7 Books Reviewed: December Wrap Up & Complete Series Thoughts

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. December Reading Wrap Up
   • Thoughts on "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
   • Thoughts on "Dangerous Remedy" by Kat Dunn
   • Thoughts on "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline
   • Thoughts on "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas
   • Thoughts on "Wolf Light" by Yaba Badoe
   • Thoughts on "The Kiss" by Lucy Courtenay
   • Thoughts on "The Two o'Clock Boy" by Mark Hill
3. December TBR Reflection
   • Thoughts on "Zeroes" by Scott Westerfeld
   • Thoughts on "Tempests and Slaughter" by Tamora Pierce
   • Thoughts on "This Love" by Dani Atkins
4. December Reading Achievements
5. Book Ratings and Statistics
6. Book Review: "Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir
7. Book Review: "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - A Stripes Anthology
8. Book Review: "Metamorphosis and Other Stories" by Franz Kafka
9. Book Review: "A Girl Called Owl" by Amy Wilson
10. Book Series Review: "A Boy Called Christmas" Series by Matt Haig
11. Conclusion

Article

Introduction

Hey everyone, it's Alyce and welcome to our December wrap-up! In December, we were able to Read a total of 14 books, and today I will be sharing my thoughts on some of the books we read during that month. From sci-fi to fantasy, and heartwarming Christmas stories, there was quite a diverse selection. So, let's dive in and see what we got up to in our reading adventures!

December Reading Wrap Up

Thoughts on "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

First up on our list is "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Initially, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this book as sci-fi isn't normally a genre I Gravitate towards. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this unique and compelling story. The book follows the story of Gideon, a member of the ninth house, who finds herself caught up in a competition to become a lyctor, while also dealing with a murder mystery. The fast-paced race against time and the intricate world-building kept me hooked throughout. Although I found some pacing issues and got a bit lost towards the end, I am excited to reread it before the release of the third book in the series.

Thoughts on "Dangerous Remedy" by Kat Dunn

Next on our list is "Dangerous Remedy" by Kat Dunn. This historical fantasy Novel had an interesting premise, but unfortunately fell a bit short for me. The story follows a group of renegade misfits known as the French Revolutionaries, who are trying to save innocent lives amidst the chaos. While I appreciated the unique setting and the diverse cast of characters, I found the plot to be a bit convoluted and the pacing to be inconsistent. Overall, it had potential but lacked the execution to make it a standout read for me.

Thoughts on "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline

Another book we read in December was "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. Set in a dystopian future where virtual reality is a way of life, this sci-fi novel follows Wade Watts as he embarks on a Quest to find the ultimate Easter egg Hidden within the virtual world of the OASIS. Filled with '80s pop culture references and immersive world-building, this book had me feeling nostalgic and hooked from the start. While it's not without its flaws, such as pacing issues and occasional info-dumps, the story is an exciting adventure that will appeal to fans of virtual reality and gaming.

Thoughts on "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas

Next, let's talk about "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas. This young adult fantasy novel introduces readers to Feyre, a young woman who finds herself entangled in the world of the faeries after killing a wolf in the woods. The world-building in this book is rich and immersive, with magical elements and complex characters. While the romance aspect felt a bit rushed at times, and there were some pacing issues in the middle, I enjoyed the overall story and was invested in Feyre's Journey. It's a captivating start to a series that fantasy lovers won't want to miss.

Thoughts on "Wolf Light" by Yaba Badoe

Moving on, we have "Wolf Light" by Yaba Badoe. This young adult magical realism novel explores the story of Esi, a young girl who goes on a journey to find her missing father. Filled with themes of family, identity, and sisterhood, this book offers a unique Blend of contemporary issues and mystical elements. While the pacing was a bit slow at times, I appreciated the atmospheric writing and the powerful exploration of culture and traditions. It's a thought-provoking read that delves into important topics.

Thoughts on "The Kiss" by Lucy Courtenay

Next, let's talk about "The Kiss" by Lucy Courtenay. This young adult contemporary romance follows the story of Harper, a girl who believes in true love and the magic of a first kiss. When she meets Warren, a boy who believes in facts and logic, their worlds collide in unexpected ways. This book is a light and sweet romance that touches upon themes of friendship and self-discovery. While it may feel predictable at times, the charming characters and heartfelt moments make it an enjoyable read, especially for fans of YA romance.

Thoughts on "The Two o'Clock Boy" by Mark Hill

Lastly, we have "The Two o'Clock Boy" by Mark Hill. This gripping thriller follows the story of DI Ray Drake, a detective haunted by a case from his past that resurfaces when the bones of a child are discovered at a construction site. As Drake delves deeper into the investigation, secrets and dark truths come to light. This book is a page-turner filled with twists and turns that will keep You guessing until the very end. While it can be quite dark and intense, the intricate plot and well-developed characters make it a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

December TBR Reflection

Thoughts on "Zeroes" by Scott Westerfeld

Turning our Attention to our December TBR, the first book we unfortunately didn't get a chance to read was "Zeroes" by Scott Westerfeld. Despite not being able to dive into this book, we still had a successful reading month and managed to exceed our reading goal.

Thoughts on "Tempests and Slaughter" by Tamora Pierce

Another book on our TBR list was "Tempests and Slaughter" by Tamora Pierce. Sadly, we didn't get a chance to read this one either. However, we will be adding it to our list for future reading as We Are eager to explore the world and characters created by Tamora Pierce.

