the 14 books i read in may 2023 🐝 fourth wing, jade city, summer horror, vampire romance, lightlark

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this month was a win for all my fellow creepy girls out there
mentioned:
someone who will love you in all your damaged glory
jade city
the secrets of hartwood hall
greek lessons
lightlark
scorched grace
killers of a certain age
divine rivals
our crooked hearts
the undertaking of hart and mercy
fourth wing
the honeys
what lies in the woods
heart of stone
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the 14 books i read in may 2023 | fourth wing, jade city, summer horror, vampire romance, lightlark

[@kelseyp3142]

I am a simple woman: Cari recommends me a book and it gets immediately added to my TBR

[@caricanread]

:''''')

[@weronikalinda4917]

Same

[@LaMaria1025]

Lol same. I watch her videos for book recommendations 😂

[@kr4231]

Same! We have similar taste so I trust her 😊

[@gisel9473]

Same!!!!

[@karinanieblas3677]

I love the fact that I haven’t read any of those books so It’s all new opportunities

[@caricanread]

yeeeee!

[@gabs392]

I’m in the middle of Fourth Wing and do not understand how hyped up this is but I think the marketing campaign for it pushed it through the roof. Also; a super fun thriller read that came out this year is Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon.

[@alexhornsey9414]

I'm so so glad you're doing another plot summary series. I've been watching your ACOTAR series to fall asleep and its been really nice. Plus its a series I always wanted to read but know I never will!!! Thank you Cari

[@arlissbunny]

I was lucky going into Jade City because I had been told that it was, basically, The Godfather, and that’s true. Jade City is very much a set up book. Jade War drives the plot hard and somehow got me to bond to characters that didn’t matter to me in book one. Jade Legacy is all about payoff and I was surprised by how emotional I ended up being. The series ends really strongly and that’s the lingering imprint so, IMO, people love the series as opposed to each individual book.

[@melodykim5865]

Hard agree on this. Takes all the pieces to understand the story full-picture. Not for those who are impatient for sure.

[@Artbyhurricanyounot]

One of these days, I hope I’ll get to see “daughter of the forest” by Juliet Marillier (or any book by her) in one of these videos. One of the most beautifully written fairytale retellings I’ve ever come across ❤️ can’t wait to hear what you have to say about all these books while I formate my TBR

[@caricanread]

noted!!!!

[@Artbyhurricanyounot]

@@caricanread wooo! Also trigger warning on Daughter of the forest though! There’s an SA scene. The character gives a heads up before it happens, and it plays a role in what occurs afterward!

[@mariac.4462]

Completely agreed! I'd love if Cari read and reviewed any book by Juliet Marillier. ❤

[@laurakate9297]

@@caricanread if you want to avoid the triggers and read one of her books that’s a bit more of a heartwarming fantasy, with some good disability rep and a beauty and the beast ish story line - her book Hearts Blood is one of my absolute favourites!!!

[@amenahdhirani7334]

You're one of the booktubers whose book vibes match mine! I enjoyed every single book that you loved. PLEASE READ SHADOW OF THE WIND!!! you won't regretttt at alll

[@madelynlamm2735]

Jade Legacy (the last book) is one of my favorite books of all time!

[@doodeedoda]

I was also underwhelmed by Jade City due to the hype, but luckily I immediately went into the next book and that's when I really got hooked. You get to see a lot more of the world outside Janloon as the series goes on. The sequels include time jumps so you see the characters and the world changing, the family expanding, etc. Spending more time with the characters made me really invested by the end of book 2. So I would suggest to try out the second book and see if the political intrigue and family drama interests you, if not, then this series might just not be for you.

[@VetinariClone]

I only managed to get a handful of chapters in before I decided it wasn’t for me. I just kinda loathed everyone. Like, the characters seemed well written, but deeply unlikeable. Are there characters that get introduced later on that one can root for? Because I just didn’t think I had it in me to read a whole series about assholes being assholes.

[@doodeedoda]

@@VetinariClone The books stick to the Kaul family all the way through so if you really dislike reading about them then I don’t think you’ll enjoy the series. We stay focused on the upper devisions of the clan so everyone continues to make morally questionable decisions. I think Anden is probably the least asshole-y person of the family, so if you like him he does get a lot more prominent in the other books, though I don’t know if that would make you enjoy the series.

