This week could more easily have been described as “listening roundup” as I’ve been listening more than reading – or rather I have been listening and reading along on my brand spanking new Kindle Fire.

Here is what I have been reading and listening to this past week. 

I recently finished Siege and Storm in both Kindle and Audible by Leigh Bardugo, the followup to Shadow and Bone.  To be honest I was rather disappointed in this book.  I loved the Russian-style setting of the first book, and my enjoyment of this continued into the second book.  However, I found the pacing of this second book rather slow.  After a promising start, the story slows down to a crawl.  It also annoys me when young protagonists suddenly find themselves in a leadership position with no training or experience, just because they have some unrelated power.  

On a positive side some new and very interesting characters were introduced, especially Sturmhond.  Also the ending picked up again dramatically and I will certainly read the final book in the Grisha trilogy to see how it all ends.

I listened to Graceling by Kristin Cashore from Audible which was marked as a full cast production.  I have to say it really irritated me. Clearly the cast wasn’t in the room at the same time, so there was a pause waiting on the next person speaking.  That really threw me out of the story.

This week I was also directed to the Gem trilogy by German author Kerstin Gier.  Originally written in German, it is set in London and tells the story of Gwyneth, a young girl whose family carries a time travelling gene.  Thanks @katytastic for the recommendation.  I LOVED this book.  Gwyneth is a fun character, and for the audiobook Marisa Calin’s narration really brings it to life.  I particularly appreciated that, unlike her cousin, Gwyneth hasn’t been inducted into the family’s secrets, so we learn at the same time she does, often by her mistakes.

I have finished the audiobook for the sequel, Sapphire Blue, and also started the German ebook of Smaragdgrun (Emerald Green).  The English translation of the book doesn’t come out til October and I don’t want to wait that long!  My husband must be irritated that I have my headphones on the whole time listening to it.

I have also started to read/listen to Brandon Sanderson’s The Rithmatist.  It’s early days yet, but so far so good.

Added to my Library this week

• Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier – both Kindle and Audible formats
• Smaragdgruen by Kerstin Gier – Kindle format (Amazon Germany)
• Fire by Kristin Cashore – both Kindle and Audible formats
• Infinity Blade by Brandon Sanderson – Kindle format
• Blood Skies by Stephen Montano – Kindle format