Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every other weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I round up what I’ve read since the last update and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
My deepest thanks to all the wonderful publishers for the review copies received. I’m so excited for the new arrivals this week! For more details and full descriptions of the books, be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages!
The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence – It’s hard to believe The Red Queen’s War is already coming to a close with this third and final book of the trilogy, but there you go; how the time flies. I’m going to miss Prince Jalan and Snorri once this series is over, but you can be sure I’ll be savoring this book for all it’s worth. My thanks to Ace Books.
Saint’s Blood by Sebastien de Castell – A wonderful surprise from across the pond! My thanks to the awesome team at Jo Fletcher Books for this third book of the Greatcoats series. I’m reading this now and I’m enjoying being back in the world with Falcio and the gang. Be sure to keep an eye out for my tour review next week!
The Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson – This book didn’t last five minutes out of the package until I was already reading it. I’m not usually one for children’s/Middle Grade fiction, but there’s just something so addicting about the Alcatraz series. Plus, I can never resist anything by Sanderson. With thanks to Tor for the finished copy!
Alight by Scott Sigler – Del Rey was kind enough to also send along a finished copy of this sequel to Alive after the ARC they surprised me with last month. I liked it even better than the first book and that ending is making me crave the third one already! My review went live last week, in case you missed it!
Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis – My thanks to Pyr for sending me a finished copy of this wonderful historical fantasy, which I devoured in about two days flat. This book was on my highly anticipated list for spring, and it ended up being everything I’d hoped for and more! My review will be up in a few days, so stay tuned.
It Happened One Doomsday by Laurence MacNaughton – Okay, this one sounds totally madcap and bizarre and awesome. An underdog magician will need to do everything she can to save the world from impending apocalypse. Who can say no to that? Thanks again to Pyr!
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – My thanks to Roc for pitching this one to me! I love books about libraries and books and all that, so I immediately put this on my must-read list. It has already been out in the UK for a while, receiving many fantastic reviews, and this summer it’ll finally make its way stateside.
A Lovely Way to Burn by Louise Welsh – Speaking of another UK book to release in the US, this was a completely new discovery for me, but it’s definitely on my radar now once I found out it’s an apocalyptic-sounding mystery thriller taking place in the middle of a deadly outbreak. Thank you to Quercus for sending me this finished edition of the paperback.
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine – This has become one of my favorite books of all time! In case you missed the news, the paperback edition was released earlier this week and I got a lovely surprise when the publisher posted me a copy of my own. Huge thanks to NAL!
Hunters and Alien Hunter: The White House by Whitley Strieber – Looks like someone at Tor knows I love aliens! Still, I admit I don’t know too much about this series, beyond the fact SyFy adapted it into a TV series (which incidentally is premiering this coming Monday) hence the re-brand/rename of the first Alien Hunter book to simply “Hunters”. The White House is actually the third book in the series though, so one of these days I’ll have to grab book two for completion.
The House of Daniel by Harry Turtledove – I’m not a big sports person, which is probably why this one slipped my notice at first glance. Still, when it showed up, I took a closer look. It’s pitched as a stand-alone novel of “miracles, magic, and semipro baseball” set in an alternate Depression-era America. Put that way, it actually sounds super interesting! I may give it a read after all. Thanks, Tor Books!
A Shadow All of Light by Fred Chappell – Thanks also to Tor for a finished copy of this fantasy novel, described as an episodic adventure written “in the mode of classic Jack Vance.” I have never read Fred Chappell before, maybe this could be a good place to start?
Arkwright by Allen Steele – Audiobook, with thanks to Audible Studios for the opportunity to listen to this amazing book! Already devoured and reviewed. Highly recommended.
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan – I saw this pop up on NetGalley last week and slammed on the one-click download button right away. I’ll read anything Sullivan writes, and it’ll be amazing to return to the world of Riyria, even if it’s thousands of years in the past. With thanks to Del Rey.
