July 2021 Reading Wrap-Up

Hello, hello hello! I’m baaaaaack!!!

This past month has been pretty busy. My aunt came to visit for a week, so I hung out with her. Then I was cat-sitting while my parents were out of town. And this past week, I was working on a massive project: listing all my unhauled books on Depop (check out my shop!). It’s been a hell of a month.

Is that why I only read four books this month? Probably not, that’s about what my pace has been as of late. And all four of those books were very good. The lowest rating I gave in July was four stars.

My monthly breakdown was two adult SFF novels, one adult sci-fi novella, and one YA graphic novel. Two of those books are almost guaranteed a spot on my year-end best list. So yeah, I had a pretty good reading month.

Anyway, let’s talk a little more in depth about everything I read in July.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Summary: In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid— a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

My Thoughts: This was a lot of fun! I love Murderbot. I’ll definitely be continuing this series!

The Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin

Summary: Sieh, eldest among godling-kind, faces the greatest challenge of his immortal life: mortality.

Truly vulnerable for the first time in billions of years, he yearns to trust Shahar and Deka, the mortals he loves— yet they are Arameri, the family that enslaved his for generations.

As his powers wane, a new godling appears, bent on ancient vengeance. Sieh can save the humans he loves and hates, or he can save himself, but not both.

My Thoughts: While this is probably my least favorite of the series, I still loved it. Sieh’s character development was so compelling. And the ending made me cry. (That said, my favorite part was the bonus short story about Oree and Shiny.)

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can’t wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She’s desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends… who don’t understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan’s biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.

Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn’t seem so stifling anymore.

But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they’re each trying to hide will find its way to the surface… whether Morgan is ready or not.

My Thoughts: This was so cute! I really liked the art style. The story was fairly simple, but effective. I just wish the outing scene hadn’t happened and made me take off half a star. Overall, this was really sweet! Highly recommend!

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

Summary: An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass— still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire— face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Whether they succeed or fail could change the fate of Teixcalaan forever.

My Thoughts: This book was INCREDIBLE!!! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs added here. I was riveted from beginning to end. This was an amazing sequel and I’m desperate for more!