““You can’t shoot me; I’m rich.”” What is the Book about? 18-year-old Zetian joins the army to take revenge on her sister’s murderer. She becomes the concubine pilot of a fighting machine that can only be activated by the qi magic of a man and a woman together. But the power of the male pilot…
Author: thereadingstray
Fantastical Romantic Reads – A Valentine’s Day Special
Romance in books doesn’t always have to be the main plot for it to leave an impact. Sometimes, it’s the forbidden, the tragic, or even just the subtle moments between characters that stay with us long after we close the book. Love isn’t always beautiful—it can be bittersweet, complicated, or even entirely unspoken. Here are…
The Teller of Small Fortunes – Julie Leong (Standalone)
Rating
Plot ★☆☆☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
Excitement ★★☆☆☆
Atmosphere ★★☆☆☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
Malice – John Gwynne (The Faithful and the Fallen #1)
Plot ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★★★
World Building ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★☆
January 2025 Reading Wrap Up
Even though my reading year hasn’t started off perfectly—with quite a few disappointing reads—there’s one silver lining: I’ve started a series that will most likely make it into my Top 5. Stats Total Reads: 6 📚Total Pages: 2.812 📃Average Rating: 3 ⭐ Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch is…
Book Haul January 2025
Let’s see how many books from this haul I’ll actually read this year … and how many more will sneak onto my shelves while I pretend my TBR isn’t already its own piece of furniture. The Silverblood Promise – James Logan Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and – thanks to a duel that…
Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London #1)
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
World Building ★★★★☆
Atmosphere ★★★★☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
7 Best Books of 2024: Stories That Captivated My Heart
As 2024 comes to an end, I find myself looking back on the stories that made this year unforgettable. These books didn’t just entertain me—they challenged me, comforted me, and left me changed. Some took me to places I never imagined, while others made me feel deeply understood. Each one is special in its own…
7 Biggest Book Disappointments of 2024
Not every book can be a winner, and some just didn’t live up to my expectations this year. While I always try to find something positive in each story, these books either frustrated me, left me bored, or just didn’t deliver what I had hoped for. Here are the seven books that left me disappointed…
Crush Your Goodreads Challenge: 10 Short and Gripping Reads
If you’re racing to complete your Goodreads Challenge and need some quick but memorable reads, here’s a list of ten short books that pack a punch in under 300 pages. Each one offers something unique—whether it’s gripping action, emotional depth, or whimsical charm.
The Reading Stray 