May 2019 reading
May 2019 reading:
42. Uncertain Allies, by Mark Del Franco (304 pages)
Connor Grey seems to constantly draw the short straw, in a bad way, always stumbling on things that will make his life more complicated--or worse, ended. In this case, dwarves going missing or turning up dead is the tip of a bigger iceberg than he can imagine. His goals are simple: wake up Meryl, keep his friends safe, and stay alive. Unfortunately, with the power he displayed in the last novel, the Guild wants to get ahold of him for research purposes, making everything far more complicated. Not a ton of action, but this seems like a pivotal book, one of changes.
43. Circle of the Moon, by Faith Hunter (374 pages)
Takes place after Jane Yellowrock Dark Queen, so definite spoilers in the book for that. Somehow Rick has been called to a witch circle without any memory of it, forced to shift as he was called. As more circles appear, some drawing vampires, some drawing Rick, all mysterious, it becomes clear something is terribly wrong. Jane Yellowrock's brother takes over the team with Rick compromised. When a figure from Rick's past appears claiming to be an ally, the team knows better than to trust her. Meanwhile, Nell is dealing with churchfolk who want to force her sister into an unwanted marriage, and want to burn Nell herself at the stake. Definitely kept me engaged.
44. The Rising of the Shield Hero: Volume 2, by Aneko Yusagi (300 pages)
Naofumi's journey as the Shield Hero continues, with Raphtalia insisting the slave spell be put back on her, feeling it's needed for his mental well-being. While at the slaver's, Naofumi purchases an egg, and when it hatches he's in for a surprise. What seems at first to be normal Filolial (a bird like an ostrich) soon evolves due to the powers granted by the Shield into a Queen who can shift to human-like form. In the beginning, Naofumi and the girls help the town he saved rebuild, and eventually start to travel the countryside, where he becomes revered as a saint for fixing problems caused by the other Heroes using the power of his shield, and also for healing the sick and injured. While largely a travelogue (sometimes annoying), Naofumi goes through a lot of personal development, becoming less embittered and showing his problem-solving skills.
45. Sparrow Hill Road, by Seanan McGuire (312 pages)
I absolutely loved this book. Rose Marshall travels the country, borrowing coats to feel alive again and escape from the cold of death. She can smell those who will die on the road, and she goes with them so they aren't alone. She can smell those who can still be saved, and she works to do that as well. I loved the way that this felt like a series of vignettes, but came together in a beautiful way to also have an overarching plot.
46. Indexing: Reflections, by Seanan McGuire (325 pages)
Henry and her team have recovered from the betrayal of Birdie as best they can. Henry and Jeff have become romantically entangled, and her connection with Gerry is starting to improve a bit. Then there's a break-out from the fairy tale prison, and all hell breaks lose, threatening to destroy all of them. Great book!
47. Royal Bastards, by Andrew Shvarts (352 pages)
Tilla is the bastard daughter of a Lord, never to be his heir. She's pulled away, preferring the company of servants and her half-brother, Jax the stableboy. When the Princess of the realm comes to visit, she shocks them all by sitting at the bastard table at the feast with Tilla, Miles (who has a thing for her), and a visiting bastard, Zell. She begs them to take her to the ocean so she can dip her foot, a symbol for her of representing the entire kingdom. But when the sneak down, they wind up watching an act of treason, the Princess's uncle assassinated by... Tilla's father and Miles's mother. When they're discovered, they have to flee or die.
48. Magic at the Gate, by Devon Monk (346 pages)
Allie has walked into death, something normal mortals aren't supposed to do. Fortunately, she has Storm and two versions of her father to help her stay alive--at least long enough to save Zay. But even if she survives and succeeds, there's still a schism in the Authority and a war to win... and she's not sure who's on what side.
49. Thistle Down, by Irene Radford (304 pages)
I spent a large part of this book feeling like a prequel was missing. Major things happened in the past of these characters that have driven them to the present. It was still pretty enjoyable, but definitely felt like things were missing.
50. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, by Seanan McGuire (325 pages)
Bobby Cross's dirty dealings put Rose at risk, and with only one option--come back to life on Halloween and survive the night to remove the risk. But it's never that simple, that easy. It will take far more to get her undead life back to what passes for normal. Loved this book.
