📚 September Reading Wrap-Up | 14 Books Finished!

Hey there, bookworms! 👋

September was another fantastic month of reading—I wrapped up 14 books! 🎉 From dark and atmospheric fantasies to swoony romances and heart-stopping mysteries, it was a month full of variety. A couple of books pushed me out of my comfort zone, some broke my heart, and a few instantly earned a spot among my favorites.

Even though it wasn’t as high a number as last month, the stories I picked up this September made for a rewarding and unforgettable reading journey.

✨ Check out my September wrap-up below and let me know which of these you’ve read—or which ones are already climbing to the top of your TBR!

Rebel Witch

I absolutely loved this sequel and the way it continued the story. I appreciate how Rune and Gideon find their way back to each other. It’s great that they first join forces to take down Cressida, who is genuinely a depraved and awful character. I also enjoyed seeing more people rally to Gideon’s side. Many of the witches were terrible, and as the saying goes, power corrupts. This corruption was evident with the change of regime.

They all come together to form a new republic. Honestly, it was really great to see the story evolve. Although the ending with Rune was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Make Me A Monster

This book is fantastic! I was immediately drawn in by the dedication, especially with quotes from both Shelley and Poe—definitely a win! The atmosphere was incredible, and I truly enjoy a good retelling of Frankenstein. However, calling it just that doesn’t do it justice.

“Make Me a Monster” follows Meka, who works in her family’s funeral home. She soon realizes that she is being followed by strange men, which gave me some serious Halloween vibes. The story takes a tragic turn when her boyfriend dies in a freak accident, leading her to discover that Mary Shelley was inspired by one of her ancestors. Meka and her father actually possess the power to bring the dead back to life.

There are numerous allusions to Poe’s “The Raven,” which enhance the already brilliant atmosphere. This book was incredibly difficult to put down; it was addictive from beginning to end!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Moth Dark

This book was fantastic! It is pretty different from Kika’s previous duology, featuring a more modern vibe that classifies it as urban fantasy. The story is set in a contemporary society where pockets of darkness have opened up, allowing monsters to enter the world, including creatures reminiscent of dark fae.

Although the storytelling is somewhat non-linear, it is emotional and easy to follow. The book also explores themes of gender fluidity. Watching Sascia and Nugau fall in love was a delightful experience.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Heavenly Tyrant

Okay, I need book 3 & I need it now. I’m not okay with that ending! First of all, the toxic dynamic between Zetian and Zheng. They are awful but oh so good together. But what makes them a ” good” couple is what makes them so awful together. Their anger, their rage at injustice, makes them so compatible. But they really bring out the worst in one another. Other than that, the plot was excellent, and the storytelling was superb. I need book 3 now.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I, Medusa

This was such a fantastic retelling of Medusa. I love the way Ayana delved into Medusa’s past. She gave her a story, an identity. I love that about the story. I also love seeing Poseidon as the predator. It gave the story more depth, making the crime against her more impactful and resonating with what we hear today. There are various ways to say “no.” Getting drunk does not mean they were asking for it. I also loved the sisterly dynamic & how much they cared for Meddy. Another thing I loved was the queer relationship that forms between Medusa & Apollonia. Absolutely brilliant novel.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Silver Elite

I found the novel to be just okay. Many comparisons are made between Wren and Katniss, but I don’t see the similarities. If you approach this book with low expectations, you might enjoy it more. The plot is quite predictable and easy to forget. Overall, it was an average read that didn’t blow me away.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

My Fair Monster

This book was absolutely adorable. First, I love that every chapter title references a horror movie. Second, I appreciate that the main character, Corie, is a pageant queen who is obsessed with horror films. This novel is both fun and well-crafted, and it effectively addresses undiagnosed ADHD, a theme that Corie navigates throughout the story. The romance that develops between Corie and Everett is truly heartwarming. Additionally, the family dynamics create a lot of tension, adding depth to both the novel and the characterizations. Overall, it was a fantastic read, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Girls Who Play Dead

