I did really well with my January 2025 TBR, probably because I had a lot of motivation to read them between SFINCS and ARC deadlines. I feel pretty good about what I read last month and even threw in some extras. So, now it’s time to look at my February 2025 TBR. This may or may not be a slower reading month depending on how I physically feel while I recover from a more invasive procedure.
Priority Reads
MAYA & NATASHA by Elyse Durham: This is an ARC out on February 18. As a ballet fan and student, it caught my eye because of the dancers on the cover. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction, but sometimes there’s just one that calls to me. “This stunning debut novel set in the fascinating world of Cold War Soviet ballet follows the fates of twin sisters whose bond is competitive, complicated, but never broken.“
GREENTEETH by Molly O’Neill: I’m so excited about this ARC, out on February 25. It’s a comical fantasy told from the point of view of a lake monster. I think I saw somewhere that it might be Arthurian related, but I’m not sure. “From an outstanding new voice in cozy fantasy comes Greenteeth, “a joyful, warm-hearted” (H. G. Parry) tale of fae, folklore, and found family, narrated by a charismatic lake-dwelling monster with a voice unlike any other, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher.“
STARLINGS by Mike Stark: I admit the cover drew me in. But I also notice starlings at our bird feeder sometimes. So I thought reading this book might educate me about them and why we apparently hate them so much. “Has there ever been a more hated bird than the European starling? Let loose in New York City’s Central Park by a misguided aristocrat, the starlings were supposed to help curb insect outbreaks and add to the tuneful choir of other songbirds…”
Hopeful Reads
A FATE INKED IN BLOOD by Danielle Jensen: The sequel doesn’t come out until May, so I suppose I’m not in a big rush to read this. But I want to know whether I like the first book enough to purchase the special edition of A CURSE CARVED IN BONE. “A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king–while fighting her growing desire for his fiery son–in the first book of a Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology…”
CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas: I’m working my way through the only SJM series I have yet to read. I guess I consider this my backburner series. But I would like to read them all this year.
THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD by Shauna Lawless: I’m very late on reading this September 2024 ARC. While I enjoy this series, it’s one I have to be in the right frame of mind to read. There are lots of moving parts and I want to give it my full attention.
ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros: Me reading this depends on whether 1) I get annoyed at seeing it all over social media and 2) if I focus on my ARCs or not.
And that’s a wrap for my February 2025 TBR, which could change, who knows. Are any of these books on your TBR this month?
I know I also said it in my last comment but I really hope your procedure goes well and that you manage to have a good month 🥰
Oh wow are we meant to hate starlings? Because I always love them and seeing flocks of them around. I think they look so pretty when you see them up close. I’ve heard good things about Greenteeth and will definitely be checking that out sometime too.
Ooh I’d love to get to A Fate Inked In Blood before the sequel releases as well. And I actually have all the others on my TBR too (how I’ve never started Fourth Wing I do not know 🙈) besides the TOG book that I adored. I really hope you enjoy it whenever you get a chance to pick it up.
Thanks, Charlotte! I’m slowly recovering with my cat on my lap. 🙂
I think here in the US people aren’t big fans of the starling because they’re not native birds. Could be they out compete the native birds for food sources. I know we’ve shooed them away from our bird feeder because they travel in packs. But I guess this book will tell me the real reason(s)!
Aww sounds like the perfect way to recover at least 🥰
Ah maybe its more of an area thing then as I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them being disliked in the UK. You could have a point about the native bird thing though as I’ve heard of cases like that with other animals. That’s why so few places in the UK have red squirrels now.
A lot of people seem super excited for Onyx Storm so I hope you enjoy it a lot! I haven’t read Fourth Wing yet so I cannot say much about it.
I am very curious about A Fate Inked in Blood. You rereading it is a sign that it is good.
I haven’t read A FATE INKED IN BLOOD yet. 😉 But I do want to read it for the first time to see if I want to order the second one.
I have missread that, I am so sorry. I read that you would be reading it again for the sequel, but I made up that “again”.
Haha no worries, it’s all ok! 🙂
I hope you enjoy Greenteeth! I’m curious about that starling book. I didn’t realize they were hated so much, lol.
I knew starlings were somewhat hated, but now I need to know the full reason as to why!
The starling book looks really interesting. I love starlings especially when the flocks create murmurations in the autumn and winter evenings so am intrigued to see that they are supposedly hated.
I hope that your procedure goes well and isn’t too unpleasant. X
I think here in the US people don’t like them because they’re not native and they fly in flocks that can devour food initially set out for native birds. Starlings are pretty, though, so I look forward to reading that book!
I’ve seen Greenteeth on so many anticipated lists and I get more curious each time I do. I hope you enjoy it! I also agree that the Maya & Natasha cover is stunning and it does makes me want to add it to my TBR as well. Looking forward to your thoughts on both of these!
I hope your procedure goes well and the recovery isn’t too rough, Celeste. Sending good vibes your way! ✨
I’m excited for GREENTEETH! It looks quirky and sometimes someone needs to shake up the fantasy genre. 😊
And thanks for the well wishes. I’m slowly recovering on the couch with my cat. 🐈
I think you’ll love A FATE INKED IN BLOOD!! I really enjoyed it when I read it last year.
I hope I do!! Glad to see you enjoyed it. My priorities have shuffled a little bit, but I’m hoping to get to it for sure in March.
I overall enjoyed A Fate Inked in Blood (even if I did guess the twist like 20 pages in lol). I’m looking forward to the sequel!
Excellent! That’s ok (for me, anyway) if it’s somewhat predictable. I just ask it be mostly believable, lol.