April Wrap-Up (ft. TRC, GC, & more) + May TBR

Welcome to my April wrap-up! School started this month so the stress levels are high & reading has been my method of escapism... So, 8 books is quite a lot of books read in one month for me, so I'm pretty happy with myself :D
Things to expect: the end of a series, and the start of a new one (which has quickly become a favorite)

As per usual, each book I mention will be followed with a fairly short, spoiler-free mini-review!

Without further ado, in chronological order, here's how my April reading went!

April Wrap-Up

Books Mentioned

• Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
• Wolfsong by T.J. Klune
• Ravensong by T.J. Klune
• Heartsong by T.J. Klune
• Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

--Summaries taken from the book & might be tweaked a little to avoid spoilers & such

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The raven boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.

Mothers can disappear.

Visions can mislead.

Certainties can unravel.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

My favorite right after The Dream Thieves (TDT)! I loved the atmosphere of this one so much. The Blue and Gansey scenes honestly had me screaming since there's just so much tension—so much that they want to happen that shouldn't happen. Stiefvater writes the scenes in such a way that you can feel the suspense, and it creates this eerie feeling that I was not expecting while reading this book. Every single time I'm reading one of these scenes I feel like I can picture the scene so vividly. Some of the scenes in this book were so shocking and had me so devastated. 

Also they introduce new characters and Blue Lily, Lily Blue (BLLB) is the first time HENRY CHENG appears (I write his name in all caps because it is an exciting event I love Henry Cheng). The new characters aren't fleshed out much in this book but I'm hoping to learn more about them in TRK! 

Overall, this book was amazing. I've said this a million times but I'm so glad I picked up this series. I'm so sad it's coming to an end though...I'm currently reading TRK SUPER SLOWLY because I'm so reluctant for this adventure to end and to say goodbye to every single one of these characters (even though I'm definitely picking up Call Down The Hawk (CDTH) so it's not goodbye forever).

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary

For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he's drawn others into this quest: Ronan, Adam, Noah, and Blue.

Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

Rating: ★★★★(4/5)

I'm really emotional about the fact that I finished the series. I ended up falling in love with each and every one of the main characters and I wish I could read about more of their adventures. To be completely honest, this one fell a little short compared to the other books in the series. Throughout the series, Stiefvater was able to write such vivid, emotion-evoking scenes, but I didn't feel as much in this one compared to TDT & BLLB, which was a little disappointing since this was supposed to be the big finale. Nonetheless the book was still amazing. There were definitely a handful of scenes that made me really emotional, but none of them were as potent as some of the scenes in TDT & BLLB.

One criticism I had for this particular book was the lack of emotional scenes with Blue and Gansey. Some of my favorite emotional scenes from the past books featured Blue and Gansey, but in this book I didn't feel much for them. I thought Adam and Ronan had more emotional scenes (i.e. "The ocean burned.") which made me really happy because Ronan is my favorite character, but it also had me pretty disappointed in the lack of emotions I was feeling towards Blue and Gansey.
Another criticism: we didn't get much of the new characters? Not enough for me to really understand why they're important anyway...still love Henry Cheng though!

Overall, it was a good conclusion to the series. I was pretty satisfied with the ending and I am so sad I have to say goodbye. I'll miss every character so dearly. Hoping to see more of them in Call Down the Hawk!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Summary

What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became the President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex/Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of the family and state and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: Stage a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations. It raises the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? An how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? How will history remember you?

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Red, White & Royal Blue (RWRB) was so much fun to read; it was so funny, so cute, so sexy—it was the whole package. I honestly couldn't put it down. These past couple weeks, in order to control myself, I reserved reading for nights only. RWRB made me break my own rules and pick up reading in the mornings before I even got out of bed, and even in the afternoons in between (and sometimes during) zoom lectures. I couldn't get enough of this book.

