This week I have decided to combine the April wrap-up and the Top 10 Tuesday topic of books I recently read. It was a busy month, unlike March, with many hits and misses.
Books
Earlier, I had posted about Mythothon #4, which is all about using Arthurian prompts to tackle the TBR. My progress exceeded expectations too! Here’s a sum-up:
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson put me in the Morgan le Fay Team — book about a misunderstood character. The God King is much hated by subjects in neighboring kingdoms. When Siri gets packed off as mail order/ treaty bride to him, things take a decided turn. This was my first book by Sanderson, and it reminded me a lot of Roger Zelazny‘s work. I do see why Sanderson is so popular. But I also felt the work was a bit old-school by today’s SFF standards.
Then followed these books, each for a knight in shining armor, and the quest to save Camelot (the slider below has links to my reviews):
One remaining prompt was for Lancelot — book by a favorite author. So I tried Georgette Heyer’s Powder & Patch, which I hadn’t read before. It is all about a country gentleman who is packed off rather ignominiously to Paris for learning some refinement. When he returns with much success, his old friends wonder whether he still has any respect for them. Serve them right! Anyways, the book was charming but also rather boring.
Watchlist
There was only 1 show I really watched, and that was Shadow and Bone. Ben Barnes apparently got cast in the show as the Darkling after fans went a bit crazy on Tumblr. Apart from him, the settings/ special effects are fabulous. But the characterizations seem a bit weak… and even immature. I haven’t read the Grishaverse series by Leigh Bardugo, so I can’t say how the show compares to the books. Anyways, we’ll see how the next seasons fare.
19 replies on “Top 10 Recent Reads/ April Wrap-Up”
I like the idea of Arthurian prompts, that’s fun!
I’m conflicted on Shadow and Bone. I hear some good things, but I tried Six of crows and only made it through about 100 pages (and that with effort). It seemed kinda shallow to me, which will probably earn me some rocks thrown at me lol. Maybe I’ll try again or try the show…
My impression of Six of Crows was the same: lot of glam but also rather immature. Perhaps it speaks to a distinctly younger audience? It certainly wasn’t for me.
I’ve read all the books, also the spin-offs (except the latest new one) and I’ve gotta say it’s one of the best adaptations I’ve seen in forever. And this is coming from someone who’s easily disappointed with adaptations. He wasn’t in the books but Milo the goat stole my heart. 😍
Seriously? Even better than LOTR? This is making my head spin! Anyways, Ben Barnes was awesome. 🙂
Honestly, all of these books sound good! I love Arthurian stuff.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-my-ten-most-recent-reads/
Those prompts were really a lot of fun!
I read The Thief by Megan Whelan Turner ages ago and liked it. I really should continue the series. I’m so bad about remembering to look for more books!
I’ve been hesitant to watch Shadow and Bone. I haven’t read the books but I also haven’t really cared for many book-to-Netflix adaptations that I’ve seen.
I would have sworn that I’ve read something by Brandon Sanderson but I just drew a blank. I checked GoodReads and I really haven’t. I’ve owned Mistborn forever but haven’t read it yet. He seems like an author I should definitely try though.
The problem with Queen’s Thief series is that the first book (Thief) is good but also not all that memorable. It’s midway through book 2 (Queen of Attolia) that the series picks up and really becomes interesting. I think that’s why I gave up on it years ago, and possibly why you didn’t continue after Book 1. In any case, I hope you give it a try. It’s very, very feel-good. 🙂
Yaay for Brandon Sanderson! Happy reading, my TTT https://readwithstefani.com/my-ten-most-recent-reads/
Do you like Sanderson? I hope you’ll recommend a few standalones of his!
Ooooe!! I need to take a look at your reviews on the quest for Camelot. I always enjoy that story line and you have a few great looking ones up here. I read Georgette Hayer when I was in High School and I can’t think if I’ve read any after that. I do have a whole box of them, as my aunt used to love her books.
We’ve watched the first 2 episodes of Shadow and Bone, but both me and my husband were a bit lost. Maybe I should just read the book and get a better idea!
Hope your May month will be just as productive!
Elza Reads
Sorry for the late reply! Shadow and Bone was enjoyable, but rather predictable I thought. Though I haven’t read the books either, so my views are also limited there…
Robin McKinley is a favorite of mine, but while I enjoyed Chalice, it isn’t one of my favorite works of hers. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Agreed with your thoughts on Chalice, not a rec I am going to forward to others… Sorry for the late reply, and off to check your TTT post now!
It looks like you really did have a busy month! Goblin Moon sounds interesting—not sure I’ve ever even seen it before. Adding it to my TBR pile now, which is rapidly growing…
Yes, for a change, I managed to tuck away a lot of my old TBR pile! 🙂 I do hope you’ll try Goblin Moon, and give it at least till Chapter 2 or 3 to catch on. It’s brilliant, really.
One of these days I need to read Turner. I’ve heard so many great things about those books!
Thanks for visiting my blog earlier.
If you do start with Turner, read at least till the middle of Book 2 — and don’t worry, the books are short and not a drag, so you’ll reach there quickly enough — then you’ll be totally hooked! 🙂
Good to know!