MY MARCH & APRIL 2025 READING WRAP-UP

Eiyo Fadneiras,

Welcome back to my blog. Since it's now the last week of June, I'd like to share with you my reading wrap-up for May and June 2025...

#1 MISTERI DIARI HITAM

AUTHOR: Mak Chantek

PUBLISHER: Self-published

GENRE: Urban Fantasy + Thriller + Self-Discovery

LANGUAGE: Bahasa Malaysia

PAGES: 323 pages

THE STORY

The story takes place in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. It follows a young divorcee named Puspa Wangi. Puspa Wangi grows up lonely. She was raised by her grandmother, Opah Som. Puspa doesn't know who her parents are. Puspa had a bad marriage experience. And that experience makes Puspa refuse to open her heart to any man again.

When Opah Som passes away, Puspa discovers a black diary that reveals everything she wants to know about herself, including who her parents are and her true origin. The diary's content intrigued Puspa. And it sets her on a self-discovery journey...

MY REVIEW

This novel is a very thrilling masterpiece. Everything about it is thrilling~ the title, plot, storyline, and premise. It's a very intriguing read indeed. Every chapter ends with "What's next?" Every time I opened the book, I had a hard time putting it down. And the truth about Puspa Wangi's origin is shocking.

I like the scene when Puspa Wangi enters the elf realm. Wow! The elf realm is so magical! The author describes it well. It's easy for me to visualise the elf realm. The author's description of the elf realm also makes me want to visit it. Hehehe ^_^

My favorite character in this story is Ramli. Ramli is the ML and Puspa Wangi's love interest. Ramli is such an adorable country gentleman. He is polite, calm, helpful, responsible, kind-hearted, caring, and respectful. Thank you for writing such an awesome, swoon-worthy male lead, Mak Chantek.

Besides fantasy and thriller, Misteri Diari Hitam (MDH) is also a self-discovery and spiritual awakening novel. This story has a good moral message. Allah SWT is always faithful. He won't test you with something you can't handle. Not all bad things that happened to us are bad. Everything has a silver lining. And yes, this story touches my heart deeply. I cried tears of joy towards the end of the story. MDH is a very beautiful story indeed. The story is so well-written. Congratulations, Mak Chantek ^_^

Overall, I'm giving this novel a 10/10. I believe it's a brilliant read. Insya-Allah, I will reread it again in the future. I absolutely love it! I highly recommend this novel to all fellow bookworms, especially those who love the urban fantasy genre and are looking for a healing read. Trust me, guys, you are going to love MDH.

#2 THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE

AUTHOR: Muriel Spark

PUBLISHER: Penguin Books

GENRE: Bildungsroman

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 128 pages

THE STORY

The story was set in Edinburgh during the 1930s. Miss Brodie was a passionate, free-spirited teacher at Marcia Blaine School. Miss Brodie exerted a powerful influence over her group of 'special girls.' She called them the Brodie Set, the crème de la crème. Each girl had their personal branding~ Monica for mathematics, Eunice for swimming, Rose for sex, Jenny for her beauty, Sandy for keen observation & insight, and Mary was the dim-witted one. Miss Brodie came into conflict with the school authorities for her unorthodox teaching methods.

MY REVIEW

The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (TPOMJB) is the shortest novel I've read. This novel only has 128 pages and 6 chapters. TPOMJB is also a fast read indeed. It's entertaining and enjoyable. It's also unique and totally different from all the novels I've read before.

What's awesome about this story is the main character herself. Miss Jean Brodie is a very cool female lead and a good role model indeed. She's so unapologetically herself. And she knows what she is doing. Reading this novel highly inspires me to be unapologetically myself. Miss Jean Brodie is different from other teachers at Marcia Blaine School. Her unique teaching methods receive rash criticism from other teachers. But nothing can stop Miss Jean Brodie from doing her thing. And I like that ^_^

Overall, I'm giving this novel a 9/10. I enjoyed reading it a lot and highly recommend it to fellow bookworms who are looking for something fast and different to read.

#3 SUAMIKU PALING SWEET

AUTHOR: Anjell

PUBLISHER: Karya Seni

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

LANGUAGE: Bahasa Malaysia

PAGES: 791 pages

THE STORY

Izz Haikal and Qisya Iris had an arranged marriage. Izz was 27 and already working as an engineer at his father's company, while Qisya was only 22 and a college senior. When Izz first met Qisya, something ancient inside him stirred. He felt an instant connection to Qisya as if an invisible thread pulled him to her.

But Qisya was not happy with the arranged marriage. To Qisya, she was still young and had a long way to go in life. Plus, Qisya did not believe that couples can build a good union from an arranged marriage. Izz remained patient with Qisya. Izz's patience made Qisya suddenly question herself on her beliefs of love, marriage, and life...

MY REVIEW

Suamiku Paling Sweet (SPS) is Anjell's second novel. Anjell wrote this novel when she was still in college. Wow! I'm impressed with Anjell's point of view on love, marriage, relationships, and life. It's so mature. This author is really beyond her age.

I like Izz and Qisya's chemistry in the story. It blends well with the plot. Plus, their chemistry deepens as the plot evolves. And the way Anjell portrays Izz and Qisya's relationship is mature too. I like their conversations. Izz Haikal is a very swoon-worthy hero. He is not just physically gorgeous. Btw, he has blueish-green eyes. He's a Eurasian. But he is also a beautiful soul. Izz is romantic, tender-loving, generous, responsible, and protective. I had a crush on this character while reading the novel.

