Hey there, everyone. Welcome to my first monthly wrap-up post. In my monthly wrap-ups, I’ll be discussing what I did this month and the month’s highlights—especially book related thoughts.
April, for me, went by really fast. Almost the entire month, I was busy with my exams. The last week however, I could make time for reading as my term had ended. Here’s an insight into the books I read in the month of April.
what i read
Dance Among the Flames by Tori Eldridge
Thank you NetGalley and Running Wild Press for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.
Dance Among the Flames was my first every e-ARC that I picked up. I picked it up, mostly because of the eye-catching cover, as I usually do (guilty!). I had no idea what I was getting into, but it didn’t entirely disappoint. With a gripping plot and a steady pace, the book pulls you in immediately. I was very excited to see where the plot goes after the 40% mark, as I was definitely invested, but unfortunately, the plot took a whole new turn. Despite it not being of my taste, the pace was fast and I was able to finish it quick.
I don’t think I was the intended target audience for the book, but if you’re more into what the book promises, you would definitely like it.
The River of Silver by S. A. Chakraborty
Contrary to the title, this wasn’t a book I read, but listened to. As with Dance Among the Flames, this was the first book I requested on NetGalley. And to nobody’s surprise, I was declined. As an all-time fan of The Daevabad Trilogy, I was very looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint! With stories told in voices that weren’t heard in the books, The River of Silver brings in a whole new perspective of the trilogy. I especially enjoyed the chapters told through the POV’s of Manizheh, Duriya and Hatset! Most of the stories weren’t new to me as they were from the Extra Scenes PDF Shannon released in the lockdown. This book definitely filled my heart and I loved it to the core!
Wash Day Diaries by Jamilia Rowser and Robyn Smith
Thank you Edelweiss and Chronicle Books for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.
Wash Day Diaries is a wonderful story about friendship, beauty and sisterhood. I especially loved how it shows us an insight of each characters’ life via their wash days. Beautifully illustrated, it shows us the different stories of a friend group, masterfully woven into one.
What I loved was the art style and the color palette. It was very refreshing to read something different than what I usually do. And the bond between Kim, Nisha, Davene and Cookie was so sweet! Definitely a recommend for anyone searching for a light read.
Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé and Paola Antista
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.
Okay. I never expected to love this as much as I did.
Sorceline is the story about a girl of the same name, studying cryptozoology—the study of mythical creatures. This book really delves into magical creatures, friends and family. I honestly did not expect any of this, but god, I loved it.
It’s a perfect blend of mystery, magic and love. I’m very sure the target audience would enjoy this book, since it’s a complete win-win. I really loved the mysterious aspects of the story, the plot twists (though I saw the end coming) and overall, enjoyed it! I think anyone would love this book regardless of age or preference.
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi
Oh gods, where do I even start? This was the perfect conclusion to The Pandava Quintet and I loved every part of it.
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality picks up a few months after Aru Shah and the City of Gold—the Pandavas are now weaponless and will have to find their own way to defeat the Sleeper and their newly made enemy—Kara. Through countless trials which totally does not include a musical number, they should now navigate their way through strengths and weaknesses all while pretending to be completely oblivious to a certain birthday present.
I loved all the new characters introduced here, and their interactions (except a couple did feel underwhelming)—Tumburu is definitely my favorite out of all. Oh and did I mention a mysterious U.B.E.R driver who happens to play the flute and smells of butter? And the end was just what we needed. It wraps the series neatly and doesn’t go with the usual happily ever after, but a bittersweet one. I promise you’re gonna love this book!
Within: Short Stories for the Evolving Multicultural Woman by Aditi Wardhan Singh
Thank you NetGalley and Raising World Children LLC for presenting me with an ARC of this book in exchange of a honest review.
Within is a must pick-up for all Desi readers. It shines light on so many struggles and snippets from the daily lives of multicultural women.
I initially assumed that this wouldn’t be as interesting as a normal novel as I thought it would be similar to an anthology, but boy, I was so wrong. Within, as the author states, is a collection of various short stories. Yes, short as in actually short and not 8-10 pages long. The chapters vary from 2 pages to 6 pages and are so interesting to read through. I was hooked into the lives of all these women from the point I laid my eyes on this gorgeous cover.
I especially loved how the book handles trauma, prejudice and stereotypes while also incorporating the Indian culture into it. It also sets a perfect vibe so you’re immediately hooked no matter where you’re starting from. It’s also perfect for tea-time reading since the chapters are very short but meaningful.
Within shows us an insight of all the things women go through via their routines, be it anything. As a person of South Asian descent, this really filled my heart and I’d definitely read anything that’s similar to this. This is an amazing book and I’d like everyone to pick this up and share some love!
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmoth
Check out my full review on this post!
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
Check out my full review on this post!
tackling my tbr and arcs
This part of the post is both exciting and exhausting. Exciting because of all the new worlds I can get sucked into and fall in love with the characters and exhausting because ARCs (as if that explains anything).
So there was this one day when I was madly disappointed with NetGalley and the book community in general being an international reader. And guess what I did—I went into a mass requesting spree. That’s how, regrettably, I ended up with 4 ARCs being approved in a single day. Kids, never do that ever, no matter how crap life gives you. But the good thing is that they’re all my anticipated titles so fair I guess, huh.
Also, bonus: I was approved for Babel by R. F. Kuang which, I’m honestly surprised at how calm I am right now because I most definitely was yelling my head off when I actually recieved the email.
Anyways, enough of my sob story, here’s an actual list of titles that I’m excited to reading (or publishing) in May.
Based on the myth of Mahishasura, Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom is a middle grade fantasy about Kiki, a young girl with anxiety whose life turns upside down when her drawings become real and evil threatens to unleash upon her world.
I’m currently reading this book and I’m so in love! This is everything my younger self would’ve wanted to see in a book and I’m excited to see how it goes.
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Sequel to Kiki Kallira #1, Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse is set to publish this month and I’m so glad to have received an ARC of this book via NetGalley. Definitely looking forward to this one.
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The Stardust Thief is a novel, first in an epic fantasy trilogy, inspired by the Arabian Nights. After reading the blurb and praise from S. A. Chakraborty—one of my favourite authors—I cannot wait to delve into this book!
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Do I even have to say anything? Babel tops the list of my anticipated reads after all the hype surrounding it. Since The Burning God, I’ve been aching to read something heavy, something fresh and Babel definitely promises to fill in that hole in my heart.
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The Hunger Games but make it South Asian. Honestly, these days, anything that promises Desi representation is an auto-add for me, I really need to work on this part of me. I’m almost halfway through this ARC, and it’s great so far! And if this doesn’t sound promising, I sure hope the cover does.
in the blogosphere
This is my first month blogging, and I couldn’t be more grateful to all the support I received! I am so glad I decided to take up blogging after months of contemplating it, and I definitely don’t regret it. I look forward to making more friends in the future and growing myself as a blogger. Thanks again, to everyone for your support! ❤
The Erudite Labyrinth 
congrats on one month of blogging!! i hope you enjoy babel (i’m so jealous you get to read it!) and the stardust thief–both sound absolutely amazing! i hope you have a lovely may <33
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thank you, they’re one of my most anticipated reads so im very excited! and i hope you have a wonderful may too! ❤
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