Magical Hop-A-Thon, Magical Readathon, & Mythothon - Wrap Up & Mini Reviews

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today I'm featuring my wrap up and mini reviews of the April challenges I took part in.  I know, I know.  I'm a little later getting these up than I usually would be, but better late than never right?  Right!  Without further ado, check out my mini reviews for the Magical Hop-A-Thon, Round 2 (completed), Magical Readathon: Orilium - Spring Equinox 2022 (completed), and Mythothon: The Story of Osiris, Set and Isis (completed):

Disneyland Paris - Entry Ticket: Read a book that is calling to you

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The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart was one of my most highly anticipated releases for this spring.  I absolutely loved Hart's previous release The Warehouse, but unfortunately this just didn't quite work out as well for me as much as I hoped.  It's still a solid three star read for me, but maybe I had just hyped myself up a little too much.  I like Hart's style quite a bit, but January was so irritating.  I don't know about you, but I would hate to have to work with her.  Also, I found myself more confused than I ought to have been.  Regardless, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Mickey's Philhar Magic: Read a book with illustrations

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Victorian Lady Travellers by Dorothy Middleton was given to me by a friend and I thought it sounded really interesting.  I wasn't familiar with any of these women before starting this book, but this was an intriguing introduction to their lives.  I especially would like to learn more about Marianne North for sure.  By the way, the description of this book says that it's "lively, amusing".  I don't know if I'd go that far, but it is interesting.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Elemental Studies - Basis of Air Dynamics: Book Under 100 Pages

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I just happened to come across The Roman Baths at Bath: Authorised Guide Book by Barry Cunliff, Stephen Bird, et al. at a used book sale and I had to pick it up.  It's small, but it's packed with a lot of fascinating information.  It's just so cool.  I'd like to visit some day in the future.  I wonder what's other archaeological discoveries have been made since this was written in 1993?

My review is also on Goodreads.

Inscription - Glyph: Strength: Intimidating Read

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Anansi Boys (American Gods #2) by Neil Gaiman is a book that I should have read years ago.  I loved American Gods, but for whatever reason it took me this long to get on to the sequel.  While it wasn't quite as awesome as it's predecessor, it is still a must read for fans of the first book, the author, urban fantasy, and mythology.  Honestly, I'm just happy to read more from Neil Gaiman.  He's one of my all time favorite authors.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Spells & Incantations - Anti-Gravity Spell: Short Stories/ Essays

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales edited by Kate Bernheimer sounded like it had so much potential to be absolutely fascinating and cool.  In the end it was interesting, but kind of underwhelming.  I wasn't as invested in the essays as I thought I was going to be.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Restoration - Cure Wounds: Book Featuring Healers

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They weren't kidding!  The Black Company (The Chronicles of the Black Company #1) by Glen Cook is dark!  I don't know why I've been putting this series off for so long? I need to read book two asap.  If you're looking for a great early example of grim dark, look no further.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Lore - Myths Most Known: Mythology Inspired

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I love trying Arthurian retellings, whether they stick close to the legends or if they move a further afield. Unfortunately, Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian just didn't really work for me.  I liked the idea of it for sure as it focuses on Elaine, the Lady of Shallot, but this was was too slow and long.  Not very much actually happened considering that it's 429 pages long.  It's also confusing to keep track of what's actually happening and what's a vision.  The use of future tense didn't end up helping to clear things up as much as you would expect.  Another thing that I had to keep reminding myself of: the time period that it's set in.  I know it's set back then, but the every now and then a character would say or do something that really took me out of it.

My review is also on Goodreads.

SET: God of Chaos, Darkness and Storms - Read a book chosen at random.

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Heavy Time (The Company Wars #4) by C.J. Cherryh is a book that I just happened to stumble upon.  I'm going to be honest when I say that the cover really caught my eye.  I just needed to know what was going on there if you know what I mean.  Somehow I'd totally missed out on this author before now, but I thought that it was pretty good.  I'm just glad that with this series you don't have to read it in order.  I think I might have to try more from this author in the future.

My review is also on Goodreads.

Story Prompts: 

NEPHTHYS: Read a light book.

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The Whisper Man by Alex North is an engaging mystery thriller with a good dash of horror.  I really loved what I've read from this author in the past and I'm so glad I decided to try this one as well.  I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that it's definitely creepy and thrilling novel.  Whatever Alex North writes in the future I need.

My review is also on Goodreads.

PERFECT FIT: Read a book that starts with your initial.

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Lost Transmissions: Science Fiction and Fantasy's Untold, Underground, and Forgotten History by Desirina Boskovich is a book of essays covers a lot of ground to say the least. Some of them I found myself particularly interested in and they were very well written, others not so much. The two essays that really stood out to me "x: It's a Man's, Man's, Man's Apocalypse" by Grady Hendrix and "Metropolis Meets Afrofuturism: The Genius of Janelle Monáe" by Lawshawn M. Wanak. Hendrix's article because it features The Survivalist series by Jerry Ahern which I've been reading, and the other at just being excited to see Monáe get the spotlight.

My review is also on Goodreads.

BANQUET: Read a book with food on the cover.

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American Panda by Gloria Chao was such a pleasant surprise.  It's a bit of a roller coaster of emotions ranging from laugh out loud, to earnest, and even heartbreaking.  I don't read a lot of college set YA, but I definitely need to try more of it in the future.  On a similar note, I also want to try more from this author too.

My review is also on Goodreads.

FOURTEEN: Read a book with a number in the title.

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Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1) by Elizabeth Lim was a cool YA fantasy series opener.  I'm glad I decided to read more from this author because I'd say that this is her best yet.  I really loved just how much this story felt like an incredibly atmospheric fairy tale. I'm going to have to see where this series goes next with The Dragon's Promise.  At least I only have to wait a few more months!

My review is also on Goodreads.

Well, congrats for making it this far!  Have you read any of these books or take part in any of these challenges?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!