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?

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.

REVIEW| The Way of Kings

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)
Brandon Sanderson

⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms. And the Voidbringers followed ...They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won. Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself - and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne. On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn't understand and doesn't really want to fight. What happened deep in mankind's past?Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

Review:

The Cover:

Let's be real here, everyone has some formation of an opinion of what makes a good book cover and whether an author has been blessed enough to get on board that train. Brandon Sanderson has, in my own opinion, boarded the "UK for once has a better cover than the US train.

CHOO CHOOO!!!

Sam Green somehow always gets these covers spot on, they're alway gorgeous illustrations that fit perfectly to the variations in Sanderson's Cosmere universe. Each one recognizable by a colour: Stormlight Archive is so far red, the Mistborn books are pale blue and Elantris by its green. 

As well as this, you could say that Green has managed to encapsulate the scope of Sanderson's world, where the most prominent plot points are in the explorations of war, and scope of what the book tackles.

The Content:

This book was definitely a slow burner of a plot. It did take me three months on and off reading for me to get through this monster. I would get super into the plot and then a hundred pages of reading loose interest again- swap to another book and then come springing back.

That being said I cannot say I didn't like this book. It had all the elements that I adore in Sanderson's works that makes Sanderson a great fantasy genre writer. What I adore about Sanderson's magic systems is that unlike many other world's magic is limited. Creating a tension and challenge that helps push certain aspects of a book's plot into action, creating a good rise and fall action.

The reason this has dropped two stars is because I did keep losing interest where this was such a slow burner. Perhaps if I had read this at more this time of year I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Also, some characters didn't hold my attention either. Whenever we were on the political side at court I was enthralled by the character, the masses of battle scenes just left me tired. I guess this is why I adore Game of Thrones, the ratio of court political intrigue feels slightly higher than in Sanderson's Way of Kings.

I will definitely continue on with this series. Even though it will take a huge commitment-- only two out of ten books have been written and released so far folks.

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Top 5| Pink Covers

I did this post a while ago on my other blog/website where I chose my "Top 5" book covers that were pink because of it being a national day of something-- this was a year ago! (A lot has changed.)

One thing that remains the same is that I still fudging hate the colour pink and what is usually meant when pink gets shoved into a colour scheme. ICK.

Anyway, I've reviewed it a bit and here it is (in no particular order!!):

A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange & Deadly #2)
Susan Dennard

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It's been a while since Susan Dennard has had a mention on this blog.

(Quickly input here but, seriously have you still not read Truthwitch yet. Shame.)

These new covers for her already finished trilogy have been announced ready for print July 2017. And aren't they just gorgeous?

It just fits the beautiful story. Hopefully, ya'll be more inclined to pick up this awesome YA steampunk novel.

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1)

Stephanie Perkins

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Haven't read this one because I have to be in a certain mood in order to enjoy YA romances but, this is a pretty cute cover. Better than that trash bag of a cover they were previously using on the original hardbacks-- *shudders*

Maybe I'll give this one a go-- at some point.

Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1)
Rachel Hawkins

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This one is purely for the juxtaposition of feminity and masculinity. Basically the comparison of the sword pinning the necklace of pearls.

Awesome!

I will probably never read this series, though. I heard these are pretty basic books. Hmm.. Let me know if I should check them out?

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1)

Marie Rutkoski

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 I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK SO BADLY!? But, I keep buying other bloody books. This Christmas I swear!

I've seen the new covers... Yeah, you can't be serious?!

They are such blatant rip-offs of Maas' Throne of Glass series. Just NO.

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)

Sarah J. Mass

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My review: HERE

How could I not include this beautiful American cover of Queen of Shadows. One day I will own all these in pb form.

I am still in love with this book, although I am currently read Empire of Storms and getting rather pissy at some of the choices. Eh.

TBR| October '16

It is so very rare that I sit down and write a TBR and stick to it. I think getting my letter to Hogwarts would be more likely than to actually sticking to this but, I thought I would let you guys know what books I am interested in finishing this month; perhaps you can help push me to do so and even buddy read (?)

The first book is:

The Bone Clocks

David Mitchell

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On page 492 of 613

Okay, so if you follow me on twitter you will know I have been umming and erring about this trying to finish this book. Look at close I am to finishing it-- let's just try finish it before Oct 10th!

That's my deadline. Not finished? It's DNF.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Sarah J. Mass

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On page 332 of 689

I started this back when it came out because I was just too excited to let my fangirling heart wait. I then put it down in order to finish some books that needed to happen before I left for University.

As I haven't finished TBC yet, it means I haven't picked this up yet. Soon!

A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1)
V.E. Schwab

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I wanted to read this on the journey up to Wales but plans never seen to work out, do they?

I haven't finished a book in almost four weeks?!

I crave this satisfaction. Also, I met Vee at a book signing and my copy has a great little note to stop me from procrastination.

Siege and Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #2)

Leigh Bardugo

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With the release of Crooked Kingdom last month I thought I would try and continue on with the series, even though I have been spoiled for quite a few plot parts. 

Damn social media!

I'm purely doing this because I made it my goal this summer and didn't get round to the whole task.

These are the four books I am trying to set myself to finishing this month, let me know if any of these are your favourites or if you want to perhaps set up a buddy read?

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram. Links are available in the bar to the left.

