The summer season always makes me want to curl up with a cute romance or a new fantastical world, so I decided to only read cozy, romance, and fantasy books from June til August (save for a few). Horror fans, do not fret—I’m putting my witch hat on September 1st and will (hopefully) be breezing through Tender is the Flesh, Ninth House, and How to Sell a Haunted House.
This (excessively hot) summer was spent working my first 9-5, and working at a bookstore on Saturdays. I was able to squeeze eight books in this season during my commutes and quiet evenings, and I’m happy to say I’ve read some of my absolute favorites this summer…and one of the worst books I’ve ever read (skip to number 3 for this)!
Without further ado, here are all eight books I read from June til August, with genre tags and trigger warnings included.
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst ☆ ☆ ☆
Cozy Fantasy / Romance
Marin works as a supply runner throughout several dozen islands, each with their own charming qualities (flying cats, crystals, dragons, etc.). When trouble stirs at the capital, she helps her friend escape and starts to build a charming little crew that breaks her walls down one day at a time.
Sea of Charms is the third standalone in Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop series, cozy fantasy stories that take place in the same world. This was my introduction into Durst’s cozy-verse and I thought it was delightful. It made me laugh out loud several times, and the world was so pleasant and charming, without feeling too dull. The romance was cute, too, but the protagonist’s aversion to trusting others was a tired, easily solvable cliche that I always hate to see.
I don’t have much more to say on this one—but I did meet the author, and she is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met!
Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Sci-fi & Fantasy / Romance
This was definitely my favorite read so far this year, and I have a full in-depth review that you can read here. It’s a breathtaking sci-fi/fantasy about two women from opposing nations at the center of a mysterious prophecy. I loved loved LOVED Seek the Traitor’s Son!
TW: mentions of sexual violence
A Game of Cat and Witch by Ruby Rune ☆
Dark Romance / Smut
I will never be fooled by alluring Instagram promotional art for a romance ever again. I can excuse bad dialogue and mediocre prose if the book is fun, but this was like watching paint dry. Though I know it’s a self-published debut and I’m sure the author is so nice and cool, I’m tempted to write a full rant review of this book.
This was by far the worst book I have ever read. I knew that it would be trashy smut, but I didn’t expect it to be so fucking boring. The premise is fun and simple; a witch needs to summon a familiar, but accidentally summons a sexy cat-shifter instead. Witches and shifters are mortal enemies. Cue hijinks, sexy shenanigans, and fun little mysteries.
The first half of A Game of Cat and Witch (terrible name, by the way) was exactly what I’d hoped for—trashy fun. The second half fell apart completely, and once the sex scenes started, I was actively repulsed. They were cringey. They were embarrassing. They weren’t sexy at all. What do you mean he has a barbed-
This book has unfortunately been picked up by a trad publisher, so expect to see more A Game of Cat and Witch on your feeds, but be warned that this is not worth the read, even if you’re just looking to get your lady rocks off.
TW: con-non-con, attempted sexual assault
The Knight & The Moth by Rachel Gillig ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.5
Romantasy
Sybil is a dreamer—she is drowned repeatedly in holy water and subjected to visions for whoever pays for a divination. When the boy king comes to see his fate, it sets off a journey Sybil never expected, and a romance with an ill-mannered knight that changes how she values herself.
I was initially drawn in by the unique premise and immediately sold by Gillig’s luscious prose. The characters felt realistic, the world was imaginative and immersive, and the ROMANCE was SO GOOD oh my god. There were actual villains, real challenges for the heroes, and the character growth was so rewarding. I’m signed up for the midnight release party on the 31st for the sequel, The Knave and The Moon, and I’ll be reading that one ASAP. I might do a full series review, so stay tuned!
TW: violence, animal death
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite ☆ ☆ ☆☆
Horror / Drama
Korede’s sister, Ayoola, keeps killing men in the name of self defense, but she’s starting to catch on that Ayoola might not be as innocent as she claims. Will Korede finally stop her, or will she choose her family over the law?
This was a local book club pick, and it started some really great discussions on gender, family, and morality. My Sister, The Serial Killer is very straightforward (even the title is on the nose) and it kept me guessing the whole way through. It really nailed the subtle characterization of Ayoola as both an incredibly frustrating person but also someone to empathize with.
I do wish the book had been longer, because I think there were a few things that could’ve been explored more, but overall I think it was a solid thriller that I’d be glad to recommend.
TW: violence, misogyny
The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Romantasy
A historian is obsessed with the tale of a female knight from centuries past, and in a bloody deal against his will, he’s sent back in time to meet her. As the pair develop a bond, they realize this may not be the first time they’ve met…or the last.
This book forever changed the way I think about ‘the perfect read.’ Along with Seek the Traitor’s Son, this is speculative romance in its highest form. I’ve already made one friend read it, and I will continue my crusade to make sure everyone I know reads this book. It’s the perfect standalone with lush writing and real villains that move the story forward. It plays with gender, tackles misogyny and “girl boss feminism,” and in the afterword, Harrow explains there was a very long google doc keeping track of every time loop. This kind of passion and effort put into your craft always gets a bonus from me.
I’d heard nothing but extremely high praise for The Everlasting and was skeptical when I started. The first half definitely caught my attention, but I wasn’t wowed yet. Then the second half hit and everything came together, and I couldn’t put it down!
TW: violence, animal death
Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers ☆ ☆ ☆
Cozy / Sci-Fi
A tea monk struggling with their place in the world decides to break the barrier between the human realm and the untamed wilds, and happens upon a robot that asks one un-answerable question: what do humans need?
Monk and Robot is a charming duology of novellas (A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy) that is at its best when it focuses the main pair. The relationship between the monk and the robot came easily, and was a naturally deep platonic relationship that I found believable. The book tries to be philosophical, but it never fully explores any of the questions/themes it presents, which left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Still, it was a quick and easy read that got me thinking about life, friendship, and the feeling of being enough.
The Language of Liars by SL Huang ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Sci-Fi / Philosophical
Deep in space, a group of intergalactic empires uses ancient beasts called Star Eaters to mine an ore that’s crucial to space travel. One planet is training their linguists to mind-jump into the bodies of Star Eaters to spy on the species, better understand them, and use gathered information to better their own people. A young linguist named Ro finally jumps into a Star Eater and uncovers the biggest conspiracy in the history of time and space.
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. The unique plot aside, the cultures, languages, and histories Huang crafted for this little novella (less than 150 pages!) is wildly impressive, too, and the information was conveyed accessibly. Ro was a flawed protagonist with realistic fears, ambitions, and laziness. It explores the power of language both as a tool and a means of subjugation in colonial expansion.
The final twist had me putting the book down and taking a walk. I wanted to cry and I don’t feel this way about books anymore! Everyone go read The Language of Liars!!
Thanks for reading! What books have been on your mind lately? Let me know in the comments!