Contemporary-A-Thon Mini Book Reviews

Last week (February 12-18), I participated in the Contemporary-A-Thon hosted by chelseadolling reads, Pages and Pens, and myreadingisodd.

I’ve attempted my own self-imposed read-a-thon before, but this was my first time trying to read as many books as I could in a set period of time with a community of people. This particular read-a-thon was unlike mine in that it had a theme—contemporary books—and optional challenges to complete within the week. The challenges were to:

  • Read the most recent contemporary that you purchased/acquired
  • Read a contemporary book with pink on the cover
  • Read a hyped contemporary book
  • Read a diverse contemporary book
  • Read a dark/taboo contemporary
  • Read a contemporary(ish) graphic novel
  • Read a contemporary book that has been recommended to you

I knocked out three books during the contemporary-a-thon (one of them went one day over but shhh let me have this) and accomplished four of the seven challenges. Even though it might not seem like much, I would call this read-a-thon a success; it dragged me out of my reading slump and allowed me to complete three, solid 4-star books. The books showed me how wide and diverse the contemporary genre is, and I have a new-found appreciation for it because of them. I’ll definitely be participating in more read-a-thons in the future (maybe I’ll try hosting my own?), and you all should join too!

Blah blah blah…

on to the mini reviews!

Continue reading “Contemporary-A-Thon Mini Book Reviews”

Book Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo // better than Six of Crows

crooked kingdom.jpg

Title: Crooked Kingdom

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Published: September 27, 2016

Pages: 536

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Amazon / Barnes & Nobles / Goodreads

Goodreads Description: 

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

january-12

Crooked Kingdom retained all of the elements that I loved in Six of Crows—strategic scheming, morally ambiguous characters, strained romances—and expanded on them. 

Continue reading “Book Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo // better than Six of Crows”