[@nala6028]

@@VetinariClone this is exactlyyy how i felt about jade city, so glad i’m not the only one

[@user-bh2jr4wf7z]

You're videos are literally the soul reason that I started reading for fun again this year after finishing my degree! Cari thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so inspiring!💖

[@caricanread]

😭😭😭 thank YOU!!!

[@gabbiepoppins]

Having the exact same experience with Fourth Wing and I feel so validated

[@MeAsTeee]

Fourth wing just stunned me, fav so far, maybe because I read it as my first fantasy /Romantasy. Glad that you read it 💞

[@PaulaCucamunga]

Same! I had been on a reading slump for... well, years, to be honest. These past years I've been reading mostly graphic novels and I was looking for a fantasy book that sounded fun and had a bit of romance/smut (lol) that would get me excited about reading again and damn, I absolutely loved Fourth Wing. Is it the best book ever written? No. Would I change things? Yes. But I had sooo much fun reading it, I loved the characters (specially the sassy dragons), the romance had me giggling like a teenager and I loved the world (even though some things make no sense and I wish there world building was more solid) hahaha The vibes were a 10/10 for me 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 And now I'm super happy cause my excitement for books and reading has come back 🥰

[@screamingbean7509]

May for me was basically trying to get out of a reading slump (the semester was a lot of work), and you’re videos really helped me slowly get out of it. I read some books, read a lot of fanfiction, mostly fanfiction, but hey those are still stories too. Hoping to read more books for this month😌

[@mariedrasnin2152]

Now we know why Cari is always surprised that books are not standalone😂 I think the “a novel” is just to describe the form (as opposed to poetry or drama or short stories) so it can be a standalone but also part of a series

[@slvr323]

idk, if i see “a novel” printed on the cover, i would also totally assume it signified a standalone story. but, maybe it’s being used more loosely and doesn’t have that specific connotation as much now that so many books are being stretched into duology/trilogy/series format for profit’s sake. 🤷

[@TheCosmictadpole]

Your description of The Undertaking… book made me absolutely want to read it! Can’t wait to hear you describe a book you absolutely love 😂

[@greyskiesartify]

I went into Fourth Wing thinking i was going to hate it and i actually really enjoyed it!

[@lejenni7591]

I’m so intrigued by the summer thriller and now I’m really looking forward to another plot recap :)

[@faithcaren577]

So excited!!! Thank you for always trying to find new books for us to read and giving such real reviews

[@caricanread]

Yes its totally hit or miss!! hope you enjoyed paris 🥹🥹🥹

[@careinabearina]

OMG not the TMI video summaries my jaw dropped i'm so excited!! the TMI series was my first book series as a teen that i got into so it's a guilty pleasure LOL can't wait to hear how you describe it, i've actually been meaning to reread the series since i can't remember much of the plot myself

[@summoningreaders]

You're videos is the reason I started reading again after years. I kinda put it aside once i became a mother and got a 9 to 5 and found your videos one day at work and just got hooked. Thank you for all you do!!!

[@SHAMPAIN]

I bought Heart of Stone so fast , I can’t wait to read it. Sounds right up my alley

[@Sthemingway]

Reading about loving chocolate, a bath....and your expression -- priceless! Followed by the equally on-point, "I don't think that's how boobs work."

[@nknutson780]

I loved ‘killlers of a certain age’ I think about that book a lot wish there was more with those characters. I also loved ‘what lies in the woods’ I read a ton of thrillers and was shocked by the very very end. So props to you for figuring it out. I just read a new release called ‘The Chateau’ that was a good thriller takes place in France so that’s a plus. Can’t wait for your mortal instrument video 🎉

[@katherinekaras]

jade city is my favorite book ever. i read them back to back because i like to torture myself so the bigger stuff does come later on but it's really about this generation of the clan, not one big event like traditional fantasy books. not all the characters are going to be likeable because that'd be boring. it was super important to me who reads a lot of high fantasy placed in medieval european landscapes to have something different and a culture i could relate to but in a fantasy setting

[@milo1241]

i struggled to get through jade city but absolutely flew through jade war and loved it and can’t wait to read jade legacy

[@catherinebunay5082]

I love the you’re doing the Mortal Instruments omg I can’t wait and I trust your word 💯 love your projects and hard work!

