#SPFBO Saturday
27 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Burn, Emma and the Minotaur, GE Hathaway, Jon Herrera, Jon Monson, Joseph O'Doran, Rise of the Forgotten Sun, SPFBO, The Child of Silence
Today I’m combining two posts – my Cover Love (3) post that I usually post on Friday and my Saturday Snapshot where I post an excerpt from one of the forthcoming SPFBO books. Basically I was a little too preoccupied yesterday to do anything so I’m squishing the two together here today so that I don’t lose track of things.
So, firstly, I’m highlighting three covers from amongst my own collection of books this week – take a look and see what you think. In the interests of keeping this post to a reasonable length I’ve not added the descriptions here but I have linked to the Goodreads and Amazon pages so you can check them out quite easily:
Rise of the Forgotten Sun (The Sun and the Raven #1) by Jon Monson
Emma and the Minotaur (World of Light, #1) by Jon Herrera
Burn (Desert Deities, #1) by G. E. Hathaway
Do you have a favourite?
Secondly, my sample today, kindly provided by the author, to shine a light on his SPFBO entry, is The Child of Silence (The Burning Orbit Book 1) by Joseph O. Doran – this is a tiny teaser, I’ve also provided the description, links and author information below. Enjoy:
** Excerpt **
I am called Aiata dal’Pelferta. On the day I entered the world, I sustained massive damage to my brain. In a society where beauty is paramount, I have a weak, poorly-formed body that I can hardly move. Amongst a people where one’s voice grants incredible power, I cannot speak save for random sounds. For most of my life, those who knew me either resented my existence or liked to pretend I did not exist at all.
And worst of all, I was born fourth in line to the throne.
** Ends **
Further details for The Child of Silence:
You’ve never met a hero like this before.
Born severely disabled, Aiata dal’Pelferta has spent her life despised by her own people simply for who she is. Worse still, she is the youngest daughter of the Empress, making her an Imperial embarrassment. Unable to talk, move or let anyone know she is a thinking, feeling person, she spends her days observing – and learning – from those around her.
Everything changes when she finally discovers a way to communicate and is plunged into the dangers of the Imperial court. With the magic of Songthrust, Aiata’s people can force others to their will, however they are ill-prepared for a popular revolt within their own borders – a revolt that Aiata is dragged into. Abused by her family and surrounded by danger, Aiata will learn that her intellect – not her magic – is her greatest asset, as she fights to save her home from the ravages of civil war.
Yet while all eyes are on the war at home, a far greater threat looms in the dark of the night sky.
Author info
Finally, I’ve made very good progress on my first batch of books and my update will follow very soon. Unfortunately this will involve cuts – which is my least favourite part of this first stage of the competition – but it is also a necessary part so I wanted to raise this in advance.
Friday Face Off : Windows to the Soul
26 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books by Proxy, Dead to Her, Friday Face off, Sarah Pinborough, Windows
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 week’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:
Windows – windows to the soul?
So, in sticking with my desire to go with recent reads I’ve gone with a great read from a favourite author: Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough. I’m interpreting windows – as ‘eyes’ which are sometimes called windows to the soul – you could also literally choose a book with a window or windows. Hopefully everyone found this week’s theme relatively easy. Not a lot of covers, in fact, okay, two, but so very different. Take a look:
I like both covers for different reasons but my favourite:
I mean, the second cover is great, deceptive even. The woman in the pool, immediately gives off a summer vibe beach read but then the title with the blood red gives a different feeling altogether. But this cover is classy. You might not at first glance miss the person reflected in the glasses so that’s just an additional extra. But there’s something very cold and clipped and perfectly manicured about this and for some reason it gives me the chills.
So, which is your favourite?
I’ll be updating the list in order to include forthcoming events that I’m aware of so that you can perhaps link your themes up where possible (if you know of an event you’d like to share then let me know in the comments). 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.
Next week – Tentacles – ‘The sea brought you. The sea shall have you back’
Future themes: (if you’re struggling with any of these themes then use a ‘freebie’ or one of your favourite covers) (I’ve added some new themes – some of these are slightly different, in order to avoid too much repetition I’m trying to make the themes more of a suggestion that everyone can interpret how they like.
2019
3rd July – Tentacles – ‘The sea brought you. The sea shall have you back’
10th July – Tunnel – ‘At the end of every light, is a tunnel of darkness.’
17th July – holding an object – just as it seems
24th July – Framed – more meaning than one. A cover with a frame, a picture within a cover or a murder mystery set up??
