BOOK HAUL| Sept-Oct '16

I haven't done a book haul since June?! How? remains the question I pose to myself to answer.

A lot of things have changed.  For example, if you haven't heard I'm 300 miles away from my usually comfy bed, cats and bookshops in order to go and study creative and professional writing in the grandeur that is Bangor.

Since being here I have felt low at times and others extremely happy, books have had a great input in that:

As you can see this is the stack at a current moment of writing this entry is pretty huge!

So I thought I would do a quick little haul from September to mid-October.

EDIT: Since I originally wrote this sentence I have yet received a lot more books. Thanks to my suffering bank account and the generosity of publishers who are willing to send me books and let me review them to you lovely people!

The very first book that came out in September was:

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)
Sarah J. Maas

Find on Goodreads

At this point, I have finished this book and all I'm going to say is I thought I was going to hate it in its entirety after reading 400 pages and feeling it was predictable. Then those final 150 pages hit me.

I will be writing a review and will be included in my Sept/Oct wrap-up at the end of this month. Stay tuned.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1)
Cassandra Clare

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I know. I know. I already own way too many copies of CoB, but I found this in a charity shop for 50p. AND it is a first edition. This cover is DISGUSTING and depicts how far these have gone in terms of marketing and publicity at both Walker Books and S&S.

Good job guys.

The Magic Toyshop
Angela Carter

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This is one of my required reading texts for my Studying Literature class, Thankfully I have already done Carter's The Bloody Chamber short story collection for my A-Levels and rather enjoyed Carter's spin of forms of fairy tales.

This is going to be rather interesting.

Heart of Darkness

Joseph Conrad

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Aaaaaand another one that I had to buy for my one module of Literature on my Creative and Professional Writing. I think I will be doing some sort of Post-colonial criticism of this one.

We'll see how I'll feel about this one.

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1)
Kendare Blake

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This one is being hyped up quite a bit. It was doing it's rounds within the book community. It sounded so dark and something that I may enjoy, I managed to get a copy for like £4 out of Morrisons (there are other supermarkets out there).

Twelve Kings (The Song of Shattered Sands #1)
Bradley Beaulieu

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I remember seeing this in Waterstones a while back and being so intrigued by the premise of the story. But, alas I was poor and couldn't afford to be buying books in general.

Then the first week of Uni happened and I needed a pick me up. So I splurged a bit and now it's sat on myself for all of time.

Falling Kingdom (Falling Kingdom #1)
Morgan Rhodes

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I have heard nothing but great things from this series. Then I buy a copy after a constant stream of recommendations- and now I hear a lot of mixed things.

I still would really like to try and read this series in order to make up my own mind on how I feel, as it gets better as time goes on?

Lirael (Abhorsen #2)

Garth Nix

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My mum bought me a copy of Sabriel for my 18th birthday- and like a good crazed book buying fanatic I am, I bought these in a charity shop.

Stop judging me. I can feel you all judging me.

Abhorsen (Abhorsen #3)

Garth Nix

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Found this one in a similar fashion. Now I can just binge read this trilogy, before I move on to the prequel and sequel?

Of Sands and Malice (The Song of the Shattered Plains 0.5)

Bradley Beaulieu

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I request this one from the publisher as it has been recently been released.

They were kind enough to send me a copy.

I may read this as a prequel to Twelve Kings, just as a nice way into the world building and our main character.

Siege and Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #2)

Leigh Bardugo

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This book series was on my Summer TBR, I would really like to be able to just binge the rest of the series so that I can say I read them and move on to the Six of Crows duology.

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Trilogy #3)

Leigh Bardugo

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Why buy one when you can buy both?

RoseBlood 

A.G. Howard

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I read the first two books of A.G. Howards splintered trilogy and never finished them due to being spoiled for the ending-- just, like the ending of Allegiant. Damn the internet.

Abrams books were very generous and sent me an ARC ahead of the January release of Howard's Phantom of the Opera retelling.

(I totally don't have a signed and dedicated book plate from A.G. Howard to stick in it when I'm back for Christmas.)

EEEEEEEEK?!

Heartless

Marissa Meyer

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Remember I highlighted this a few weeks back on one of my Waiting on Wednesday and said that it wasn't coming out til the beginning of November.

WELL.

The UK have it in even worse because all you British folks may need to wait 'til February if you can't afford the US hardback.

I managed to snag myself a GORGEOUS ARC from Macmillan Children's.
Thank you so much to the team over there!!

The Red Knight (The Traitor Song Cycle #1)

Miles Cameron

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I heard this book has dragons in it and I'm already sold.

