WHAT I READ THIS MONTH: MARCH 2017

 While I started 2017 off with two really great reading months, I slowed down a little in March, reading a total of three books. I’m happy with that though, considering that I handed in my dissertation this month too! *internally screams*

The first book that I read in March was The Mime Order, the second book in The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon. I read The Bone Season last month and absolutely loved it; I can’t believe that I waited so long to read this series! So I can’t really go into too much detail plot wise as I would hate to ruin the story for you, but the second instalment in this series is just as action packed, tense and exciting, if not more, as the first. I was never bored and actually found myself reading The Mime Order during any spare time I had (it was actually a life saver during breaks between lectures). Just like with The Bone Season, when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it, and I finished the book within a matter of days. This series has bumped it’s way up my favourites list and I can’t wait to read the rest! 4/5 stars.

Surprise surprise, the next book I read in March was The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon. My immediate response after finishing this book was “Holy shit!” so I think that sums up my feelings pretty well. I went to the book signing for this release at my local Waterstones (you can read about it here) and had all of my books signed by Samantha Shannon, it was such a fab night! I really made an effort to slow my reading down with this book, as I knew that once I’d finished this it’d be a long wait until the fourth instalment and I wasn’t ready for that. But, as you may guess, I failed miserably.

This book was so incredibly good that I just couldn’t help but devour it page by page. We get to explore more of the UK, heading to places like Manchester and Edinburgh. I really loved this, especially as I live in Manchester myself and am a quarter Scottish (is that even a thing? Well my Grandad is from Glasgow ok) so I found it really interesting to read about these cities in one of my favourite series. The characters go through some seriously harrowing stuff in this book, and I’ve really grown quite attached to them, so I found this pretty hard to read, but overall The Song Rising was amazing. It brought out so many different emotions and feelings: excitement, worry, panic, sadness, happiness, warmth and tension to name but a few. Once again, this was a really well thought out plot, with superb writing skills and excellent world building from Samantha Shannon. A definite 5/5 stars!

In March I finally delved into the wonderful world of Laini Taylor through the first book in the trilogy, Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I’d heard such great things about the series but never got around to reading it, until I saw that Laini was coming to Waterstones in Liverpool this month to celebrate the release of her new novel, Strange the Dreamer! I knew before even reading the books that I would love them after reading all of the reviews, so I booked my tickets to the book signing and ordered this book.

The writing was absolutely magical; it was unlike anything I’ve read before and I found myself completely swept up in the story and a little in awe of Laini’s incredible talent. While I did find the plot a little slow in parts, I felt that the pace really helped with the world building and development of the story and I was hooked throughout, desperate to know what was going to happen next. For a change, I really loved each of the characters. Apart from the obvious (you know, living between our world and another) Karou is totally normal and relatable. She could just be that girl with the crazy cool blue hair in one of your lectures at uni, but underneath she is strong, and sassy and actually really brave. And Akiva, ah, well. Akiva made me all sorts of emotional. After all the loss and torture he has been through, he remains loyal, and hopeful and most of all, good. The romance between the two was definitely “swoon worthy” as much as I hate to use that phrase; no insta-love as such, though I did guess the link between the two of them before it was revealed. It didn’t lessen the heartbreak any, though!

Reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone has me lusting to visit Prague so bad, it sounds amazing! As soon as I finished this book, I ordered the second, Days of Blood and Starlight. I mean technically I am on a book buying ban for lent, but if I’m meeting the author I really should have read her books, right? I got my hands on Strange the Dreamer yesterday and I’m so excited to read it. It’s such a beautiful book and I wouldn’t be surprised if it made an appearance in next month’s TBR!

*Book depository affiliate links used. I get a small commission if you purchase through them, and you get free delivery!