The fantasy trend of 2023 continues! I finished one trilogy, read another, took a break with some middle grade, and dove into some old classic epic poetry. Let’s dive into the mini-reviews!

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (3.5/5 Stars): As I mentioned in Part 1 of this year’s Reading Recap, I was a little underwhelmed by The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King, the books that come before this one. My struggle with the first two books mostly came down to issues relating with the main character, Jude, as well as some plot moments and tension that felt too convenient and forced. This third and final book was probably my favorite of the trilogy, as it finally made sense why Jude was the lead character, but the book still repeats the previous issues I had with her and the plot. All in all, it was an okay trilogy that I gained some valuable insights as a writer from, though I wouldn’t recommend it to others.

Toothiana Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies by William Joyce (4/5 Stars): Book 3 of The Guardians series was a fun, exciting middle grade read full of magic and a clear backstory for the legend of the Tooth Fairy. Parts of the plot felt a little too fast-paced, but the ending does advance the series in a meaningful and intriguing way.

Kindred by Octavia Butler (4/5 Stars): I don’t typically include books I read for school on my Reading Recaps, but this was a notable exception. Octavia Butler’s Kindred is about a Black woman of the 1970s transported back in time to the antebellum South, where she meets her ancestors: a free Black woman and the White son of a plantation owner. It’s a really unique take on historical fiction that addresses the horrors of slavery, with characters who are endearing and a story that is thought-provoking. Even though I had to read it quickly for class, it was genuinely hard to put down regardless. It is a little intense and graphic at times, but worth a read.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (4.5/5 Stars): Another standout book I read for class! This book was on my list for some time anyway, and class finally gave me an excuse to read it. It is a collection of stories from a group of Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters, ranging from very entertaining to sad to heartfelt. It also gives some insight into World War II’s impact on China, which in my experience isn’t talked about too much in history class. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (2.5/5 Stars): The sequel to Dune carries the same intrigue and court drama as the first book. It started off strong for me: an intriguing plot of treason that gradually unfolds throughout the book. But the story started to fizzle out as things seemed to resolve too conveniently. While the book had some intriguing moments and the ending did have a twist, I struggled to finish it.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (5/5 Stars): This was a book I loved as a younger girl that I wanted to revisit as I work through writing a middle grade book with similar heart. It’s a sweet story about sisterhood and friendship, and though simple in prose, it’s a lovely story with good characters that deals with difficult topics in ways accessible to younger readers.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall (5/5 Stars): A perfect sequel that improves on the original, with great individual character arcs that weave together in fantastic ways. The set-up for the novel’s climax and resolution is perhaps mildly predictable, but it’s done with such classiness that I appreciate the payoff.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall (4.5/5 Stars): A book that accomplishes the same positives as its predecessors, my only real complaint is that it doesn’t build off of a few of the expectations left by the end of the second book. But it is still a solid entry with a touching payoff to a plotline left dangling from the first book, even if said plot twist comes across a little convenient.

Beowulf translated by J. R. R. Tolkien (5/5 Stars): Old English literature is so fascinating to me, which is why it’s the focus of my graduate school research. Tolkien’s translation of Beowulf, then, was a natural choice for me to read. I found Tolkien’s commentary on the poem insightful, and enjoyed the inclusion of Tolkien’s attempts to rewrite parts of the tale as a shorter story & poem.

The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson (4/5 Stars): I don’t think I’ve ever read the full Odyssey before, but it does not disappoint! It’s an adventurous read, and I enjoyed Wilson’s translation, which brought in some modern colloquialisms that added to the flavor of the text.

King’s Folly by Jill Williamson (4/5 Stars): The first of a prequel trilogy to Williamson’s Blood of Kings trilogy, this fantasy novel is an immersive look into a kingdom falling into corruption and chaos while a faithful remnant rises from the carnage. It’s based off of the Old Testament kings and judgement, which is a fascinating topic of choice for a fantasy novel. It’s darker than some of Williamson’s other works, but still handled tastefully. There are a ton of characters to follow, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming to keep track of the plot threads as they slowly weave together. Though some aspects of the novel felt a little repetitive, it still kept me engaged throughout.

King’s Blood by Jill Williamson (3/5 Stars): I felt a little disappointed by this second entry to the trilogy. On the positive side, it is a very immersive, engaging fantasy read, and the emotional beats within the story are strong. I teared up several times while reading. However, the story lacked a little focus and ended up feeling less like an individual, cohesive book in the series and more like a bridge between books, resolving many dangling plots from the first book fairly early and setting up problems to be resolved in the third. Also, I’m kind of mad about how this book ends, which I’ll keep vague for the sake of spoilers. It’s certainly a necessary addition to the trilogy, but I ended it feeling mixed.

King’s War by Jill Williamson (4/5 Stars): This last book of the Kinsman Chronicle trilogy worked well to wrap up the series in a mostly-satisfying way. While, unlike the first book, it at times felt overwhelming and complicated to keep characters and their purpose straight, the book also wrapped up some really touching, strong character arcs in satisfying ways. It ends a little dissatisfying for a couple of characters who I expected to change but ended up with a flat arc. That being said, as with the other books, I certainly had a hard time putting it down.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (with John & Elizabeth Sherrill) (5/5 Stars): This book is absolutely incredible. The real-life story of a woman and her family living in Nazi-occupied Holland and working in the underground to hide Jews is a powerful tale of perseverance and trust in God. The book is saturated with marvels at God’s hand in protecting, providing, and sustaining during times of hardship and oppression. If you haven’t read it, I can’t recommend a book more.