The fourth book to this series "A Plague of Swords" has been released this month. And because I asked kindly, Gollancz sent me the first book in the series in exchange for a review.

Bless you.

The Shadow of What was Lost (The Licanius Trilogy #1)

James Islington

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This one has been getting a lot of love as a book that fans of Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan would enjoy.

Orbit books, amazingly, sent me both a review copy and a finished copy to read a review- I want to get to it during the next round of Tome Topple happening next month.

Gemina (The Illuminae Files 0_2)
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

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October wouldn't be complete if I didn't haul Gemina.

I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to get a copy due to my poor back statements. Turns out I pre-ordered this book months ago. It just took an age to get to me.

I can't get enough.

Is it 2017 yet?

I want book three, now, please?

Waiting on Wednesday| Caraval

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Caraval (Untitled #1)
Stephanie Garber

Hodder & Stoughton

31st Jan, 2017

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Synopsis:

Two sisters bound by love and a father they fear escape their tiny, secluded island for the wondrous performance of Caraval, where the audience plays along in a mysterious and magical game of determining what's real and what's fantasy. And where only one sister might be brave enough to win the ultimate prize of 'an impossible wish'...

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for lonely Scarlett, it represents freedom, an escape from her abusive father and from her own dark past.

Still, Scarlett is too scared of her father to leave Trisda. Until she is kidnapped by her wild younger sister Donatella and a dangerous yet oh-so-seductive sailor named Julian and taken to the mystical Isla de los Suenos, the site of this year's Caraval. When they arrive, her sister immediately disappears. Since protecting Tella is all she knows, Scarlett is forced to join forces with Julian and find her before the evil Master of Caraval does...

Thoughts:

I've had an ARC of this book for literally an age. 

BUT I HAVE YET TO PICK IT UP. 

It's one of those books that are slowly hype is beginning to build and it's making me nervous. Just like I was nervous with reading Truthwitch earlier this year. (Which I loved?! REVIEW.)

I planned to read this next month, so hopefully I will. If not, just batter me over on Twitter and peer pressure should help me out.

Books I Have Taken To Uni With Me!

As you are all aware I moved to Bangor, Wales on the 18th September in the attempt of my actually studying and pushing myself in the art of writing. And here I am, practically friendless and making it worse by how hard I am finding it to socialise. 

I am so socially awkward that Dan Howell looks like the most sociable man in Britain.

But, in the hopes of pretending that I am not alone, I thought I would share in the glory that is my minuscule bookshelf.

The first two on the list are both of the same series:

A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows (A Darker

Shade of Magic #1&2)

V.E.Schwab

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I bought these during my "Summer Holiday"- my copy of ADSOM is actually signed by Vee.

I asked her if she would write a little message in order to stop me procrastinating about everything. Which really is what I am doing by writing this post- procrastinating about making friends.

The Bone Clocks 
David Mitchell

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Currently, I am on page 262 out of 613 pages and I started this a long long while back. I thought it would be best if I brought it with me so I can finish it.
That hasn't worked so far.

But, at least it has made my shelf look nicer. Seriously.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Sarah J. Maas

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Another one that I had started before I left but never finished because, I had so many other books to finish before I left otherwise I would have had to bring another 4 books.

Real not good.

No spoilers either please.

Caraval (Untitled #1)

Stephanie Garber

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I received an advanced readers copy of Caraval back in June,  and still haven't been able to pick it up and read it.

Of course, it had to come.

Out: 31st Jan, 2017

Frostblood

Elly Blake

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Another ones of those amazing ARC's that I have been sent by Hodder & Stoughton to review. I have no clue really about what his book is about but hopefully I'll get to find out soon and share all my new knowledge with you guise.

Sabriel
Garth Nix

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Mum bought me this for my 18th birthday after writing her a small list of books that were at the top of my radar in terms of what I wanted to read next.
So at least I got a small piece of mum with me.


Sort of.

The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton

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I bought this with me the last time I was in Wales on a writers retreat back in February. I only ended up reading 50 or so pages due to staying up way past our bedtimes in order to talk and get to know everybody.

Let's hope it doesn't sit on my shelf until I go back to London in July of 2017, aye?

Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Day #1)
Susan Ee

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I got a copy of this after winning a giveaway some point in the summer last year and like many others was never got to. Although, a couple months later my friend ended up buying me the whole trilogy for cheap in the The Works.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

Laini Taylor

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I read this some point last year and never did finish this trilogy despite what I thought of Laini's beautiful writing. I did try and start the third and final instalment this summer and just didn't understand where the story was at. So time for a reread.

