Friday Face-Off: Scary

Posted on November 16, 2018 26 Comments

Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme is:

“There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.”
~ a SCARY cover

Mogsy’s Pick:

Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough

Between 1888 and 1891 there were a series of murders in or around the Whitechapel area, and the modus operandi of some of these were different enough that investigators theorized that they could have been committed by another person other than Jack the Ripper. The idea of a separate “Torso Killer” in these “Thames Mysteries” is what forms the basis of Mayhem, and in Sarah Pinborough’s version of the events, this new mysterious killer likes to take his victims’ heads as trophies.

But while this story isn’t really about Jack the Ripper, his name and crimes are still referred to frequently, and his terrifying hold over East London is part and parcel to the creation of the setting. Establishing that there’s the possibility of not just one but two murderous psychopaths stalking the streets creates this sense of dread that is pervasive throughout the novel. The supernatural aspect also helps in this regard, adding a whole new dimension to the story beyond just another straight-up hunt for an ordinary mundane killer. Small wonder that the covers for this book are all so atmospheric. Let’s take a look at them now:

From left to right:
Jo Fletcher UK (2013) – Jo Fletcher US (2014)

Spanish Edition (2013) – French Edition (2014)

Winner:

I like my scary covers like I do my horror: dark, chilling and disturbing, without being overblown or excessive. This describes all our contenders this week, so it was a very tough choice. In the end though, I’m going to have to go with the original Jo Fletcher UK edition. Probably the least menacing of the bunch, it nonetheless radiates a sense of “wrongness”, as what appears to be the cover to a quaint and cozy Victorian-era historical is instead marred by blood-red text and blood drops. I just love the layout, art style, color choice, and overall aesthetic for this cover, and having the actual hardcover version of it on my shelf, I can assure you it looks even better in person.

But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

Posted on November 15, 2018 20 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Series: Book 1 of Gunnie Rose

Publisher: Saga Press (October 2, 2018)

Length: 306 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Before An Easy Death, my past experience with Charlaine Harris’s work pretty much began and ended with the first Sookie Stackhouse book, and it was swiftly determined that southern vampires just weren’t for me. Afterward, I wasn’t so sure about trying another one of her series, but then I heard about Gunnie Rose. Maybe it was the weird western vibes or the idea of a modern gunslinging urban fantasy set in a post-collapse alternate world where most of the country and its heroes are wild again, but right away, the premise caught my attention like a fish on a hook.

Lizbeth Rose, our intrepid protagonist, is a gunnie—a hired gun who makes her living with a mercenary team whose jobs frequently involve escorting bands of farmers across the treacherous landscape of what was once the southwestern United States. Following the assassination of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930s, the country suffered a massive decline in economy, infrastructure, and national defense, forcing its government to cede much of its territory to the other world powers. The Russians, for instance, have claimed much of the west coast as part of their Holy Russian Empire, while Canada has also taken a chunk out of the north, and in the bordering states to the south where we find ourselves now, the area has become known as Texoma. Much of society here has reverted to the times of the Old West, where bandits on the road are not uncommon, and travelers who wish to arrive at their destination in one piece are wise to hire gunnie crews like the one Lizbeth works for.

But of course, survival—like everything else in Texoma—is never guaranteed. What was supposed to be a routine job turns into a bloodbath, as the caravan Lizbeth and her crew were hired to escort is ambushed on the road by a group of merciless bandits. All our protagonist’s teammates are killed, including a couple of their charges, but nevertheless, our girl perseveres, completing the job with what’s left of her party. Once safe, Lizbeth returns home for some much-needed quiet time in order to grieve and figure out her next step. Unfortunately, respite is not in the cards. Apparently, her reputation as a reliable gunnie has reached the ears of the Holy Russian Empire, and a couple of their wizards from California have found their way to her doorstep, looking to hire her to protect them while they search for one of their fellows. Pauline and Eli are “grigoris”—powerful magic users named for their venerated Rasputin—on a dangerous and secretive mission, one that would require the services of an effective and discreet bodyguard. What they don’t realize, however, is that Lizbeth has a personal stake in their manhunt too, and she knows a lot more about the situation than she lets on.

Have you ever finished a book and thought to yourself, wow, this was just what I needed? I felt that way after reading An Easy Death. It’s the perfect book to raise you out of a reading slump, or to tackle on a leisurely Saturday morning after grueling week. Action-packed and fast as hell, this was a novel I finished in a single sitting. The pacing never really let up, and the snappy prose and dialogue kept me reading for hours until the very last page. I enjoyed everything about the book—so much so, I can’t decide what I loved best. World, characters, story—it was all so good.

But I suppose Lizbeth Rose made the strongest impression. The author has a knack for writing feisty, spirited main characters who might not be very worldly for their young age, but they make up for it with cleverness, independence, and determination. Some of Lizbeth’s strongest traits include her sense of honor and loyalty. She’s only a killer when she needs to be, when she’s on a job or defending herself and her friends. She’s the kind of person who does right by those who treat her well, and will give no mercy to those she considers her enemies. This simple worldview of hers also has a tendency to make strangers underestimate her, always to their own detriment. In reality, Lizbeth is a lot more perceptive and calculating than others give her credit for, which she uses to her advantage.

Then there’s the world-building. Charlaine Harris has created a no holds barred version of a post-apocalyptic Wild West-like setting where life is rough, violent, and mostly lawless. You get a sense that everyone is out for themselves out here, in this world where wishing someone “an easy death” is the kindest and most friendly greeting you could receive from a passing traveler. Theft, murder, and rape are everyday realities in Texoma, a notion backed up by the blunt, no-nonsense attitude of the prose. Horrifying as it is, none of the violence or suffering is really played up for emotional points or drama, and in a way, this stark presentation further adds to the gravity of the situation. Perhaps none serves as a better example than the massacre in the opening chapters. This is the only life Lizbeth has ever known. It is what it is, so you do what you do to pick yourself up and keep going.

This being an alternate history, the setting also has its fair share of quirks, not least of them being the presence of the Holy Russian Empire in the Americas, bringing along with them their powerful magic. And yet, the fantastical elements remained a more understated aspect of the book throughout, though I enjoyed the interesting angles they provided. They added spice to what was a standard adventure plot following the trio of Lizbeth, Eli, and Pauline as they made their way across Texoma, stopping at town after town—some of which are more welcome than others. As you would expect, there was also a light touch of sexy action, though mixed in with the action and mystery, the romance wasn’t something that was emphasized or put on a pedestal, which was exactly the way I liked it.

Bottom line, for a straight-up awesome read, pick up An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. Whether you’re new to the author’s work or an old fan, I think most readers will be struck by the refreshingly different feel of her new series and be riveted by the energy of Lizbeth’s tale.

#RRSciFiMonth Waiting on Wednesday 11/14/18

Posted on November 14, 2018 31 Comments

Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy’s Picks

Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray (April 18, 2019 by Del Rey)
Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston (March 5, 2019 by Disney Lucasfilm Press)

Celebration of Sci-Fi Month continues with a pair of Star Wars prequel-era novels I’m featuring today, both of which I’m really looking forward to reading. First up, it’s another Star Wars novel by Claudia Gray, yeaaaaaah! She has become a Star Wars canon powerhouse author in recent years with Lost Stars, Bloodline, and Leia: Princess of Alderaan, and early next year she’s coming out with a book about Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. E.K. Johnston has been making her name as a Star Wars author too, with 2016’s young-adult novel Ahsoka, and pretty soon she’ll have another YA novel out about Padmé Amidala and her transition from queen to senator.

Star Wars: Master & Apprentice
“A new Star Wars novel, taking place before the events of The Phantom Menace, featuring legacy characters Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow
“When Padmé Naberrie, “Queen Amidala” of Naboo, steps down from her position, she is asked by the newly-elected queen to become Naboo’s representative in the Galactic Senate. Padmé is unsure about taking on the new role, but cannot turn down the request to serve her people. Together with her most loyal handmaidens, Padmé must figure out how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and forge a new identity beyond the queen’s shadow.”

