52 Week Book Challenge - 2025 by Krista Heiser

1. A Pun in the Title

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:21:59 UTC

This was okay. The MC has just moved to a new town, buying her new home sight unseen. She ends with a major fixer-upper that comes complete with its own ghost. Perhaps the ghost will become more significant as the series continues, but she really doesn't impact the murder mystery at the heart of this book.

Our heroine is a writer, which means she's essentially broke. Taking a job in town becomes a source of income that will help her with her fixer-upper. While she tries to use this position to help her new roommate, who happens to be the main suspect in the murder, it really doesn't give her many clues. The "smoking gun" is discovered in her presence but

entirely by chance.

So...this was just okay.

2. A character with red hair.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:22:15 UTC

I wasn't sure about this book at first. It did get progressively better, though. I'm glad I have more books in the series as I will be continuing.

3. Title starts with the letter M.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:22:55 UTC

I don't know what possessed me to read this one. I think it might have been the title or the cover art. Whatever the reason, I thought it would be ridiculous and I'd end up DNFing it. Instead, I found it charming and, at times, humorous. I mean I laughed out loud more than once while listening to it in my car.

Our human protagonist has finished her Master's degree and still can't pay the rent. Times are desperate. Determined to avoid the dread fate of moving home to mom and dad's house, she decides to take a job that no one can ever know she has. She becomes a milking technician at a sperm collection bank. The donors aren't human like herself, though. They are minotaurs.

In what could have been a very raunchy and erotic style tale, this was a very cute little romance. Sure, there were some explicit descriptions, so this is definitely not something I'd recommend lightly. Know your audience when sharing book recommendations, friends. Some people would be very disturbed by this book.

4. Title starts with the letter N.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:23:10 UTC

I loved the premise of this book. It tackles so many of today's political concerns, from climate change to capitalism. It addresses man's need for control over the world around him versus the idea of living in harmony with nature. This political thriller should have kept me well-entertained as it was set in a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by man's greed and love of war. I tend to love these kind of books. Unfortunately, this one just fell flat for me.

There were a few reasons why my enjoyment fell off. While I love books that explore the above-mentioned themes, I don't enjoy being preached at and felt there were too many instances when the story devolved into the author standing on a soapbox moralizing. Even if I agreed with the sentiments expressed, they often dumped me out of Ven's story and back into reality. A more subtle approach would have been more pleasing for this reader; your mileage may vary.

I also felt there was too much description, and the inner monologues often seemed to disrupt the flow of the action sequences. Any tension that was built by the author seemed to be reduced by meandering attention to detail or the MC's tendency to walk down memory lane at the most inopportune time. It was a little frustrating as I'd just start to get excited by where the story was going and then...I'd be deflated and bored.

So, while I loved the premise, the delivery didn't really work for me. I wish it had because I feel like I should have loved this and didn't.

5. Plot includes a heist.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:23:28 UTC

The heist was pretty good, even if I correctly guessed the mastermind's identity about halfway through the book.

6. Genre one: set in spring.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:24:18 UTC

7. Genre two: set in summer.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:24:44 UTC

8. Genre three: set in autumn.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:25:10 UTC

I won't lie. When I first started this book, I was a bit trepidatious. I hadn't read the description before starting, so when I realized it featured teenagers, I groaned. Teenage love stories are not my jam. I find them unbelievable and unrelatable; that likely says a lot about me and my early years.

Luckily, this story was not at all what I anticipated. Sure, there was chemistry and drama between the FMC and the MMC, but it was sweet—Believable in its awkwardness. It also avoided so many YA romance tropes, which I greatly appreciated.

I am not keeping the book, but I am giving a four-star rating.

9. Genre four: set in winter.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:25:28 UTC

Fulfilling this prompt was easy because I knew I just needed us a story set at Christmas time. This one involved a locked-room mystery and a romance.

It was quite enjoyable. I would recommend it to others.

10. Author's last name is also a first name.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:25:56 UTC

I am still loving this series! Dalia is collecting her men just like a reverse harem requires. The serial killer continues his bloody atrocities as our cast of characters continues to evolve. On to the next audiobook!

11. A prequel.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:26:08 UTC

There were a number of things I liked about this book that I thought the author handled very well. I appreciated the fact that the same historical event had many different interpretations that influenced societal design. I also thought the way each country or organization handled the new threat made perfect sense according to their version of history and their access to unique tools (i.e., the power of the Orange tree's magic, dragons revered as gods, or a devout belief in divine blessing).

The book was very, very long. It took a long time for it to fully hook me, but once it did, I was happily along for the ride.

I will be reading the next book very soon.

