If you are unaware what the Buzzword Readathon/Challenge is see my prior post HERE. Last month the buzzword was ‘measurement’ words and I’m going to count ‘Eldest‘ by Christopher Paolini as our measurement word!
For August the buzzword is a book with ‘like’ in the title and my options are:
*SEMI-SPOILERY THOUGHTS AHEAD*
I had such a great experience rereading Eldest! I’ve read the Inheritance Cycle at least 5 times in total but there was sooo much of this book that I completely forgot about. Sure I remembered all the key plot points but there are so many small moments that I obviously didn’t take the time to remember previously and rereading them all was just a joy! Sure Eragon’s feelings for Arya takes over the majority of the book and his pining for her does get a bit incessant but I can overlook it for the most part and still enjoy the story that’s being told. I loved following on the journey with Roran and the rest of the Carvahall townspeople to Surda as well as Nasuada’s reign over the Varden. This is the book where all of the pieces on the chessboard are set and it’s time to start playing the game and I honestly can’t wait to continue on with Brisingr and see what other tidbits I remember and relive all of the wonderful memories I have with this series!
This month there are a few new releases I want to get to as well as rereads and books off my existing TBR!
I am so proud of what I was able to complete in July! This year has been super busy and crazy and reading has taken a bit of a backseat for me but it makes me happy that I’m still finishing a few books a month!
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano – ⭐️3/5 stars
They Were Here Before Us by Eric LaRocca – ⭐️2/5 stars
Eldest by Christopher Paolini – ⭐️4/5 stars
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano – ⭐️4/5 stars
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow – ⭐️4/5 stars
Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot. Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.
I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book! The small town, haunted house vibes were immaculate and I was soo invested in the lore and the family history that was attached to it too! Opal’s perspective is so raw and unyielding and the struggles she’s had to overcome since her mother’s death really shows how strong willed she is.
The house wasn’t as spooky as what I was anticipating. I thought this was a haunted house story so I was waiting for the focus to swing back to the house but the main mystery was more so surrounding Eleanor and the Underland. It was interesting to kind of piece together the story from all of the different sources Eden went to and then ultimately getting the story straight from Eleanor was gratifying!
⭐️4/5 stars I lowkey want to stay the night there… sans the monsters of course lol
Amy Leigh Reads 