Summers at Castle Auburn | 
pickI‘m not sure what exactly it is that makes Shinn‘s books such a pleasure to read but they are enjoyable. This is a simple, familiar story about the illegitimate half-sister of a woman destined to marry a prince, court intrigue, flirting, & more. It‘s about her growing self-awareness, the recognition of injustice, & finally, the will & desire to do something about it. As I said, familiar but told in such a way, you can‘t help but turn the pages.
I‘m such a restless reader right now, I‘m just bouncing between books with gleeful abandon! 🤷♀️
So yeah, I‘ve started this one. Shin‘s stories are always entertaining…
pickCorie, the illegitimate daughter of a noble and sister to the future queen, spends her summers at Castle Auburn, visiting her sister and getting to know the royals and servants alike. Lots of plots and political intrigue to be discovered. I‘m in my cozy fantasy era! 🤩 This was such a charming little book and instantly has became one of my favorites! Thank you, @KateReadsYA for sharing this extremely underhyped author with me! 5/5
For August I read a total of 6 books! Surprised that I was able to read that much this month and very happy about it!
This will probably be my last Read for August! Also super excited about Autumn already, if you couldn't tell! 🥰🎃
SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN is one of those books you can burrow into for long stretches, no matter what else is going on. I‘ve needed something like this.
I didn‘t exactly NEED this gourmet doughnut, but I‘m mighty glad I had it. There must‘ve been a 1/4 cup of mascarpone cream inside. I never want to eat anything again.
I‘ve still got a couple days of treeside reading to enjoy, and SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN is the perfect book for it. My mum loaned it to me I dunno how many years ago, and so far, it‘s just as good as she said. Shinn puts most of the focus on interpersonal stuff that seems simple but soon proves pretty durned meaty. Very much my thing.
pickI ❤️ this book. This is how you develop a female character in a treacherous fantasy world w/o graphic rape and torture. The political intrigue is the perfect amount for a MC who is young and naïve but who grows to see her world and the horrible and wrong things in it. She, and especially her older half sister, use what‘s available to them to make their lives better and to try to fix things. Great story 4.5/5 stars, reads a bit young.
pickThis was such an enjoyable read! It was an interesting story because it often felt like nothing was happening but at the same time I couldn‘t put it down. The only reason it‘s 4 stars instead of 5 is because I thought there were a couple relationships in the book that were very important, but we didn‘t really see the growth, it was just implied. So I would have liked more than that. Still really enjoyed it & would recommend it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickI‘ve been savoring this one slowly and it is so marvelous, a wonderfully delicious slow burn coming-of-age fantasy tale. I‘d call this a kingdom-type high fantasy in which the young female lead moves from an idealized view of life to a more realistic view as she grows older, and the reality and complexity of grown-up life breaks her heart. Those she always held in high esteem aren‘t perfect like she once thought. Fantastic story!! Love the ending.
Loving the affection between the sisters, Corie and Elisandra.
The first part of the book (‘Excursions‘) introduces us to Corie‘s life when she is 14, the second (‘Disillusionments‘) starts 3 yers later and I think the third part is a year after that (still reading!)
Sharon Shinn has to be my pick for #sweetsummerstack - when I was a teen I'd save up her books for the summer and then binge them. I've read almost all of her books in one sitting... August all-nighters, car trips on summer vacations... I can rarely put them down.
@Liberty
I ❤ this YA fantasy about a girl who spends most of the year in a small village with her grandmother, learning healing, and summers with the royals. #aseasoninthetitle #marchintoreading
so-so