Blog Tour | All The Murmuring Bones

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All The Murmuring Bones

A.G. Slatter

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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UK Publisher | Titan Books

UK Release Date | April 8th, 2021

Format | Paperback

Page Count | 368

RRP | £8.99

Thank you to Titan Books for this Netgalley arc, in exchange for an honest review; and thank you for the opportunity of this blog tour. All opinions that you'll read here are my own. 

Netgally Shaming

A few weeks ago, I sent out a tweet asking for fellow tweeps to respond with a number between 1-79. I got more than I was expecting thanks to Jim at YAYeahYeah- thank you, Jim!

So, Lauren, what were these numbers for?

Thanks for asking. One of my goals this year was to get my Netgalley reviewing response back up to where it should be. I started this year with over 100 review titles, and a response of 9%.

*ducks*

I know, I know! I'm awful.

But, since the beginning of the year I have gone up to 41%

Anyway, with these numbers, I used them to pick out a random list from across the list of titles and build a TBR for the rest of the year.

No.13

A Pocketful of Crows
Joanne Harris

Goodreads

Release Date: 19th October, 2017
UK Publisher: Gollancz

No.19

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

Mathew Sullivan

Goodreads

Release Date: 24th August, 2017

UK Publisher: Random House UK

No.20

Editing Emma
Chloe Seger

Goodreads

Release Date: 10th August, 2017
UK Publisher: HQ

(I cheated a little and ended up reading this in September. Absolutely loved it!)

No.42

Frostblood

Elly Blake

Goodreads

Release Date: 12th January, 2017

UK Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

No.52

Firebolt
Adrienne Woods

Goodreads

Release Date: 19th September, 2014
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing

No.65

Jane Steele

Lyndsay Faye

Goodreads

Release Date: 22nd March, 2016

Publisher: Headline Review

QUARTELY TBR| Apr-Jun '17

I've decided that Quarterly TBR I would make the list of shame. This list is the list of books that I made the vow to read during the last quarter of the year but never finish or haven't even started.

Books I've started:

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K.Rowling
• Stardust by Neil Gaiman [Audiobook read by Neil Gaiman]
• Torchwood Tales by Various Authors [Audiobook read by Various Actors]

Books I didn't start:

From left to right:

• The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon
• Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
• A Gathering of Shadows by V.E.Schwab
• A Conjuring of Light by V.E.Schwab
• Champion by Marie Lu

Don't worry, I still plan on reading these.

I would also like to say that this month I am meeting Laini Taylor while I visit family in London. I am so grateful that she has been able to set some time away and come and meet some of us lot.

There are quite a lot of books that are left over from my previous TBR, isn't there? However, that doesn't stop me from compiling a list of 9 other books that I wish to get to during April, and to the end of June.

April

• The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury
• Nobody Told Me by Holly McNish
• Red Sister by Mark Lawerence (UK Release: 6th April, 2017)

May

• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K.Rowling
• A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (UK Release: 2nd May, 2017)

June

• Twelve Kings by Bradley Beaulieu
• Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (UK Release: 23rd May, 2017)
• Gilded Cage by Vic James

And there we go- another to be read post that's completely questionable in its do-ability. Let's see.

Tell me, what are you planning to read over the coming weeks?

BOOK HAUL| Jan- Mar '17

I was going to break this book haul up into the months that I received these books, seeing as this post is meant to be covering the last quarter of the year. Surprisingly I only bought five of the books above. Either by accident. Or, by default desire to have them on pre-order. The rest were bought by family as late Christmas presents.

From Top to Bottom:

• On The Other Side by Carrie Hope Fletcher
• Nobody Told Me by Holly McNish [required reading for class.]
• A Conjuring of Light by V.E.Schwab
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
• The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
• The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
• The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

Blood Upon the Sands (The Song of Shattered Sands #2)
Bradley Beaulieu
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UK Release: 9th February, 2017
Publisher: Gollancz

Masquerade (Micah Gray #3)

Laura Lam

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Blog Tour

UK Release: 9th March, 2017

Publisher: PanMacmillan/Tor

Wintersong 
S. Jae-Jones
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UK Release: 7th February, 2017
Publisher: Titan Books

