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
Thank you to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received. For more details and full descriptions of the books, be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages!
Golden Age and Other Stories by Naomi Novik – This is a collection of stories set in Naomi Novik’s world of Temeraire, an alternate fantasy series set during the Napoleonic wars…with dragons. I have six of the novels under my belt so far, with plans to catch up with the remaining three now that the series has ended – hopefully not being completely caught up yet won’t prevent me from enjoying the stories in this anthology because I am most definitely planning on reading Golden Age! Thank you, Subterranean Press!
The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard – Sequel to The House of Shattered Wings, which I enjoyed last year. Looking forward to seeing more of this world featuring a post-apocalyptic version of Paris ruled by fallen angels. With thanks to Roc Books.
Lifeblood by Gena Showalter – With thanks to Harlequin Teen and the kind folks at Wunderkind PR, I received this surprise arrival which I later found out is a sequel to a book called Firstlife, which I haven’t read. Has anyone read this series? Let me know if you think book two can be read as a standalone, or if I should pick up book one and start from the beginning, because this looks really interesting!
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss – Imagine a story merging many works of fiction into one world, bringing together some of the most well-known characters from our beloved classics – but with what sounds to be a very cool twist. I’m very excited to read this one! Thank you to Wunderkind PR and Saga Press.
A God in the Shed by J-F Dubeau – You know I’m always up for trying out new horror! Much thanks to Inkshares for putting this Sword & Laser Publishing Contest winner on on my radar, it sounds deliciously dark and insane.
Wilders by Brenda Cooper – I’m a big fan of Cooper’s books, especially her Glittering Edge duology. I’m really looking forward to see what she has in store for us next in her new novel coming out this summer. With thanks to Pyr for the ARC!
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel – A surprise arrived earlier in the week in the form of this finished copy of book two in the Themis Files sequence. I may have had some mixed feelings about the first book, but it doesn’t affect my curiosity or excitement to find out what’s going to happen next! Thanks to Del Rey Books.
Avengers of the Moon by Allen Steele – Much thanks to Tor Books for sending me an ARC of Allen Steele’s upcoming adventure sci-fi novel. Last year I loved his book Arkwright, and though Avengers of the Moon sounds completely different in subject and in style, I am still very interested in giving it a try.
Spymaster by Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes – I’ve always wanted to try a Margaret Weis book, but because she’s involved with so many ongoing series and projects, a good jumping on board just never seems to present itself. However, Spymaster is the first book of a new series called Dragon Corsairs that takes place in the world of the Dragon Brigade trilogy, so who knows, this might finally be my chance. Plus, dragons and privateers? Where do I sign up! Thanks again to Tor Books for this gorgeous finished copy, I just love the cover art.
Soul of the World by David Mealing – eARC courtesy of Orbit via NetGalley. I just couldn’t help myself. After all, is there anything so exciting as a new epic fantasy series, and a debut to boot?
Ghosts of Tomorrow by Michael R. Fletcher – When the author contacted me last week asking if I would be interested in a review copy of his latest novel, my answer was of course a resounding HELL YES! Thank you, Michael!
The Island Deception by Dan Koboldt – As you may recall, last year I enjoyed a book called The Rogue Retrieval, a fantasy adventure about a Vegas illusionist who winds up stepping through a portal into another world filled with real magic. The Island Deception is the sequel, and my thanks to Dan Koboldt and Harper Voyager for hooking me up with an eARC.
The Witch Who Came In From the Cold by Lindsay Smith, Max Gladstone, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Ian Tregillis, Michael Swanwick – No surprise why I want to read this one, considering I have read and loved the books by many of the above authors. I also prefer to read serial novels only once they’re all completed, so this is the complete Season One, with thanks to Serial Box.
Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh – Another new batch of books popped up at First to Read last week, so of course my attention went straight to their YA offerings and I managed to snag an eARC of Flame in the Mist. I had a good time with the author’s debut The Wrath and the Dawn so I have some pretty high hopes for this.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – Audiobook with thanks to Hachette Audio. Already I’ve seen plenty of positive reviews for Laini Taylor’s highly anticipated new novel, so I’m really psyched about this and even more thrilled that I’ll get to experience the audio version.
Reviews
Time for a review roundup! The last two weeks have been dominated by sci-fi and urban fantasy reads, and there were also a bunch of sequels in there including three series enders. Topping the list for my featured spot is the amazing Phantom Pains – my first 5-star-rated book of the year too, I believe!
Phantom Pains by Mishell Baker (5 of 5 stars)
The Return by Joseph Helmreich (4 of 5 stars)
Star Wars: Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig (4 of 5 stars)
Star’s End by Cassandra Rose Clarke (3.5 of 5 stars)
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab (3.5 of 5 stars)
Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop (3.5 of 5 stars)
Revenger by Alastair Reynolds (2 of 5 stars)
Roundup Highlights:
Interviews & Guest Posts
Also huge thanks to Ben Galley who stopped by last week to give us a fascinating look into the world of his new dark fantasy novel, The Heart of Stone. I can’t wait to read this book!
Guest Post: “The World behind The Heart of Stone” by Ben Galley
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Here are the books I finished recently, so expect to see reviews of them soon!
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!
The BiblioSanctum 
That is a really good haul. I always feel like I should take notes! Hope you enjoy ’em all — especially Strange the Dreamer, I waaaaant it.
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I’m really looking forward to that one! A new Laini Taylor book is super exciting!
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Bookwraiths has recently reviewed “Ghosts of Tomorrow” by Michael R. Fletcher and his review convinced me to add it to my TBR. So, in about 2 years, Be Prepared! I shall review it 🙂
I hope you enjoy your read of it…
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Fantastic! I hope you’ll enjoy it when you get a chance to read it…wow, two year waiting list for new books on your tbr, I can’t even imagine 😀
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At this point, so many of the books on my tbr are known quality, that I don’t mind pushing “new” books off into the future. This Project Reread is doing wonders for my outlook on new books.
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Yeah, while I prefer discovering new stories, I do wish I had more time to reread my old favorites.
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Those books from publishers should keep you busy for a while! I’m looking forward to your review of Winter of the Gods as this is a series I plan to try at some point.
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The review should be up soon! The first book was better, but I still enjoyed it a lot 🙂
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OOh nice ones! Quite a few new to me ones but I also obtained Flame in the Mist and am super excited for it! Planning to read it fairly soon too! Hope you enjoy all the new reads!
My STS will be up tomorrow, so be sure to stop by then!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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Hooray for scoring a copy of Flame in the Mist! I hope we both enjoy it 🙂
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Many interesting books for you there!!! happy reading!
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Thanks! You too!
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Would love to see what you think of The Spymaster. I keep seeing it around, which has made me curious.
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It does look very cool. I hope I’ll get a chance to fit it in.
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I’ve been meaning to read Naomi Novik’s Temeraire books, but just haven’t taken the plunge. Sould of the World is one I nabbed a few weeks back, and I’ll admit to being a bit jealous that you landed Spymaster – Weis’ Dragonlance novels were my portal into the genre, and I’ve always loved her writing.
I’ve been waiting for a bundle of “The Witch Who Came In From the Cold” myself, rather than read the serialized ARCs, so I’ll be looking for that.
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Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon is AMAZING. Sadly, the rest of the books after that are not as good, but I think it’s still a series worth checking out! And I definitely want to give Spymaster a look – here’s hoping I can fit it in!
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Can’t wait tor ead your thoughts on Michael Fletcher’s latest.
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Hoping to read it soon! It’ll probably come with me on my vacation next month 🙂
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I’ve also got ARCs of Wilders and Flame in the Mist! No idea when I’ll get to them though. 😛
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Haha, too many books, too little time – that’s always the problem, isn’t it? 🙂
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Too true!
