Think back to July. It was blazing hot. Every corner shop was running out of ice, air conditioners were sold out on Amazon, Twitter was aflush with gifs of things melting, and I was reading these books. Now I look out the window and it’s raining, so it’s about time I post this, huh?!
Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn
Something I really appreciate about this series is how often the characters talks out their problems rather than resorting to violence, especially for a bunch of werewolves and vampires. Urban fantasy can get super violent but Vaughn has a level-headed main character that can be in some tough situations without spilling blood.
One thing I will say about this, and the last Kitty Norville book that I read in June, is that the writing has got a little boring. I didn’t find a single quote in either that stuck out to me as beautiful or powerful and that’s kind of disappointing to me. I haven’t picked up the next book yet but hopefully this series can get back to when my books were covered in sticky notes.
✮✮✮
Full Moon by P.G. Wodehouse
I love these books and the antics of various characters. However, this one took a bit of a turn. I’ve never been so uncomfortable reading a book, I literally cringed. It wasn’t violence, smut or slurs but a character Veronica refusing to give up an accidental switch-up present. Much like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum but it’s a grown woman and my soul left my body listening to the audiobook.
The rest was wonderful though, and this series is so nice to stick on while cleaning or trying to sleep.
“I wouldn’t say a word against Aunt Dora, so I won’t call her England’s leading snob.”
✮✮✮
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
I’ve had this on my TBR for a couple of years and was really excited when I finally picked it up because this felt like my dream urban fantasy for about a third of the book. I loved the main character, Diana, who is a professor, because she spent a lot of time in libraries and doing research things- I just really enjoy reading about this stuff!
Then it veered off on a strange path. Soon after meeting the handsome vampire, her personality disappears. Instead replaced by a lot of talk of obeying and protecting her, plus some literal kidnapping. I’m tired of vampires who don’t understand that breaking into a woman’s bedroom is creepy and I’m tired of Stockholm Syndrome-style romances.
I really enjoy the Urban Fantasy genre but I demand a heroine that actually has some common sense.
✮✮
Imogen's Typewriter. 