[@seasfancams643]

just saw your videos for the first time the other night, i have good timing! your videos have rekindled that desire i used to have for reading, and i've been introduced to so much!

[@caricanread]

you have no idea how happy that makes me!

[@rebeccah.h]

Thank you for a new video! They always make me smile! ❤

[@caricanread]

thanks for being here :')

[@chinr6880]

i am so glad i didn't have high expectations with fourth wing. i saw everyone on bookstagram posting about it and got curious. i was in a fantasy slump and i am so grateful i read it at a perfect time and got me out of the slump although i do agree that it isn't the greatest book ever (and some plot twist were bit predictable) but it was still an enjoyable read. LOVE THE DRAGONS

[@sarahelsie]

Our Crooked Hearts sounds so good, just added it to my tbr!

[@benjaminbrelje2289]

Haven't watch your videos and and kind of a minute but I love just the dedication that you have to the detail of the books that you read in general that's pretty cool

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I'm not normally one for wrap ups, but I love these videos!

[@tattooedkittykat]

I still believe Rebecca Ross's strongest books are The Queen's Rising and The Queen's Resistance. Man, that duology is such a hidden gem! Definitely in my favorite books of all time.

[@sammirakkar]

those books are AMAZING

[@kageyukiaru]

i thank you for recommending Heart of Stone! it was sooo cute!! and i agree with everything you said, it does get dragged on a bit but they were such precious and lovable characters 🥺

[@sarahmellinger2907]

I loved Jade City, but I really don’t remember why. I was just so gripped by the story and the characters and I read the whole trilogy all at once. I was definitely not expecting it to have such a hold on me, because I wasn’t sure if I’d be into the whole gang war thing. But then something about the characters really started to hit me emotionally and I knew in that moment I was hooked. Hilo is my favorite I think. He learns and grows so much over the three books, and really comes into his own as a leader. Now that I think about it, that might have been what hooked me. I love reading books where they follow a character who is learning how to be a leader. Something about that just works for me.

[@michelleskaar9511]

I LOVE all the library support. Yessss, use your local library!!

[@emalienelson4964]

Yay!! New Cari video I feel blessed!! It’s gonna be a good evening! ❤😌

[@caricanread]

hope you had a good day too!

[@lioness3146]

Totally forgot your monthly wrap up was coming up and had been having a rough time, so thank you, made my day💜 (Also day 1 of asking Cari to read Thorn by Intisar Khanani, a goose girl retelling which is the most beautiful book that dethroned my past all time favourite of 7 years)

[@Fiona-hd4vc]

i loved this book called into the heartless wood!! its like abt the tree siren and an aspiring astrologist! the cover is also sooo cute.

[@jessicaleigh656]

I barely read in May. I was transitioning between jobs and taking care of some personal needs but i'm so excited to check out the books you read while i wasn't!

[@margpcastbujo]

i loved Jade City!! I'll read the second book this month

[@orange_tea]

Oh wow 14 is a lot! I read 5! And 2 of genres I don't usually read, good month overall

[@apollolewis]

Cari’s videos are really nice to listen to while writing, I think it’s because her voice is so soft. Very calming. I’m also surprised there aren’t more books about nuns in New Orleans. I live in southern Louisiana and we have a lot of catholics here.

[@themodernbookwoman]

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell was a really good suspenseful/mystery! I have always loved Greg Iles' books. And I also really enjoyed Wrong Place Wrong Time sooo much more than I expected to!! Def worth checking out!

[@maryr329]

The Last Word by Taylor Adams is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while. A woman living with her dog on the Oregon coast reads a self-published thriller and gives it a one star Amazon review. The author contacts her to take it down, she refuses, and…ACTION! You’ll definitely want to read it in one sitting.

