May Wrap Up // study haitus can be fun (not)

As you know, I've been on a semi break this month because exams are coming up. But you'll find that I still got up to enough reading and made the occasional review now and then!

Ms. Marvel, Vol 3 // a bit of a let down

Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol 3: Crushed
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Genre: Graphic Novel, Superheroes
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

I'm going to keep this review quick: this was my least favourite volume so far, for 3 reasons.

As the title suggests, Crushed is a very romance oriented volume. What I've liked about this series so far is it's plot and messages, but this volume felt like it lacked any story.

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye // horrifyingly magnificent

Title: Jane Steele
Author: Lyndsay Faye
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Warnings: self harm, murder, suicide, attempted rape
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

I'm sad to say that I was determined to dislike this. I'm not one for the gruesome, and as you can tell from the warnings I've listed above, Jane Steele was a quite violent novel.

Jane Steele's life mirrors that of Jane Eyre, but with one vital difference. For every wrongdoing done upon her, a dead body is left behind.

Ms. Marvel Vol 2 // A Worthy Sequel for a Worthy Hero

Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol 2: Generation Why
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artists: Adrian Alphona, Jacob Wyatt
Genre: Graphic Novel, Superheroes
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

More and more teenagers are disappearing from Jersey City, and Kamala knows The Inventor is behind it. With help from new friends Wolverine and Lockjaw, Kamala goes on a mission to find out who she really is and what The Inventor's plans are.

Ms. Marvel Vol 1 // you can never have enough kick-butt heroines

Title: Ms. Marvel, Vol 1: No Normal
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Genre: Graphic Novel, Superheroes
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

After a mysterious fog covers Jersey City, American Pakistani girl Kamala Khan finds herself with bizarre new powers. Realising that there is more to her City than meets the eye, she begins to investigate and discovers that being a superhero is not as easy as it seems.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton // unmemorable and unengaging

Title: Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1)
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Genre: Fantasy
Warnings: death, allusions of rape
Rating: 1 star
Goodreads | Book Depository

Normally I start my reviews with a story summary, but I'm already forgetting what happened in this book having just finished it, which is surprising since you'd think a Western and Middle Eastern crossover would be a bit more memorable.

10 Books I Picked Up On a Whim

I'm coming back from my break for a short time because I really liked this topic and wanted to give it a go. Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

I rarely buy books on a whim - I feel like there's too much risk of me not liking it, or if I've heard nothing about it I might not be motivated to read it. But the most magical thing that can happen to a bookish person is when they pick up a book they know nothing about and completely FALL IN LOVE. It is a rare occurrence that should be treasured.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness // the concept was better than the execution

Title: The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Author: Patrick Ness
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary
Warnings: death, mentions of suicide
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

Every story focuses on The Chosen One. But what about the people on the sidelines? The normal people who have to put up with the indie kids and all their crazy paranormal activity? They have lives too.

This is by far one of the coolest premises I've come across. I was so sure that Patrick Ness of all people could do it justice.

Welcome to Night Vale - A Novel // a nice story that could have used far fewer words

Title: Welcome to Night Vale
Authors: Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Warnings: mentions of blood
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository

If you're unfamiliar with it, Welcome to Night Vale is an extraordinary bi-monthly podcast about the bizarre goings on of a fictional town, reported by a community radio presenter. It's creepy, confusing and far from ordinary. This novel of the same name is based on two women living in Night Vale who find themselves linked by two words: King City.

May - June Break

Hi there lovely readers. It's exam time, as I'm sure it is for many of you. I might be active for a bit in May to post a review or two, but I have vowed to be 100% inactive on my blog in June until after my last exam (21st). But fear not! Astronomical Books will be back better than ever after the break and I hope to see you then.

If it's exam season where you are then I wish you all the best and hope you get the grades you want <3

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater // utterly magnificent

Title: The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology
Warnings: mentions of past child abuse, blood, death
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads Review | Book Depository

Oh wow. This took my breath away. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it last night. My mind keeps wandering back to Henrietta and the magic that I'm leaving behind.

The Raven King has consumed my every waking thought for good reason. It was my most anticipated release of the year, and now that it's over I'm not quite sure how to move on.