Sunday Funday: Magical Readathon O.W.L.S. 2020 - Wrap Up & Mini Reviews

Happy Sunday everyone!  Today, I'm sharing my wrap up and mini reviews for the Magical Readathon, hosted by G. @ Book Roast.  I managed to complete my four O.W.L.S. for my selected Magizoologist career path (in honor of one of my favorite characters, Newt Scamander) and I completed the 2 O.W.L.S. for my bonus course of learning to operate locomotive trains. All in all I studied and earned six O.W.L.S. in Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Herbology, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies. Without further ado, here are my thoughts on my studies:

Care of Magical Creatures - Hippogriffs: Creature with a beak on the cover

❋ ❋ ❋

The premise of Godblind (Godblind #1) by Anna Stephens sounds pretty fantastic, but unfortunately it never quite lived up to my high expectations.  I wanted to like this grimdark fantasy so much more. If only I wasn't so lost half the time and didn't have as much trouble characters keeping the characters straight in my mind this could have been great. Plus, a map - a map really could have helped as well.  I doubt I'll be back for the sequel.

My review is also on Goodreads.


Charms - Lumos Maxima: White cover

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

Stiletto (The Checquy Files #2) by Daniel O'Malley isn't quite as awesome The Rook, but still pretty great.  I enjoyed seeing old  characters again (and meeting some new people) and jumping back into their world again. My main issue with this one is that Myfanwy isn't the lead character (even though the description on the back makes it sound like she is) and I wish we got to spend more time with her.  Plus, as much as I enjoy learning about the history of their world, there are times here where the asides and digressions really take you too far from the core story.  Overall, though, I highly recommend giving this a try if you loved the first installment of this series.

My review is also on Goodreads.


Herbology - Mimbulus Mimbletonia: Title starts with an I

❋ ❋ ❋ ❋

I don't know why I decided to put off It by Stephen King  for so long. I mean, I've been totally traumatized by the adaptations, and I've read a lot of Stephen King in the past. On that note I was just as prepared as I could be for my first ever read through of this horror classic. It's mostly lived up to the hype. I enjoyed getting to know the characters right from the source - Ben, Beverly, and Eddie were my favorites here which were also my favorites from the new two part movie adaptation. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Dick Hallorann appear even if it was a very minor role. How did I not know that he crossed over into this novel as well? Even though this book is over 1100, it never really drags and it held my attention all the way through. I will say though that it could probably be cut down approximately 200 pages without really hurting the overall story. Also, I totally could have done without the orgy. King could have just skipped over that one - I would have been perfectly fine with a simple blood oath. Anyway, now that I've finally completed the novel I think I'll have to rewatch the most recent movie adaptations.

My review is also on Goodreads and on this Popsugar Reading Challenge Update.


Potions - Shrinking Solution: Book Under 150 pages

❋ ❋ ❋

I picked up the Bedside Book of Bad Girls: Outlaw Women of the Midwest by Chris Enss for the segment on Victoria Woodhull, the scandalous first woman to run for U.S. President in 1872. She led a fascinating life and I know a good bit about her through my work at the public library in her hometown. Unfortunately, some details here aren't quite right or have been left out or glossed over. That makes me wonder just how accurate the stories as presented here about these other women are.

My review is also on Goodreads.


Defense Against the Dark Arts - Grindylows: Book set at sea or on the coast

❋ ❋ ❋

Magic of Blood and Sea (The Assassin's Curse #1-2) by Cassandra Rose Clark, the collected duology of The Assassin's Curse, is a fun YA fantasy adventure with pirates and some romance. It's a good read with a lot of potential, but it never lives up to it enough to be really great. I particularly enjoyed Ananna's story, but the world building left me wanting. I needed to know so much more about her world that aren't really touched upon in the story. I was hoping for something more along the lines of S.A. Chakraborty's The City of Brass as a pirate adventure, but that never happened. Either way,  if you're looking for an interesting Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired fantasy, you may want to try Magic of Blood and Sea.

My review is also on Goodreads.


Muggle Studies - Book from the perspective of a muggle: A contemporary

❋ ❋ ❋

Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss  has the potential to be a hard hitting YA contemporary about everything leading up to and surrounding a hostage situation, which includes domestic violence. As it turns out, it never quite lives up to that promise. It's not for lack of trying, but my main issue is that I never quite connected to any of the characters to the degree that I should have in order to be all that concerned over their fates. I didn't know enough about them even though we get a good deal in terms of flashbacks, about Scott in particular. A few minor characters that I should have felt more for were too flat overall. It's also a tad too long. I think it probably could have been trimmed down about 50-75 pages in length and could have done with tightening up some of the characters backstories. Plus, the way the domestic violence subplot wrapped up was really irritating - how could Scott make that call when he has a 9 month old sister?  Finally, this novel is quick and compelling read, but it just isn't as bold or fully formed as it could be.

My review is also on Goodreads.


Did you study for your O.W.L.S. this April?  Have you read any of these books?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!