I love Alex and Henry so much. They're such fun characters to read about and the side characters were too. June and Bea are such loving older sisters and Nora and Pez are such supportive best friends. The entire group is terribly chaotic but they made me laugh like no other.

One criticism I have of the book is that I would've liked more of the "enemies" part of the "enemies-to-lovers" dynamic many claimed they had. The "enemies" part only lasted about 3 chapters or so. However this didn't detract much from the reading experience. I loved their interactions and their flirty banter and their longing emails. I already miss Alex and Henry so much.

Overall, this was the most entertaining read of my life. It had me grinning non-stop and I was (surprisingly) really invested in the politics in the book as well. Definitely a new book added to my favorites list. I highly recommend to everyone—I can't stress how amazing this book is.

(Also I heard that a movie production company bought the rights to RWRB and it might b turned into a movie sometime in the future? Definitely looking forward to that I will hype the hell out of thi

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Summary

Dante can swim. Ari can't. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari's features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself. But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other—and the power of their friendship—can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)

The writing in this book is absolutely exquisite. I loved Saenz's prose. The prose was very poetic, and it was very pleasing to read. I also really liked how a lot of the book is dialogue, since it kept me engaged while reading. This is another very character-driven story, where the book is more focused on the growth and development of the characters. I loved Ari and Dante's character development and I really loved their relationship. They're one of the sweetest friends-to-lovers stories I've ever had the pleasure to read about, and just thinking about them makes me so happy.

I was really excited to read this one since it's all over book twitter and booktube, so I was expecting to love it with my entire heart. Unfortunately, this wasn't that book for me. Don't get me wrong I loved this book, but it wasn't as phenomenal as I was hoping it would be. I took a reading break for a while to think about why this book wasn't it for me, and I think it was a combination of things. It took me a while to really understand and connect with the characters, especially Ari, and that made some (probably) impactful scenes fall flat for me. But when I started to understand and connect with Ari, the book really took off. 

Overall, Ari & Dante was a very well written book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a lovely coming-of-age story. Though the first 1/4 or so of the book was a bit slow for me, I have to give credit where it's due. The writing is absolutely phenomenal and the relationships, both familial and romantic, are written so beautifully. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the story through Dante's perspective, if the rumors about a second book are true!

Wolfsong by T.J. Klune

Summary

Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn't worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left. ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. ox found out later the boy hadn't spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane. Ox was seventeen when he found out the boy's secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega. Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces. It's been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he's a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them. 

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

"It was candy canes and pinecones. It was epic and awesome.

and it was home."

If, in the past, someone told me that I would read a book about werewolves and actually like it, I'd tell them they were crazy. I've never been a big fan of vampires and werewolves and that kind of stuff (could never get through twilight), so I really wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did. It had me going through a whole range of emotions, all back-to-back. It had me laughing out loud, holding my breath, holding back a tear—it was just beautiful. The writing style was also very impactful. Some criticize the writing for how repetitive it was, but I actually really liked it that way; it gave the prose a sort of rhythm and I appreciate prose that isn't flat.

Another thing I really loved about this book was the character development, especially Ox's character development. We watch Ox grow from a naïve, self-deprecating child to a strong, confident leader and it made me so genuinely proud of him.
First books are usually pretty complicated for me. A lot of first books are an introduction to the world, and I find myself withholding very high ratings from first books, but this one didn't feel like a typical first book at all. I honestly think Wolfsong is one of the best "first books in a series" I've ever read. I was hooked and invested from start to finish.

Overall, Wolfsong is an amazingly engaging read and has definitely made my list of favorites. It's so funny, but also so so painful—the perfect combination of things I look for in books. The side-characters are all so lovable; I love the Bennetts and Gordo and ROBBIE FONTAINE. I'm also pretty invested in the background relationships in the series, which is probably a deliberate move on Klune's part since the future books feature some of the side characters as the main characters. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a funny and heart-wrenching read.

TLDR; a story about gay werewolves that delivers lots of laughs and loads of pain, what more can you ask for?

