Summer 2024 book reviews

Fourth Wing + Iron Flame 

This series follows the journey of Violet Sorriengail, the daughter of General Sorrengail and sister to two successful warriors. She, however, is a book worm shoved into the life of a fighter. Violet's mother forces her to join the Riders Quadrant, when everyone else believes she is destined to be a scribe. Now, Violet must learn how to survive, as she faces not only human competitors but dragons. Along the way she meets Xaden, the person who should hate her the most for what her mother has done to him. But does he? 

I started my summer reading off so strongly with these two. I’m such a dystopian romance girl. When I was younger I was obsessed with Divergent, Maze Runner, Percy Jackson, you name it, if it was a YA dystopian romance I had read it. The reason I loved this series in particular was because these novels turned my favorite teen genre into adult reading. The writing by Rebecca Yarros is phenomenal and the series hooked me right from the start. Although the books are fairly long, I devoured them in a few weeks, eager for the next plot twist to hit the pages.

I would rate this series a 9.5/10 

Magnolia Parks 

I find the best way to describe this series as being similar to the TV show Gossip Girl if it was based in London and in book form. Set right in the pinnacle of London high society, this series follows a 22 year old girl named Magnolia Parks whose life consists of attending society events with her equally wealthy, damaged, and hilarious friend group and fighting with the love of her life, her ex-boyfriend BJ Ballentine. 

The beach read of all beach reads. I finished this book in a few days on vacation and I found it served its purpose perfectly. I guiltily indulged in the champagne problems of a London socialite and contemplated young love. If you are looking for a series to read on the plane, on a beach, or as a fun form of entertainment, this novel is perfect.  

I would rate this book 7.5/10

The Naturals 

This series follows a young girl whose mother was murdered when she was a child. Years later, Cassie Hobbs shows signs of a unique gift to ‘profile’ people. She can somehow predict what someone will order on the menu at a restaurant, their personal history, and what they care about, just by observing them. One day, Cassie gets recruited by Agent Briggs to join a secret FBI training program to train people like her to catch murders, specifically serial killers. Once she joins the program, things become personal as information about her mother’s murderer begins to come to light. 

I would recommend this book to a slightly younger audience, I believe it's perfect for the Young Adult category, as I found the writing and the plot to be a little bit simpler than I expected. However the plot twists still made my heart jump and it's an easy thriller to pick up and dive into. 

Overall 7/10.