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I pre-ordered the UK edition of Strange the Dreamer because I love the cover WAY more than the US cover. Also really looking forward to Wilders and Waking Gods:-)
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I too find that the UK editions of YA novels are always so much prettier! 😉
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“Spymaster” sounds quite promising – and how could I not be attracted to a series named “Dragon Corsairs”? Or, truly, anything simply promising *dragons*? I’d buy that book on the strength of the cover alone… 😀
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I LOVE that cover. Even if I had no idea what the book was about, I think I would want to read it based on the cover alone. When I saw it, I was floored 🙂
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The cover art of The Strage Case of the Alchemists Daughter caught my eye in particular 😀
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I agree, that’s a standout cover too!
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Wow, you cleaned up! You got a lot of interesting books here. I loved Strange the Dreamer! It’s a slow-burn one, so don’t be put off if the first quarter of the book seems a little boring! I also have Flame in the Mist and I’m so excited to read it. I hope you enjoy all of your new books!
Have a lovely weekend, Mogsy. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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Haha, thanks for the warning – hopefully the audiobook will help with the pacing, slower parts aren’t usually as noticeable when I’m listening, I find 🙂 Anyway, so excited!
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Wow, very interesting looking books! I also enjoyed “Rogue Retrieval” last year and now I’ve also got an eARC of “Island Deception”.
I’m most looking forward to your review of “The Strage Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter”. The description sounds very interesting. As a fan of Novik, I really want to get my hands on “Golden Age and other stories”.
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Yes, Rogue Retrieval was so fun! I hope we’ll both enjoy The Island Deception 🙂
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This is a great haul. I definitely fancy a couple of these. That horror books sounds, and looks, really creepy. Avengers of the Moon I’m really looking forward to and I really enjoyed The Collapsing Empire.
Lynn 😀
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Just started Avengers of the Moon and it’s very interesting so far!
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Both Wilders and the strange Case look good to me. Wilders in particular I’m kind of excited for. I like the far future setting and it sounds like an ecological bent as well. Waking Gods I’m curious about too as I liked but didn’t love the first book.
Can’t wait to see what you thought of Winter of the Gods!
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Brenda Cooper writes great futuristic sci-fi stories, and spearking of ecological themes, I think there were also some in her last duology I read as well! Wilders should be good 🙂
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Yay for Strange the Dreamer! I pre-ordered that a while ago, so I’m really excited it’s coming out this week. 😀 Also looking forward to Roshani Chokshi’s A Crown of Wishes, which I think is also out tomorrow…?
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Yeah, lots of great YA coming out this spring! I can’t wait to read Strange the Dreamer, and oh, yes, mustn’t forget A Crown of Wishes! Not sure when I’ll be able to get to that one though 😀
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Don’t feel bad. I still haven’t gotten to Winter of the Gods and a couple other books that came out earlier this year. And since I’m really looking forward to the Laini Taylor and Roshani Chokshi books, the “older” ones might have to wait until later this spring. *lol*
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Haha, I’m the same way! “Older” at this point means January or February releases, LOL 😀
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Shiny books! So much to read…..so little sleep.
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Bah, who needs sleep! Sleep is for the weak! I’m going to pull an all nighter to finish all these books and—zzzzzz….
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I really liked the first book, so here’s hoping that The House of Binding Thorns is good too! Laini Taylor’s books would be great on audio I think, since they’re so lyrical and well written.
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I actually had some mixed feelings about The House of Shattered Wings, so I’m actually quite curious about the sequel. That said I enjoyed what I saw of the world enough that I’ve decided to continue the series as you can see, so we’ll see how it goes! 🙂
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Lots of good stuff as usual! I’m so excited to try The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter…and I’m looking forward to your review of Dan Koboldt’s sequel. I have the first book buried somewhere in my Kindle lol I should really give it a shot already.
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The Rogue Retrieval was fun! I hope you enjoy it once you get the chance to check it out…and I’m going to try very hard to get to the sequel in good time, lol. So many books, too little time 😀
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