Ravensong by T.J. Klune

Summary

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves. It should have been enough. And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. A year after the events of Wolfsong, Green Creek has settled, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them. But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it's crawling from within. Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

"—dirt and leaves and rain…

the boy had loved this wolf. but it hadn't been enough." 

I probably shouldn't say too much since it's the second book and honestly talking about any plot point at all would warrant major spoilers. But what I do want to say is that this book put my heart through the WRINGER. It's a big feat for a book to make me cry, and this one did it— I shed a couple tears for Mark and Gordo. I LOVED the angst in this. The relationship was a really long slow burn and I was all for it. Yes, they are idiots who probably should have talked it out 50+ pages before they actually finally sorted things out, but I was enjoying every second of their emotional turmoil.

T.J. Klune is also really good at time skips and flashbacks. They were written in a way that was very clear and easy to follow. I was never confused about what was going on or which Gordo (past or present) we were following. Klune's writing is absolutely phenomenal, and I just want to let everyone know that the chapter "green creek/please just wait" has got to be one of my favorite chapters in the entire series. Probably the single best chapter I've ever read in my entire life. Characters I felt a lot more strongly for after this book? All of them, but specifically Kelly and Carter (& Robbie but we all knew that).

My only criticism would be that too much happened in the last 2 or so chapters? It felt like everything happened too fast and it was my least favorite part of the book but I still liked those chapters, so it's not much of a complaint.

Overall, this book was definitely a great sequel to Wolfsong and definitely delivered all the feelings—the angst, the anxiety, the steam, the love. PLEASE READ THE GREEN CREEK SERIES!! I am absolutely OBSESSED. I cannot stress enough how amazing these books are, I just want everyone to give them a try. The relationships are so beautiful, the plot is riveting, and best of all, the characters are so well developed you can't help but fall in love with all of them.

Heartsong by T.J. Klune

Summary

All Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning fera. It's enough—until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine. Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes—the Alpha of all—and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home. But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he's been told. Whispers of traitorous wolves and wild magic abound—but who are the traitors and who are the betrayed? More than anything, Robbie hungers for answers, because one of those alleged traitors is Kelly Bennett—the wolf who may be his mate. The truth has a way of coming out. And when it does, everything will shatter.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

"It was grass and lake water and sunshine, and I wanted nothing more than to have it for my own."

I'm gonna be honest right now I wrote a whole review that I thought was pretty good but my computer crashed and I'm pretty upset but now instead of a review written 2 hours after I finished the book you get a review from 3 days after. Have my feelings changed? I'm not sure. I'll just let my thoughts take over as I type.

Hoping I can keep this short but I can't seem to contain my thoughts and emotions when it comes to this entire series. I am so gone for this series, and as you'll be able to tell by the end of this post, I am so, absolutely gone for Robbie Fontaine.

I loved this book so much—it was so different. And as I sit here typing this I'm still wondering what made it so different. And whether or not it's a good different. But since I'm typing this after having sat on it for a while, and my rating remains a 5 out of 5 stars, it was probably a good different.
The beginning of the book was honestly a little confusing, but for good reason. When the pieces started to come together it was just so intriguing and suspenseful—I was completely invested. I shamefully kept reading until the sun came up even though I should have slept to regain the energy I lost from taking my physics midterm earlier that day. But it was really amazing how Klune was able to make us feel exactly how Robbie was feeling. Robbie's confusion became our confusion, his fears our fears, and his doubts our doubts. And I felt for him. I felt for him the entire 391 pages. I felt his fear, his anger, his regret, and I also felt his endless love for Kelly Bennett.

Kelly and Robbie just have my entire heart. If I had to name something that each book of this series did the best, I'd have to say this book did the romance the best. All of the romances in each book are so different from each other, but this one gives off the warmest feelings.

One small criticism I have for the book though is that I wish we could have gotten more build up for their relationship. But maybe I'm just greedy for that slow burn even though it did take them 2 books to get together.