The Birds Fly Back

Carlie Sorosiak

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UK Release: 29th June, 2017

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1)
Vic James
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UK Release: 26th January, 2o17
Publisher: PanMacmillan/ Tor

Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1)

Mark Lawerence

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UK Release: 6th April, 2017

Publisher: HarperVoyagerUK

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)
Laini Taylor
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UK Release: 28th March, 2017
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

The Space Between the Stars

Anne Corlett

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UK Release: 1st June, 2017

Publisher: PanMacmillan

Shattered Minds (False Minds #2)
Laura Lam
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UK Release: 15th June, 2017
Publisher: Tor

QUARTERLY TBR| Jan- Mar '17

If you couldn't tell, last year I failed miserably at any form of TBR that I made. I know. I know. I suck. So, I thought this year would be different. I know quite a few people have switched to using TBR's based on the season, however, I find that messy when Winter crosses over into the new year. So I'm going to break down the year into each quarter.

I wanted to stick at TBR's because I just find it a nice way to give you an idea of what sort of reading mood I'm in as well as what reviews are to be expected.

Anyway, enough beating around the bush, let's talk books.

January:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4)
J.K. Rowling

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I don't know what it is that made me do it but, New Years Day I got the audiobook up on Audible and started to reread. I began rereading these last year and only got up to Chamber of Secrets.

I wanted the minimal contact we get with Bill Weasley. And I got that. And then went on a Domhnall Gleeson {plays Bill Weasley in Deathly Hallows) rampage and rewatched all my favourite Gleeson films. Help me. Merlin's Beard!

And yes, by the time this post goes up I would have already finished this one.

Pantomime (Micah Grey #1)

Laura Lam

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I got sent this for review from UKTor. That was in November. If you couldn't tell there will be a theme of books that I've let myself get behind on because, I have decided to focus on a degree and binging tv shows.

This book has been compared to The Night Circus but, with what I understand as LGBTQ+ representation. I am intrigued and cannot wait to review this one for you.

A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1)

V.E. Schwab

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You know that book you've had on your shelf for ages and have every intention of reading but, you just won't. Not because you aren't excited for it but because you know just how much you will love it.

Every book I have read by V in the past I have loved. I love the themes she explores, the characters she writes and I also am a bit in love with her. (Her tweets are the most relatable 140 characters ever!!) 

All I know is:  Kell is a traveller. One of the last who can jump through parallel Londons. Red, White and Grey. Black London is non-existent?  

That is all I need to know and all I want to know. This is the month I take the plunge back into another of V's worlds. It's been too long.

February:

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)

V,E, Schwab

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Yup, may as well binge the entire series. This is the continuation to book one. And with the final book in the series coming out towards the end of the month I may as well not stop there. 

I don't know anything about this one due to trying to keep spoilers down to a minimum.

I will be trying to write a non-spoiler review either way.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)

J.K. Rowling

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Seeing as it is the 10th Anniversary of the publiction of Deathly Hallows I am going to try and read a book a month. I will probably stop here and read HBP and DH in June and July unless I get that weird desperate desire like I did at the start of the year.

If I remember correctly this was my third favourite book and movie, so it would just be interesting to see how it compares as my views have changed since I last reread this.

Champion (Legend #3)

Marie Lu

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I have been saying on this blog I have wanted to finish this trilogy for the longest of times. Since last summer?

I'm not at the point where if I don't read this soon I may need to reread the first two book in order to understand the plot of this one. I'm not at the point, yet.

I won't rehash what this trilogy is about. It's an older series that surfaced back in 2012 and the great renaissance of dystopian YA.

I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS SERIES. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!

March:

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3)

V.E. Schwab

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Alas, here we have it. The final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. 

This ones doesn't come out until the end of Feb so, it won't get read until the start of March I don't think. 

Again, don't want to know anything on what happens because spoilers for the other books. Just know how excited I am and how my heart is going to break. It always shatters after I finish a book by V.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)

Laini Taylor

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As you will see March will be the month where I am scrambling to squeeze in all the exciting new releases that I we have coming out.

Strange the Dreamer is one of my most anticipated books that is being released in this first half of the year. Honestly, Laini Taylor is one of my favourite writers for beautiful prose.

