so I’m picking the one up to see if something different can spark me into reading a bit more. Weird thing is I tend to enjoy Iron Flame while I’m reading it but seem to avoid picking it up.

I’m off to a good start with this one. Feels like Ana Huang-Lite!

Started well but is losing a little steam a this stage of the story. Hopefully it picks up and finishes strong as this has been a solid enough YA fantasy tale.

I know Frisha drives some readers to despair but rereading this one has reminded me of just how much I love the weird Rez/Frisha romance. I think it is half the reason why I love the first couple of books in the series so much.

I’d love to find and actual romance book with a similarly weird character dynamic but one that actually delivers a satisfying payoff!

Bit of a boring start to this one. Hopefully things pick up!

Been a while since I’ve done a regular apocalypse tale and this one is of the old school zombiepocalypse variety!

So far so good in the opening stages.

I’m really enjoying this one. It is providing the perfect balance of racy romantasy that we got in the last two books of the original trilogy and the darker murder/mystery and creepy horror vibes of the first book.

I’m also enjoying how Camilla has a few secrets of her own and how she is definitely keeping Envy on his toes!

I’m already fully sucked back into this world after taking a short break to read a few Fionavar books.

I was initially a little worried about Camilla as a lead. A human character felt a tad dull after we got introduced to all the demons and supernaturals in the last few books of the initial trilogy but, happily, I’ve warmed to her quickly. Hopefully she keeps Envy on his toes!

Just when I thought the Jennifer story arc could not get any worse it not only proves me wrong but does so right out of the gate!

I’m 5% in and already regretting my decision to give this second book in the series a chance.

I’ll press on because I recall liking Tigana and Song For Arbonne back in the day but I’m pulling the plug on the spot if there is any more magic inspired sexual torture.

I’m only averaging a single traditionally published epic fantasy series of the old school variety in each of the last few years so hopefully the Fionavar Trilogy works out better for me than my failed attempt with David Drake’s Lord of the Isles series did last year.

The bad news is I’m not really feeling it so far. Pretty writing but the content is fairly soulless and I’m feeling detached and a tad bored.

I wish I was enjoying this more as while cozy fantasy LitRPG romcom is definitely a bit niche it should absolutely be my particular niche!!!

Ugh…it is just not working for me and I so wish it was because the premise is really fun.

My run of average reads is not over yet it seems :(

I never did get to this final book in the trilogy back in 2017 (only ‘cause it was not published at the time) so I’m super excited to see how the final books wraps up this crazy story. Especially after the crazy twists towards the end of the second book.

I’ve no idea why this YA sci-fi series with its crazy twists and turns and fun characters never ended up being more popular!

This is still one of my favourite YA series. Always felt like it was a real pity it never ended up being as popular as most of my other favourites in the genre.

Such a fun action sci-fi with plenty of twists and turns and great characters!

I was 50/50 on pushing on with this second instalment after the first was a bit of a letdown but the thing that has tipped me over to giving this series a second go to hook me is the fact that it is included in the Audible Plus catalog so I don’t actually have to risk any cash in case I decide to DNF early.

Honestly about time I got some use out of Audible Plus!

I’ve decided to restart another epic fantasy series from my early fantasy years. I’m not sure I ever finished this series the first time around. I’m about 50/50 with series from my teen years.

The bad news is I’ve been struggling a bit in the early stages. This has been a bit dull and the writing is more confusing than engaging. Seems to be picking up a bit now but I’m not sure it is ever going to be great.

Starting my first traditionally published YA series in nearly a year! I’m deep down the well on indie stuff over the last few years. This seems a safe bet to help pull me back to the mainstream as I’ve had it laying around for years after enjoying Amy Tintera’s earlier duology.

I’m jumping on this crazy isekai romcom as I’m trying to take advantage of my Spotify audiobook hours for the very first time. I needed something short as I’ve only got a few days left to make use of the hours. If it works out I can listen to the next book with next months hours!

So far it has been weird but OK.

Oof…that cliffhanger finale was a real gut punch!

I know this series has always been as much survival sci-fi as alien romance but I was definitely not ready for the type of shock ending I’ve not encountered since my days reading the Red Rising series!

Going with the Graphic Audio versions of this series as they are usually a pretty great audio experience.

Hope this is as fun as the Kate Daniels series!

I loved the Joe Pickett TV show so hopefully I feel the same about the books!

The last book in this series was an absolute disaster of epic proportions but I’d already bought this one beforehand so I may as well give it a go.

The thing giving me a bit of hope is the fact this is a prequel so it should avoid all the Blood Cull nonsense that has effectively ruined the main series.

This has been great so far. I’m loving the Hellish setting! It is even more fun than magic Vegas.

I cannot believe it has been 5 years since I last read any Harmony Black! I always meant to take a bit of a break thanks to the change of audio narrator and the switch from first to third person narrative but 5 years was way longer than I had planned!

I’m looking forward to diving back into my favourite UF world!

I’m not enjoying this one as much as the previous instalment of the series. I think the novelty of the premise has worn off and I’m not sure the story or characters are managing to carry the tale on their own!

I’ll finish but I’ll probably not bother to read the final book in the trilogy.