Overall, Heartsong is a wonderful addition to this series and definitely lives up to the first two books in the series. This series had such a strong start and continues to deliver, and I am continuously impressed with each and every sequel. And with every book that comes out I fall more and more in love with this pack. Honestly this book ruined me; I was in major emotional distress the day after I read it, and my heart continues to hurt just thinking about it. I'm in love with this book. Please read the Green Creek series if you're looking for a wonderful found family and an exhilarating plot. You won't regret it. I am so incredibly excited to read Brothersong in October!

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

Summary

The dreamers walk among us…and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming—they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives—they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.

Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied into it.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer…and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed…

Rating: ★★★★+(.5) (4.5/5)

"You are made of dreams and this world is not for you." 

Wow this was a ride. A very fun ride. Finished this yesterday and I already miss Ronan Lynch like a lung (maybe as much as Ronan misses Adam :") ).

This was so different from The Raven Cycle I'm still kind of in shock. This story is very plot-driven and so much was going on it was so distinctly different from what I'm used to from Stiefvater. But I loved it. Once again Stiefvater successfully makes me fall deep in love with her characters. I've always loved Ronan since The Raven Boys and I continue to fall more and more in love with him. I've also developed a huge crush on Declan Lynch and Jordan Hennessy and their relationship.

"Tamquam—

— alter idem"

And PYNCH. My GOD I've missed Pynch. Adam and Ronan give me life I love them so much. It was refreshing to see them as an established relationship and still going strong. A lot of my favorite pieces of dialogue are between Adam and Ronan. Some of my favorite parts of Ronan's chapters are when he's thinking of Adam. Adam and Ronan are everything. 
And a note for Adam: PLEASE SAY IT BACK. PLEASE.

The plot was absolutely riveting. I loved the mystery of Bryde and the Fairy Market and also the mystery behind the foreseen apocalypse. Also these new groups of people, the Visionaries and the hunters, I'm intrigued to see what direction Stiefvater is going to go with them since I have mixed feelings about them myself.

So why isn't this a 5-star read? Well, I wasn't a fan of some of the chapters. I see the reasoning for why Liliana's chapters are written from the POV they're written from, but I still just couldn't enjoy her chapters as much as the others. I also struggled to stay interested in some of Carmen and Parsifal's chapters. They started becoming more interesting in the second half of the book, and I appreciated them a lot more, but I still don't really know where I stand when it comes to Carmen. She seems important, and I want to get to know her more, but I didn't particularly care too much about her in the beginning. Hopefully book 2 will change that!

Overall, Call Down the Hawk is a very solid start to the Dreamer Trilogy. First books are always a challenge since there's always a lot of introductory explanations and establishing the beginnings of the overarching plot line, but I'm invested and I can't wait to read more of Ronan and Hennessy!

Average ★ Rating: 4.72★
Total Pages Read: 3,290

Total Words Read: 926, 699

Total Books Read: 8

Total Novellas Read: 2

*I realize I didn't mention them before oops
**not included in words read

• Lovesong by T.J. Klune
• Feralsong by T.J. Klune

Probable TBR for May:

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and I'm hoping to spend the month reading books from Asian authors, so this is my very tentative TBR:

• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
• The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
• The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

Just a little end note:

Rating things with stars is really hard. I was feeling kinda guilty because 5 stars are supposed to be absolutely phenomenal reads so I shouldn't be giving so many books 5 stars. However, I really was genuinely loving everything I was reading, and I think any book that brings me that much joy deserves 5 stars. Thus, I have a lot of 5 stars on my goodreads, and my wrap-ups have an average star rating well above 4, and I'm coming to terms with it. It's okay. I've just been having amazing reading months, and I'm grateful for the fact that I have been consistently picking up books that bring a lot of joy to my life. I hope you all have amazing reading months too!

See you all next time!

-璇