31st July – White – a cover that is predominantly white
7th August – Action – a cover that depicts action of some sort
14th August – Glasses or spectacles – “One could mention many lovable traits in Smee. For instance, after killing, it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon.”
21st August – Potions – hubble bubble
28th August – Dark road – ‘the road goes ever on and on’
4th September – Cold and crisp – any cover that gives you winter vibes
11th September – A cover with a pattern
18th September – Minimalistic and lacking clutter
25th September – A very busy cover full to bursting with detail
2nd October – A standout font
9th October – Mist/fog – “A thin grey fog hung over the city, and the streets were very cold; for summer was in England.”
16th October – Spider web – “Farewell, Aragog, king of the arachnids, whose long and faithful friendship those who knew you would never forget!
23th October – Ripped/torn – interpret it as you wish
30th October – Forest/jungle – ‘None of the Jungle People like being disturbed.’
6th November – Planets – “You’re on Earth. There’s no cure for that.”
13th November – Bright – ‘The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades’.
20th November – Words only – “Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.”
27th November – Modern sci fi
4th December – Fae – or fairy??
11th December – Lake – the mysterious lake
18th December – Highly Stylised
25th December- Freebie – or day off.
The Graves of Whitechapel by Claire Evans
The Graves of Whitechapel is a compelling exploration of a grimy, dark and crime infested Victorian Whitechapel. A murder mystery at its core it also looks at the different shades of morality that people experience. This book is relentlessly dark, I kid you not. This is a veritable black hole of despair and desperation but at the same time it’s hopelessly addictive and so very atmospheric. I was literally transported back in time and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this classic-feeling murder mystery.
Five years ago Cage Lackmann successfully defended his client, Moses Pickering, of a murder charge. Moses walked free and Cage continued with his infamous career. Known as the Poet, he’s not averse to waxing lyrical in the courtroom as he defends the ne’er do wells of London’s criminal underbelly. Unfortunately, that case is about to come back and bite him hard on the unmentionable. An identical murder to the one Moses was originally accused of has occurred and whilst this could be a copycat the very fact that Moses has disappeared really doesn’t bode well. Things look very bad for Cage. His career could be over, he has many debts and is down to his last decent bottle of claret. He needs to find Moses and he also needs to find the killer.
I’m not going to elaborate further on the plot but instead discuss what worked so well for me with this one.
Firstly, the style. It’s wonderfully evocative and has the feel of a classic but with a more modern and easy to access style of writing. The attention to detail was excellent and the pacing was almost, after a brief spell finding its feet, frenetic.
Secondly, the setting. Victorian London, without doubt, makes the perfect setting for this style of story. Narrow this to Whitechapel during perhaps one of it’s most illicit and salacious periods and you’re really ticking boxes. This is positively Dickensian (without the overabundant wordiness). Poverty, filth, dark alleys, houses of ill repute, seedy landlords and their dilapidated properties, criminal bosses and down at heel types – it’s all here.
Thirdly, the characters. There’s such a lot going on here. There’s the murders of course which make for compelling enough reading on their own when, like me, you’re desperate to unravel the clues. But, more than the plot there are the characters. They’re all so morally dubious. Cage for example. He has secrets. He’s retained by a criminal boss, There’s a lot more on his mind than murder and he’s the sort of character you kind of want to shake. Or slap. Or both. His family history is also painted in shades of grey with his glamorous yet flighty mother who seemed to sell him out as a young child. We have the beleaguered detective, angry and aptly named Cross – he’s so determined to catch someone that whether he catches the murderer or not seems incidental. And there are a number of other characters, equally painted in shades of grey that help to maintain the sense of mystery.
The plot itself runs around like a headless chicken. Sometimes I was baffled but I was certainly never bored. Cage is like a maniac charging between destinations, picking up clues and red herrings as though there’s no tomorrow. He goes on some wild goose chases. He gets into bother. He uncovers some truths, particularly about people and the fact that sometimes being different isn’t something to be feared.
In terms of criticisms. Nothing much to be honest. The story takes a little time to find it’s feet but to be fair I think this was necessary. It helped to give a feel for the characters and provide some backstory and I think everything here was essential in helping the mystery unfold in a way that was compelling. Plus, there was still these tantilising little snippets that kept you glued. In fact, if time was no issue, and books weren’t multiplying like rampant bunnies around the place, I would love to read this again and follow the trail of clues once more to see what I missed. As it is, those bunnies books won’t read themselves now will they?