I still have no idea what this book is about but, I don't care. I am being sold just by the fact the Laini's name is printed on the cover. I am terrible.

The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3)

Samantha Shannon

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It's been two years since I finished reading  The Bone Season and it's sequel. So good that I binged them over the space of a week. And, yes, I regret every moment.

Why?

Because, I've been cruelly clinging onto the ending of book two ever since. The fact that I remember the ending so vibrantly this far along and a hundred books read in between really says a lot. 

I just hope I'm not left disappointed. Really. That would be soul crushing.

And there you will have it. My TBR for the next three months. Kept to a reasonable amount and not too overly ambitious. However, I am hoping to try squeeze in some more reading, as I am really trying this year to stop relying on TV and movies. Just need to keep pushing to get those few extra pages read.

TAG| Festive Christmas Book Tag

Yes guys and gals- it's the Christmas season.

I have been off my blog for a long time and thought I would ease back into it this joyous season buy doing this tag that was making it's rounds again on BookTube. 

In my rush I have completely forgotten about who created this tag. And I am too eager to answer these questions to pause and make the quick research task. But, just know I am NOT the original creator. Nor, was I tagged.

Let's begin!

1. A fictional family you would like to spend Christmas dinner with?

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (Wayfarer #1)
Becky Chambers

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If you haven't been following my recent progress on this book then you should probably know that this book is pretty high on my top 10 books read in 2016.

Although, they aren't quite family in the traditional sense- mum, dad, nan, uncle, brother etc etc... 

I still think they count, for the crew of the Wayfarer are nothing but a dysfunctional family!

Could you imagine spending Christmas with this lot? Think of all the crazy stories and cracker jokes Kizzy would come up with during the dinner?!

2. A bookish item you would like to receive as a gift?

I don't think I am that picky about the bookish presents I would like to receive as a gift. But, if I had to choose I have never owned one of them bookish candles that keep appearing on Twitter and Instagram. I'm not allowed candles in my housing accommodation so they would be there to just look pretty- I'm game!

3. A fictional character you think would make a perfect christmas elf?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter #1)
J.K.Rowling

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It wouldn't be a Christmas book tag without Harry Potter cropping up somewhere, now, would it?

I could just see Hermione Granger seeking undercover work as one of Santa's elves, then preceed a walk out because she see's working conditions unfit for elvish needs. And, so, they all revolt.

The question is would Hermione feel guilty because Christmas would be cancelled?

That's what your here for. Weird hypothetical questions.

4. Match a book to it's perfect Christmas song. 

This is where I suck and say I couldn't think of a single book and song combination in order to answer this question. Dang! I'm terrible at this sort of thing.

5. Bah Humbug. A book or fictional character you've been disappointed in and should be put on the naughty list?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
Sarah J. Maas

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TAMLIN! 

One of my greatest pleasures when reading A Court of Mist and Fury (book 2) was that I got to gloat about being correct in Tamlin's alibi. 

I re-read ACOTAR again this year before picking up ACOMAF and picked up again on the exact same signs I saw the first time round and then BOOOOOOM! 

Sarah knocked all our socks off and we are still in the aftermath nearly a year later. 
Damn. 

6. A book or a fictional character you think deserves more love and appreciation and deserve to be put on the nice list?

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1)
Susan Dennard

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REVIEW

Aeduan.

I think he gets a pretty bad rep, considering what he spends most of Truthwitch doing.

But as my homeboy- Voidwitch- I think it's only fair I stick up for him.

7. Red, Gold and Green. A book cover that has a wonderfully Christmasy feel to it.

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1)
Philip Pullman

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This one isn't exactly following that colour scheme however,  it does have that icy blue chill that comes with the season.

Also, in it's physical form, it's a VERY shiny cover. 

I'm gonna let it count. 

8. A book or series you love so much, you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it and love it too?

Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1)

Jay Kristoff

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REVIEW

I could have picked any one of the books I mentioned above: The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Harry Potter, ACOTAR etc etc...

Instead, I choose Nevernight.

I have some very fond memories of this book. For many reasons.

But, the most important one was the impact it had. The story has stuck with me throughout the rest of the year- I read this in May?

If you're are buying a gift a fantasy lover- stick this under their tree. 

Assassins. Action. And epic betrayal.

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

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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?