51. Undone Deeds, by Mark Del Franco (336 pages)
Honestly, this one was a pretty decent end to the series, but the end was a little lacking for me. Connor regained memories, but they weren't shared. They were important, had something to do with Meryl, but it turns a bit religious. Was kind of left a bit unfulfilled at the end, but the rest of the book was good.
52. Dead Things, by Stephen Blackmoore (295 pages)
Eric left LA years ago to protect his family, but now one of them has been murdered. So he returns to find out who was behind it and end them. He discovers he has garnered the interest of powerful beings. Satisfying read.
53. The Rising the the Shield Hero: Volume 3, by Aneko Yusagi (344 pages)
While travelling and healing the sick, acting as a wandering saint, Naofumi is asked by a girl if he'll give her a ride back to the capital. Little does he know this will set a plan into motion, assassination and religious zealotry, that will leave them fleeing for their lives. And also dealing more with the Spear Hero's weird obsession with Filo.
54. Broken Souls, by Stephen Blackmoore (264 pages)
Eric hopes to regain his own life, but the person he intended to meet with to discuss this has been killed, his skin and likeness borrowed by an assassin now after him. He has to team up with la Bruja, a young woman with a reputation who hopes to bring together LA's supernatural element. Survival will be expensive for both of them.
May pages: 4,181 pages
Pages to date: 15,989 pages
54/52 (increasing to 104)
May 2019 comic books & manga:
93. Otomen: Volume 15, by Aya Kanno (192 pages)
94. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Volume 2, by Fuse (192 pages)
95. Dawn of the Arcana: Volume 3, by Rei Toma (189 pages)
96. Stepping on Roses: Volume 4, by Rinko Ueda (192 pages)
97. Harley Quinn: Volume 6, by Frank Tieri (192 pages)
98. The Betrayal Knows My Name: Volume 7, by Hotaru Odagiri (176 pages)
99. Blue Exorcist: Volume 14, by Kazue Kato (202 pages)
100. Toradora!: Volume 8, by Yuyuko Takemiya (180 pages)
101. Wonder Woman: Volume 8, by Meredith Finch (184 pages)
102. Supermand Beyond: Man of Tomorrow, by J.T. Krul (192 pages)
103. Skip Beat!: Volume 38, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
104. Skip Beat!: Volume 39, by Yoshiki Nakamura (200 pages)
105. Skip Beat!: Volume 40, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
106. Skip Beat!: Volume 41, by Yoshiki Nakamura (176 pages)
107. Skip Beat!: Volume 42, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
108. Hana-Kimi: Volume 2, by Hisaya Nakajo (200 pages)
109. Black Panther The Complete Collection: Volume 2, by Christopher Priest (448 pages)
110. Moon Knight: Volume 1, by Brian Michael Bendis (176 pages)
111. Stepping on Roses: Volume 5, by Rinko Ueda (200 pages)
112. Paper Girls: Volume 5, by Brian K. Vaughan (128 pages)
113. Hana-Kimi: Volume 3, by Hisaya Kakajo (200 pages)
114. What Did You Eat Yesterday?: Volume 13, by Fumi Yoshinaga (151 pages)
115. Honey and Clover: Volume 5, by Chica Umino (200 pages)
116. Oh My Goddess!: Volume 6, by Kosuke Fujishima (184 pages)
117. Bokurano Ours: Volume 1, by Mohiro Kitoh (200 pages)
118. Monster: Volume 4, by Naoki Urasawa (200 pages)
119. Spice and Wolf: Volume 13, by Isuna Hasekura (160 pages)
120. Otomen: Volume 16, by Aya Kanno (192 pages)
121. Dawn of the Arcana: Volume 4, by Rei Toma (188 pages)
122. March Story: Volume 1, by Kim Hyung-Min (192 pages)
123. High School Debut: Volume 6, by Kazune Kawahara (210 pages)
124. Tokyo Babylon: Volume 1, by Clamp (160 pages)
May pages: 6,232
Pages to date: 27,434 pages
124/150
42. Uncertain Allies, by Mark Del Franco (304 pages)
Connor Grey seems to constantly draw the short straw, in a bad way, always stumbling on things that will make his life more complicated--or worse, ended. In this case, dwarves going missing or turning up dead is the tip of a bigger iceberg than he can imagine. His goals are simple: wake up Meryl, keep his friends safe, and stay alive. Unfortunately, with the power he displayed in the last novel, the Guild wants to get ahold of him for research purposes, making everything far more complicated. Not a ton of action, but this seems like a pivotal book, one of changes.
