Well, it looks like July wasn’t a particularly productive month for me then! I only managed to read four books throughout this month – I’m not too sure why I read so few but there we go.
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There was quite an interesting selection of different books however which makes up for it. Plus one of the books I read did end up featuring on my recent list of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
So as always, what I’ve done is compile the four books I read below along with the summaries of their reviews and a link to order them from Amazon if you wished to do so.
They’re in the order in which I finished them rather than the order in which I preferred them but you can click through to each review so see which one I enjoyed the most!
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Carrie Soto is Back isn’t my favourite Taylor Jenkins Reid book. However, it is still a brilliant book about the very interesting fictional life of Carrie Soto and, as with many of her other books, it details the hardships of the absolute peak of success in your field. The plot is fast but poignant at the times it needs to be and the characters and their relationships are real and utterly enjoyable. It doesn’t quite reach the peaks of Daisy Jones and the Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but it still stands out as a great book to read if you’re a fan of the aforementioned.”
Read my full review of this book | Pick up a copy of this book from Amazon
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
“Before They Are Hanged feels very similar to the first novel – the characters are incredible and the plot was a little lacklustre. However, having grown more attached to these phenomenally-written characters, their layers and depth and having a plot where Abercrombie is introducing us to more of the world mean this is a better book than the first in almost every way. Abercrombie is one of the greatest character-writers I’ve ever had the joy of reading and this makes the stories he writes so much more interesting because you genuinely care about each of the journeys these characters are going on. If you enjoyed The Blade Itself you’ll absolutely adore Before They Are Hanged.“
Read my full review of this book | Pick up a copy of this book from Amazon
Tribe of the Accord by Shaun Michael Stone
“There’s not a lot to dislike about Tribe of the Accord, it isn’t my absolute favourite book of the year but considering the early career of the author, it’s an incredibly solid and likable book. It has a unique setting of humanity thousands of years ago during their tribal times, it has a mature story and a mature cast of characters that aren’t always easy to write. If you’re looking for something a bit different to read but is also a nice and easy read, Tribe of the Accord should definitely be a book you should consider picking up!”
Read my full review of this book | Pick up a copy of this book from Amazon
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I finished A Court of Thorns and Roses very recently and my honest opinion is that it’s an awful romance and unfortunately wastes about 2/3 of the book meandering around with this when the final third introduces us to a wider world and much more interesting fantasy story.
It’s a shame that Sarah J Maas decided to spend so much time with these two dull protagonists and force a romance with a male protagonist who was about as interesting as a barn door when there was an intriguing villain and some redemption stories to be had.
I hear the second book is far better and so I should stick it out with the rest of the series. Let’s hope the second is better.
Full review coming soon… | Pick up a copy of this book from Amazon
In summary…
As I said, it wasn’t the most prolific month of the year but Before They Are Hanged is one of my favourite books of the year so far so that’s great.
I also introduced myself to Tribe of the Accord which was kindly sent to me by Shaun Michael Stone himself. It’s a unique book set in a very interesting time of tribes and wilderness. It follows a young woman who loses her father and must search to find out who took him and why. It’s a very unique tale that I’m glad I read.
But I’m also interested to know what you read this month, so let me know via my usual social media channels.
You can find previous monthly round-ups here:
