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From July 14: Mid-Year Reading Check In
Prompts: We’re halfway through 2023! How are you feeling about your reading this year? What are the best books you’ve read so far in 2023? What are your least favorites? What are your goals for the rest of the year?
Welcome to another week of LTB here at DTRH, everyone! I have been on quite the hiatus because it has been a whirlwind of a summer, to no one’s surprise. However, I saw that there was a mid-year check in (albeit two weeks ago on July 14), which I felt was an appropriate time to pop back in.
I believe I set a very low goal on my goodreads this year, after the fiasco I had last year not nearly reaching my goal (oops!). I set my goal to a veryyyyy pessimistic 30 books. I am happy to say that I am over that progress point, but I knew with my busy schedule I would not be able to really sustain much more than that. If only I could count school books and reading materials from work, I bet I would be in the hundreds…
Goals aside, I am pretty happy with my reading this year. No it’s not the most I have ever read in a year, but I am glad to have picked up most of the books I did. My favourite was definitely The Song of Achilles that I just posted this week, but I just read the latest Ruth Ware book, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it! Stay tuned for that review as well.
Some of my least favourites, which I honestly don’t even care to mention, are books through my bookclub. That being said, the bookclub is good for going through books I wouldn’t normally read, so I have no regrets on actually finishing those books, I think they served their purpose.
My goals this year is to continue reading at this pace, and try to fit in more books if I can. I have mostly been having periods where I can read like 3 books in 2 weeks, but then a month of barely reading 1. But such is life I think! And this year has been a particularly busy one (do we say that every year?) so honestly I am not at all surprised that my reading has been very up and down depending on the season. Overall I think I am doing well though, and can’t wait to read more books this year!
There are so many books to be excited for, but simply not enough time.
How are your goals all going? Has it been a busy non-reading year for you guys too? Or perhaps a busy reading year? Let me know in the comments below!
Achilles, “the best of all the Greeks,” son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods’ wrath.
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.
I really didn’t want to cry, and I almost didn’t. But on the very last page I broke, which I think is appropriate in its own way. I had a couple friends recommend this to me as one of their favourite books, and I think I can see why. If you enjoy mythology like I do, I think this one especially hits hard.
The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the story of Achilles, as told through the eyes of Patroclus. It is a coming-of-age story combined with the classic myths of Achilles and the Fall of Troy. If you’re a mythology buff, you will also recognize many other characters. The story goes through Patroclus’s unfortunate upbringing up to his exile and training and finally their participation in the war against Troy. Of course, the gods are always meddling and placing their own cryptic prophecies ever guiding the paths of heroes and mortals alike. Just who and what will be sacrificed as each tries to reach their dreams?
Nothing should really come as a surprise in this book, as it doesn’t deviate too far from classical mythology in terms of the plot. I am not an expert in mythology but I know that the general plots were followed. However, there was so much more packed into this book. It literally starts from the very beginning with the birth of Patroclus, and it really takes us through the journey of his childhood, teenage-hood all the way up to his adulthood. We really get to see into his thoughts and the story really builds on his whole journey and his feelings all the way through.
The characters were very well crafted. Of course there is a baseline expectation for all the different mythological characters but Miller really executed them well. Odysseus was wily, Peleus was kind, and King Priam was also his meek self. The story almost felt real, even though the myth is literally a tale as old as time. I couldn’t help but be wrapped up in the emotional story, even as I knew what was coming.
The use of foreshadowing was excellent in this book. It really played on all my expectations of the book and augmented the emotional anguish I felt for what was coming. I had to pause every couple of pages at some point just to catch my breath because of how intense the feelings come through in this book. If you’re into that kind of storytelling, where the emotions really reign supreme, this one is definitely for you. The way all the plot devices were used to enhance the story were excellent, and the way the story completely revolves around Patroclus’s perspective really adds to that. We really only understand the world as through his eyes, and there is something about the deep connection that you form with the main protagonist that really strengthens the emotional bond that you form with him from minute one.
I can’t sing enough praises about this book, though I can see how it might be a bit more convoluted if you aren’t familiar with the characters and how they might act. But to me, I had a great time watching a good myth come to life, told in such an emotional manner that I had never experienced before and had not expected from this myth. I really felt for all the extremely tough decisions that had to be made, and how the gods and other higher men were always unfairly influencing his life, and just the general inevitable (Greek) tragedy unfolding before my eyes that brought me to tears. What a great cathartic read!
Overall Recommendations
The Song of Achilles is a heartbreaking tale of the Greek myth, and follows the life of Patroclus, Achilles’ ever-present companion. As usual, the story is subject to the wiles of different divinities, and the two must navigate the ancient political agendas and all their familial expectations. The foreshadowing was excellent and the emotional rollercoaster was truly something of a marvel. The fidelity to the original myth was also excellent, and something I look for. Overall a very very excellent read.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , Immortal Longings is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.
Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.
Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.
Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.
Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.
Overall Recommendation:
ImmortalLongings takes us on a journey into the crowded twin cities of San-Er where mysterious magic underlies perhaps more nefarious motives and no one can be trusted. In a Hunger Games x gladiator style competition to the death, only one victor will be crowned and the lost princess Calla wants it more than anything. I thought the setting drew you in while the bloodthirsty backdrop definitely sets the tone for adult-rated violence. Chloe’s writing continues to paint her stories vividly, but this time in more blood with higher stakes.
**Immortal Longings comes out July 18, 2023**
Thank you Simon & Schuster for thiscopy in exchange for an honest review.
I think I left my heart in the crowded alleys and mashed up buildings of San-Er. Phew, what an ending! But let me start from the beginning.
Immortal Longings is Chloe Gong’s adult debut based on Anthony and Cleopatra. In her style of writing I’ve come to know from her YA historical fantasies, her world building doesn’t disappoint. I loved how she places you in San-Er like it’s in front of you. The constant gloom from lack of sun among the buildings, the hopelessness permeating the air of the citizens who are “safe” (trapped?) inside the giant walls that circle the twin cities, and the ever watchful eye of the palace looming over everything and everyone.
The pacing worked out okay, though at times it could’ve moved faster. With Calla, the lost princess of Er who holds more secrets in her than meets the eye, there is always someone to root for. Entered into the games that leaves only one victor alive, the goal is the end of the current reign. But when an alliance is made with Anton Makusa, oh boy do things get messy.
I loved getting to know both Anton and Calla, but one reason this isn’t a 5 star read is the romance between them. It may be just me but I didn’t really feel drawn to their “strong” feelings for each other. They had great banter, and over time proved that trust does form even in a places it doesn’t belong. However, the two of them falling for each other romantically felt like something that happened only because they don’t have anyone else in the world. They’re both lonely souls, exiled or thought dead, and perhaps each other’s company was the first they’ve had in years. It felt like they settled for one another because they’re there, not because there’s anything special about each other. Plus, Anton has a special girl that threw him into the games in the first place. Are we just forgetting that? Where does Calla lie in his heart if so much of it seems to be taken up by another already? How much is genuine? I suppose only time (and the next book) will tell.
The magic system was also an interesting element. It took me a while to more fully comprehend this idea of jumping bodies, the maximum quota of souls/qi one body can handle simultaneously and what happens to empty bodies or overused ones. Oh, and how does one recognize if someone’s been invaded? Our friend Anton is an expert jumper, but the fact he never wears his birth body is strange.
Where the romance was lacking, the action and mysterious deaths of some of the players in the games definitely kept me going. Everyone’s motives are questioned and I was surprised by some of those twists I didn’t see coming. This book is definitely in the adult category with its sometimes graphic descriptions of death and added spice for those romance lovers. If you’re someone looking for a good fantasy with solid worldbuilding and political intrigue, this one is for you, especially if it introduces you to Chloe Gong. For fans of her YA novels, this transition was as I’ve come to expect from her – a seamless jump to adult fantasy. I look forward to book 2.
Down the Rabbit Hole 