#RRSciFiMonth Book Review: Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang

Posted on November 13, 2018 25 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

Series: Book 1 of Russell’s Attic

Publisher: Tor Books (October 2, 2018)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang was a fast-paced and entertaining page-turner that put me in mind of a sci-fi blockbuster thriller. The story’s protagonist, a self-described retrieval specialist named Cas Russell, is a quick-witted and legitimate badass who is scarily good at what she does. People may hire her to do rough jobs like smash-and-grabs or hostage recovery, but her logical mind ensures she always has a plan. Her tremendous math skills and ability to calculate complex equations on the fly have helped her navigate through the worst dangers of her profession and made her a survivor.

Which is why Cas is thrown for a loop on her latest assignment when what should have been an easy rescue operation goes completely awry. Receiving a tip from her colleague Rio, our protagonist accepts a mission that takes her deep into the heart of drug cartel territory to find and retrieve a young woman named Courtney Polk. The problem, however, is that Courtney’s sister, the one who is paying Cas for the job, isn’t in fact who she claims to be at all. Before long, Cas finds herself entangled in web of conspiracy and lies involving a shadowy organization and its deranged telepathic leader who has designs on world domination.

My thoughts on the plot: fun, if not entirely cogent or deep. Both protagonist and antagonist are kind of hokey, though a blast to follow. I also like how the book does not take itself too seriously, which allows the reader to laugh at the corny jokes or overlook some of the story’s more absurd and farcical moments. There are a lot of cool ideas in in here, which made this one a quick and enjoyable read, even if there were parts that made me scratch my head or grit my teeth in frustration.

First, let’s start with the things I felt could have been improved. Like a lot of debuts, Zero Sum Game suffered from quite a few pacing issues. If I recall correctly, the book began as a self-published project before it was picked up by Tor for this second iteration, and throughout that process, I assume it went through a lot more polishing and editing. I was therefore a bit surprised at the clunkiness of some of the prose, as well as the awkward delivery of some of Cas’ more cringe-worthy lines. A lot of the times her internal dialogue felt like a messy stream of consciousness, spelling out every thought process and emotion, which really made it hard to concentrate on everything else happening in the plot.

Story-wise, this novel also falls squarely in the technothriller category. But with regards to the “techno” part of thet equation, I feel as though the author left things neither here nor there. She goes into a great deal of detail about certain mathematical or technological concepts, but overall worldbuilding feels pretty vague and undefined. On top of the sci-fi elements, there are also paranormal factors at play, but again, the why’s and how’s of it are not very well explained.

But here’s what I did like: the characters, despite their flaws, are compelling and memorable—especially Cas. Without giving away too much of the story, what our protagonist struggles with here is a conflict that rattles her to her core, because it threatens one of the only things she can count on: her mind. When someone who prides herself on her logic and intelligence is faced with the possibility that she can’t trust her own thoughts, the results are as interesting to read about as you would expect. Even the villain is impressive, their whole bent-on-taking-over-the-world angle notwithstanding. I liked how none of the characters were black and white, with the line between good and evil not only being blurred and uncertain, but redrawn again and again throughout the course of this tale.

All told, Zero Sum Game was a lot of fun to read, the story made even more intriguing by its bold and unforgettable characters as well as themes exploring topics like psychology, mind control, and futuristic tech. That said, I thought the novel’s full scope and potential was likely held back by minor issues like plot pacing and structural flaws. Nevertheless, it’s a solid debut and I think most sci-fi and thriller fans will enjoy it and appreciate it for what it is.

Book Review: We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

Posted on November 12, 2018 26 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Quirk Books (September 18, 2018)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

One thing I’ll say about Grady Hendrix: he really knows how to tell stories about the things he’s passionate about. His newest book We Sold Our Souls is described as a version of the famous Faust legend but with a heavy metal twist, and the entire thing reads very much like a love letter to the music genre. Still, whether or not you consider yourself a metal head, I predict anyone with an appreciate for horror and dark fiction will be able to rock out to the beat of this zany in-your-face novel of fun and frights.

Opening in the 90’s, the story introduces readers to protagonist Kris Pulaski, just another awkward teenager hiding out in her basement, strumming out a few tentative chords on her new guitar. Fast forward about three decades later, she is now a middle-aged woman, barely making ends meet as she works night shifts at her local Best Western. Looking at her, few would suspect she was once a rising star in the rock music scene, playing lead guitar for Dürt Würk, a band that was on the verge of making the big time. However, that was before their front man, Terry Hunt, decided to sell out his bandmates on what has become known as “contract night”—for that was the night Terry made them all sign their names to a deal which would eventually lead to his own stardom, while the rest of them were left behind and forgotten.