A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin – I couldn’t resist one-clicking this one either, even though I’m not sure the story will be for me; it honestly sounds like it could go both ways, but I loved the description of a gorgeous fantasy written “in the spirit of Pan’s Labyrinth” and thought that alone was worth a look. With thanks to Saga Press.
Bloodmage by Stephen Aryan – Audiobook, with thanks to Hachette Audio. I’m so excited to dive into this sequel to Battlemage, especially since I hear it will be following new characters and the storytelling will also be more in the vein of a murder mystery.
Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee – I’ve reached the point where I really need to be watching my NetGalley stats, but I could not have walked away from this even if I tried. A disgraced captain needs the help of an unhinged military genius to break a siege in space (and the target is apparently called the Fortress of Scattered Needles, which would probably explain that insanely cool cover). With thanks to Solaris!
Nightshades by Melissa F. Olson – Another sweet looking novella from the good folks at Tor.com! This time, a gritty urban fantasy featuring a detective in Paranormal Investigations…and vampires!
Reviews
Here are all my reviews since the last update, gathered together and listed here for your convenience and viewing pleasure.
Arkwright by Allen Steele (5 of 5 stars)
In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan (5 of 5 stars)
Dark Debts by Karen Hall (4 of 5 stars)
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (4 of 5 stars)
The Lost Boys Symphony by Mark Andrew Ferguson (4 of 5 stars)
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu (4 of 5 stars)
The Demonists by Thomas E. Sniegoski (3.5 of 5 stars)
Arena by Holly Jennings (3.5 of 5 stars)
Alight by Scott Sigler (3.5 of 5 stars)
Roundup Highlights:
Author Spotlights
My thanks to the authors who stopped by The BiblioSanctum last week! Holly Jennings and I chatted about her new book Arena, and Gail Z. Martin wrote a fantastic article to celebrate the release of Shadow and Flame, the conclusion of her Ascendant Kingdoms saga.
Into the Arena: An Interview with Holly Jennings
Guest Post: “Order and Chaos: After the Apocalypse” by Gail Z. Martin
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Here’s what I’ve been reading recently. I got to hit up some books that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, plus there were a few surprises I can’t wait to talk about (Sawbones!) Keep an eye for reviews of the following books in the upcoming weeks, if they’re not up already that is!
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? Nothing makes me happier than sharing my love for books, so let me know what you plan on checking out. I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Until next time, see you next Roundup! 🙂
The BiblioSanctum 
Ohh I’d love to try for Sullivan on NG, but…fantasy ebooks, they just do not work for me, I know, I am weird
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I know what you mean. Epic Fantasy works best as big ass tomes looking impressive on physical shelves 😀
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Ah, these posts always make me feel like a kid in a sweet shop! 😀
Michel Sullivan is one of the authors I *need* to read, having heard nothing but high praise for his Riyria series: with this new one ready to land, I think it’s time I started.
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I think Age of Myth would be a fantastic place to start too, if you choose to try some MJS! It takes place in the same world as his Riyria books, but many many centuries before so it’s a fresh new look 🙂
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I really need to start the Greatcoats series because I’ve heard only amazing things about it! Same thing for Michael J. Sullivan!
I also received a copy of Ninefox Gambit, I am currently reading Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee and I’m not sure if I am liking it or not, I really hope that her novel won’t be as confusing as her short fiction…
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The Greatcoat series is soo good! The first book, Traitor’s Blade, is one of those novels that hook you from the start 🙂 And I’m looking forward to see what you’ll make of Ninefox Gambit, I’ve never read this author before!
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Ooh very nice! Lots of new to me reads there! Hope you enjoy each and every one of them!
My STS will be up tomorrow, so stop by then if you can!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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Thanks, a lot of great books in your StS too!
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I got The Wheel of Osheim last week – I really should get a few other things read first, but I started in on it the other night. I have an e-ARC of Saint’s Blood (which is one of the few things I should be reading first), but that’s an nice looking physical copy.
Age of Myth came my way this week as well, which I’m really excited about.