[@yourstruly9013]

Thats a really interesting premise

[@maririta8331]

i love your videossss queen

[@dimahanamahsunah6105]

I also read Jade City and had the exact same responses as you, it was not the story that I expected. But hearing you mentioned in on this video made me kinda want to continue the series 😂 my friend said it gets better in the second and third books!

[@anna--emilia]

I went into Jade City with zero expectations and I had no idea what it was about, but loved it 😄 for me it just worked in every way, but could see why it wouldn't be for everyone!

[@nospoonfulofmayonnaiseforme]

I recently finished A River Enchanted. It was just fine. I'm reading Fourth Wing atm and loving it. It's hard for me to not feel bored during such a long book so I'm impressed.

[@sammileung86]

I loved your last review and instantly went to Google and omg how many books are there out there called Hearts of Stone!! Had to come back and note the author. Looking forward to reading it now I've finally found it 😅

[@ameliadavidson360]

DEFINITELY adding "Our Crooked Hearts" to my TBR, as well as "Understanding Hart Mercy". Time to take a trip to the bookstore~!

[@adilrehman7346]

I'm currently reading "The Secrets of Hartwood Hall" and really enjoying it.❤

[@caricanread]

Yay!! Definitely atmospheric!

[@melissabelen5866]

I would love a reading vlog of you reading all 4 books in the Dark Fables Vicious Faeries series :D Your reactions are always so hilarious in the vlogs

[@thattinyfox]

A bit late here but I can't wait to hear your thoughts on The Shadow of What Was Lost! It's been sitting on my bookshelf forever and wasn't sure if I should pick it up!

[@onescentperbook]

thank you for sharing with us

[@lazzj4995]

Wow 14 books - inspirational. I managed to read one during a holiday last week. I need to up my game as my tbr list is getting way too long.

[@erinhammo9291]

I loved Someone Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory because it came at a time of my life in which I needed to hear the overall theme of the book - and I definitely cried my eyes out on the plane visiting my family while reading it. But I agree after rereading it that I feel like some stories are hit or miss. Killers of a Certain Age was a 5/5 stars for me, I was just funny, quick, and I loved each woman and how they operated.

[@thamytsutsui3977]

I love your videos!!! ❤❤❤❤ Cari, you should try reading Fireborne (book one of the Aurelian Cycle). It's the better version of Fourth Wing and a bonus is that it doesn't have spicy scenes 😅

[@pilar2406]

i'd feel so betryed if i thought a book was a standalone and then ended up being a duology lol! hate cliffhangers, that's why i avoid unfinished series

[@elalangoon]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who struggled with Jade City!! I picked it up last year because, like you, I'd heard such positive reviews, but honestly I struggled to finish it. I was so late returning it to my library I was afraid they were going to completely suspend my membership. I think it picked up a little bit towards the end, but to be honest, I'm not inclined (yet) to finish the rest of the series. I just found myself not caring much about any of the characters.

[@FrugalOverFifty]

Always enjoy your videos, though I read very different genres than you. So I was really surprised that you read Jade City! I think you liked it better than I would have expected LOL. The series is one of my lifetime favorites, and I had a really hard time emerging from the world of the series when I was done reading it. Thanks for reading it and talking about it, even though it wasn't your thing. 🤘

[@melodykim5865]

I was nervous when I saw it on the thumbnail because it’s always not fun when a booktuber you enjoy dislike your favorite books, and I thought for sure this book isn’t cari’s cup of tea - so I was quite relieved. Anyways, hard agree on the Green Bone saga being a lifetime favorites, truly a masterpiece!

[@caelin3701]

re jade city: I read it once a few years ago and didn't entirely get it or connect with the characters just like you, but I picked it up again last year and on reread I enjoyed it a lot more! i don't actually remember much of the plot details for book 2 or 3, but what i do know is that book 3 made me cry and i RARELY cry when i read. more characters get expanded on, and i found jade city stayed close to janloon and the kauls, but the other books show more of the world and more characters. the whole series is definitely worth the read even if you were feeling iffy on the first one.

[@caricanread]

Yeah perhaps ill put this on my “reread at a later date” list!

