August Reading Wrap-Up: From Shield of Sparrows to Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil – Hits, Misses, and New Favorites

It’s time for my August Reading Wrap-Up! I unfortunately didn’t match my last month’s goal of 16 books and only read 14 books this month, but all in all, it was still a pretty great month with some excellent reads. Come see what made the list, what I loved, and what I’m looking forward to next!

Shield of Sparrows

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. The world-building was strong, the pacing worked well, and Odessa’s character arc was satisfying. Where it faltered for me was the romance—it felt lackluster, drawn out to the point of disinterest, and a bit cliché. The repetitive internal monologues of her constantly checking him out didn’t add depth and left me disconnected from that aspect of the story.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Crimson Fortress

For the first three-quarters, this felt like a solid 4/5 YA fantasy quest—fun, engaging, nothing groundbreaking but enjoyable. Then the last 100 pages unraveled into chaos, with repetitive drama, cliffhanger fatigue, and overblown reveals that quickly lost impact. The multiple POVs all sounded the same and added little, while promising subplots (like Kaleb’s) were abandoned for a rushed “super-evil-goddess-turned-demon” arc solved with…two daggers. And the forced “everyone pairs off at the same time” romance? Be serious. To be honest, if it werent for my notes, I completely forgot that I had read this book this month.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Girl Dinner

This book is essentially a dissertation on feminism, and it’s brilliant. Easily a five-star read. It explores feminism through multiple lenses, capturing different stages of a woman’s life in ways that are clever, sharp, and deeply relatable. Exceptionally well-written and impactful.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Kingdom of the Cursed & Kingdom of the Feared

Let’s be clear—these aren’t YA or New Adult; they’re full-fledged adult romantasy. The pacing and twists were excellent, and I enjoyed the story overall. That said, the explicit content was more than I personally prefer. Still, the plot itself was strong, with several jaw-dropping reveals that kept me hooked.

Kingdom of the Cursed

• Rating: 3 out of 5.

Kingdom of the Feared

• Rating: 4 out of 5.

Sunbringer & Faithbreaker

I adored this trilogy. It’s epic high fantasy at its best, with incredible world-building and characters who feel alive: Kissen, Elo, Inara, and Skedi are unforgettable. Each has a distinct voice, and their growth throughout the story was so well done that I was fully invested in them. By the end, my heart was broken in the best way. These books were unputdownable.

Sunbringer

• Rating: 5 out of 5.

Faithbreaker

• Rating: 5 out of 5.

Not Quite Dead Yet

I enjoyed the mystery here, though I still think The Disappearance of Rachel Price was stronger. The tone worked beautifully, and the hook—a protagonist left with days to live while solving her own attempted murder—was unique and gripping. Billy was also a standout side character. While the ending wasn’t the happy resolution I might’ve hoped for, it was still compelling and kept me turning pages.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Fate’s Bane

This short novella gave me Romeo & Juliet vibes with its rival clans and forbidden romance. I appreciated the sapphic element—it’s always a favorite of mine—but I wanted more depth and world-building. A quick, enjoyable read, but I was left wishing it had gone further.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Where the Library Hides

Inez’s development was much stronger in this sequel, and I appreciated how she learned from her past mistakes. The reveal involving Whit felt a little too early and could’ve benefited from more build-up, but overall, the pacing worked, and the plot twists delivered.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

This was phenomenal—a sapphic Interview with the Vampire. The atmosphere, the characterization, and the Boston setting were all perfect. A haunting, gorgeous novel that I loved from start to finish.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Knight & the Moth

The beginning was a little slow, and the gargoyle lore took me a moment to fully grasp, but once it clicked, I was hooked. The pacing built tension beautifully, especially between Sybil (Six) and Rory. And that ending—absolutely stunning. The final twist completely blindsided me in the best way.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A Rumor of Dragons

I adore Dragonlance, and reading this with my son has been such a joy. The fact that the story is split into two parts works wonderfully, and the illustrations add an extra layer of magic. A delightful experience.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, Vol. 9

What can I say that I haven’t already said? I love Sailor Moon and appreciate how the story unfolds and how fast-paced it is. I’m so glad that i’m re-reading this after watching Sailor Moon Cosmos. I just have a deeper appreciation for the story and an even stronger emotional response to the heartbreak Usagi endures.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, two kids (the perfect pair), and their two cats Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx (aka Girl).