I’ve got 4 books I’d like to read in March. The first is Gravemaiden by Kelly Coon
Gravemaidens
I just started Gravemaidens and the concept seems pretty creepy, three women having to join the dying ruler in the grave. Protagonist Kammani wants nothing to do with any of it, she’s just trying to eke out a living as a doctor. She believes if she becomes a good enough doctor she can reclaim the life that was stolen from herself and her family. But Kammani is also worried about keeping her family especially her little sister Nanaea safe.
But with the ruler of their city stat Alu, slowly dying three maiden’s have to be chosen soon to join him in the afterlife. It’s an honor. A tradition. And when Nanaea is chosen she believes it’s her chance to live a grand life in the afterlife.
But Kammani knows it’s a death sentence. So she hatches a plan to heal the dying ruler, but there is more danger in the palace that Kammani imagined, and she may end up having to sacrifice everything, including herself.
Serafina and the Black Cloak
This book is a re-read. It was very popular back in 2016-2017 and was on the #1 New York Times Bestseller, for like 50 weeks. It also won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize.
Serfina isn’t like most other girls at the Biltmore Estate, she lives in the basement with her Pa, hiding from sight. She lives by one rule set down by her father.“Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.” She has no reason to complain there are plenty of places to explore in the Vanderbuilt’s opulent home.
Serfina must never be seen because the rich folk don’t know she exsist and her Pa might lose his job if they found out she did. But that’s okay with her, she’s learned to sneak through the darkned corridors at night, sneaking and hiding, finding spots in the mansion no one else knows.
But when children start disappearing at the mansion Serfina may be the only one that can help. After all she’s the only one who knows about the mysterious man in a black cloak who haunts the corridors at night and goes after children. After she barely makes it away from him, Serafina teams up with young Braeden Vanderbuilt the nephew of the owners of the estate, to solve the mystery before all the children vanish.
But Serfina’s hunt leads her to the forest where she not only has to face The Man in the Black Cloak, but the truth about herself.
Amazon: Serafina and the Black Cloak
Lalani of the Distant Sea
Wow, this book is still on her TBR list you may say. I know I know, I just can’t seem to finish it, I like it though so I will get it finished it’s just taking FOREVER.
Lalani Sarita’s is just trying to get by Sanlagita where life is difficult and women aren’t valued. Whenever someone tries to leave the island they never come back, a fate that befell Lalani’s father. Lalani and her mother have to suffer from her stepfather and stepbrother. And deal with a drought that has hit the island.
When Lalani travels up the mountain the islanders think is evil, her wish is granted but not in the way she imagined. And when distress falls on the village, Lalani ends up shouldering the blame.
To help her mother who has fallen ill from an incurable disease, Lalani must leave the island to find the riches of the legendary Mount Isa, which towers on an island to the north. It holds what might be a cure for her mother and a way for Lalani to erase the mistakes she’s made in the village. But where generations of her people have failed to reach the island what chance does an ordinary girl have?
Amazon: Lalani and the Distant Sea
The Science of Breakable Things
I wanted to add at least one book for my Mental Health TBR this month, and this one not only fits that but works for YARC, so I had to add it to the list.
The book starts with Natalie’s teacher suggesting she enter an egg drop competition. Natalie thinks this will be the perfect solution to all her problems. After all their will be prize money, and if she and her friends win, she can take her mother who is a bonist to see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids–flowers that survive against impossible odds.
Natalie’s mother’s been depressed, but Natalie is sure seeing the flower will help break her out of it. But she has to win the competition first, and Natalie’s friends begin to show her that talking about a problem can be the way to heal it. With their help Natalie learns solving depression isn’t so simple but that hope and love are always present.
Publisher’s Weekly also notes that “Natalie’s Korean heritage is sensitively explored, as is the central issue of depression.”
Amazon: The Science of Breakable Things
Check back throughout the month to see how I’m doing with my TBR!