[@chalseydebaere626]

Definitely give A River Enchanted another chance. It started slow for me too but once I was fully immersed it was hard to put it down

[@ploppsilly]

has nothing to do with this monthly wrap up, but my local libary finally added Legendborn to their books and audiobooks and i finally got my hands on it and im so hyped! had it on my tbr since you recommended it and im so happy that i get to read it now. im still in the beginning but the story has me already sucked in.

[@laram9229]

FINALLY someone who feels the same way about Jade City as me!! I could not get into the characters and have never understood the hype around this book. Like you said...not bad, but not what I was expecting. If you do read the second one I'll be excited to see if you think it's worth it.

[@alyssallaguno4106]

JADE CITYYYY

[@logann-mackenziefroste563]

Awesome video ❤

[@andshereads]

I read Jade City about a year ago, and I haven't been able to pick up the second one. It's not that I didn't like it necessarily but I didn't love it and there are other things that I could be reading. So I totally get where you're coming from.

[@officialyza]

I love love you! and your book recommendations and your monthly wrap ups. 🫶🫶🫶

[@hayake5284]

great video! please do give the sword of kaigen read at some point, it's a whole masterpiece

[@samrajamal9290]

ive barely read the first two chapters of fourth wing and already it reminds me so much of an ember in the ashes, which was an amazing series, so i’m probably gonna dnf this one. wish i could trust the hype around books nowadays!!

[@ceciliap9968]

I am really appreciating hearing your thoughts on Jade City! I had a very similar reaction when I read it and I opted to spoil the rest of the series using wikipedia rather than continuing on. I can completely understand why this is so beloved but I just didn't vibe with it. I think some of it came from the fact that it read more like a historical fiction on organized crime than a fantasy. It's really hard to find opinions on social media about Jade City that aren't glowing and I am grateful to hear your opinions.

[@lifewithjown]

i can't stop staring at your lashes Cari!!! Care to share your mascara, please? The Kind Worth Killing and The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson one of the best thrillers for me!

[@elisez3531]

I LOVED The Shadow of What Was Lost!!!! I think you’re in for a great ride if you stick with the whole trilogy. The ending is just phenomenal. It can be a bit convoluted at times and some people find it difficult to follow in some areas but it really is such a fantastic story. It’s the authors first published work so I’m excited to see what he can do in the future.

[@lunarcat4496]

hard agree. an amazing trilogy. it's preferable to read it back to back to not get lost, even though the 2nd and 3rd book have recaps and glossaries! the plot is amazing and writing is simply chef kiss. highly recommend

[@Allenro711]

He just published a new book. I'm almost done with it and I loved it way more than Shadow already!

[@hiimbellalynn]

I loved Jade City. All three books were amazing but I particularly loved Jade City. I think you should give it another try!!

[@JohannaisaViking]

I LOVED Jade City but I 100% agree on the names. I had to start a Note in my phone to write down when new characters were introduced and remind myself who was who the first like... four times they'd be mentioned because I just could NOT get a handle on it at first.

[@acrd1035]

Yay first again! Imma watch this wholleee video

[@caricanread]

thank you thank you!

[@absintheattic6131]

I just binged the Clocktaur War books by T. Kingfisher and I’m not going to have to binge her entire oeuvre bc oh my god her characters are addicting Her style is so witty and sarcastic, can’t stop reading.

[@Valleylily0]

OMG i love her books so much 🤩😭

[@WittTiger09]

So happy to see someone else isn't fervently in love with the Jade trilogy. I think I gave the series a three overall and the first book was the strongest.

[@Rotwood]

For a recent dragon school book, I've been enjoying reading To Shape a Dragon's Breath. I highly recommend it.

[@InkFiCTi]

One thriller/horror i LOVED was summers edge, the characters were amazingly done, i didn't find it to predictable and i definitely didn't see the main major twist coming, it was pretty confusing towards the end but it does wrap up very nicely and i will say it is probably one of my new favorite books, as soon as i finished i immediately wanted to re read it, so that's saying something.

[@Lara_Ameen]

I loved it, too! 🥰

[@Rebecca-de4dn]

Omg yes I feel so seen with the jade city opinion!! When I read it I was like uhhhhh is it just me? The first 25-30% I was like ooooh this is fun and then *SPOILER* when Lan died early on I was like well this dynamic has completely changed I just do not care anymore. Like the 4 of them were just so perfectly balanced and then it just felt off the rest of the book. I liked Shae and Anden but I really did not care for Hilo AT ALL which really killed it for me. I feel like everyone was like this is a thrilling action + jade magic fantasy book and instead I was so bored and I was so uninvested.

