The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm listening to the second in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrian series, Iron Flame; I'm reading C. Pam Zhang's dystopian story Land of Milk and Honey; and I'm reading a young adult, lighthearted story of King Arthur's descendant, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.
What are you reading these days, bookworms?
01 Iron Flame (Empyrian #2) by Rebecca Yarros
I wanted to love Fourth Wing, the first in this series, (talking dragons! dragon riders! dragon rider training!). I was distracted by the ultra-dramatic young-adult teen angst and clumsy dialogue, yet the promise of the dragon element kept me reading.
But I do love a dragon book, and so far the second in the series offers more page time for the talking dragons, some surprises, and a more deftly paced story, with character development--along with some of the cringey dialogue reminiscent of book one and also some super steamy scenes, as also seen in the first installment.
I'm listening to Iron Flame as an audiobook.
02 Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang
In C. Pam Zhang's slim dystopian novel Land of Milk and Honey, a chef in a polluted, dying city flees to a mountaintop retreat--and finds that fresh food, clear air, and lush opportunities for pleasure abound for the wealthy elite.
As the chef explores the sensual pleasures of food and reawakens her connection to her body, she considers the ethics of taking advantage of the opportunities provided by privilege, and envisions rebuilding a more just world.
Zhang is also the author of How Much of These Hills Is Gold?
03 Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
It's hundreds of years after King Arthur's reign, and his descendant and namesake Arthur, a future lord and social butterfly, has long been betrothed to the short-tempered princess Gwendoline.
But Gwendoline and Arthur detest each other. When they're forced to spend the summer together at Camelot to prepare for their upcoming nuptials, it doesn't take long for them to realize that Art has been kissing a boy and that Gwen has a crush on the only female knight in the kingdom.
They just might make better allies than enemies, and as they agree to cover for each other amid sword-fighting, royal court goings-on, and romantic dramas, they forge a friendship that just might last.
I received a prepublication edition of this title, to be published November 28, courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.