I loved how absolutely unpredictable this novel was. I knew there was something wrong with Cook Cosmetics. But with Erin’s family, that was a plot twist I didn’t even have on my radar. Another novel where our MC works in a funeral home. Kyla is determined to solve her friend’s murder on her own. Her brother Milky, queer with an alternative style who has also been away living with their mother in Boston, has returned to make sure his sister is okay, to make sure they are safe. Milkky also has to deal with his anxiety. As someone who also suffers from anxiety, I appreciated the mental illness representation. As for the storytelling, it kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat. I knew then there was something unusual, but I couldn’t figure out what. Wellington did a great job of using misdirection.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Starling House

This story combines elements of cozy horror and fantasy, which may seem like a contradictory mix. However, the atmosphere and tone are indeed cozy due to a captivating ambiance that draws you into the narrative. There’s a significant amount of intrigue and storytelling present throughout. The footnotes add a sense of realism that compels you to keep reading. I felt grounded in the world created by the novel, which provided a haunting yet engaging experience. Honestly, it was so good!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Project Hail Mary

I loved this book! Initially, I thought it would be dry, but it was far from it. The storytelling was engaging, especially with the way it shifts back and forth and reflects the protagonist’s memories. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between him and Rocky; Rocky was excellent! The characters’ voices were captivating, too.

I highly recommend this book. I believe it reads even better as an audiobook because you can really appreciate the inflections in the narration—something that doesn’t always come across in the text. The audiobook also provides insight into the various production elements, which was quite remarkable.

This book is memorable, amusing, lighthearted, yet science-heavy. However, it is written in an accessible way, so you don’t need extensive scientific knowledge to understand or appreciate it. It’s honestly a delightful read. At times, it was heartbreaking, but it was also hilarious, and the ending was bittersweet. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Dragon Republic

I think I liked this book even more than the first one. It feels like the author hit her stride with this novel, as we don’t have to delve into world-building or establish the history; that has already been done. This time, the focus is much more on character development.

First of all, the ending was such a jaw-dropping moment! An unexpected betrayal caught me off guard, mainly because I had high hopes for that character. I won’t spoil it by naming him for those who haven’t read the book yet, but for those who have, you’ll know that his character took a complete 180 from book one, and I loved him in this book—up until that shocking moment at the end!

The characterization is really well done, and I noticed a lot of character growth throughout the story. I’m excited to see how everything will come together in the third book and how it will all end. Honestly, this book was so good that it was almost impossible to put down!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Moss

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I appreciated the atmosphere, but sometimes, the story was dragging. I liked the themes of moths and bogs and the haunting elements they presented. Emma is a well-developed character, but she sometimes felt too stoic and stiff for me to connect with her. I understand the author intended to portray her disconnection from the world after her sister’s disappearance. Still, I found her internal narrative somewhat repetitive and sometimes boring.

I wanted to learn more about the history of the house, the bog, and the haunting aspects, but this information doesn’t surface until more than halfway through the book. I was hoping for more mystery; while it’s clear that she is living in a haunted house and that something is unsettling about the bog and marsh behind her home, I wished there was more depth to these elements.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Night of the Dragons

What else can I say that I haven’t already said? I think it’s amazing that the publishers decided to split the Dragonlance Chronicles into two parts for young readers. This is the second part of “Dragons of Autumn Twilight,” and I love it just as much as I always have. It’s wonderful to read it to my son every night, and I’m thrilled that he’s excited to join me on this journey. You can never go wrong with Dragonlance.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, Vol. 10

The end! This was just as heartbreaking as I had anticipated. I truly enjoyed reading this, and watching the movie “Cosmos” beforehand made me appreciate it even more. It was gut-wrenching and hopeful, reinforcing why Sailor Moon is my favorite magical girl.

Rating: 5 out of 5.