[@caricanread]

That was the part that surprised me! I thought for sure he’d come back to life 😂

[@Rebecca-de4dn]

@@caricanread YES at the funeral I was like alright this is the moment it’s happening he’s using jade magic to come back and then he just…. Didn’t and I was like ugh great now I’m stuck with Hilo

[@NicolesBookGuide]

Hard agree with both of you. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, but I liked Lan for the most part. So losing him really shot the book in the foot for me. It barely escaped dnf. (I was so sure I would like it that I bought it so then I get obligated to finish so I didn’t waste my money 😂😭)

[@roneeshea-tyler7756]

It was obvious that Hilo was the author's favorite character and I hated him from start to finish. I found the patriarchy and misogyny to be unnecessary. I read the whole series and it is exciting. I think she's a good writer but I can't forgive for what she did to the female characters.

[@pablodomenech1911]

@@roneeshea-tyler7756 I disagree her best characters were female: Shae, Wen and Ayt Mada.

[@welephantsoup]

THE GUEST LIST! I absolutely adored it as one of my first leaps into modern thrillers & I literally couldn’t stop reading it! The Honeys was such a trip, watching this video makes me think that maybe it’s my own fault for expecting it to be based in reality and then the story falling short because it 1000% isn’t 🙃 also the attempt at representation and pride in it is done so absolutely poorly it was really difficult for me to even get through

[@dolphinsrock09]

I have to say I was the biggest fan of the first Jade City book I found it very slow. I did fall in love with the characters a lot more in Jade War and on my own TBR I have Jade Legacy but after I read Jade War I had to get special editions of the whole series.

[@alyssamurray2330]

Loved this!! On the topic of thriller/horror recommendations - one that I always think of is a little novella called What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher. Not sure if you've read it already but it's a retelling of The Fall of The House of Usher. I read it last year in one sitting and loved it!

[@francespeterson2452]

Since you mentioned being interested in books about nuns I do reccomend Matrix by Lauren Groff! Very different vibe than what you described of Scorched Grace (being more historical/literary but still queer!) but I really enjoyed reading it last year!

[@caricanread]

omg yessss give me all the nun books hahhah thank you!

[@house.fullofbooks]

I think it would be so much fun to hear your opinion on the Sookie Stackhouse series, if you'd read those. I'm obsessed.

[@kazzy9897]

I love listening to you talk about books Cari. It's just so soothing 💞 How was Japan btw?

[@caricanread]

Thank you! I made two vlogs about it - check them out 🥰🥰

[@kazzy9897]

@@caricanread Will do ☺

[@luanamendes9075]

Hi Cari! So honestly you're not crazy, i read Book 1 and 2 in the Jade City series, book 2 was much better for me because in mainly followed the characters I liked the most, but for the amount of pages those books have, there was allot going on off page... i started book 3 and it was a DNF for me... theres this trope that is used that really made no sense for me given what we knew about those characters and i was never in love with the world to continue🙈

[@so-meichi]

40:05 "Birmin -ham" I can't 💀😂😅

[@caricanread]

I was waiting for this comment 🙄

[@nozomischmoock8799]

I promise you get so much more attached to the characters in jade war. The next two books were absolute masterpieces filled with action on every single page. Please at least try Jade war 😭😭

[@tiegank]

What Lies In The Woods sounds SO SO similar to the plot of The It Girl by Ruth Ware, which is a thriller I really loved and didn't expect the ending! Switch out childhood forest exploration for university friendship toxicity and dynamics and you have the same book there (but better I hope!) Also Do No Harm or Conviction by Jack Jordan are both wonderful thrillers that I ate up so fast, he's the master of the moral dilemma!

[@readknitwithcheryl]

What I got from this video: I really need to eat more chocolate cake.

