Welcome to another monthly TBR, where the rules are made up and the lists don’t matter! (I hope someone catches this reference lol)
The past couple of months have been rough mentally and emotionally, so I haven’t been doing much reading at all, which is totally okay. Slumps happen, and sometimes taking a break from a hobby is also very much needed in order to reset yourself so you can go back and do it again with a bit more enthusiasm when you do go back to it, you know?
For this month, I’m going to keep it simple. Or, well, as simple as I normally do, I guess lol I’m going to have five books that I hope to get to, as one is a carry over, and the rest are going to be prompt picks. Honestly, the funnest part about making these posts is choosing books from prompts, so I’m excited to be doing this again!
Click on a cover to go to its Goodreads page!
From Last Month
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas – I’m going to finish this damn series, I SWEAR IT. I want to get it done before October when ACOTAR 6 comes out. I can do it. I got this! >:[
The Prompt Picks
Prompt One
•
Blue or Green on the Cove
A reclusive witch who fled the burden of her bloodline rises to be the greatest among them in this lush and haunting fantasy debut.
For New Orleans witchkin, there is no greater honor than to become the Prime—chosen to rule. But the title is meant to pass between two rival Houses of magic. Not to the prodigal daughter of the former Prime who died under mysterious circumstances.
As a girl, Seraphine Barreau was dubbed the Tick Witch for her ability to feed on magic and make it her own. Even among those who alter fate and manipulate reality, she was a powerful outcast feared and misunderstood by her people. Now dragged back to continue the legacy that nearly destroyed her, Phine has her work cut out for her. She must earn the respect of her people, navigate the politics of the paranormal communities residing in her city, and heal a broken heart all the while battling a parasitic curse poisoning witchkin. Between her werewolf ex, power-hungry vampires, and the skeletons in her family’s closet, Phine must learn to make peace with her past to save her—and all of witchkin’s—future.
Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens – This book was on my most anticipated list for the first half of the year, so it only felt fitting to put it on the list for this month! I haven’t read many books about witches, and since it’s now “summerween,” as many dub it, I figure now is also a good time to pick up something with a bit of magic to it. I hope I enjoy this fantasy debut!
Prompt Two
•
Read something you haven’t seen much or at all online
A shunned princess. A reluctant king.
A marriage that could save both their kingdoms . . . but destroy their hearts.
Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. Her chronic illness makes her a liability to the crown, and she has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.
When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.
Though not eager to take a human bride, King Vor is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.
So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?
When disaster strikes and the marriage alliance is compromised, Faraine suddenly finds herself forced to take her sister’s place . . . regardless of her new husband’s desires. Can she find a place at Vor’s side as his queen? Or is his heart forever closed to the woman who deceived him so cruelly?
Bride of the Shadow King by Syliva Mercedes – I have the three books in this trilogy, so why not start it, you know? I picked them up on a whim when I saw them in store, and I haven’t seen anyone talk about them before. I also haven’t read a romantasy in a while, so why not? For this choice, I’m looking for an easier read, one where I can just enjoy the ride and have fun. Since I was in such a slump the past few months, I think this will be just the book to do that.
Prompt Three
•
A book with a pretty cover
Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.
The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet decides, will be her second chance—she’ll set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (mildly homicidal) houseplant in check, and prune dark magic from the twisted boughs of her life.
Violet’s vibrant bouquets and cheerful enchantments soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, though nothing seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. With a struggling business and his own second chance seemingly out of reach, Nathaniel has no time for flowers or frippery—and certainly none for the intriguing witch next door.
When a mysterious blight threatens every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings for one another to save their community. But with a figure from her past knocking at her door and her secrets threatening to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, Violet can’t help but wonder…does a former villain truly deserve a happily-ever-after?
Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz – This was the first book that came to mind when I pulled this prompt, and I couldn’t even see the cover from where I was sitting! I knew exactly what it looked like, and I just remember when I first saw it that I thought it was such a pretty cover! The pinks and golds really compliment one another, so of course I couldn’t resist choosing this book for this prompt.
As it’s a cozy fantasy, I do hope I enjoy it. I have trouble with cozy fantasies because the stakes aren’t high enough to generally hold my interest for long, but I hope that this is a fun, light hearted read that keeps me turning the pages.
(Also, I used the image from Owlcrate‘s website because the one from Goodreads didn’t look high quality, but this is the version of the book that I own! My wife owns the standard edition cover from Book of the Month, as well, but I much prefer this edition.)
Prompt Four
•
Sci-fi
In the near future, Wade Norton has been sent to Antarctica by Senator Phil Chase to investigate rumors of environmental sabotage. He arrives on the frozen continent and immediately begins making contact with the various scientific and political factions that comprise Antarctic society.
What he finds is an interesting blend of inhabitants who don’t always mesh well but who all share a common love of Antarctica and a fierce devotion to their life there. He also begins to uncover layers of Antarctic culture that have been kept hidden from the rest of the world, and some of them are dangerous indeed. Things are brought to a head when the saboteurs—or “ecoteurs” as they call themselves—launch an attack designed to drive humans off the face of Antarctica.
Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson – When I first picked this up in the store to check out the blurb, I was instantly hooked. I read the first page and found myself intrigued. This kind of story is right up my alley, and I hope that I overall enjoy the story and the themes that’s presented in the synopsis. I’ve been wanting to read this since I got it a couple of months ago, so I’m excited to finally be digging into it!
And there’s my list for this month! I was trying to choose some smaller books for the month so that it didn’t feel too overwhelming diving back into reading, and some lighter reads, as well, so I can try to get my groove back.
I’m hoping that even if I don’t finish this list that I can read at least two or more this month, and that what I do read, I enjoy.
What books do you plan on reading in July? Anything you’re particularly excited to get to? Let me know in the comments!
Reader Rayna 
Leave a comment