12. Has a moon on the cover.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:26:23 UTC

13. Title is ten letters or less.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:26:39 UTC

A spicy romance told from the man's perspective; very few POV sections from the heroine.

This was an okay read. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it.

14. Climate fiction.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:26:53 UTC

I enjoyed this more than I expected to, which is why I enjoy participating in the 52 Week Book Club reading challenge. Without the challenge, I may never have picked this up. The synopsis very clearly aligned the book with the prompt I needed to fill: climate fiction.

Mankind ignored all the warnings and finally managed to kill off most of the planet's wildlife. Some academics still strive to protect the remaining species, including Franny's husband Niall. Given her own wandering nature and her shared passion for saving the animals, Franny is determined to follow the Artic Tern across the world to their nesting grounds in Antarctica. Alone.

As the story unfolded and Franny's history was revealed, I realized this was a story about grieving and the deep scars it leaves behind. It's a story about a woman who has endured too much and is seeking peace.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys literary fiction. I would also recommend this to anyone who is grieving because Franny's mental and emotional state will resonate, from the dark depths of depression to the inner will required to keep moving.

15. Includes Latin American history.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:27:09 UTC

This started out at as an interesting read that I mistakenly thought would be easy to consume. It was not. This book took me the better part of a year to read. Why? It was so dreadfully repetitive. The main messages were 1)colonialism destabilized the Latin American countries in Central and South America and 2) capitalism destroyed its ability to be self-sufficient at home and successful abroad. The patterns of colonization and capitalist bullying were the same from country to country with only the players changing name, although as expected France, Britain, and, ultimately, the United States were the main culprits. When the governments of these foreign countries weren't directly responsible for the poverty and bodily harm to the native inhabitants, their most powerful merchants were.

16. The author has won and Edgar award.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:27:41 UTC

This is the second book in a series. I've read several of these books and tend to enjoy them quite a bit. This was no exception.

17. Told in verse.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:27:55 UTC

A quick, easy read that packed an emotional punch. Ha's journey from her family home in Vietnam to a sponsored house in Alabama is full of a child's confusion, sorrow, and anger. While there are some lighthearted moments, most of the poetry depicts the struggle of an immigrant trying to adapt to strange environs.

18. A character who can fly.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:28:11 UTC

I am so enjoying this series! The audible edition has a full voice-acted cast, which is delightful.

Our lovers are evolving as individuals and as a team. Delia has all four of her men now, but some things still need to be worked out. The evolution of this polyamorous relationship takes place as the threat of The Ripper comes to a head. Meanwhile, the underlying danger of the apocalypse looms ever closer.

P.s. It doesn't happen until the end of the book, but one of Delia's mates has wings and can use them.

19. Has short chapters.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:28:27 UTC

It might have had short chapters, but there were many. Over a hundred chapters in this one!

I liked the twist. I also found some of the therapeutic insights very interesting. I feel like this book was given a little extra weight considering the author is so open about her own addiction issues and treatment.

I would definitely read more of her books.

20. A fairy tale retelling.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:28:49 UTC

21. Character's name in the title.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:29:05 UTC

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, well-written, and vastly entertaining. I learned so much about Circe's story. Even if the author took liberties, which is likely, I didn't know enough to find anything problematic. Just pure reading pleasure over here!

22. Found family trope.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:29:21 UTC

Jason is reunited with his found family and goes on some adventures. I immediately started book 8 when this one concluded.

23. A sprayed edge.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:29:35 UTC

In a bid to reclaim their future, Arcady steals a magical identity seal from a tomb. After all, the owner wasn't using it anymore! Transferring their magical signature into the new ID has one very significant side effect: it opens a portal between their world and the world where the dragons of old had been banished. Worse? By opening the portal, Arcady links their life to Everen's and, in doing so, limits both of their magics.

Paired together, both Arcady and Everen seek to fulfill their individual goals. Hiding their agendas from each other becomes more and more difficult as some sexual tension leaks into the partially formed bond linking them together.

This was a very fun and interesting read. I think one of the more challenging aspects for me, which might not give someone else any trouble whatsoever, is that Arcardy's gender is fluid to the point of being a complete mystery. I still couldn't tell you anything beyond the character is very much a they/them. I don't read many books featuring non-binary individuals, so I, unfortunately, found this mystery to be a bit distracting at times.

Still the book was great and I will pick up the next installment.

24. Title is a spoiler.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:29:51 UTC

I suppose I would say that, while the title suggests the girls survive, it does not promise them happy endings. There were a few short stories that made me wonder if they would have continued to survive had these spooky tales not so abruptly ended.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. Short stories are hard for me to rate when they're in a collection like this. Some were better than others.

