Can’t Wait Wednesday : Triple Whammy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to.
This week I’m very excited to have a triple whammy in that (1) this is a book I’m looking forward to; (2) It’s a cover reveal plus information about the new Angry Robot logo; and (3) this fits in perfectly with Sci-Fi Month. Bigbadaboom! Multipass is me.

For more information about sci-fi month check out this link. I’ve been a little tardy with my reading this month so I’m very excited to be able to provide information about a forthcoming sci-fi book before the event comes to a conclusion. If you’ve not taken part yet there’s still time 😀
So, to the description for a little bit of information about the book:
Even in a technologically-advanced, Kennedy-Didn’t-Die alternate-history, Brooklyn Lamontagne is going nowhere fast. The year is 1975, thirty years after Robert Oppenheimer invented the Oppenheimer Nuclear Engine, twenty-five years after the first human walked on the moon, and eighteen years after Jet Carson and the Eagle Seven sacrificed their lives to stop the alien invaders.
Brooklyn just wants to keep his mother’s rent paid, earn a little scratch of his own, steer clear of the cops, and maybe get laid sometime in the near future. Simple pleasures, right? But a killer with a baseball bat and a mysterious box of 8-track tapes is about to make his life real complicated…
***
So, this title is due for release in May 2022. I won’t keep you waiting any longer, (imagine a drum roll about now), here is the cover:
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Title: Mercury Rising
Author: R.W.W. Greene
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Cover Designer: David Leehy
Finally, Angry Robots have been doing a little revamping, they’ve come up with a new logo, designed by Kate Cromwell and in fact this cover reveal is part of the celebration for this new branding which includes a revamped website where books can be purchased direct:

For more information check out angry.robot.com
Top Ten Tuesday : Characters I’d Love An Update On
23 November 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Characters I'd like an update on, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic :
Characters I’d Love An Update On
I would actually really like to know what happened to the nameless woman who was the last survivor of a pandemic in Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift. This was a fairly recent read that I picked up this year and although I had reservations prior to picking up (having been living through a time of Covid and lockdown and this being about an even worse pandemic) I can say I was very easily turned around. So, if you’ve been sitting on the fence with this one, because it perhaps feels to close to home, the main pov is a very easy to like character with a wonderful story telling voice.

Pounce and Ezra from Day Zero by C Robert Cargill. I loved this book, a prequel to Sea of Rust (which I also loved). It’s probably a little strange to say that I’d like to know more about these two characters because having already read Sea of Rust I pretty much know what’s in store – however, with my ‘glass half full’ hopefulness I’d like to think we could find out more about what happens to these two. Perhaps there’s something more yet in store for this world, I’d like to think that the author still has a couple of surprises for us because these two books so far have been wonderful. As scary as AIs are often portrayed in fiction I seriously want me a plush and loyal tiger AI.

Omat and Brandr from The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky. Ahh, how I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the story itself. Perfection to be honest – in fact here is the concluding paragraph from my review ‘This is a fascinating, superbly written, captivating, emotional rollercoaster of a book. I loved it and want more. I’m going to say that this was a perfect read and that I had a wonderful time with it.’ I do want more – this was written as a standalone (I think) and so the ending was complete but I can’t help longing to go back and see what adventures these two take part in next.

Vianne from The Strawberry Thief (Chocolat #4) by Joanne Harris. I just adore this author and the Chocolat books are so special. The Strawberry Thief was a beautifully written tale and I would love to think something more is forthcoming from this world and this family.

Elisabeth and Nathaniel from Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. This is a book that left me on a high note – and, the ending definitely made me think (that although this is a standalone) there is definitely the possibility to return. I don’t want to say more because of the potential to give away spoilers.

Dr Greta Helsing – three books in a series with the same name by Vivian Shaw. I loved this series and although I appreciate it when an author has a plan and sticks to it leaving the world before everyone becomes a little jaded I must admit that I still think there’s plenty more that could be explored here and I would definitely pick up more instalments if the author ever has thoughts to revisit.
Helga Finnsdottir who appeared in Kin and Council by Snorri Kristjansson. I really enjoyed both these books. Murder mysteries set in a time of vikings. Long before detectives were ever thought of Helga is simply a young woman who pays attention and observes what goes on around her. I hope for more from this resourceful woman and this dark world.

The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp. This is a book that was such a lot of fun. Monstrous vampires and over the top adventure with the most flamboyant character named Asmodeus “Sax” Saxon-Tang. I would love for Ben Tripp to write more with this world and these characters.

