Hey there, Champions! Since I had so much fun sharing summer reads with you for the Summer Reading Event, I thought it would be fun to share a few books I’ve been enjoying this fall! (I reviewed the books in a facebook live video you can watch by clicking HERE, if you would rather watch/hear than read.)
I’m not sure if it’s the influence of Halloween, or just the lure of crackling leaves and cozy fireplaces, but Autumn is my favorite time of year to read mysteries, so most of the books on this list have a hint of mystery to them!
Princess of Shadows: Shannon Lynn Cook This book is the most fall themed as it sports a haunted house in autumn. It’s actually the second book in the series, but if you’re looking for something to get you prepped for Halloween that isn’t too scary, this is the book for you! It’s an urban fantasy, and it has one of the most interesting/unique magic systems I’ve seen in a while in which people with magic are sorted into different categories based on their magical abilities. Each category has an animal that represents their magic. (So wolves are natural leaders, charismatic, etc, Rabbits have animal magic so they can soothe and communicate more easily with animals, etc.)
This book can get a little gory (the second book in particular) and the main female character does get ogled a lot and there are a few makeout sessions, but there’s also lots of humor and the characters are super dynamic. It is available on KU, but–fun news–the first book is actually FREE for 10/22 and 10/23!
Between Jobs: W. R. Gingell I featured W. R. Gingell in the Summer Reading Event, but this series is her most recent launch and it’s in KU! Before I dive in, this book is by far the most gory/violent out all the books I’m listing, but it has some awesome fight scenes, intriguing mysteries, and some great characters.
It’s also an Urban Fantasy, but it has a paranormal edge as it has vampires and the books really focus in on the Faerie realm that lives adjacent to ours. The main character is really clever–she has some great lines–and her three male co-stars are really interesting as well. (I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops!)
Midnight in Austenland: Shannon Hale Shannon Hale is perhaps mostly famous among us fairy tale lovers for her Goose Girl retelling, but she also has a few adult contemporary novels like Austenland and it’s sequel, Midnight in Austenland! A special note: I ADORE Midnight in Austenland. It’s my favorite Shannon Hale book ever, but in order to really enjoy it you need to read Austenland first. (The stories have different main characters and somewhat different tones–the first one reads a little like contemporary rom com while the second has a little more intrigue/mystery and–I personally feel–more heart to it. But in order to better appreciate the characters you really should read Austenland first.)
Midnight in Austenland has everything: mystery, hilarity, historical references, and it boasts one of the CUTEST love stories ever. I cannot sell this book enough, I love it, I love it, I love it!! (Note: This is published by a big publisher, so it is practically guaranteed you can pick up a copy at your local library.)
Say hello to the Halloween Pug Puppers! (He looks like he might have eaten too much candy.)
Honorable Mentions
Haley Merlin: a new YA Urban fantasy series by Bella Forrest. If you like Cassandra Clare’s Shadow Hunter series, you’re going to love this one! (Available in KU)
Enola Holmes: A YA series that follows the adventures of Enola Holmes–Sherlock Holmes’ little sister. There’s no romance, but this is my favorite mystery series ever as the crimes are usually missing person cases and addictive but not the kind of book you would be scared to read at night and alone. (It also has some HILARIOUS scenes and, like Midnight in Aunstenland, it should be available at your local library.)
So now I’m curious, what are your favorite fall/mystery books? I hope you get some great new stories out of this, Champions, and thanks for reading.