43. Circle of the Moon, by Faith Hunter (374 pages)
Takes place after Jane Yellowrock Dark Queen, so definite spoilers in the book for that. Somehow Rick has been called to a witch circle without any memory of it, forced to shift as he was called. As more circles appear, some drawing vampires, some drawing Rick, all mysterious, it becomes clear something is terribly wrong. Jane Yellowrock's brother takes over the team with Rick compromised. When a figure from Rick's past appears claiming to be an ally, the team knows better than to trust her. Meanwhile, Nell is dealing with churchfolk who want to force her sister into an unwanted marriage, and want to burn Nell herself at the stake. Definitely kept me engaged.
44. The Rising of the Shield Hero: Volume 2, by Aneko Yusagi (300 pages)
Naofumi's journey as the Shield Hero continues, with Raphtalia insisting the slave spell be put back on her, feeling it's needed for his mental well-being. While at the slaver's, Naofumi purchases an egg, and when it hatches he's in for a surprise. What seems at first to be normal Filolial (a bird like an ostrich) soon evolves due to the powers granted by the Shield into a Queen who can shift to human-like form. In the beginning, Naofumi and the girls help the town he saved rebuild, and eventually start to travel the countryside, where he becomes revered as a saint for fixing problems caused by the other Heroes using the power of his shield, and also for healing the sick and injured. While largely a travelogue (sometimes annoying), Naofumi goes through a lot of personal development, becoming less embittered and showing his problem-solving skills.
45. Sparrow Hill Road, by Seanan McGuire (312 pages)
I absolutely loved this book. Rose Marshall travels the country, borrowing coats to feel alive again and escape from the cold of death. She can smell those who will die on the road, and she goes with them so they aren't alone. She can smell those who can still be saved, and she works to do that as well. I loved the way that this felt like a series of vignettes, but came together in a beautiful way to also have an overarching plot.
46. Indexing: Reflections, by Seanan McGuire (325 pages)
Henry and her team have recovered from the betrayal of Birdie as best they can. Henry and Jeff have become romantically entangled, and her connection with Gerry is starting to improve a bit. Then there's a break-out from the fairy tale prison, and all hell breaks lose, threatening to destroy all of them. Great book!
47. Royal Bastards, by Andrew Shvarts (352 pages)
Tilla is the bastard daughter of a Lord, never to be his heir. She's pulled away, preferring the company of servants and her half-brother, Jax the stableboy. When the Princess of the realm comes to visit, she shocks them all by sitting at the bastard table at the feast with Tilla, Miles (who has a thing for her), and a visiting bastard, Zell. She begs them to take her to the ocean so she can dip her foot, a symbol for her of representing the entire kingdom. But when the sneak down, they wind up watching an act of treason, the Princess's uncle assassinated by... Tilla's father and Miles's mother. When they're discovered, they have to flee or die.
48. Magic at the Gate, by Devon Monk (346 pages)
Allie has walked into death, something normal mortals aren't supposed to do. Fortunately, she has Storm and two versions of her father to help her stay alive--at least long enough to save Zay. But even if she survives and succeeds, there's still a schism in the Authority and a war to win... and she's not sure who's on what side.
49. Thistle Down, by Irene Radford (304 pages)
I spent a large part of this book feeling like a prequel was missing. Major things happened in the past of these characters that have driven them to the present. It was still pretty enjoyable, but definitely felt like things were missing.
50. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, by Seanan McGuire (325 pages)
Bobby Cross's dirty dealings put Rose at risk, and with only one option--come back to life on Halloween and survive the night to remove the risk. But it's never that simple, that easy. It will take far more to get her undead life back to what passes for normal. Loved this book.