Now in the present day, the former members of Dürt Würk are all barely scraping by, save of course for Terry, who has raked in millions and is making headlines again with the recent announcement about a farewell tour for his solo act, Koffin. Though she cannot recall exactly what happened, Kris does find it very strange how nothing in her life has gone her way ever since contract night, and as it turns out, Terry’s success might not have been his own doing after all, but rather bought in exchange for his bandmates’ souls all those years ago. Furious when she discovers what has been done to her, Kris decides it’s high time to get the band back together again. After making plans to track down her old pals Scottie the guitarist, Tuck the bassist, and Bill the drummer to tell them the truth of what Terry did, our protagonist embarks upon a cross-country journey to finally confront the man who ruined all their lives.

Of the three novels I’ve read by the author so far, We Sold Our Souls may be the darkest and most complex of them all. Taking readers forwards and backwards in time, Hendrix gives us a rather bleak glimpse into the lives of a group of aging rockers, which is a dreary enough subject all by itself even without the evil supernatural shenanigans. If there is an analogous term for a “coming of age” type of story that explores on the growth of a protagonist into middle age and beyond, it would suit this book well. Filled not with the themes of hope, ambition, and dreams for the future but instead focusing on the failures, regrets, and what-could-have-beens of the past, the novel follows a flat broke and worn-down Kris who once did what she loved but has now hit rock bottom. But even so, her love for the music never died, and I believe this, in the end, is what made the story’s conclusion so triumphant and satisfying.

Also, when it comes to Hendrix’s work, nothing is ever straightforward and simple—and I mean that in a good way. Often his books are associated with plenty of humor as well as some kind of “hook” (like Horrorstör, a novel about a haunted IKEA-like furniture big box crafted to look like a catalog). Heavy metal is obviously the main selling point here, though as usual, Hendrix’s way of handling the topic, as well as his clear love for the music and understanding of the culture kept this from becoming a mere gimmick. It’s also fascinating how he’s incorporated the idea of “selling out” with the concept of making a deal with the devil—not a new idea, obviously, but I did like how he’s managed to tie in all the references to rock musical culture, fandom, and history to create something that will resonate to the readers who knew the 80’s and 90’s metal scene well.

And then, of course, there is the horror, which is as always the author’s forte. While We Sold Our Souls is in no way a typical horror novel, I still think it would appeal to most horror fans, simply because of the way it employs certain classic themes of the genre. Even though no part of the story was particularly scary to me, there were plenty of bits I found creepy or psychologically uncomfortable, like the kind of dread you feel as you read about or anticipate bad stuff happening to good characters. In any case, it’s easy to immerse yourself in Hendrix’s stories, because he’s so good at creating atmosphere. As I alluded to earlier though, it was the climax and conclusion that really killed it. This was the sort of ending that would leave your heart racing hours after you finish the book. It was just that epic.

All told, I thought We Sold Our Souls was Grady Hendrix best book to date, and it also shows how far he’s come as a writer. With each novel, he seems to be coming up with even bigger and better ideas, and if he keeps it up, he could become a new favorite horror author. I’m looking forward to what he comes up with next.

Book Review: Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri

Posted on November 11, 2018 18 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of The Books of Ambha

Publisher: Orbit (November 13, 2018)

Length: 496 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

In the lusciously written Empire of Sand, debut author Tasha Suri takes readers on a journey to a south Asian-inspired fantasy world full of mysterious magic and spirits. A strong and alluring intro eventually gave way to a rather mild and slow-moving plot which is why I am only tentatively embracing this book with a middling rating, and because I didn’t find my attention hooked completely since the plodding pace made some parts of this a struggle to read.

In the beginning, we are introduced to Mehr, the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor of Ambha and an exiled Amrithi mother she barely knows. However, it is said that the Amrithi are a group of desert nomads descended from spirits, possessing the power of magic in their blood—a power that Mehr has inherited. Growing up in her father’s noble house, she clashed constantly with her stepmother, both of them vying for the responsibility over caring for Mehr’s little sister Arwa. Then one night, a winged demon called a Daiva invades Arwa’s room, and in her attempts to calm her younger sibling, Mehr is caught performing a forbidden rite bringing her magical lineage to the attention of the imperial mystics.

