Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Book Haul, Backlist, Books I’ve Read
Bookshelf Roundup is where I talk about the new books I’ve bought or received for review, what I plan to read soon, and what I’ve finished reading recently. It’s been another couple of busy weeks; as you can see, lots of titles to review as well as bunch of audiobooks I purchased.
Received for Review
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh – From First to Read. A young adult book inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. I hope it lives up to that awesome description.
The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith – From NetGalley. I’m a fan of the the Grittiths’ Vampire Empire books, and jumped on this one as soon as I saw they have a new series. Very interested to see what they’ll bring to it.
The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris – Review copy with thanks to Saga Press and Wunderkind. This book has been out a while in the UK, I believe. It’s finally being released on this side of the Atlantic by Saga, and I can’t wait to check it out (the UK cover still wins though). I’ve heard amazing things.
The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence – Physical ARC, with thanks to Penguin. What’s next for Prince Jalan and his Viking companion Snorri ver Snagason? Can’t wait to find out.
After the Saucers Landed by Douglas Lain – From Edelweiss. The description of this one piqued my curiosity, something about its bizarre-ness just told me I had to take a look.
Bell Weather by Dennis Mahoney – From LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I haven’t really been entering any of LT’s ER batches lately, but when I saw this one I couldn’t help but notice. It has the feel of a modern fairy tale, and I was happy to receive this.
Witches be Crazy by Logan J. Hunder – Physical ARC, with thanks to Night Shade Books. The publisher was so awesome to send this one along when I expressed my interest – it sounds gloriously funny, and I love laughing it up with a satire every now and then.
Exile by Betsy Dornbusch – Review copy, with thanks to Night Shade Books. I received the sequel Emissary earlier this month and when I told the publicist that I haven’t read the first book yet, he very kindly put Exile in the mail for me too! It’s been on my to-read list for a while now, I hope to start it soon.
Garden of Dreams & Desires by Kristen Painter – Review copy, with thanks to Orbit. The finale to the Crescent City trilogy. If you haven’t already, check out the BiblioSanctum interview with Kristen Painter! And if you’re in the US or Canada, we also have a giveaway going on right now to win all three books.
Zer0es by Chuck Wendig – Review copy, with thanks to Harper Voyager. This one has all the sound of a heist book, except hackers make up the crew and the fortresses are digital. And you know me, I’d never pass up anything by Chuck Wendig!
The Warring States by Aidan Harte – Review copy, with thanks to Quercus. This was a surprise arrival, from Jo Fletcher’s US division. It’s actually the second book of Aidan Harte’s The Wave Trilogy, but it so happens I’ve read the first. I liked it, so I’m really hoping I’ll get a chance to fit this one in.
The Affinities by Robert Charles Wilson – Review copy, with thanks to Tor. At the time of this writing, I’m about to finish this book. The premise is fascinating, but I’m still not sure how I feel about the story yet. You’ll definitely get more of my thoughts in the upcoming review.
Purchased/Back to the Backlist
The great audiobook buying binge continues, as Audible launched a half-off sale on their entire store selection earlier this month. Included in my purchases are new-ish titles that I missed out on earlier in the year as well as a couple preorders that came in this week:
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab – Finally, the audiobook version of this book is here! I’ve been waiting for it since the day the print book released two months ago.
Finn Fancy Necromancy by Randy Henderson – The more I heard about this one the more I grew intrigued. I picked it up as part of the audiobook sale and never looked back.
The Damned by Andrew Pyper – This book sounds so good, but it surprisingly slipped my radar earlier this year. I rectified that, stat.
The Vagrant by Peter Newman – A preorder that was $8 and change, how could I say no to that? Especially since the book was on my wishlist and I wanted very much to check it out. Edit: I just found out the print book is UK release only (for now). The ebook price is really high, so now I’m doubly glad I got this.
Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold – I still have a few books up for consideration for Backlist Burndown that I haven’t gotten to yet, but I added one more to the list this week. Artemis Awakening is one I’ve wanted to read for a while now; it came out last year but has been on my Goodreads list since November 2013.
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Keep an eye out for my reviews of these books in the coming weeks. Of course, reviews are up already for The Gabble and Dark Eden, the book I chose this month for Backlist Burndown…and it was amaziiiiiiing!
Nice haul. I’m still waiting for my copy of The Liar’s Key, but now I’m thinking I need to request Witches Be Crazy – that sounds awesome.
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It does, doesn’t it? I like to mix in some of this satire stuff once in a while, I hope it’s done well!
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There is at least one book you received that I have read and despised. But I won’t tell you which one.
Didn’t realize The Liar’s Key was closing in on release. Wouldn’t mind a copy of that.
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I know which one, but I heard some good things too from another blogger we know, so I’m curious to see where my thoughts will fall.
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Surely I am the blogger most to be trusted, right? =)
I kid, and actually think more opinions on each book is always a good thing. After all, I am the man who didn’t see why Red Rising became such a hit.
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It should be interesting for sure! My “Red Rising” was The Mirror Empire and Ancillary Justice 😛
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Very jealous of you getting to read The Liar’s Key! I have it pre-ordered and can hardly wait. The Vagrant is also on my wishlist – I look forward to hearing what you think of it. 🙂
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I’m looking forward to it too!
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“Affinities” looks good – picked it up recently. “Witches Be Crazy” looks fun (hadn’t heard of it before this post). “Gospel of Loki” is great. Looking forward to Mark Lawrence’s next one and also “The Vagrant”, which I’ve heard a few good things about.
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Really looking forward to Gospel of Loki. About time it got a US release date!
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Wow what a lot of books – and they all look pretty good. Waiting for your reviews.
Lynn 😀
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I don’t know when and I don’t know how – but I’m gonna get all this read! 🙂
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I was denied for the new Griffiths series
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Crap, geographic restrictions?
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Dunno, but maybe
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Oh, I forgot about The Warring States. I need to add that to my list as I really enjoyed Irenicon. And while I am really happy to hear that there’s a US release of Gospel of Loki, I am so disappointed in the cover compared to the UK one. Ah well. I don’t read for the covers anyway.
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Yeah, I suppose this means the Warring States is finally being released in the States. Guess this is my chance to find out what happens after that big revelation at the end of the first book 🙂
And I don’t read for covers either, but it still amazes me sometimes how the designs for the various regional editions can be so vastly different.
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Huh, that’s interesting… I bought a copy of “The Gospel of Loki” ages ago from a local chain bookstore; I wonder if they imported it because it didn’t have a North American release at the time. Ah well, it works either way, because now I have a copy with the awesome cover instead! :p
Also, envy over your copy of The Vagrant, and of The Affinities. I’ve got my eye on both of those books!
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Canada sometimes gets the UK editions and release dates, you guys are lucky! I’m guess this is one of those cases. My brother lives in Toronto, the last time he came to visit, I got him to bring me a book that’s like that – no US release date yet, but out in the UK and Canada 🙂
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When I saw Joanne Harris’ name, it sounded so familiar, then I realized she wrote Chocolat about a million years ago! Cool that she’s still writing. I’m very interested to read your review of The Affinities, RCW has been tough for me in the past. And I loved The Damned, I’ll bet the audio book rocks! Great haul, Mogsy!
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Yeah, she wrote Chocolat, which I read a millions years ago too, lol. I hardly remember it so I don’t even think I could count it as “read” to be honest. So for all intents and purposes, Gospel of Loki will be my first book by her 🙂
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Ooooh, looking forward to your thoughts on The Wrath And The Dawn and Shadow Scale. Uprooted has also piqued my curiosity as of late, now that reviews have started popping up for it.
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You snap I need that Witches be Crazy book!
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I want The Wrath and the Dawn so much, I love the idea. Let’s hope it’s good.
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