I like the way Anjell portrays family relationships in SPS. It's very heartwarming. Izz's nephew and adopted son, Hafiy, is really a show stealer. 

SPS is a very enjoyable read. I rate this novel 10/10. I highly recommend SPS to my fellow bookworms who are into the romance genre. Trust me, guys, Anjell will never disappoint you ^_^

#4 TAKHTA MAYALOKA

AUTHOR: Eiffelynne

PUBLISHER: K-Lit/Karangkraf

GENRE: Sci-Fi + Thriller

LANGUAGE: Bahasa Malaysia

PAGES: 417 pages

THE STORY

Students at VerseMedia University had become obsessed with a virtual game invented by Professor Kamal ~ Paksi Mayaloka. Everyone wanted to become an ace at Paksi Mayaloka, except for Ashraf Anwar. As an e-sports player, Ashraf felt the game was too perfect to be true. 

One day, a student died while playing Paksi Mayaloka. Everyone was shocked! But someone erased the article and convinced people that the game was safe. But Ashraf still did not buy it. And he began his investigation. Could it be true that Paksi Mayaloka was not a safe game to play?

MY REVIEW

As an old soul and a fan of historical fiction, stories about gamers and hackers aren't my cup of tea. However, I find Takhta Mayaloka (TM) an interesting book to read. Yep, TM is totally something new for me. I learned a lot of new things about virtual games, AI, AR, e-sports, etc, from reading TM. Thanks to the author for blending her knowledge of video and virtual games so well with her story. It's always cool to learn new things. Hehehe ^_^

Other than the knowledge I gained, I also like the plot and premise of the story. TM is quite a thrilling story. And the pacing of this story is good and smooth. It's not too fast. And it's not too slow.

Overall, I rate TM 8/10. I highly recommend this novel to my fellow bookworms who are gamers and into virtual stuff. I'm sure you guys will enjoy Takhta Mayaloka a lot. It's a good novel to read after all.

#6 AGAIN THE MAGIC

AUTHOR: Lisa Kleypas

PUBLISHER: Avon Books

GENRE: Historical Romance

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 391 pages

THE STORY

This English-Victorian romance followed two halves of the same soul~ Lady Aline Marsden and John McKenna. Aline was the daughter of an Earl, while McKenna was a stable boy. The Earl found out about Aline and McKenna's romance. Aline was forced to send her lover away. 

12 years passed by. McKenna returned to England. He was no longer a stable boy. But a powerful man indeed. McKenna wanted to seek revenge on Aline. But would he know the real story of why he was sent away? Was there still love in McKenna?

MY REVIEW

As a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas, I believe Again the Magic (ATM) is the most intense story the author has ever written. ATM has the same dark vibes as Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. The opening of the story has already given me an intense feeling. And the story grows more and more intense as the plot evolves.

Chapter 3 is the saddest in this novel. That's the chapter where Aline has to send McKenna away. That scene is so sad. It makes me cry :'( I can feel Aline deeply. It's hard to send someone you truly love away and not see them again. I can also feel McKenna deeply. It's very confusing and heartbreaking when someone who expresses their love for you yesterday suddenly wants you out of their life. 

This novel is a page-turner. Every chapter ends with, 'What happens next?' It makes this novel a fast read. Plus, I like Lisa Kleypas's writing style in ATM. It's very sharp and precise. Besides the plot, storyline, premise, and LK's writing style, I also like the characters in this story. All are make-believe people. I like Aline and McKenna's chemistry. It's the best! I also like the way LK portrays Marcus Marsden's character in this novel. Marcus Marsden is the male lead in LK's It Happened One Autumn. I already liked him while reading the novel. But reading ATM makes me like Marcus more. I like that Marcus plays the role of the fairy godfather in Aline and McKenna's relationship.

Overall, I rate ATM 10/10. I absolutely love this novel and highly recommend it to fellow bookworms who are into historical fiction. But I have to be honest that there are a few spicy lovemaking scenes in the story. So, ATM is not suitable for those who are under 18. Hehehe :P

Okay, so this is my reading wrap-up for May & June 2025. What book are you currently reading, guys? Right now, I'm reading Terms & Conditions by Lauren Asher. It's a new adult romance novel about a young, rich businessman and his secretary. So far, the story is intriguing and captures my heart a lot. I nearly finished reading the book. And Insya-Allah, the full review will be in my next reading wrap-up. Hehehe ^_^

Before I end this post, I want to announce to you that I will be taking another one-week blogging break next week. I will be going for a family staycation in Kuala Lumpur. So, I'll see you guys again in the second week of July. Stay tuned for my virtual art gallery tour ^_^

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

(Authorpreneur, Novelist & Crafter)

#MyMayAndJune2025ReadingWrapUp #ReadingWrapUp #Books #BookReviews #MisteriDiariHitam #MakChantek #ThePrimeOfMissJeanBrodie #MurielSpark #SuamikuPalingSweet #Anjell #TakhtaMayaloka #Eiffelynne #AgainTheMagic #LisaKleypas #UrbanFantasy #Thriller #SelfDiscovery #Bildungsroman #SciFi #ContemporaryRomance #HistoricalRomance #FadimaMooneirasLibrary #Edutainment #FadimaMooneiraDotCom

MY PREVIOUS READING WRAP-UPS

MY MARCH & APRIL 2025 READING WRAP-UP

MY JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2025 READING WRAP-UP