Everything I read in March

march hit me like a sack of bricks man

March has been hard for reading. Or least it has been for me. I spent a lot of time with friends and family, which was amazing, but it meant less time to read some of the bigger novels on my TBR.

However, I did work through some novellas and smaller fiction novels I was excited for, so please enjoy the reviews found below

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Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

Rating: 4/5 stars

when in doubt, pick up a Murderbot Diaries novel. Martha Wells always knows how to make a quick and fun narrative that keeps me engaged and is short enough that I can finish it in an evening. After a week on not being able to finish a single novel, I read this entire thing in a day. It definitely helped me pick up my reading pace and I always find it enjoyable to be back in the world of the funny and anxious Murderbot. He’s such a compelling and likeable character that I always finish the novellas excited to keep reading.

If you haven’t heard of this series, it features Murderbot. A rogue security unit robot who just wants to wash his television shows and be left alone. Unfortunately, he finds himself in situations where he needs to save the lives of the humans around him and learns more about himself along the way.

It’s such a great series and I highly recommend if you want a science fiction series with interesting worlds and great characters.

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Rating: 3/5 stars

I finally finished this series. and I hate to be a contrarian but this was my least favorite of the three.

It continues many the issues I had in the first two novels, but without as interesting as a plot to carry me through. As a conclusion of a story as well, I was hoping for more overall. I wouldn’t even say that the book was bad, just extremely disappointing.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Rating: 5/5 stars

a lovely reread in preparation for when I watched the movie this month (which was phenomenal). I love a story about people working together in times of despair, creating found families and doing what’s necessary to save the world. It gets me every time. I’ve loved this book since it’s release and that hasn’t changed in the years since.

When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

Rating: 3/5 stars

I decided to give Tessa Dare a second chance due to the sheer amount of people that love her and my desperate need for a popcorn brain dead book. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t very good.

I just don’t get this novel. This could have been due to the piss poor mood I am in this month. doom and gloom beware. However, I think it might be the book itself. I liked the premise: taking place in a regency era, a shy English woman invents a Scottish captain who she writes letters to, in order to avoid getting married. however, he turns out to be a real man who comes calling to cash in on her promises of marriage.

After the initial shock of the premise, I expected more to happen. For the characters to begin talking to each other, some character grow, or actual chemistry. Unfortunately, the just kept considering the other attractive then finding themselves in convenient locations.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I understand the love surrounding this book. It really touches on a lot of interesting ideas, from drug abuse to love, with such a fun and compelling narrative. As the reader, you truly grow to care for Margo and sympathize with her situation surrounding income and her choice to be a mother.

Even though she’s such a distinct and unique person in a pretty different situation, many of her problems are relatable. I know how it feels to not know what I’m doing in my twenties, to struggle with paying rent, and having to make choices I’m too young for. The novel really touches on these and builds up such a fantastic arc of someone really discovering themselves, in a very unconventional way.

The Lesser Devil by Christopher Ruocchio

Rating: 4/5 stars

This was novel 1.5 in the Sun Eater Series and it was what I needed. A simple well placed story to bridge me from the first to the second novel as we get to catch up with some characters we left behind earlier in the story.

I continue to love this series and can’t wait to finish the next book.

Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

I went in thinking this was going to be some generic fantasy romance and it was anything but.

I’m still super conflicted about this book. It contains so many graphic and intense moments that are difficult to describe. It also has such interesting power dynamics at work that it being hailed as a romance makes me nervous. I think I need to finish it before I make any conclusive opinions on the story. If it is able to balance the power struggle and somehow fix the issues that arise from the slaver x slave dynamic than it might be really good, until then I can’t say.

I will praise C. S. Pacat for her intriguing and simple writing style and the immersive world she built!

In the end, I got through some novels and ended the month with a nice burst of springtime reading, which really picked up my mood!