March TBR
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabba Tahir - This is the much awaited finale of Sabaa Tahir’s Ember in the Ashes series. I’ve read and loved the first 3 books and I had to buy this one as soon as it was released in December of last year, but it’s been just long enough that I really don’t remember much from the previous books other than how much I liked them so I’ll definitely need a refresher before I dive into this one.
In the first book in the series we follow Laia, a slave and Elias, a soldier. It’s a Roman inspired martial fantasy world. Laia’s brother is arrested for treason and in order to get him back she agrees to work for a rebel group who claim they can rescue him by becoming a slave and spy in the Empire’s premiere military academy. While there she meets Elias, the top soldier in the school. Elias has been born and raised to be a leader in the military and he’s set to do just that, except he wants no part of it. Elias and Laia come to find that their destinies are more intertwined than they could have ever imagined and there’s a lot of really fascinating politics and magic at play in this series.
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare - This is the second book in The Last Hours series by Cassandra Clare. It takes place in Edwardian London and it is part of the Shadowhunters world, fitting in after The Infernal Devices series. I knew I would love these books because the Victorian/Edwardian London setting is my favorite in comparison to Cassandra Clare’s more modern/American settings. I also feel that the world and the writing improve with each addition to the Shadowhunters world so I tend to enjoy each new book more than the previous. I loved the Mortal Instruments series (beginning with City of Bones) when I was a teenager, but if I re-read them today I probably wouldn't feel the same. I think that this current trilogy holds up much better.
The first book focuses on Cordelia Carstairs who is a warrior trained to hunt demons. She is brought to London by her mother who hopes to find her a suitable husband before their family is ruined by accusations against her father (something Cordelia wants no part in). The London Shadowhunters are experiencing a rare wave of peace and many of the younger clave members are not as accustomed to regular fighting as some of their older family members. So when the city starts to be ravaged by demon attacks they’re caught unaware. There’s an incurable poison going around and it’s up to Cordelia and her friends to save the day and stop the spread.
The Lost Apothecary - This is my March pick for Book of the Month. This is actually a book that had been on my radar from the beginning of the year so I was excited to see it as an option this month. It takes place along two different timelines in London. The first timeline is 1791. Nella, once a respected healer, now uses her skills and knowledge to provide women with poisons to use against the men who have wronged them. Her world is turned upside-down at the arrival of her newest client. 12 year old Eliza Fanning.
The second timeline is modern day following historian Caroline Parcewell. As Caroline is reeling from her husband’s infidelity and the dissolution of her marriage she finds a vial near the Thames that sets her looking into its origin. This leads her to the unsolved “apothecary murders” and right into Nella and Eliza’s story.
This one just seems really fascinating. I love London, and dual timelines, and women doing cool things so I’m eagerly anticipating this read.
Bridge of Souls by V.E. Schwab - This is the 3rd book in V.E. Schwab’s middle grade fantasy series. It follows Cassidy Blake as she travels the world with her parents. Cassidy’s parents have a ghost hunting TV show where they track and report on ghost activity in the cities that they visit. They can’t see ghosts, but unknown to them Cassidy can and she’s faced evil spirits in each of the cities they’ve visited. This series started in Edinburgh, then went to Paris, and now will be in New Orleans and I’m really excited for it. It’s a really fun story with great characters.
Also, I happened to go to Edinburgh not long after I read book 1, and Paris not long after I read book 2 so I’m hoping this means a trip to New Orleans is in my future. Beignets here I come!!
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey - I’m not entirely sure exactly what this is about, but it seems really cool and different. From my understanding, the protagonist Evelyn Caldwell is an award winning scientist who has a clone made of herself as a result of her research. Her clone, Martine, ends up having an affair with Evelyn’s husband and now the husband has turned up dead.
I love thrillers and this one seems really interesting. It’s also not very long at all (only about 250 pages) so I think it’ll be a good one.
Well Met by Jen DeLuca - This is a contemporary romance novel following Emily who moves to Maryland to help take care of her sister and watch after her niece after her sister shatters her leg in a car accident. Emily gets roped into volunteering at the local renaissance faire where she meets Simon, the schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers. Simon and Emily are immediately irritated by one another. He takes the faire very seriously and Emily does not, but I imagine their feelings toward one another with evolve before the end of the story.
I really love the renaissance faire and normally go to one (also in Maryland!) with a group of my friends every year. I haven’t been able to attend for a few years because I was out of the country and then there was a global pandemic so I’m hoping this can bring some of that Ren fair energy I’ve been missing.
Anything fun you’re looking to read in March? Let me know!
