Presenting my April 2024 Reading Wrap Up! Normally, I’d include this as a section in my updates post, but that post was turning out to be much longer than I had wanted. So, I decided to make this a separate post. That way, I don’t have to limit my reviews and can ramble on if need be. Besides, now that I’ve started reviewing for SFF Insiders, I feel all the more motivated to read more, which in turn is helping me write better. So, I’m separating the series so my reading wrap-ups don’t clutter the writing updates.
Mind you, these aren’t my full reviews. Just short snippets. If you’d like to read the full reviews, I’ll link them at the end of each section.
So, here’s my April 2024 reading wrap up!
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson – ★★★★★
The Oathbringer Sander-lanche was exactly what I thought it’d be. The stakes were somehow much higher than in Words of Radiance, and the resolutions just as satisfying. Dalinar’s entire arc had such brilliant ups and downs. I had literal goosebumps when I read that one line (if you have read Oathbringer, you know what I’m talking about).
I think I still like Words of Radiance 0.01% more because of the more action-packed finale, but Oathbringer’s expansion into the world and lore makes it a very close second. Oathbringer is undoubtedly one of my top 10 reads of 2024.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Herald by Rob J Hayes – ★★★★★
This is the first in an ambitious trilogy of trilogies. Herald is set in a world where humans can gain powers by drinking Angel blood and eating Angel flesh.
As crazy as the premise sounds, the book is more so. It had a slow-paced classic fantasy treatment. But, as the finale began, everything fell into perspective. This was one of the most mind-blowing endings I’ve read this year (very close to Oathbringer-level satisfying). Of the books that I read in April 2024, Herald is my personal favourite!
I had backed this on Kickstarter, which is why I got my ebook ahead of the release. Releasing on June 25th, the book is available for pre-order.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Your Blood And Bones by J Patricia Anderson – ★★★★★
I signed up to receive a free eARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
A creepy, heartfelt novella that will transport you to this dark fantasy world where humans hunt other humans that transform into monsters. Bittersweet, lyrical, and absurdly beautiful, this was a brilliant experience overall.
Fans of Of Monsters and Men will love this one. Grab your copy here.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Deathless by Rob J Hayes – ★★★★★
Set 1000 years before Herald, this book explores Ertide Hostain’s journey towards becoming the Godless King. It’s a fascinating political fantasy thriller, and definitely adds a whole layer of intrigue to Hayes’ full God Eater Saga.
This was part of the Kickstarter I mentioned earlier. Releasing on July 9th, the book is available for pre-order.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel – ★★★★
I signed up to receive a free eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Michael Michel is slowly becoming my new favourite author. A wild ride from start to finish, Way of the Wizard features an absurdly crazy world full of warring wizards, outstanding magic, and a compelling story of personal growth. Its world and magic system are very much inspired by video games, to the point that I would pay good money to play a game adaptation of this novel, developed by FromSoftware!
You can pre-order Way of the Wizard here.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Demon by Rob J Hayes – ★★★★★
Set 3000 years before Herald, this book explores Dien Hostain’s journey towards becoming a Saint. Like Herald was a classic fantasy, and Deathless was a political fantasy, this one is a grimdark survival fantasy. Brutal and full of suffering, Demon uncovers a dark past of the God Eater world that only serves to further develop and complicate the already rich and dark world of Hayes’ newest book.
I got this book from the same Kickstarter I mentioned earlier. Releasing on July 23rd, the book is available for pre-order.
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Hoard by Django Wexler – ★★★
A fun little novella that is free to Wexler’s newsletter subscribers, this one follows a group of heroes as they scramble to transport a hoard of gold after they have slain a dragon. It was a quick, lighthearted read that I finished in a single sitting. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a DnD fan!
Read my full review on SFF Insiders!
Valsollas Short Stories:
In addition to the above, I also read the short story, Worldsculptors by Calum Lott, and beta-read his next short story, A Warliff’s Eyes.
Honestly, you guys are in for a treat! All of Calum’s shorts are available for FREE to his newsletter subscribers. Go check them out!
Blood Meridian:
Apart from the above titles, I started reading the nightmare Odyssey, Blood Meridian.
Just look at that hauntingly beautiful cover! I even got it at a great discount! I’m about 60% done, and the book is exactly as poetic, brutal and nightmarish as I had expected.
Definitely recommended (only if you can digest this kind of book)!
I wanted a palette cleanser between SFF reads, and this one had been on my TBR for a while now. It’s quite dark and brutal, and I might need an additional light read to accompany me on this twisted journey. More on that in my next month’s updates.
Finally,
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope my reviews and thoughts help you decide what to pick up next. As I make progress on my authorial journey, I’m finding that reviewing these books has helped me better articulate my analyses, which in turn help me plot and write my own works better.
What did you think about my April 2024 reading wrap-up? Let me know in the comments below! Subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates on the release, deals, giveaways, and more!
Thank you for reading, and have a great day!
Leave a Reply