Scarlett and Rhett from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – okay, this one is definitely the odd one out in this little bunch. But, I couldn’t resist. Now, I’m pretty certain that there has been a sequel written for this (probably more than one), however, what I would have loved was to know how Margaret Mitchell would have finished this tale.
That’s it – eight books in my list this week, two free spots. Any suggestions?
#SPFBO – Not a Review : Finalist Reading Schedule, Book #1
22 November 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book 1, Christopher Mitchell, Finalist Reading Schedule, Finalist Spotlight, Magelands Eternal Siege #1, Not a Review, SPFBO, The Mortal Blade

Stage 1 of the SPFBO competition is now complete and Stage 2 has now commenced.
During Stage 2 The Critiquing Chemist and I will read, review and score the remaining 9 finalists as will the other judges until a winner is revealed. We have randomly selected our reading order and have already started reading. These ‘Not a Review’ posts are my way of shining the spotlight on each of the Finalists as they become our next read. Today, I’m posting details of our first finalist: The Mortal Blade (Magelands Eternal Siege #1) by Christopher Mitchell. The Mortal Blade is the Booknest’s Finalist and below is a little more information about the book:

A city ruled by Gods, a mortal champion, a misfit girl and a disobedient dragon…
Stolen from his home, Corthie Holdfast has arrived in the City of the Eternal Siege as a new Champion.
He must fight alongside the Blades, whose lives are dedicated to the defence of the City against the hordes of monstrous Greenhides; or die at the hands of the Gods who rule.
Maddie Jackdaw, a young Blade, faces her last chance. Thrown out of every unit defending the City, either she takes on a new role, or she will be sent to the Rats, a company of misfits given the perilous tasks beyond the Great Walls.
Her new role, if she takes it, will bring her face to face with her deepest fears, for beneath the walls, in a secret and hidden lair, lies a dragon, imprisoned and waiting…
I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
Friday Face Off : Futuristic Vista
19 November 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Futuristic vista

Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
This week’s theme:
Futuristic Vista
This week I’ve gone for a book that I read a few years ago. Artemis by Andy Weir (I’m not sure if I’ve used this title before – I don’t think so) Here are the covers:
Do you have a favourite?
I’ve updated the list now to include themes for next year. If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next Week – A Black Hole – in the universe or going deep into the ground
2021
November – Sci Fi Month
26th – A Black Hole – in the universe or going deep into the ground
December
3rd – Windswept, the classic figure, stood majestically, with wind blowing out in a fetching way
10th – A fairytale retold
17th – Winter Solstice approaching – anything cold and seasonal
24th – All things fire – red hair, red covers, fire breathing dragons, simply fire?
31st – What’s your catnip – if it’s on a cover you have to pick it up
Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
18 November 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Catherynne M. Valente, Comfort Me With Apples

What can I say. I’m literally a little (okay a lot) puzzled about how to start or form this review in fact I’ve been sitting looking at a blank screen for some time just figuring out what to write. The long and the short of it is that I loved this. It’s actually rather brilliant and the only reason I’m really perplexed as to what to put in this review is that I don’t want to give away spoilers. This is a strange tale that is strangely compelling. I had no idea what to expect and yet it managed to defy any expectations that my subconscious had secretly formed and it’s the sort of book that makes you want to read it again, and probably again after that, I mean a fourth read would probably help to pick up those few pesky clues you missed in your haste to reach the end.
Firstly, I think that any book that makes me go away and try to discover more about whatever the heck is going on within its pages is a winner for me. I like books that make me think and this is definitely one of those books. Don’t get me wrong, the only reason I go away to look for answers is I’m ridiculously curious and I like to check out the origins and meanings of certain things – this is a personal thing – and happily there were a number of things here that I had to go away and look up. Colour me happy.
Secondly, for such a short book (which, conversely, is not usually my thing) this packs one heck of a punch. I mean, it really made me sit up and pay attention.
Thirdly, I love this author’s writing. She has been blessed by the God of Books with the power of words. I swear she must have her very own muse. Everything in this book is meaningful. There is literally nothing wasted amongst these pages and yet you could read this story completely differently from the next person who picks it up. The beauty is that, on the face of it, it’s simply a mystery (with a little pinch of horror thrown in for good measure) – and you could read it as such and go away very happy – because that ending! There are hints of The Stepford Wives, I was thinking Bluebeard – surprisingly just about everything but the true origins of this one sprung into my tiny brain at one point or another. There are delicious flavours of fairytale and something sinister that constantly nibbles away at the back of your mind firing you up into a hot mess and making you devour the pages in one sitting.
The real stunner about this book is it certainly isn’t a new or unfamiliar story and yet it had me guessing throughout, leading me down rabbit holes, casting out lines and reeling in red herrings. I was absolutely intrigued – to the max.
Anyway, I’m going to end this review here. I don’t want to talk about the plot, the characters or the setting. You can discover all these for yourselves. I suppose this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a little unusual but to be honest, given the length, give it a try and see if it grabs you – I think it will. At the very least it will give you food for thought. The other thing I would say is pay attention to everything, I mentioned below that Valente is a wordsmith and that is evidenced here by the bucket load – everything here is relevant so don’t skip anything. All will eventually be revealed.
Apologies that this is such a tease but I think it’s for the best.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 stars
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