This is all in prayers that I get this trilogy read and reviewed before Laini's new book is released next year in March. EEEEEK! I'm so excited.

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1)

Phillip Pullman

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This is another one that has been on my TBR in like forever; if it weren't for Georgina (*wink wink* Yeah, you!!) I probably would have left it on there for a little bit longer.

Also, let's all thank Ma seeing as she's the one who made the official purchase.

A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5.5)

George R.R Martin

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I had such determination to read ADWD but, GRRM has just left me in a waiting mood. Seriously, just write the god damn books. I don't like the thought of finishing this one and never getting the next. At least now it's suspended as there will always be one to read.

Fine. Fine. I'll read it okay?

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1)
Melinda Salisbury

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Tried reading this one earlier this year and couldn't quite get into it. It was Karen over at ASimpleCupofTea that has made me want to give this another go.

Samantha Shannon seems to be a fan of the books as well so maybe?

The Lie Tree

Frances Hardinge

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Don't know a great deal about this one except that it won the Costa book awards for 2015...

So, there you go. All the book that I have taken with me. I will say that already since writing this post that I have gone and purchased four more books. FML, I am just book trash. Whoops.

REVIEW| Replica

Replica (Replica #1) 
Lauren Oliver

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born. 'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice. But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra - or number 24 as she is known as at Haven - and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape. Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing , they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever...

Review:

At first glance, Replica comes off as a book that is perhaps about two girls from two different sides of the metaphorical school "court". Although, their lives differ they are too "replica's" of the situations they face throughout their lives. Even if, this wasn't your initial thoughts, I know that these were certainly mine. Since then, I've read the synopsis and by default the entire thing.

Actually the cover artist has done a great job of getting the feel for the content of the book across to a potential reader. On one side is Lyra, in a bold, solid pretty pink and purple butterfly; the better at suggesting a character that is confident in their identity. Something we acknowledge early on in Lyra's chapters; she knows who she is, what she is-- a replica, a clone. On the other side is Gemma, in a mellow underconfident orange with a teal butterfly. Gemma has always known she was different which Oliver really gets across in her unsureness of who she thinks she is. 


I've never really got on with Oliver's work just because her content has never been anything that takes my interest. And then she wrote Replica. Lauren Oliver has something I would call:  an "old-fashioned" story teller narrative. It's paired down enough not to be overcomplicated and divide our attension from the point she is trying to get across but, still holds enough detail to paint a picture and for us as readers to gain enough data about who our protagonists and side-characters are.  This simplistic writing style worked really well, with the story that Oliver was telling. It made it all the more raw and heartbreaking and left my heart shattered. 

Releases: 8th Oct, 2016

PREORDER YOUR COPY:
| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

Waiting on Wednesday| Empire of Storms

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)
Sarah J. Maas

Out: 6th September, 2016

Synopsis:

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

Thoughts:

Okay, so who is excited at the fact that Empire of Storms is so close to it's release date? Granted, I don't remember much about what happened in QoS but, I'm sure I'll just read a spoiler review and be fine.

I will probably be either trying to squeeze this into the small amount of time I would have before I make the journey to Bangor, Wales or it will be read on the actual journey. We will see by the time I write about the books I am taking with me.

REVIEW| Inherited

Inherited (The Curse of VIII #1)
Freedom Mathews
⭐⭐⭐

Find on Goodreads

Publication: July 12th, 2016

DISCLAIMER: I received an early e-arc of Inherited from Oftomes publishing. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis:

If saying 'I love you' meant death, would you still say it?
The Wilted Rose, of faery-tale and folklore, is a pirate ship filled with unfortunate souls-each forbidden to love. One such soul is Valencia 'Lennie' Roux. Raised in a brothel and an heir to a curse; Lennie never expected to pique the interest of any man. Yet with the arrival of vivid-eyed Nathaniel, she is torn between wanting to know him better and fearing what that knowledge would mean.
With Nathaniel bringing the crew's total to six, the Wilted Rose sets off in search of the remaining two heirs. They hope that in reuniting, they will convince the faery Sorceress responsible for the curse, to end it. However lurking beneath the water is a long standing enemy of the Wilted Rose; who is determined to thwart their quest and bring down its leaders.
Together the eight heirs fight for survival, friendship and love.

Review:

If it is one thing that Oftomes does well it is a good book cover. I feel like more people should be buying the physical copies and support this micro publishing company. Kimy-- over at @WhoIsKimy on Twitter-- is better known as for her amazing photoshopped fanart that you probably have seen floating around the internet. It reminds me a lot of the covers for Truthwitch by Susan Dennard and we all know how much I luuuuuuuurv that book. Looks are forever deceiving.

