Bookshelf Roundup 05/14/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every 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 summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week 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
With thanks to Nightfire Books for:
- The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw, a mermaid tale with its inspirational roots in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, only the darkness and violence is cranked way up for this twisted horror version.
- Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian, a wild west horror epic about the hunt for a witch across demon and monster-infested wastelands. I haven’t treated myself to a horror western in a long time, and I am so excited for this!
With thanks to Tordotcom for:
- The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang, inspired by the classic Chinese historical novel known as Outlaws of the Marsh (or the more literal, less epic translation Water Margin), a story that I knew quite well when I was growing up. I’ve read the author’s work in the past and I’m curious to see where she’ll go with this one.
With thanks to Angry Robot Books for:
- March’s End by Daniel Polansky, a multi-general portal fantasy following a family who has been charged with the protection of a magical land called March. Something about this one is giving me serious Chronicles of Narnia vibes and I can’t wait to check it out.
One book in the digital haul with thanks to Sourcebook Landmark: Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine, pseudonym for young adult author Danielle Vega. It’s about a woman who is desperately trying to get pregnant and is convinced someone is going to great lengths to make sure it never happens. This one recently caught my attention because of comparisons to Rosemary’s Baby, and the upcoming twelfth season of American Horror Story “Delicate” is based on it. Plus, it just sounds absolutely bonkers and terrifying.
Reviews
- 4 of 5 stars to Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- 3 of 5 stars to Spring’s Arcana by Lilith Saintcrow
- 3 of 5 stars to The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
Recent Reads/Upcoming Reviews
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!
The BiblioSanctum 
Your new copies for review all look great. Happy reading
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Thanks, happy reading to you too!
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OOoh nice new reads! I’m curious about Delicate Condition only because I loved Danielle’s YA books! Always interested in seeing how authors tackle on a “new age” category when they predominantly wrote for one all these years! I still have quite a few of her titles on my TBR pile that I need to read too!
Hope you enjoy all your fantastic new reads!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
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I too love to see authors jump genres and wish them the best!
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Nice bunch of books on here, I am excited for Alex Grecian.
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That one looks so good, I can’t wait to read it!
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I think I’m most curious about Red Rabbit and The Water Outlaws.
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Same, two very different books but both sound so interesting!
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I just got Red Rabbit too. I can’t wait, I need to read more horror westerns😁
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It’s a fun genre, “horror western” is like catnip to me!
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Definitely interested to hear what you think of March’s End!
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Definitely looking forward to reading it soon!
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You already know that I adored Fourth Wing LOL
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I do! Can’t wait to read your review!
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I’m so curious about Red Rabbit.
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I am curious about the Huang one
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