First 2025 reads are…. And reviews!
Drumroll please, just kidding.
I finished Nightbane just a little after midnight but it took me into 2025! So that kicked off my reading 📖 … and when I tell you I flew through skyshade… I mean I could not stop ✋ until I was done.
Once I was done mourning the end of Skyshade, I jumped into the Delirium series. I’m currently on number 2!
Nightbane ⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5)
Short Review: First off, I love that it’s a seamless transition from Lightlark. Without spoiling much, watching Isla grow as the story progresses is 👏🏻 overall. It switches a lot between ‘before’ memories and current times. A few times I had to go back and check to see if it was current or past. That’s why it’s 4.5* instead of 5.
Skyshade ⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short review: ok, this one probably could have been 4.5 too, but I feel like there was a lot of talk of Isla/Grimm/Oro who will she choose & I was over it by the end. But the storyline still had me in a chokehold and there was no way I wasn’t finishing - and the cliffhanger ending 😭 I need the next book, like yesterday.
Delirium ⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short review: I’m really not sure if this should be 3.5 or 4 ⭐️ to be honest. I did not get hooked right away. I almost DNF’d but decided to stick it out a little longer and I am glad I did.
*possible spoiler in the next paragraph*
By the halfway point, I was dying to know what choice Lena would make regarding her upcoming surgery. I am still salty about the ending with Alex and I think the author did him dirty but hoping that there’s a twist coming 🙏🏻
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Have you read any of these? What are your thoughts about them?
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Yearly Reading goal update: 3 / 300.
#lightlarkbyalexaster #lemon8bookclub #readersoflemon8 #readingjournal #readingchallenge2025
Starting a new year always feels like a fresh page, especially when it comes to my reading journey! There's nothing quite like diving into new worlds and characters. This year, my first few reads really set the bar high, and I wanted to share a bit more about what made them so captivating, or sometimes, a bit challenging. First up, getting into Alex Aster's world with 'Nightbane' and 'Skyshade' was an experience. For 'Nightbane,' I was immediately impressed by how seamlessly it picked up from 'Lightlark.' It’s a rare talent when an author can maintain that flow, making you feel like you haven't missed a beat. Watching Isla grow and evolve through the story was definitely a highlight for me. The narrative structure, with its shifts between 'before' memories and current events, added a layer of depth. While it occasionally made me pause to check my bearings, it ultimately enriched the storytelling, pulling me deeper into Isla's past and present struggles. The world-building in Alex Aster's books is just so immersive; you can practically feel the frost of the castle or the tension in the air. Then came 'Skyshade,' and oh my goodness, that book had me in a chokehold! Despite the ongoing 'who will she choose' dilemma involving Isla, Grimm, and Oro—which, I admit, I was ready to move past by the end—the core storyline was just too compelling to put down. Alex Aster crafted a plot that kept me guessing, and the cliffhanger? Absolutely brutal! I literally closed the book feeling like I needed the next installment yesterday. It’s that kind of intense ending that makes you crave more, demonstrating the author's mastery of suspense. Moving on to 'Delirium' by Lauren Oliver, this one was a real test of patience at first. I'll be honest, I almost DNF’d it. The beginning didn't immediately grab me, and I questioned if I should continue. But something told me to stick with it a little longer, and I am so glad I did! By the halfway point, I was completely invested. The story of Lena and her impending 'cure' for love, along with the mystery surrounding Alex, became incredibly gripping. That twist with Alex at the end truly left me floored. I’m still a bit salty about how things played out for him – I felt like the author did him dirty! But that's also a testament to how deeply I connected with the characters and their fates. I’m holding out hope for a brilliant twist in the next book to redeem some of those heart-wrenching moments. My personal takeaway from these reads is a reminder that not every book hooks you from page one, but sometimes, the most rewarding stories are the ones you push through. And for those books that end on a massive cliffhanger, it just fuels the excitement for the next release! It's all part of the unique adventure of being a reader. What books have captivated your attention or surprised you this year?