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Just finished Saint’s Blood and I LOVED it! The Wheel of Osheim is one I’ve been champing at the bit for, it’s really hard to resist while I have to read some of the other books on my TBR first – but of course, those are all must-reads too. Ahh, 2016 is such a great year for SFF.
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Fantastic haul! I’m very curious about The Invisible Library, I must be mixing it up with another title because I thought it was already published here. I was tempted by The Age of Myth but I’m requesting less, so something has to go:-) And wow, that cover of Ninefox Gambit is awesome! I was tempted by that too, but I’ll be content reading your review:-)
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The Invisible Library print edition is pubbed in the UK, but the audiobook version became available in the US at the same time – so you probably aren’t mixed up, just remembering a different format 😀
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Great haul. Have to admit being jealous of your Saint’s Blood copy. Definitely a novel I’ve been dying to read.
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Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as the previous books!
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I have a few of these – definitely looking forward to the Wheel of Osheim! Currently reading Masks and Shadows and so far it’s very enjoyable. I WANT (badly) Age of Myth and A Green and Ancient Light – I really like the look of both of those (I think I saw them on NG but they were US only 😦 sadness am I). So excited that you have The Invisible Library – I loved both of Cogman’s books so far and want more. And can’t wait to see what you make of Sawbone (I nabbed a copy and quite like the look of that one). I’ve only read the first of the Castell books and really enjoyed it so I don’t know why I’m being such a slow coach about picking up the next one!! Doh!!
Lynn 😀
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I’m so excited to see someone else who nabbed Sawbones! I seriously can’t wait to hear what you’ll make of it, especially since our conversation on Twitter. I get powerful Outlander vibes from it, so if you enjoyed Outlander, you will probably take to Sawbones as well. It is so good,
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I won Lisa’s giveaway for Ink and Bone and received it in the mail yesterday! 🙂 From hers, yours, and everyone else’s review when this first came out, I cannot wait to get a chance to read it!
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Yay congrats! Hope you’ll like it 😀
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Looks like an excellent haul! Genevieve Cogman’s books are fun, and I really need to get round to Ink and Bone…
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I’ve heard nothing but good things about Cogman’s book, from lucky peeps who have already read the UK edition and the sequel! Very excited to dive in 🙂
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Awesome haul! There are several here that I want to read. I was tempted to read Alight, but I just can’t. I fear it will be like Alive, which I didn’t like.
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Yeah, I had mixed feelings about Alive too, but I was really glad I decided to give the series another chance with Alight. It was a lot better 🙂
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I looked up the description for Sawbones and it looks SO amazing. I want to read it immediately. I recently had someone recommend Ink and Bone to me so glad to hear how much you love it:). Great Haul!
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Oh my goodness, Sawbones is soooo good. I don’t know if you’ve read Outlander, but Sawbones reminds me strongly of it. Of course, I liked Sawbones even more because the character is so much more awesome, and the Western setting was perfect for me.
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I actually couldn’t get through Outlander because Clair drove me up a wall so I’m particularly glad to hear that the protagonist in Sawbones is much more awesome:)!
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That Ninefox Gambit book looks amazing. I may need to dig out my netgalley password and charge my kindle….
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I know, I just couldn’t resist it. The story sounded so cool, and that cover! Ahh!
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Ahhhh, Masks & Shadows! Did you love it? Because that’s one I’m really eager to hear more about and maybe read. 🙂
Btw you’ll be happy to know that I’ve got a copy of J. Katherine Cheney’s Dreaming Death. 😉
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Oh fantastic! I really liked Dreaming Death 😀 I preferred the magical fantasy setting to the Golden City historical setting, but really, I enjoy both very much.
And I did have a great time with Masks and Shadows! My review will be up tomorrow 🙂
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The Invisible Library sounds really interesting! I’m also pretty curious about Sleeping Giants.
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Sleeping Giants was interesting – the concept is insanely creative! Hopefully I’ll have my review up soon 🙂
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