I don’t know about you, but the few months of the year always fly by for me. I’ll put something off for a couple days and look up to realize weeks have now passed! But I’m back now and happy to share some more great books. On the surface, they all look wildly different, but all of the characters are fighting some narrative or voice that’s in their own heads — whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or a literal demon that shares their body. Each book is great in its way, and I enjoyed seeing how different authors explored those inner voices that both haunt and drive their protagonists.
Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations #1) by B.B. Alston: I’ve seen this one around, and when a friend wanted a light read for book club and suggested this, we all jumped on board. I don’t read a lot of middle grade books anymore, and Amari did remind me why that is with some of the clique-y behaviors our heroine faces, but I ADORED Amari herself. She’s tough and determined and has a very clear idea of what she’s up against — and when she gets knocked down, she always gets back up. I would definitely recommend this series for young readers because not only is Amari a great role model for kids trying to figure out what kind of person they’re going to be but it’s also just FUN.
Meriden Park by Julie Daines: A gentle-hearted romance about two people falling in love beneath the trees of Sherwood Forest, with a side of crime-solving to add extra tension. Although some elements, like the crime plot and the mystery of Mary’s origins, feel under-explored, I love the main characters and their allies. While Robert is relatively secure in his family and social position, Mary’s Anglo Indian heritage marks her as an outsider in the English countryside, and I like how Daines uses the people around them to show how the world is becoming more connected (albeit through colonialism) and old views are slowly but surely changing. Also, as a passionate Robin Hood fan myself, I was delighted by Robert’s hero worship and endlessly amused by Mary’s suspicion of the legends! An engaging, easy read with plenty of humor and heart. My thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini: I know, I know, I already reread this this year! But when the mood hits, the mood hits! This is classic swashbuckling adventure also features some really excellent character work, as we follow Peter Blood through highs and lows, darkness and light. And through it all, he’s both haunted and guided by what Arabella would think of any chosen path. This is premium, Grade A longing and romance, I tell ya.
Penric and Desdemona #2-3+5 by Lois McMaster Bujold: My brain has been too tired for screens and pages by the end of the day, so I’ve been doing a lot of audiobooks, and thus going through this series faster — I do so enjoy Grover Gardner’s narration! Anyway, I’m reading this book in chronological order instead of publication and, as always, deeply impressed by LMB’s character exploration. Pen and Des captured my heart in the first story, of course, but with each subsequent tale, I only love them more. And I’m very ready to give Pen a big hug and to join Des as his fierce protector!
That’s it for this week! As always, I hope you’re all doing well and finding plenty of good things to read!
—b
Book It With Becca 
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