Mini Reviews: Mary’s Hiatus Reading List

Hi, hello friends – long time no see! I’ve taken a good amount of time off of the blog due to various reasons, but I am so excited to be back talking to you all again. During my time off, my reading slump finally came to an end and I started reading frequently again. I read some really great books during hiatus, so I thought it would be fun to talk about some of them today! Without anything further, let’s get into the post! 

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

This book came in one of my Illumicrate boxes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Inspired by Welsh mythology, The Drowned Woods was a compelling and easy fantasy read, I think it’s a great addition to the young adult fantasy genre! Lloyd-Jones has a great writing style, and it’s very easy to root for her characters. The story follows Mererid (‘Mer’) and her quest to defeat the prince that kept her captive. Mererid has an interesting power – she is the last living water diviner, and she has the power to poison water to kill the Prince’s enemies. While on the run, Mer has to hide what she is capable of.

The band of characters in this book were super fun to read about, and I can’t wait to see if we get to learn more about them in potential future books. In fact, I was consistently telling people that my favourite part of this book was the corgi that joined the ranks – it was so fun having a dog as a part of the main plot, and it made me realise just how little people write animals in books! Alongside our corgi friend is Fane, and he was fantastic! He and Mer have a great dynamic, and I loved seeing his development throughout the book. There is romance in this book, but it’s not the main focus. Fane and Mer are a great match, and I loved how supportive of each other they were. Honestly, if Lloyd-Jones wanted to write another book about these two, I wouldn’t be mad. I also liked Ifanna, Mer’s ex-girlfriend who also happened to be the heir to a thief kingdom. She was fantastic, and I would also love an entire book dedicated to her.

All in all, I think this book is fantastic! I can’t wait to check out more of Emily Llloyd-Jones’ work, but this book was a great start. Four stars all round! 

Links to The Drowned Woods: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indiebound

Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict, and eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” is well-acquainted with both. She is the last living water diviner and has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. Under the prince’s orders, she located the wells of his enemies, and he poisoned them without her knowledge, causing hundreds of deaths. After discovering what he had done, Mer went to great lengths to disappear from his reach. Then Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both.

The best way to do that is to destroy the magical well that keeps the prince’s lands safe. With a motley crew of allies, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally be able to steal precious freedom and peace for herself. After all, a person with a knife is one thing… but a person with a cause can topple kingdoms.

The Drowned Woods—set in the same world as The Bone Houses but with a whole new, unforgettable cast of characters—is part heist novel, part dark fairy tale.

Star Wars: The Padmé Trilogy by E.K. Johsnton

I finally got around to reading this absolute gem and I am so thankful I did. I read the entire trilogy via audiobook, and it was the best decision. If you’re ever reading a Star Wars novel, I highly recommend you do so through audiobook. They are very immersive, featuring all the different atmospheric noises you’d expect to hear in this universe. This series did such a great job at giving the reader more insight into Padmé’s life pre and during the events of the Star Wars prequels. In fact, my favourite thing about them was just how much we got to see her as Padmé Naberrie, rather than Queen or Senator Amidala. It was extremely well written and well-received by me, someone who’s favourite character in this universe is Padmé. 

Another thing I loved about this series was how much we got to see of her handmaidens, and the journey they go through in the different timelines. I feared they would feel too similar due to adopting so much of Padmé’s mannerisms for the sake of their employment, but that wasn’t the case at all. They were all beautifully individual, and it’s honestly hard to pick a favourite. I loved seeing how different dynamics with Padmé were represented, and how each of them brought different (but essential) talents to Padmé’s team of handmaidens slash bodyguards. I loved everything about them.

Links to Queen’s Shadow: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indiebound

Written by the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Star Wars Ahsoka!

When Padmé Naberrie, “Queen Amidala” of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo’s representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down the request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padmé must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen’s shadow.

Aquicorn Cove by Kay O’Neill 

I read this one shortly after we finished reading The Tea Dragon Society for our book club, and I absolutely adored it. This was such a sweet graphic novel, centred around protecting the environment. Like The Tea Dragon Society, the art style and story were so beautiful – I adored every moment of it. Unlike The Tea Dragon Society, Aquicorn Cove has only one book, so it was a very quick read but I ate up every page. I really hope Kay O’Niell revisits this world – it was pure, wholesome fun. Honestly, it has inspired me to read some more graphic novels, and I can’t wait to continue to do so. Kay O’Neill has become an author I will forever keep on my radar – I just love their work so much.

Links to Aquicorn Cove: Goodreads | TheStoryGraph | Bookshop | Indiebound

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a storm, the last thing she expects is to discover a colony of Aquicorns—magical seahorse-like residents of the coral reef. As she explores the damaged town and the fabled undersea palace, Lana learns that while she cannot always count on adults to be the guardians she needs, she herself is capable of finding the strength to protect both the ocean, and her own happiness.

And there we have it! Three mini reviews of some of the books I picked up during my hiatus. Admittedly, my reading slump came back, and I have struggled to finish a book. I’ve started a few, but I can’t seem to bring myself to finish one! Currently in the works I have The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith, Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen, and Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird on Audible, which I listen to at work. I’m super excited to continue these, and I hope my reading slump ends soon! 

Happy reading!