From the 2-10 March I took part in the #FemmeFanTale Readathon organised by Jean @ Bookish Thoughts and Jill @ The Book Neuk and it was so much fun to devote my time to reading fantasy written by women.

I went into this readathon expecting to be chuffed if I read just one book, and I ended up reading three novels and one novella, which is possibly the most I’ve ever read in one week! I did end up straying from my TBR for the most part, reaching mostly for what I was in the mood for, but the three novels all counted towards the reading I’m catching up on for the Booktube SFF Awards and I ended up enjoying all three of them.

And considering I read four things, I ended up crossing off quite a lot on the bingo board! I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t able to get to any LGBT+ fantasy during the readathon, but I have the rest of the year to gorge on as much as I want.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

Bingo: Adult; BAME author

I had quite a few chunky books on my TBR, all books I’m looking forward to reading, but I figured it’d be a good idea to whet my appetite with a shorter read, and I always find urban fantasy such a quick and fun genre to blast through. This book is like no other urban fantasy I’ve read and I liked it a lot; the setting and incorporation of First Nations myths and monsters made this such an original read and a great way to start the readathon!

Circe by Madeline Miller

Bingo: Adult; Historical Fantasy; Inspired by Myth; Standalone

Definitely my favourite read of the readathon. I’m so glad I finally crossed this one off my TBR and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it! I loved The Song of Achilles so much that I was nervous I wouldn’t love this one as much, but of course I did. It’s a gorgeous novel and Miller’s writing swept me away to Ancient Greece and pulled me through the story with ease. Whenever I put it down I wanted to pick it up again. Look out for my review coming soon!

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Bingo: YA

Wow, I ended up enjoying this novel a lot more than I thought I would! This was a strange one (haha) for me because I actually started reading it via audiobook months ago, then just before Christmas I picked up a copy of the paperback with the aim to blast through it during the Christmas holiday which, naturally, I didn’t do. This week I finally finished it, listening to the audiobook (which I’d recommend – the narrator’s fantastic!) and reading the paperback and it was such a beautiful novel. It took me a while to get into it, but as soon as the plot started moving I was hooked and I can’t wait to read Muse of Nightmares.

The Lost Sisters by Holly Black

Bingo: Novella; Romance; YA

I wanted to finish the readathon with a novella, and I decided to pick up this one (which is probably more of a novelette, to be honest) before I read The Wicked King. I did enjoy seeing Taryn’s point of view, how the trauma of her and Jude’s upbringing has also impacted her and how she’s tried to cope with living in Faerie, but she’s still pretty horrid. Not because of what she wants, but because of how willing she is to trample over Jude to get it.

Did you take part in the #FemmeFanTale readathon? What was your favourite read of the week? What are some of your favourite fantasy books written by women? Let me know down below!