25. Breaks the fourth wall.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:30:12 UTC

I must admit I enjoyed this short little book just about as much as I enjoyed the Apple TV adaptation. Murderbot's first-person narration, which continually feels like it's addressing the audience, makes the book for me, just as the show's voice-over did.

26. More than a million copies sold.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:31:13 UTC

27. Features a magician.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:31:27 UTC

This was a continuation of Rincewind's story in the Discworld series. It picks up right where book one left off. However, the plot this time revolves around the spell trapped within Rincewind instead of the zany adventures one experiences while babysitting an oblivious and naive tourist. The stakes are a little higher as the Discworld seems doomed to celestial obliteration as it draws closer and closer to a giant star in the sky. Rumor has it Rincewind's spell must be reunited with the other great spells in order for disaster to be averted.

I won't give away anything important. I'll just say this was fun and entertaining.

28. A crossover (set in a shared universe).

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:31:57 UTC

It has been years since I first read this book. I must admit, I had forgotten the entire storyline and the characters. In fact, if not for Goodreads, I might have thought this book was new to me. So much for my memory!

On to the book review..

This was cute. In this first Discworld book, we meet the failed wizard Rincewind and the clueless tourist Twoflower. Through some twist of fate, Rincewind is tasked with keeping Twoflower alive. Given how cowardly and inept Rincewind is, it is a good thing Twoflower happens to be traveling with a magic, walking piece of luggage that is programmed to protect and follow its master any- and everywhere.

I love the quirky sense of humor that Pratchett brings to his Discworld novels. I smile a lot and may even occasionally giggle a bit. The shenanigans of the tourist perfectly exemplifies how a lot of travelers move through foreign lands, oblivious to dangers and in awe of what the locals consider mundane. Also, as a photographer myself, Twoflower's insistence on photographing everything, no matter how dangerous or inane, made me laugh in self-mockery. Same, Twoflower, same. I am that tourist, too!

I'm planning on reading a Discworld novel every month until the series has been completed. So...on to the next!

29. Shares a universe with prompt 28.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:32:41 UTC

Another snarky novel in the Discworld. In this one, the question is why can't a woman be educated at the Unseen University and become a wizard? Well, because it's just not done and that's that.

But then Askarina is accidentally gifted a dying wizard's staff. The transfer of power is irreversible, and all too soon the little girl is unwittingly bending the world around her to her will and whimsy. Granny Weatherwax tries to teach her to be a witch, which is much more practical if not quite so showy, but the magic in the staff is not the same magic Granny wields. The girl needs proper instruction, which means the two must convince the wizards at the Unseen University to allow in their first female wizard.

I always enjoy a light-hearted romp with a tongue-in-cheek social critique, which Pratchell delivers effortlessly.

30. In the public domain.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:32:55 UTC

This really did not do much of anything for me. I found myself often thinking that there is a lot more telling than showing going on here...

31. Audiobook has multiple narrators.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:33:19 UTC

I expected spicy sex scenes and a mediocre plot. Instead, I got an intriguing plotline, a delectable cast of leading men, and a charming leading lady. I loved this audiobook and will be finishing the series.

32. Includes a diary entry.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:33:39 UTC

This how-to book offered a variety of methods one could use in their personal diary. Some of it is rather common sense, but there were some things I found myself wanting to try.

33. A standalone novel.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:33:56 UTC

This was well-written and engaging. As it is a dystopian book, it addresses the breakdown of modern society and the reaction of governments, corporations, and civilians. Yet, this book does so in a very subtle manner by keeping the reader's attention on the MC's plight.

I thought the book really picked up when Sol was introduced. Stakes were heightened because suddenly our hero had a young girl to distract him from his grief.

34. Direction in the title.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:34:10 UTC

This was such a good book. The refugee/asylum seeker's struggle begins in Somalia and moves through South, Central, and Northern America. The horrors visited upon her during her trek to what she believes to be safety in the United States is treated with care but not devoid of discomfort. I got the sense there was much the author chose to skim over and leave to the reader's imagination. Yet, loss, bodily harm, and fatal consequences were ever present.

The author also took care to present how the asylum seeker faces apathy, hostility, and care within the United States. The illusion of welcome that carried her through her journey is quickly dashed at the border when she presents herself and claims asylum. The accommodations are inhumane, and the paperwork is purposefully confusing and impossible for a non-native speaker to navigate successfully. Legal representation is lacking. Human compassion is lacking.

