Since August was the month for the N.E.W.T.s readathon I was really excited for it... but then I got hit with a MAJOR reading slump.

Sadly to say, I did not complete my NEWTs this year, because I had problems reading; I'm also way behind on the books I have to read for review - I'm still not completely out of my funk.

Anyway, regardless of my slump, I did manage to get through most of my TBR for August.

Fate of Dragons by Alisha Klapheke (ePub)

Fate of Dragons was a review copy and I wanted to read it before starting on any books for NEWTs.

Find my full review here : https://mrpinkink.wordpress.com/2019/09/04/pinkreads-book-review-033-fate-of-dragons-by-alisha-klapheke/

Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald: The Original Screenplay by J. K. Rowling (Hardback)

Just like the first Fantastic Beasts screenplay, this reads exactly like the movie; I enjoyed reading both of these as I get to see the movie in small bits play out in my mind - it's quite a pleasant experience, really.

Rating : 5/5

And I Darken by Kiersten White (Paperback)

Now this was a major surprise!

And I Darken contains all the elements of any good epic fantasy, except for magic - I'm still waiting for any wizards or mages or sorcerers to make their appearance - which focuses on the three main characters.

The story is told through multiple Point(s) Of View (POV), because the lives of three intertwine inextricably.

But the most surprising part of this story so far, for me, has to be the major LGBTQIA themes, which becomes more prominent from the second half of the book onwards - this gave a new perspective on the story and I may have enjoyed the story more just because of this.

Even though this is epic fantasy, the writing isn't archaic; it flows smoothly and is clear and imaginative. My first book from this author did not disappoint in the least.

Rating : 5/5

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Keri Maniscalco (Paperback)

I've been hearing so many good things about this series and all my friends were going on and on about it, so I finally added it to my NEWTs TBR.

But it is around this point when my slump appeared and I was really struggling to keep reading... I thought it was the actual book, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of story, so I ended up DNFing it...

I have every intention of picking it up again some day, maybe when I have the other books in the series, or something, but I will finish it.

Kwezi: Issues 4-6 Collector's edition by Loyiso Mkize

I hoped that reading more of the adventures of these African superheroes would pull me out of my slump, but it didn't, unfortunately.

I still enjoyed this comic very much.

Rating : 4/5

Charmcaster by Sebastien de Castell (Tradeback)

Charmcaster is book 3 in a series that is fast becoming another favourite; I absolutely love Kellen and Reichis and really, really, really need to get my hands on the next couple books in the series.

de Castell continues with his spellbinding storytelling filled with derring do and magic and demons and adventures. This is one fantastic series.

Rating : 5/5

Warcross by Marie Lu (Hardback)

Amazing!! Another favourite for me!

Marie Lu's writing flows so effortlessly, and with this being the first book of hers I've read, it was flawless. Filled with fast paced action and an intriguing storyline, interesting characters and hidden plots; this young adult sci fi fantasy will entertain both young and old alike.

Rating: 4/5

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Paperback)

This book was just fantastic! Humourous, witty, nonsensical and just pure crazy, I don't know why I ever waited so long to read this.

A short, quick read that is sure to entertain; everyone from teenagers to grandparents will seriously enjoy this book! I cannot wait to get the rest of the books in this 5 book trilogy, because this set is a keeper!

Rating: 5/5

I got through these last three books rather quickly, but I suspect that it had something to do with the fact that these were all fantasy / sci fi, which is my go to, so it was familiar and comforting, lol.

The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey (Paperback)

When I found out that this essentially a zombie story I was very hesitant in reading it; I mean, a zombie story is a zombie story is a zombie story... amirite? Wrong! Carey actually finds a new way to terrorize us with his new take on the Zombie Apocalypse and I found it quite refreshing, to be honest.

It did take a lot of effort on my part, though, to really get into this book and I barely managed to finish it on time, but is most likely due to my slump than the book itself...

Rating: 4/5

Needless to say, I failed my NEWTs and I hang my head in shame.

All in all, it wasn't a terrible reading month, but I have never been in such a horribly deep slump... I'm okay now, mostly, so happy reading! Until next time...

Keep smiling

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