In conclusion, this was a wonderfully atmospheric and compelling historical murder mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’d say, if Cage and Cross were to make a reappearance I wouldn’t hesitate to read more, although that’s just purely wishing as there is no indication that this is a series.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Nesting by C.J. Cooke
24 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't wait Wednesday, CJ Cooke, The Nesting, Wishful Endings
“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 my book is : The Nesting by C.J. Cooke
It was like something out of a fairytale…
The grieving widower.
The motherless daughters.
A beautiful house in the woods.
And a nanny come to save the day.
So what if Lexi isn’t telling the truth about who she is? Escaping to the remote snows of Norway was her lifeline. And all she wanted was to be a part of their lives.
But soon, isolated in that cold, creaking house in the middle of ancient, whispering woods, Lexi’s fairytale starts to turn into a nightmare.
With darkness creeping in from the outside, Lexi’s fears are deepening. Lexi knows she needs to protect the children in her care.
But protect them from what?
Expected publication : October 2020
Top Ten Tuesday : You had me at hello.
23 June 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: That Artsy Reader Girl, Things that Make Me Want to Read a book, 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:
Top Ten Tuesday is 10 years old – happy birthday to you and thank you to the Artsy Reader Girl and before that the Broke and the Bookish for hosting! There are a range of suggestions for this week’s topic – one of which is to choose to redo a back topic and so I’ve gone with:
TOP TEN THINGS THAT MAKE ME IMMEDIATELY WANT TO READ A BOOK:
and I’ve amended this slightly to incorporate some of my forthcoming books that fit the descriptions:
1. If the description has the word ‘gothic’ anywhere. I simply can’t help myself. I need ALL the gothic in my life. I have a lovely little number coming up very soon that promises much goodness in that respect -in fact the word “gothic’ is even in the title so how could I possibly resist: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. And, also I love this author – and highly recommend Certain Dark Things as a great starting point.
2. Author – see above as a perfect example. I have quite a wonderful, in fact magnificent, list of absolutely must read authors which I like to add to frequently. One of my top recent reads was the Ten Thousand Doors of January which I adored. It definitely made me incredibly curious to read anything else by Alix E Harrow and fortunately my hopes and dreams have all come true. Just look what is due out in the not so distant future: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. In fact this also gives me goosebumps in another way – it includes the word ‘witches’ – another little bit of catnip for me.
3. Much anticipated final books in a series. I think in some respects I have issues when it comes to completing a series, almost like I’m scared for all the goodness to end and I just want more – which really doesn’t sit well with the way I, at the same time, like to gobble books up as though there’s no tomorrow. Anyway, I have a much anticipated final book on my tbr: The Empire of Gold (The Daevabad Trilogy #3) by S.A. Chakraborty. I have been loving this and can’t wait to see what comes next:
4. Hype – I know this sounds like something that should really be avoided, but seriously, who can ignore the ‘hype? When everyone’s raving about a forthcoming book every book loving book worm with a TBR the size of Everest is going to be gagging to get their hands on just one more ‘sparkly’ new book. It sounds awful, I admit it,and it sounds really shallow but I get sucked in every time and it’s just perfect when the hype is real and well deserved. Here is a forthcoming book that I’m very excited about and has been garnering much love. Fingers crossed that this is as good as it sounds: The Bone Shard Daughter (The Drowning Empire #1) by Andrea Stewart:
5. Famous people – fictional or not – placed into new works of fiction. So, I have a copy of Stoker’s Wilde West by Steven Hopstaken – which is the second in the series (and believe me I rushed out to buy the first one so that I can inhale it before I get to this one). Just imagine how excited I was to hear about a series where Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker are the leading characters. Yes, pretty excited. I have both these gorgeous little books just waiting to be read. I am excitement.
6. Murder Mystery – I’m loving murder mysteries and thrillers at the moment and one of my next reads also fits into authors that I love so this is a double whammy: The Shadow Friend by Alex North:
7. Epic-y goodness – it’s my first love after all. The more epic the better and my next book isn’t just epic, it’s also an author that I love (No.2), it’s the final instalment in a series (No.3) and also is receiving a lot of hype and much love (No.4): Paternus: War of Gods (Paternus Trilogy #3) by Dyrk Ashton (plus, check out the epic cover!):
8. School Settings -whether magical schools, school for different types of supernaturals, assassins or -well, pretty much any school -colour me happy – so I was super excited when I heard about Naomi Novik’s next release (because, she just happens to be a favourite author (see No.2 above): A Deadly Education(Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik. I can’t wait for this one’s release.
9. Books that suggest there will be unknown creatures or critters (and they WILL be scary) – the next author is a master in this respect and I’m very excited about this next book: The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky:
10. – what’s your auto buy??
Books and travelling with Lynn 