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If you work in a library, you’d think February would be peak reading season — and you wouldn’t be wrong. Between slower post-holiday foot traffic and the kind of bitter cold that keeps you indoors, it sounds like the perfect recipe for flying through a TBR pile. In reality, though, life had other plans, and I only finished three books this February. But three is nothing to sneeze at, especially when they’re all worth talking about. Here’s what made it onto this month’s Checkout Counter!

What Sleeps Within the Cove – Harper L. Woods (Book 4 of the Of Flesh & Bone Series)

Star Rating: 4/5

Short Synopsis: To save her mate Caldris, Estrella has pledged her allegiance to the ruthless Queen Mab, who now demands she descend into the depths of Tartarus and complete the deadly Trials of the Five Rivers — stripped entirely of magic. Survival will require far more than physical strength; it will ask Estrella to finally reckon with who she truly is, light and dark alike, even if answering that question costs her everything.

My Review: I very much enjoyed this next installment of the Of Flesh & Bone series. It tied up a lot of loose ends from previous books, including, but not limited to, who Estrella’s mother is (hint: there is a reason Estrella gets along with snakes), who Estrella’s father is (no spoilers given here), and what will happen between her and Caldris (it includes a lot of sexy times). It also gave the reader a little more insight into Mab’s madness and why she is the way she is. I can’t wait to find out how this will all end in the next book!

Half City – Kate Golden (ARC from Edelweiss)

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Short Synopsis: Viv Abbot is juggling the ordinary chaos of modern life — overpriced rent, a thankless job, a boyfriend she doesn’t even like — alongside a rather extraordinary secret: she’s been hunting demons alone ever since her father’s murder. When a dangerously charming demon named Reid Graveheart introduces her to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, she’s offered something she’s never had before: belonging. But freshman year quickly becomes something far more perilous than coursework when strange occurrences begin rattling the campus, and Viv realizes the school may hold the answers she’s been hunting for all along.

My Review: I loved Kate Golden’s Sacred Stones series, but this series is shaping up to be a whole different type of series. She trades dragons and wars of the modern era for demons and demon hunters. It is a big leap in my opinion. I really like the characters, though. Reid has that broodiness that all great MMCs should have, and Viv is pretty badass, too. I will be interested to see where this series will go in the future. I do believe I will be continuing with it.

Click here to check out my full review of Half City.

The Things Gods Break – Abigail Owen(Book 2 of The Crucible Series)  (Audiobook)

Star Rating: 4.5/5

Short Synopsis: Trapped in Tartarus and discovered to be the key that holds seven ancient locks — the only things standing between the world and an army of rage-twisted Titans — Lyra finds herself at the center of a divine death match she never asked for. Survival means enduring every trial the Titans throw her way and becoming something the gods never saw coming, all while Hades himself is prepared to break every divine rule ever written to bring her home.

My Review: I was so excited to listen to the next book in this series! I loved Lyra and Hades’ relationship in the last book, and many plot holes left by the first book were answered in this book. I really loved seeing the struggles Lyra had making decisions in this book, as well as the way she changed her mind. The plot twist near the end of the book was great, and I now cannot wait for the final book in the series. 

That’s a Wrap on February’s Checkout Counter!

And that’s everything that made it into my reading basket this February! It was a quieter month on the reading front, but each of these books gave me something to chew on — whether it was a plot twist I didn’t see coming or a new series I’m already invested in. I’d love to know what you were reading this February! Drop your recent reads in the comments below, and if you’re a fellow romantasy lover, tell me which series you are hooked on right now. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Checkout Counter — I’ll see you back here next month with a fresh stack of reads!

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