Thoughts on "This Love" by Dani Atkins

Lastly, we had "This Love" by Dani Atkins on our TBR. While we didn't get the opportunity to read it, we still had a successful reading month and managed to surpass our reading goal.

December Reading Achievements

Although we didn't complete our entire TBR list for December, we still had a successful reading month. We managed to read a total of 104% of the page count we were aiming for. This allowed us to exceed our Goodreads reading challenge goal. While it's always disappointing to not finish every book on the list, we made the decision to prioritize completing our reading challenge goal and reading shorter books.

Book Ratings and Statistics

In terms of book ratings, we had a mix of ratings throughout the month. We read one book that received a five-star rating, nine books that received a four-star rating, three books that received a three-star rating, and one book that received a 2.5-star rating. Overall, December was a successful reading month, with a good variety of books and genres.

Book Review: "Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir

Moving on to our book reviews, let's start with "Gideon the Ninth" by Tamsyn Muir. This sci-fi fantasy novel took us on a thrilling adventure in a world of necromancers, bone magic, and mysterious challenges. The story follows Gideon, a member of the ninth house, who finds herself caught up in a competition to become a lyctor. Muir's writing style is sardonic and engaging, with witty one-liners that had us laughing out loud. While the pacing had its slow moments and the plot could be confusing at times, the unique world-building and the dynamic between Gideon and Harrow captured our attention. Overall, "Gideon the Ninth" is a promising start to a series that we can't wait to Continue reading.

Book Review: "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - A Stripes Anthology

Next up is our review of "I'll Be Home For Christmas," an anthology curated by Stripes Publishing. This book is a collection of short stories that explore the themes of home, belonging, and the magic of Christmas. Each story offers a unique perspective on what it means to be home during the holiday season. While we initially had reservations about reading a book in verse format, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised by the emotional impact each story had. The anthology features contributions from various authors, including Non Pratt, Cat Clarke, and Holly Bourne. Each story is beautifully written and thought-provoking, making it a perfect read for the Christmas season.

Book Review: "Metamorphosis and Other Stories" by Franz Kafka

Moving on to "Metamorphosis and Other Stories" by Franz Kafka, this collection of short stories explores themes of identity, alienation, and existentialism. While the writing is undeniably profound and thought-provoking, it can be challenging to fully grasp the meaning behind each story. The collection features Kafka's iconic story, "Metamorphosis," which follows the transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect. The stories in this collection offer a glimpse into Kafka's unique perspective and his exploration of the human condition. While there is a need for further exploration and understanding of the Context surrounding Kafka's writing, it is undoubtedly a collection worth exploring for those interested in Existential literature.

Book Review: "A Girl Called Owl" by Amy Wilson

Next up is "A Girl Called Owl" by Amy Wilson, a middle-grade debut novel that combines elements of fantasy and self-discovery. The story revolves around Owl, a young girl who discovers she has magical icy powers and embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her father. While the premise of the story is intriguing, the execution falls a bit short. The pacing can be slow at times, and the multiple themes and subplots feel squeezed in, making the story feel rushed. However, Wilson's writing style is atmospheric and evocative, and the exploration of family, friendship, and identity adds depth to the narrative. Despite its flaws, "A Girl Called Owl" offers a unique blend of magic and self-exploration that will appeal to young readers.

Book Series Review: "A Boy Called Christmas" Series by Matt Haig

Lastly, let's talk about the "A Boy Called Christmas" series by Matt Haig. This middle-grade series follows the adventures of Nikolas, who becomes Father Christmas, his loyal mouse companion, Miika, and their journey through the magic-filled world of Elfhelm. Each book in the series offers a heartwarming tale that combines fantasy, humor, and themes of family and hope. Haig's writing is enchanting, with Vivid descriptions and lovable characters that bring the story to life. While the first book had some pacing issues and the Second book felt disjointed from the first, the third book tied everything together and brought a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Overall, the "A Boy Called Christmas" series is a delightful read for all ages, filled with the magic and wonder of the holiday season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, December was a successful reading month with a wide variety of books and genres. While we didn't complete our entire TBR list, we exceeded our reading goal and discovered some captivating stories along the way. From gripping thrillers to enchanting fantasies, there was something for every reader's taste. We hope you enjoyed our December wrap-up and found some new book recommendations to add to your reading list. Stay tuned for more book reviews and recommendations in the future. Happy reading!

Highlights

• December was a successful reading month, with a total of 14 books read.
• "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff offered a unique and compelling sci-fi story.
• "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas introduced readers to a captivating fantasy world.
• Matt Haig's "A Boy Called Christmas" series brought heartwarming tales of magic and hope.
• The "I'll Be Home For Christmas" anthology explored the themes of home, belonging, and Christmas magic.

FAQ

Q: What genres did you read in December?
A: We read a mix of genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, contemporary romance, and thrillers.

Q: Did you complete your entire December TBR list?
A: Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to read all the books on our TBR list. However, we still had a successful reading month overall.

Q: Can you recommend a heartwarming Christmas read?
A: Absolutely! "A Boy Called Christmas" series by Matt Haig is a perfect heartwarming Christmas read filled with magic and wonder.