Well, I completed all 7 challenges for the Orillium Readathon. However, I definitely switched out some of my choices. This is what I read.
1. Read a book with a map- I read Malamander by Thomas Taylor. This is a middle grade book focusing on a local legend of a fish man who lays a magical egg one night. Two children get caught up in the mystery. It was fun, but nothing special. I gave it 3 stars.
2. Top of my TBR- I eagerly picked up TJ Klune's Under the Whispering Door. The very latest of his books focusing on a man named Wallace Price who dies and only learns his humanity after he meets a ferryman who is supposed to lead him to the next stage. I felt Wallace was so unlikeable that his growth seems unrealistic. Also it was dark, missing the levity of his usual books. I gave it 3 stars.
3. Read a standalone- I read The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Maryanne Cronin. A heartwarming story of a young girl who befriends an elderly woman while they're both in the hospital. Through flashbacks, we see what happened in their lives to shape them into the people they are today. Plus queer rep. I really enjoyed this though it was very sad. I gave it 4 stars.
4. Read a book featuring supernatural elements- For this one, I picked up The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. This is the second in the trilogy, focusing on politics of the capital and a shifty sorcerer. I can't say much due to it being a sequel but I enjoyed it immensely. I gave it 4 stars.
5. Read a thriller or mystery- I finally decided to try a Nicci French novel with Losing You. It's about a woman whose teenage daughter is missing and she searches desperately to find her or figure out what happened. I found the pacing incredibly slow, especially since the plot happens in one day. Additionally, I guessed what happened about halfway through. Not believable or enjoyable really. I gave it 2.5 stars.
6. Read a 5 star prediction- I chose When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. A graphic memoir that also had an audiobook. It tells the story of Omar and his brother growing up in a refugee camp. It was very compelling but not quite a 5 star book. I gave it 4 stars.
7. Read a book with a school setting- I chose another TJ Klune book with Flash Fire. Another sequel, this time following teenage superheroes. I liked the characters and felt their growth was believable. I gave it 3 stars.
