Nic Dempsey

August has been a month of easy reading, I had access to a friend’s ebooks this month so there was so much new stuff to read and didn’t read anything too taxing, there was a lot of romance. It was also the month of a lot of reading, I was a reading machine..

Blood of Tyrants – Naomi Novik (library e-book)

This is my last Temeraire novel until the last one comes out next year and it was all the things I like about the series but I’m really tired of the villains of the piece being the Admiralty and co, when they are fighting Napoleon. I know that most of the world views Napoleon as a genius and this is alternate history but the Russian campaign was the beginning of the end for Napoleon, it was the point at which his arrogance outran his supposed genius and the book finishes with him turning around his loss and seemingly about to take Russia, I don’t like him to win, even in fiction. If the next book is last one, he better end up defeated!

The Royal We – Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks  (borrowed)

This is clearly based on Prince William and Kate Middleton. Changing some key stuff and giving us a different Royal Family. It needed a British editor, posh girls from Yorkshire (the sort that are on first name terms with Royals) do not speak with Yorkshire accents, they speak in RP or for that matter know Cockney Rhyming Slang (which I am thankful they didn’t try to write, just referenced), port is just called port here not port wine and the last and most egregious thing for me was describing Shepherds Bush as arty. Shepherds Bush is halfway between where I grew up and where I live now. My dad grew up there, my mum used to work there and while I accept that it’s up and coming with a Westfield there nowadays, I can’t swallow it being described as arty! All of that makes it seem like I didn’t enjoy it, but I really did..

The Understatement of the Year – Sarina Bowen (Kindle TBR List)

This is the third book in the Ivy League series and it’s as readable and sweet as the others, what makes it stand out is that the couple are gay, both hockey players. One out and coping with all the nonsense that entails in a macho sport and one very firmly in the closet. It doesn’t brush over the difficulties of that situation but it also doesn’t make it all about that. I’m so glad that Bowen tackled it and if I could pick a grandma, I want the one in this book!

The Shameless Hour – Sarina Bowen (borrowed)

I’m not sure how I feel about ‘the incident’ but I liked that it dealt with it but I think this is an upbringing and generational thing for me because I couldn’t relate to what happened to Bella. The being in control of your sexuality thing and not being ashamed I understand but it seemed to me that Bella was ashamed and her sleeping around was 50% ’cause she wanted to and 50% acting out at what happened with her family. What happened was horrible but the way she internalised it, it seems to me that she was ashamed. The other part of it that I don’t get is being around people who would sleep with her and act like she should be ashamed or dirty. I guess that this is generational because I think that for all society is supposed to be more open and liberated, in terms of sex and enjoyment of sex, attitudes to sex are much more Victorian than they’ve been for a while. Now the argument may be that it was ever thus but my experience is that if men/boys have that attitude and membership of a fraternity that has a ‘slut of the week’ contest may be a clue, you don’t bloody sleep with them or hang out there by yourself and this is not about putting the blame for sexual assault on women, it’s about being realistic AND valuing yourself. I wouldn’t be friends with someone who didn’t value my, why would I sleep with them?

Beautiful Secret – Christina Lauren (borrowed)

I’ve just realised how many books I’ve read this month have characters who’ve been sexually assaulted in them. In this instance, it felt unnecessary, like it was a way of giving Ruby some depth. It didn’t really gel for me, I was more interested in why one of the friends (clearly from an earlier book) referred to the wife of a mate as ‘the Dark One’.

Helen of Sparta – Amalia Carosella (Kindle TBR List)

Well in this instance the rape of Helen is the least of the horrible stuff. It ends with Helen going back to Sparta to be married to Melanaus (and we know what happens then) and Thesus trapped in the underworld. It made for good but uncomfortable reading, with questions about fate and agency and control.

The Deal – Elle Kennedy (borrowed)

The Mistake – Elle Kennedy (borrowed)

The Duality Principle – Rebecca Grace Allan (borrowed)

The Hierarchy of Needs – Rebecca Grace Allan (borrowed)

The Hurricane – R.J Prescott (borrowed)

Getting to Her – Erin Nichols (borrowed)

Firelight – Kristen Callihan (borrowed)

Bittersweet – Noelle Adams (borrowed)

Getting to Her – Erin Nichols (borrowed)

Three Weeks with Lady X – Eloisa James (Kindle TBR)

This was so funny, I need to check out more of James’ books..

Welcome to the Shadowhunter Academy – Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan (library e-book)

The Lost Herondale – Cassandra Clare & Robin Wasserman (library e-book)

The Marriage Contract – Katee Robert (borrowed)

First Time in Forever – Sarah Morgan (borrowed)

Nothing But Shawdows -Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan (library e-book)

The Whitechapel Fiend – Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson (library e-book)

The Evil We Love – Cassandra Clare & Robin Wasserman (library e-book)

Getting Over It – Erin Nichols (bought)

Heat Exchange – Shannon Stacey (bought)

The Queen of the Tearling – Erika Johansen (bought)

I loved this, I’ve got the next one on order from the library…

Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell (re-read)

My Life Next Door – Huntley Fitzpatrick (re-read)