REVIEW| After You

After You (Me Before You #1)
JoJo Moyes

⭐⭐⭐
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Synopsis:

Lou Clark has lots of questions.

Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places.

Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home.

Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago.

And will she ever get over the love of her life.

What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change.

Then, one night, it does.

But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions?

Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.

Open it and she risks everything.

But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in . . . 

Review:

The Cover:

Why are all these covers seem to be following a trend? Remember, when it was important to have a USP? A cover that stood out from the rest of the books on the stand. I guess with publicity like chinese whispers-- it seems to attracts all the right readers. Go social media!! Whoooo..... 

The cover designer has gone for that minimalist look, trying for the 3D-peeling-away-the-paper. If you know what the Me Before You cover looks likes then you can recognise the brown paper and stars peeking through underneath. As well as the fact that it couldn't scream that is is the 'sequel to Me Before You', with it pasted all over the front cover, along with that annoying 'sticker' that isn't a sticker.

One thing that really caught my attention on the cover is the inclusion of a single bird in flight. A sure symbol of the hope and the struggle of grief that follows Will's death, and the freedom and liberty that is to come in the novel.

The Content:

I don't remember the last time that I was able to think: "Wow! I actually enjoyed that contemporary romance book." But, here I am. Wow! I actually enjoyed that contemporary romance book. Three stars? I know, but usually I will rate them at a two and lower. You don't want to know the number of contemporaries that I have actually DNF'd. 

I read Me Before You sometime last year and really enjoyed it. The focus on both suicide and assisted suicide a topic I never really thought of exploring, to expand on the morality of the situation on the basis of whether this is something that should perhaps be more lenient in terms of the law. As much as I think no one should consider to take their own lives and shouldn't have to reach that point, it should be a matter of their own decision to make to live or take their own lives. 

-the start of the novel see's Lou back in a dead end job not getting anywhere, the life she promised to live to Will seems a little non- existent at the start of the novel. Until Lou falls off the roof of her flat after hearing a voice on her fire escape. Then it all gets a bit awkward and crazy from here. 

Lou still remains her own bubbly, chatty self even after the events of MBY (Me Before You) which made for a warm welcome. Moyes tackles grief in the multiple ways that can differ from every individual through her "Moving on" meetings that Lou attends throughout After You.

If you were going into this expecting no romance and a woman still hung up about her past love, then you will highly be disappointed. But, I think most people will like Sam. He was cute. Granted my heart didn't soar high in the sky, with my brain squealing how I ship them so hard-- much to the chagrin of Will Traynor. 

As much as this seems to have been a gush, leaving many people wondering why I haven't given it a star rating higher than three was because I genuinely thought it was okay. I just wasn't as emotionally invested in aftermath of MBY. Perhaps I had just left it a bit to long between for the emotional pact to really set in my heart and make my eyes leak. I kind of wished that I had left that Lou living her life in Paris in my head. 

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Waiting on Wednesday| The Midnight Star

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:

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3)
Marie Lu

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Synopsis:

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She's turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but the darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy everything.

When a new danger appears, Adelina must join the Daggers on a perilous quest in order to save herself and preserve her empire. But this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger . . .

My thoughts:

Look at the pretty!! Look! Look!

Talk about not judging a book by it's cover and this is the soul reason why 'The Midnight Star' has made it to this week's Waiting on Wednesday post. I haven't read this trilogy yet, nor finished the Legend Trilogy. 

We'll see-- although, it would be nice if Penguin was like-- here have these because we see that you are interested. 

I hate no having an infinite bank account.

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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| An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes #1)
Sabaa Tahir

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis:

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Review:

The Cover:
I am so glad for this cover change, the UK hardback was following in that trend of minimalistic fantasy cover. Thankfully, HarperVoyagerUK managed to get their hands on the US cover and put the go-ahead to use it. Thankfully.

What? 

Of course, I liked it but, it just didn't appeal to me. I wanted that beautiful scene, the gold and bronze tones that reflect Tahir's influences of Ancient Rome. And the magical book cover fairy granted my wishes- seeing as I am just to cheap to get the US hardback imported. 

I like to support UK publishers.

The Content:
I really want to give this the five stars that everyone else seems to be giving this book but, personally, I felt that it fell flat. Perhaps, it's the fact that at this moment in time I have started the sequel 'A Torch Against the Night' and the promise of maneuvering political power that is evident in slight throughout An Ember in the Ashes that left me hanging and never satisfied.

My biggest praise for An Ember in the Ashes is Tahir's the world building of Serra and the Martial empire. For a book that has claims of a world deriving from Ancient Rome-- fair play! An actual novel that left me as uncomfortable in it's brutality as in my own understanding of the brash ruthlessness of rulership in Ancient Rome. I absolutely loved it! 

What brought me to take away that star is the mellow influence of fantasy that this book falls into. I was somehow expectant of a world that magic was either outlawed or fully in power yet, it fell short of only the small hints of it here and there. That being said I did really enjoy this  mythical elements and a sense of deep heritage of story-telling that Tahir has woven into the world building. This is something that I hope Tahir takes further exploration in her world in A Torch Against the Night especially in terms of the Tribes.


My favourite quote in AEITA is "There is hope in living." It something that I really took to heart in terms of hope. This book is literally An Ember in the Ashes, that slow, deep burning glow between the fly-away ashes, indistinguishable from the rest of the books on the shelf.

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