Hello amazing human beings! I hope you’re enjoying the weather as it slowly cools down to fall 🍁 I can’t believe I’ll be back in school in less than a month–where did all the time go??? Anyway, reflecting back on all the reading and writing I’ve done over the summer, I realized–DAMN I’ve been busy! So, without further ado, let’s continue my summer reading wrap with the month of June. Hopefully you’ll discover a new book to add to your TBR!

Okay, can we please take a moment to appreciate that cover? *moment of silence* The ending of QUEEN OF CONQUERED is something that will stay with me for a long time. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say the fact I did not see one particular character being so involved with the ending at all has me doing some self reflecting. Fans of detailed worldbuilding will swoon for this novel–though if you prefer worldbuilding to be on the lighter side like me, be prepared to work through a lot of heavy descriptions. Fans of anti villain characters rejoice: Signourney is one of the grayest characters I have EVER read about. She’s someone you can’t help but admire, but also love to hate, and hate to love. Truly a masterwork of a character.

Blurb:

Sigourney Rose is the only surviving daughter of a noble lineage on the islands of Hans Lollik. When she was a child, her family was murdered by the islands’ colonizers, who have massacred and enslaved generations of her people—and now, Sigourney is ready to exact her revenge.

When the childless king of the islands declares that he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney uses her ability to read and control minds to manipulate her way onto the royal island and into the ranks of the ruling colonizers. But when she arrives, prepared to fight for control of all the islands, Sigourney finds herself the target of a dangerous, unknown magic.

Someone is killing off the ruling families to clear a path to the throne. As the bodies pile up and all eyes regard her with suspicion, Sigourney must find allies among her prey and the murderer among her peers… lest she become the next victim.

Oh, the memories that come with SCHOOLED! I absolutely adored Gordan Korman’s books when I was in grade school, and SCHOOLED was one of my favorites. To be honest, this book was a little surprise read for me. I found it while cleaning my room, flipped through a couple pages for old time’s sake, and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. This is one of those feel good, quirky, timeless tales that anyone can enjoy at any age. If you enjoyed STARGIRL, definitely give this one a try!

Blurb:

Homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television, tasted a pizza, or even heard of a wedgie. But when his grandmother lands in the hospital, Cap is forced to move in with a school counselor and attend the local middle school. While Cap knows a lot about tie-dyeing and Zen Buddhism, no education could prepare him for the politics of public school. 

Okay, I want to give my agent Karly a HUGE shoutout for recommending this book to me. This was, hands down, one of my favorite reads of the year. It all really comes down to worldbuilding–the setting in BLACK WINGS BEATING is so unique, so fleshed out, and introduced to the readers so naturally my breath was literally stolen away. A whole society built around birds…Just trust me, it’s beautiful and brutal in the most unexpected ways. Also, I am a sucker for sibling relationships, and this novel offers plenty of that.

Blurb:

The people of Uztar have long looked to the sky with hope and wonder. Nothing in their world is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists.

Brysen strives to be a great falconer–while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She’s nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home in the Six Villages, and no bird or falconer will be safe.

Together the twins must journey into the treacherous mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle, the greatest of the Uztari birds and a solitary killer. Brysen goes for the boy he loves and the glory he’s long craved, and Kylee to atone for her past and to protect her brother’s future. But both are hunted by those who seek one thing: power.

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I post regularly 3-4 times a week and love talking about my latest reads on my Insta page! Who knows, you might find your next favorite book from one of the posts 🙂