[@caricanread]

😂😂😂

[@catsreadbooks9359]

LOVED the Green Bone Saga! I felt sort of similarly on Jade City but that last chapter with Bero really hooked me & I had to know what was going to happen. The series just gets better & better. I really didn't like any of the characters but the story overall. People who ride or die for Hilo? Like, I don't get it.

[@Lara_Ameen]

THE SECRETS OF HARTWOOD HALL and DIVINE RIVALS sound really good! A friend told me good things about FOURTH WING because of the disability rep, but I’m unsure overall. Some thrillers I’ve enjoyed: SUMMER’S EDGE by Dana Mele IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE by Ashley Winstead THE SENATOR’S WIFE by Liv Constantine (I was a sensitivity reader for this book and I loved the twist!)

[@daph1989]

Cari, I'm a new subscriber and I'm so glad to have found your channel!! 🥹 here with a fantasy rec: Furyborn by Claire Legrand! I haven't read the third book (yet) but I think it's such an underrated series. I recommend it for anyone who loves powerful morally gray heroines and intriguing villains... I need to reread it asap bc ugh it was so good

[@salome9760]

I read Frankenstein in Bagdad this month, which was a really interesting read I'm still thinking about 🤔

[@zaravive5809]

A few people in the comments have already said it, so I’ll just echo it: Jade city was a disappointing 3 star read for me and I also contemplated whether I should continue. I usually don’t listen when people say “it gets better later” because it usually never holds true for me and I don’t get that concept 😂 BUT this trilogy is the exception. I really, really enjoyed Jade War and I was sooo glad to have continued. The pay off made the lackluster reading experience of Jade City worth it. Here’s is the number one thing that changed for me between the books: the connection to the characters. I found Jade City was very “tell” and Jade War became much more “show” and I suddenly cared really deeply about the characters (especially Anden). (Sadly I think Shae stays underdeveloped). I also enjoyed the broader plot and world PLUS I knew what to expect and I WANTED to read it. Long story short: it was a surprise 5 star for me 😂 So maybe, just maybe, you’ll try it and will be rewarded for all that work you put into reading the first book. (Maybe try it for 200 pages (or something) and then decide to continue or not?) That said, it really also depends on what your specific issues were with Jade City: the Godfather-esque politics and clan vibes stay, same as the fact that these characters make some awful decisions. The more I talk about it, the more I get hyped again 😂 it’s truly unlike anything I’ve had read in adult fantasy so far. The pay off for ALL the characters is so deeply, deeply satisfying. (You’ll follow them through their entire lifes). Either way, you can now rest to know that a lot of people agree about Jade City 😂

[@renata374]

even tho i did enjoy jade city too, i second this! the strong part of the trilogy for me is the family and their relationship with each other. i think the people who like it the most are more character-driven

[@xpolarisx]

As someone who started Jade City multiple times before getting hooked, I agree!!

[@karenjobim5794]

I second that.... I cried so much with Jade Legacy. Great concept and amazing journey imo

[@sumpfmaus8887]

I also started it but because it is so differently written from any other fantasy books I've read so far, i couldn't get into it. It feels too detached from any characters for me to really care about them.. I don't know if I continue Jade city. So far it's more a struggle to read

[@chrissyanne5897]

I was also disappointed with Jade City, so much so that I didn’t want to continue the series. But I’m glad I did because the trilogy really is great. The world building is excellent and the plot had me hooked. Anden and Shae have a bigger role too, and the writing gets a bit more digestible. I think you still have a good chance of enjoying the series :)

[@KYX1994]

Leaving you some recs, Cari (the 3rd was hilarious for me, so I'd suggest it if you wanted a good time lol): - "Fly with the Arrow" by Sarah K. L. Wilson (1st in a 4 books completed series) - "The Gods of Men" by Barbara Kloss (1st in a 3 books completed series) - "Throne in the Dark" by A.K. Caggiano (1st in a 3 books completed series, though a spinoff following a marginal character is being written)

[@celestesommer]

I second Throne in the Dark! It was so cute and funny!!! And I loved The Gods of Men. Great recs - I haven't read fly with the arrow but I trust your recs so Imma add it to my tbr!!

[@KYX1994]

@@celestesommer Oh! Hope you'll enjoy that as well!!