Canada becomes the new beacon of freedom and safety, but there are states to be crossed before that border can be reached. When circumstances land her in the temporary care of a bunch of Monks, the shift in the narrative focuses on Christian values and acts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be recommending it to anyone I think might enjoy it.

35. Written in 3rd person.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:34:27 UTC

I'm loving this series! The author does an amazing job of keeping the plot moving forward while also incorporating character development. I'm always eager to start the next book in the series, and this time was no different.

36. Final sentence is less than six words long.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:34:53 UTC

This comic book came with a surprise ending that will make you think. As I don't know how to review this book without discussing this revelation, I think I need to do the whole spoiler warning thing.

Stop reading now if you don't want spoilers.

I mean it. Stop now.

Okay, still here?

In this comic book, young Adora is fated to confront the Distance. While the Distance is a nebulous dark force, legend tells of its destructive wake as it destroys the worlds of all who must face it. When it is revealed that Adora is the one the Distance wants, she is determined to save her home and the people she loves. Luckily, her adoptive father is able to put together a band of sworn protectors to guard her as she ventures into the world.

After following along on Adora's adventures as she marches forward to confront the Distance, you discover the entire tale is unfolding within the mind of a non-verbal autistic child. It's a poignant ending, one that inspires compassion and empathy. It will also make you rethink everything you just read/saw.

37. Genre chosen for you by someone else.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:35:12 UTC

This is an easy one. I put up a poll in The Michigan Booktok Babes Facebook group. The poll winner was fantasy. Yay!!

Oh my goodness. If you play video games, especially RPGs, this is the book for you! I was continually delighted by the worldbuilding, especially those elements that directly drew on RPG gaming interface features. The fact that the characters, even those natural to the world our hero suddenly finds himself in, continually level up and get more powerful by using RPG-inspired elements adds to the fun.

The characters are great, too. I appreciate Jason's moral and ethical positions. I also appreciate that he's somewhat rude, opinionated, and undisturbed by challenging authority. He's a character after my own heart.

The only reason I didn't give this a full five stars is because the author had a pretty long-running subplot going that didn't get fully resolved. I know it's going to be one of the main focuses in the next book, but I feel it could have been tied up more in this book than it was.

38. An adventure story.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:35:31 UTC

Burton Cole is given a government-sanctioned (but off-the-books) opportunity to exact revenge on the man he holds responsible for his mother's death. Leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend, he and his team travel to Afrika to assassinate Hochburg. Things do not go acccording to plan, and soon he and his companions are on the run and struggling to stay alive in Nazi occupied terrority.

I listened to it on Audible. The narrator did a good job.

I'm giving this a solid three stars. I have a feeling others who tend to read more widely in this genre would give it a higher rating. It's well written. The plot is interesting. The characters engaging. Unfortunately, it's not really my favorite kind of story to read.

39. Has an epigraph.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:35:45 UTC

A very satisfying conclusion to Dahlia's story. I absolutely loved this series and would recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid of polyamory and explicit sex scenes.

40. Stream of consciousness narrative.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:36:12 UTC

41. Cover font is in a primary color.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:36:28 UTC

This started out so good, but I must admit it lost steam as it progressed. I expected Lilith to be so much more powerful than she was portrayed. So much of her time was spent being a victim or an observer. Her few moments of agency seemed few and far between.

I expected her to challenge the patriarchy directly. She did not. She was afraid of men as any other woman on the planet. After leaving the Garden, she was nothing like the rebellious woman of legend. She was meek. She was weak. She was seeking someone else to take on the injustices around her.

I was disappointed in this version of Lilith. Other than being immortal and able to move through the Bible's history, she could have been anyone.

The one thing I did enjoy about the book was the flipping of the script, so to speak. These all too familiar stories were given a unique perspective that outright challenged the stories as presented in the Bible. It also addressed some assertions that have always struck me as problematic and provided an alternative that actually follows logical conclusions.

42. Non-human antagonist.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:36:51 UTC

A fast, fun, and interesting progression story for Jason and Co.

Strangely, it had multiple epilogues. I think five or six. I was listening on Audible, so I don't remember the exact number—one of the stranger editorial decisions I've encountered.

43. Explores social class.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:37:05 UTC

44. A celebrity on the cover.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:37:17 UTC

This was a quick read/listen. I don't quite appreciate his writing style, but he got his point across while being entertaining. His word choice sometimes baffled me, though. However, given that much of the book reads like a stream-of-consciousness diary, I think it was okay that he didn't always express himself directly or succinctly.

45. Author releases more than one book a year.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:37:34 UTC

I am so enjoying these Audible books! As someone who enjoys RPG games (Steam on the PC, PS5), I am continually delighted by the inclusion of standard RPG elements into the storyline. I am also a fan of the character's growth in terms of "powering up".