Soo.... Uhh...

Hmm...

I was expecting something more. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it for its thesis but, it's execution was just lacking. I read it's prequel novella and fell in love with Freedom Mathews writing- that "legend"-like style of narrative. Inherited starts out in just the same fashion but then the style gets looser as the story progresses, it lost its appeal as I went on because it just wasn't consistent. One thing that played on my mind was often Mathews would use modern phrases like "banter" that just ruined the mood of the story. Modernized it too much for an older historical setting. What pirates have "banter"? Maybe, it's just me.

I will give it to Freedom Mathews. She does know how to create a god-character arc and development. At first, I really disliked Lennie, she just didn't appeal to me as a reader. But I grew to like her as the story progressed. As with many of the other characters.

If you are looking for a fantasy story that isn't heavily involved in romance then this certainly won't be for you. The whole story revolves around the concept of love curses. This was a book that I had to be in the mood to pick and actually finish anyone.

GET YOU COPY:
| AMAZON UK |

BOOK HAUL| June 2016

This month was my birthday month-- I even did a special

Mistborn Boxed Set
Brandon Sanderson

-- The Final Empire
-- The Well of Ascension
-- The Hero of Ages

Bought this as an early birthday present due to coming into a bit of money, more than I was anticipating. I've always said if that I were to have some money I would treat myself-- true to my word. Plus, I got them all for £15!!

GET YOUR COPY;
| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

Sabriel (Abhorsen Trilogy #1)

Garth Nix

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BIRTHDAY PRESSIES!!!! My mum had no idea what books that were actually on my book wishlist-- in fact, she is pretty worthless when she is needed to use a computer. No offence mum. I had to give an actual list that she took into Waterstones, she ended up picking out two that she knew I would like, seeing as I am still in a high fantasy kick.

GET YOUR COPY:

| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1)
Philip Pullman

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Another one of mum's birthday presents. This one is that one book that you keep saying that you will get to but never actually do. Now that I own it, hopefully this might speed things along. If I remember I even put this on my target reading for this summer.

GET YOUR COPY:
| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1)

V.E. Schwab

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So, I sort of bought myself a ticket to Victoria's book signing in August and now have the great task of buying in some physical editions of her books seeing as I tend to end up reading them in e-format. First of very many.

GET YOUR COPY:

| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
J.K.Rowling

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My Nan gave me some money for my birthday due to not knowing what books I owned anymore seeing as I branch into so many different genres. I have never owned a full set of Harry Potter books so for the last two years I have been buying these editions in their hardcover forms.


GET YOUR COPY:
| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3)
J.K.Rowling

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GET YOUR COPY:
| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

READ-A-THON| #TBRTakedown 4.0 Wrap Up

In total over the week that TBRTakedown took part I read the grand total of four books! I only set out to read three.

The challenges: 

1. A book that's been on your TBR shelf over a year!
2. An unread sequel sitting on your TBR shelf!
3. A first book in a series on your TBR shelf!
4. An "out of your comfort zone" book on your TBR shelf
5. A book from your most recent haul.

First I got to:

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files 0_1)
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Find on Goodreads

REVIEW

This was a little cheat- I was already 200 pages into Illuminae before that midnight strike. So I only really read 399 pages.

This covers the challenges 3,4 and 5. Sci-fi is just rarely my thing.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)

J.K. Rowling

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Find on Goodreads

I refuse to write a review.

I bought this as a birthday present to myself because I have never owned a full set of the Harry Potter books. Slowly, I will collect these and display them on my phantom bookshelf. 

All in their Hardback glory!

Completes challenges 2 and 5.

Uprooted
Naomi Novik

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Find on Goodreads

Review to come!!

Another book that has been on my "Currently-reading" list on Goodreads for what seems like an age.

But, I am glad I finished this. It was just fabulous and a stand-a-lone that I would only wish has a sequel.

*looks up fanfiction*

Completes challenges 1.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)

Leigh Bardugo

⭐⭐⭐

Find on Goodreads

Review to come!!

Not sure what to feel on this book. My thoughts will have to be discussed in my review. But this was a book and series that I will be trying to complete by the end of summer- I'm 1/3 of the way there already!!

This completes the challenge 1 and 3.

*whispers* 

For the first time ever I completed all the challenges.

So in total I finished four books with the grand total page count of: 1,715..

Granted I did start a couple of books before the actual read-a-thon. It's a give or take number.

This was fun, let's do it again some time.