51. Undone Deeds, by Mark Del Franco (336 pages)
Honestly, this one was a pretty decent end to the series, but the end was a little lacking for me. Connor regained memories, but they weren't shared. They were important, had something to do with Meryl, but it turns a bit religious. Was kind of left a bit unfulfilled at the end, but the rest of the book was good.
52. Dead Things, by Stephen Blackmoore (295 pages)
Eric left LA years ago to protect his family, but now one of them has been murdered. So he returns to find out who was behind it and end them. He discovers he has garnered the interest of powerful beings. Satisfying read.
53. The Rising the the Shield Hero: Volume 3, by Aneko Yusagi (344 pages)
While travelling and healing the sick, acting as a wandering saint, Naofumi is asked by a girl if he'll give her a ride back to the capital. Little does he know this will set a plan into motion, assassination and religious zealotry, that will leave them fleeing for their lives. And also dealing more with the Spear Hero's weird obsession with Filo.
54. Broken Souls, by Stephen Blackmoore (264 pages)
Eric hopes to regain his own life, but the person he intended to meet with to discuss this has been killed, his skin and likeness borrowed by an assassin now after him. He has to team up with la Bruja, a young woman with a reputation who hopes to bring together LA's supernatural element. Survival will be expensive for both of them.
May pages: 4,181 pages
Pages to date: 15,989 pages
54/52 (increasing to 104)
May 2019 comic books & manga:
93. Otomen: Volume 15, by Aya Kanno (192 pages)
94. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Volume 2, by Fuse (192 pages)
95. Dawn of the Arcana: Volume 3, by Rei Toma (189 pages)
96. Stepping on Roses: Volume 4, by Rinko Ueda (192 pages)
97. Harley Quinn: Volume 6, by Frank Tieri (192 pages)
98. The Betrayal Knows My Name: Volume 7, by Hotaru Odagiri (176 pages)
99. Blue Exorcist: Volume 14, by Kazue Kato (202 pages)
100. Toradora!: Volume 8, by Yuyuko Takemiya (180 pages)
101. Wonder Woman: Volume 8, by Meredith Finch (184 pages)
102. Supermand Beyond: Man of Tomorrow, by J.T. Krul (192 pages)
103. Skip Beat!: Volume 38, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
104. Skip Beat!: Volume 39, by Yoshiki Nakamura (200 pages)
105. Skip Beat!: Volume 40, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
106. Skip Beat!: Volume 41, by Yoshiki Nakamura (176 pages)
107. Skip Beat!: Volume 42, by Yoshiki Nakamura (192 pages)
108. Hana-Kimi: Volume 2, by Hisaya Nakajo (200 pages)
109. Black Panther The Complete Collection: Volume 2, by Christopher Priest (448 pages)
110. Moon Knight: Volume 1, by Brian Michael Bendis (176 pages)
111. Stepping on Roses: Volume 5, by Rinko Ueda (200 pages)
112. Paper Girls: Volume 5, by Brian K. Vaughan (128 pages)
113. Hana-Kimi: Volume 3, by Hisaya Kakajo (200 pages)
114. What Did You Eat Yesterday?: Volume 13, by Fumi Yoshinaga (151 pages)
115. Honey and Clover: Volume 5, by Chica Umino (200 pages)
116. Oh My Goddess!: Volume 6, by Kosuke Fujishima (184 pages)
117. Bokurano Ours: Volume 1, by Mohiro Kitoh (200 pages)
118. Monster: Volume 4, by Naoki Urasawa (200 pages)
119. Spice and Wolf: Volume 13, by Isuna Hasekura (160 pages)
120. Otomen: Volume 16, by Aya Kanno (192 pages)
121. Dawn of the Arcana: Volume 4, by Rei Toma (188 pages)
122. March Story: Volume 1, by Kim Hyung-Min (192 pages)
123. High School Debut: Volume 6, by Kazune Kawahara (210 pages)
124. Tokyo Babylon: Volume 1, by Clamp (160 pages)
May pages: 6,232
Pages to date: 27,434 pages
124/150