The Books of July

It's me, back from a (ridiculously long) hiatus, due to writers block! Also because I've spent most of my summer reading before I have to be back in school in 2 weeks. My goal for the year is to read 100 books, and, thanks to these gems from July, my official count is up to 46!

Royally Jacked- Niki Burnham
Valerie is living a normal, teenage life. That is, until her mom announces she is leaving her dad for her new girlfriend. As if that wasn't enough, her dad tells her that he has just accepted a job in a small, European country with their royal family. Eager for a fresh start, Valerie joins him, and quickly befriends the prince. But will the prince become more than just her friend?

I bought this book when I was probably 15, and I'm sure that I thought it was wildly entertaining. That's not to say that a preteen or teenager wouldn't love it, but 21 year old me? Not so much. This is certainly not a must-read, and I would recommend illegally downloading it or checking it out of the library. Don't spend your money.
Final Score: 2/5 stars

Project Princess- Meg Cabot
The 4 1/2 installment in The Princess Diaries series. Princess Mia has decided to spend her spring break building houses for the less fortunate in West Virginia (and is secretly hoping for some alone time with her boyfriend). However, it doesn't take her long to realize that building a house is no easy task.

This book isn't totally necessary to read if you want to read The Princess Diaries. However, I love Princess Mia, and the way that Cabot brings her to life, so I would recommend it, even just for fun.
Final Score: 4/5 Stars

Princess in Waiting- Meg Cabot
After finally securing the man of her dreams, Mia is doomed to be away from him for a month to practice ruling Genovia, and she certainly isn't a natural. But between stressing about ruling a country, starting a new semester of school, AND her grandmother trying to set her up with a distant cousin (ew), Mia finds herself worrying if she'll be able to keep her boyfriend interested.

Like I said before, I love Mia, and I love the way Cabot writes from her perspective. As you can see, my copy of Princess in Waiting is well-worn, because this series is seriously the best. I promise, you will LOL, so do yourself a favor and read it.
Final Score: 5/5

Mermaid- Carolyn Turgeon

Truthfully, I don't believe this needs a summary, because it is a retelling of The Little Mermaid. A darker, more depressing retelling, but a retelling nonetheless. However, don't let that deter you from reading it, because it's phenomenal. I would absolutely recommend this.
Final Score: 4.5/5

Cleopatra's Moon- Vicky Alvear Shecter
She was the last princess of Egypt, stolen from her home by Octavianus and sent to live in Rome. She fights to keep her brothers safe, and to return to Egypt to take her place on the throne. But she finds herself torn between a man she loves, and a man with power. Will Cleopatra Selene follow in her mother's footsteps, or create a path on her own?

I think Cleopatra Selene is a completely fascinating figure, almost as fascinating as her mother, which is why this is the second Historical Fiction novel I've read about her. This book was good, and had I not read Michelle Moran's adaptation of Selene's life, I would even go so far as to say, "I loved it." While it pales in comparison, it's definitely a good read on it's own.
Final Score: 3.5/5

Abandon- Meg Cabot
Pierce died, and was brought back to life. But when she came back, she insisted that she had been held hostage in the Underworld by a boy named John. When she gets expelled from school, her parents blame her mental trauma, and relocate her to Isla Huesos, Florida. However, when John comes back for her, he warns her that she is in grave danger, from something that not even the protector of the dead can fight.

I'm a sucker for a Greek Myths, so it's natural that I would feel drawn to a book about the Persephone myth (and it didn't hurt that one of my favorite authors wrote it). It is definitely a YA novel, one that is a little more focused on the romance than building a relationship, and overhypes the drama without truly explaining it. However, I devoured the book in less than a day, and I'll probably do the same to the other two books in the series.
Final Score: 4/5

Girls in Pants- Ann Brashares
The 3rd installment in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. It's the last summer before the Septembers are off to college, and each is struggling with their lives changing. Lena, after the death of her grandfather, finds herself living with her resentful grandmother, and her father who has reverted back to his traditional Greek ways. Carmen is still struggling with adjusting to her mothers marriage, when she discovers that a new husband isn't the only thing her mother is getting. Bridget deals with heartbreak and forgiveness with an old flame, and learns how strong she can be. Finally, Tibby is opens up to love, only to for the rest of her life to crash into shambles.

I've already stated that the Sisterhood series is one of my favorites, so once you read the first 2, you should definitely read this one.
Final Score: 4/5

Inferno- Dan Brown
Robert Langdon wakes up in a hospital room in Florence, Italy with a head wound and no memory of the last few days. However, when he is almost killed in his hospital bed, he quickly realizes that his life is in danger, and needs to figure out why. With the help of his doctor, Sienna Brooks, he discovers that he must search for something based on clues from Dante's Inferno, left behind by a brilliant, but troubled, scientist. Racing the clock, quickly realizes that this isn't an ordinary treasure hunt, this is a race to save the world from a plague.

I love the Robert Langdon books, and this is, by far, my favorite of the 4. I highly recommend any of the books in the Robert Langdon series, BUT ESPECIALLY THIS ONE.
Final Score: 5/5


Well, thanks for sticking around, y'all! If you have any book recommendations, feel free to private message me via the Ramble On Facebook, or leave a comment below!