Mini Reviews #6: Recent Reads Edition

Hey everyone! It feels as if I’ve neglected my precious little blog because I haven’t been very active on here. Work is keeping busy so there isn’t a lot of time for blogging. My priority when I get home is getting to bed by 10:00 p.m. However, I managed to finished a few books recently so here’s another edition of mini reviews.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi
★★★★☆

Pride is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which I haven’t read because I don’t generally read classics. Although I can’t comment on the retelling aspects, this was an enjoyable read. I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo (author of The Poet X). She was fantastic.

I loved getting to know the Benitez sisters, loved the aspects where it addressed gentrification, education as an avenue for success, and the way it explored cultural identity. The main character, Zuri, is Afro-Latina headstrong, and judgmental.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like the romance. I wish it had been left out of the book. I understand Pride and Prejudice has romance, but it didn’t work in this story. The relationship between Zuri and Darius felt rushed and shoehorned. I didn’t know Darius liked Zuri until they were holding hands. I think this book would still work without the romance. Otherwise, this was a pleasant read.

Aesthetic board for Pride

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
★★★★☆

This book was such a treat. I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla and honestly couldn’t get enough of the characters and the story. I didn’t expect to enjoy A Princess in Theory as much as I did so that was a great surprise. This follows two characters who are betrothed to one another, except Leidi doesn’t know. Ledi receives emails from an African prince and she writes them off as scams. I probably would’ve done the same thing too because it’s so common to get those emails asking you for your personal information in exchange for something. Eventually, Prince Thabiso tracks down Ledi. She mistakes him for someone else and Thabiso goes along with it for the chance to get to know her. This chemistry between the characters was off the charts and the smut was so steamy. The plot is predictable, but oh so fun. My only critique of this book is that it felt a little too long. Otherwise, highly recommend this.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
★★★★★

I don’t like historical fiction, but somehow this is the second historical fiction I’ve read this year. Both were written by Kristin Hannah and both made me cry more than I would’ve liked. The Nightingale is the story of two sisters during World War II. It’s an untold story about what these women endured during the war and inspired by stories we don’t often hear. I love that this book sheds light on the women of the war.

Basically, this book was moving and pulled at my heartstrings. I cried a lot. I wept for Vianne and Sophie. I wept for Isabelle and everything she endured to save the lives of those airmen. I wept for so many characters. The ending was kind of rushed and some parts could have been executed better, but overall this was a captivating story. This book also sent me down a Wikipedia rabbit hole of researching World War II.

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So, there you have it. Reviews for three of my most recent reads. Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!