Ah, March. I got through two books I found at our local library’s sale. Tackled another Stuff Your Kindle ebook and ended up binging the entire series. Then dove into an epically long Sarah J Mass novel. Here’s a look at all the books I finished this month!
One Of Us Is Lying By: Karen M. McManus
Breakfast Club meets murder mystery. This is the second McManus book I have read. The other being Two Can Keep a Secret. Both predictable if you pay attention to all the misdirection and teenage angst. But none of that distracts from the story which was frustrating because, let’s face it, some teenagers can be absolutely deplorable.
The Bayview Four, as the suspects come to be known as, are all well written and relatable. Keeping true to their characters. Making it so you don’t really have a choice but care about what happens with and to all of them.
McManus has definitely found her formula for writing these types of novels. I suspect the rest in this series will be quite similar. Which has the potential to get boring after three of so books, in my experience.
But finding the magical formula hasn’t stopped millions from reading romance novels. So it shouldn’t stop anyone from reading this book either.
Two Can Keep A Secret By: Karen M. McManus
This read a whole lot like Pretty Little Liars inspo. Maybe origins? I know there is an actually novelization series of PLL written by Sara Shepard, but…
Set in a small town, Ellery and her twin move in with their maternal grandma. There the twins learn the truth about their aunt’s abduction (their mother’s twin), their family, and a slew of other secrets.
The twist at the end is simple but eerily effective. Again with the predictability clouded by misdirection. Can’t say I’m mad about it though. I really liked all the little twists and turns.
To me, this was a tinge more suspenseful than One Of Us Is Lying. Both are page turners that I would recommend if you are looking for a YA suspense mystery. With a hint of romance.
Moon Touched By: Elizabeth Briggs
Zodiac Wolves #1
Another take on werewolves versus witches. The concept is new and inventive. A pack to match each sign of the zodiac. Each individual pack has one superpower, other than being able to shift into a wolf, attributed to their zodiac sign.
Ayla is an outcast as daughter of the alpha and a human. She is counting on her one big moment to take her away into a new pack, far from an unloving home.
Everything that could go wrong did. Enter the 13th Zodiac pack that has been banished for a long time. The alpha saves Alya and teaches her the truth to whole situation.
Even with a lot of history thrown at us, this story is not complicated. The plot and characters are quite simple. But it’s that simplicity that lets the story move smoothy and pulls you in.
Star Cursed By: Elizabeth Briggs
Zodiac Wolves #2
After the first novel, I was invested and needed to know what happens with Ayla and Kaden.
Ayla has been kidnapped by the mate that rejected her, the enemy to her former pack. Despite being rejected, the mating bond is still there. But that is not where her heart lies.
Kaden has been through heartbreak before. But he trusts Ayla.
Testing their own bond and new truths, Kaden and Ayla continue their battle against all the other packs. All while slowly uncovering truths that neither of them ever suspected.
Sun Crossed By: Elizabeth Briggs
Zodiac Wolves #3
By this point in the series a lot of page scanning has happened. Inner thoughts and actions have not really evolved much from the first book.
That’s not to say that Ayla isn’t still a strong, badass woman. While she has had some growth as she has lived and experiences what real pack life can and should be.
Her and Kaden’s relationship has finally landed where it was headed from the first meeting. But of course things could not have been that easy. More allies brings more enemies.
Now Kaden and Ayla just need to break through all the lies that so many have taken as truth.
Zodiac Aligned By: Elizabeth Briggs
Zodiac Wolves #4
This series was recommended for fans of Laura Thalassa and Amelia Hutchins… um, okay. Yes, all three write in the romance/fantasy genre, sure. While this series is nice, it is nowhere near on par with Laura or Amelia who excel in world building, character growth, endgame plots, and spice.
World building is low, granted it is a contemporary setting. But when another world is introduced it is very underwhelming. The spice is there but generic.
The finally of this series, minus a novel of short stories, is exactly what you’d expect. Everything tied neatly with a bow, loose ends tightened, and everything set as it should. And it made me happy.
These books are fast reads with straightforward plots. Not many mysteries or twists. Easy to predict. But sometimes that is exactly what you want.
House of Shadow and Flame By: Sarah J Mass
Crescent City #3
Okay, unpopular opinion: I was disappointed in this.
I have been a Mass fan since Throne of Glass and have loved so many of her books. And as the 2nd in this series ended, I had so many expectations.
Then there is the fact that this is just another SJM book. Epic final battle, mass rallying of allies, tying loose ends to satisfy the reader while leaving room for future possibilities.
After Throne of Glass series and ACOTAR, it was like ‘oh, another of the same’.
There were definite aspects I liked about this series over the others. Bryce and Hunt, they are great together. But I honestly liked them better in the first novel before they became a unit. I was more invested in the other characters by this point. Which isn’t entirely a bad thing.
I don’t want to add any spoilers for those that haven’t read this series, but the way the 2nd in this series ended, gave promise of including other beloved characters. When it did so in a completely minimalist way, that was the biggest disappointment.
As far as the story as a whole, again, it’s what you would expect. It’s written well, everything comes to fruition, HEA. It is exactly as you would expect.