46. Read in a -ber month.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:37:53 UTC

This series is quickly becoming an all-time favorite. It's so entertaining. I never listen to audiobooks this quickly; I find myself surprised when the story ends and I have to go find the next installment.

47. "I think it was blue."

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:38:09 UTC

4.5 Stars

This was a great book to start off 2025 with because it was fast-paced and engaging. I was intrigued. I managed to guess one major mystery but went back and forth on the other. For a while, I wasn't even sure I could trust the narrator.

I would definitely recommend this to my murder mystery-loving friends and family.

48. Related to the word puzzle.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:38:25 UTC

I will admit I only picked this book up because of a book challenge. I needed something relating to a puzzle. The title had the word "Pieces" in it and there was an image of a torn up paper heart that looked like a puzzle in need of putting back together.

When I started reading, I realized it was not only a YA, which can be a problematic genre for me, but it was also the second book in a duology, trilogy, or series. Yikes. I read it anyway because I really want to finish this year's book challenge!

I'm glad I read it. This book was unlike any other YA book I have read. It might have featured a couple of teenagers fresh out of high school, but the romance was not the main focus of the book. Grief was. Grief and loss. As I read, I found so many insightful quotes to note, quotes that convinced me the author had most certainly lost someone close to them. I know grief and can recognize when someone else has intimate knowledge of its brutal nature.

I lost my husband, and my children lost their father. The struggles we endured after his absence were echoed in the pages of this story. It's been four years for us, the same as it was for the main character in this book. Our grief journeys were unique but also universal, something I thought Tillie Cole expressed with grace and compassion.

49. Set in a country with an active volcano.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:38:47 UTC

I don't like giving low ratings to books. However, this book was not for me. Why did I finish it? I needed a book with a volcano in it for a book challenge I am trying to complete.

50. Set in the 1940s.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:39:03 UTC

The author made an interesting choice in refusing to name her characters. The woman could have been any woman, just as the girl could have been any girl, and the boy any boy. These family members became representative of all the Japanese immigrants or Japanese American citizens rounded up and put into U.S. internment camps following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their story is a universal glimpse into the injustice of racism that led to wrongful imprisonment for a little over three years.

Three years. Three years of living behind a barbed wire fence with little in the way of basic necessities, let alone creature comforts. Three years of having your loyalty and character questioned simply because of your ancestry.

The final viewpoint character was the man of the family who had been arrested and held separate from his wife and children. His chapter was perhaps the most heartbreaking. It's been proven that people will confess to anything to end physical, mental, or emotional torture. His chapter makes it clear he was no exception. Witnessing his subsequent deterioration post-imprisonment only adds to the heartbreak.

51. 300-400 pages long.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:39:18 UTC

I read this book years ago and loved it. Nothing has changed. The audiobook was fantastic.

Wolves are amazing creatures, and I feel that this book exemplifies that fact. The author even discusses how they changed the Yellowstone environment for the better. Reintroducing the elk's natural predator allowed Willow trees to recover, creating a cascading ecological effect that improved the natural landscape. It's astounding.

These little factual tidbits were sprinkled into '06's story. Although she would later become collared and become officially known by that collar number, the heroine of our story was born in 2006 and was nicknamed 06. As park rangers and visitors alike were able to follow her through their scopes, she became one of the most famous wolves to emerge out of the Yellowstone reintroduction program. Her story is inspiring and sad, and one worth knowing.

52. Published in 2025.

krheiser — 2024-11-25 02:39:35 UTC

If you thought this was a trilogy, it is not. The book ends on a cliffhanger.

Things I enjoyed:

Violet's second signet is revealed.
Andarna has a wish come true.
Xaden's journey continued pretty much exactly how I anticipated.
Violet's relationships with her siblings became more nuanced.
Violet's strange hair is not just an affect; it has significance.
The continuation of Violet and Xaden's love story.

Things I didn't enjoy:

The Venin remain too much of a mystery. I was hoping for more insight into their kind.
Violet's second signet didn't get utilized as much or as powerfully as it could and should.

Things I am hoping for in the upcoming book(s):

An explanation for Andarna's behavior/decisions
Violet's second signet becomes the asset it is meant to be.
More of Tairn's snarky old-man grumpiness. I like that dragon.
Xaden's love for Violet, his cousin, and his country continue to ground him.
We get a better understanding of the Venin's culture, goals, and motivations.
We learn more about dragonkind overall and the Irids in particular.

Overall, I enjoyed this and will be excited to read the installment in the series.