From that moment on, Mehr’s life is changed forever. She is subsequently forced into an arranged marriage to Amun, an Amrithi enslaved to the empire. Scorned by the other mystics, Mehr’s betrothed is nonetheless required for his role in a ritual which would solidify Ambha’s power and expand its borders. Since the rites can only be successfully performed by an Amrithi couple, Amun and Mehr’s fates were all but sealed, but working together with their wits and powers, they may yet find other ways to resist the empire and its cruel mystics, especially as their feelings towards one another deepen.

The first few chapters immediately drew me in. I loved Suri’s descriptive writing, and the characters and their dialogue attracted me with their charisma and emotions. The supernatural elements were introduced lightly, adding a bit of intrigue to the plot rather than overpowering it completely with talk of Daeva, spirits, or magic. The world-building is scrumptious, teasing, and mysterious—an uncertain quality at first, but you just know it will eventually take shape and grow into something more. And when Mehr’s magic was found out, the atmosphere felt as though the story itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

Sad to say though, that was perhaps the highest point of the book for me, at least for the next little while. What came next was about a couple hundred pages of very little action, but lots of observations by the protagonist as well as relationship building between Mehr and Amun. Speaking as someone who did not really expect this shift, the middle section of novel proved a bit tedious and a challenge to press through. However, for readers who prefer more calm “quiet” fantasy, especially those who like slow-burn romances, the style and tone of this book would probably be more to your liking.

The good news is, the characters are lovely. As the daughter of Ambhan nobleman and an Amrithi outcast, Mehr is an interesting figure struggling with her two conflicting backgrounds. She isn’t always bold or quick to take action, but she is more of a rational thinker and I appreciated the author for giving her protagonist a more level-headed personality. Mehr has found herself in a bad situation and while the odds may seem hopeless at times, she never lets them wear her down. She also has some compelling chemistry with Amun; it’s not really a fiery hot passion between them, but a softer more careful kind of love that grows sweeter over time. I can be quite picky when it comes to romance arcs and it’s not often they work for me, but I thought given how Mehr and Amun began, Suri handled the course of their relationship perfectly.

Ultimately, Empire of Sand could have been a more enticing read, but the slow-moving sections in the middle of the book really hurt my overall enjoyment. That said though, there are a lot of things going for it, and I will head into the sequel with hopes that the story will pick up in pacing and action.

Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on November 10, 2018 41 Comments

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.

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Received for Review

I haven’t been as on the ball with my roundups these last few months, so today we have a lot of catching up to do – with about three weeks worth of new arrivals, to be exact! So many books! A huge thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

To start things off, a heartfelt thanks goes to Orbit Books for the following haul: ARCs of The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Hanrahan, which has been getting a lot of praise from dark fantasy and grimdark fans already, and I’m really looking forward to it; A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy by Alex White, the sequel to A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, which I still need to read (but am planning to, very soon); and The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft, book three in the Books of Babel series which kicked off with the runaway hit Senlin Ascends. Of course, I still need to catch up. Also from the publisher are the following finished copies: Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey, which is high on my priority list for this month, if I haven’t already started it by the time this post goes live; and Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson, who returns to space exploration with a novel about colonization and political revolution on the moon. I’m hoping I’ll have time to tackle this one for November Sci-Fi Month, so crossing my fingers.

Also my thanks to Saga Press and Wunderkind PR for An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris, which took a while to get to me due to some mail related issues, but I have a feeling the wait was worth it! I have been hearing great things, and I’m sure I’ll love it.

Up next, big thanks to Pyr Books for sending me an ARC of The Fall by Tracy Townsend, sequel to her amazing debut The Nine which blew me away last year. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this one, and I look forward to revisiting this incredible, dazzling world.

And from the awesome team at Subterranean Press,, I also received an ARC of The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch. I’m honestly shocked I hadn’t heard of this one before it landed on my doorstep; I’m a huge fan of the author’s Peter Grant/Rivers of London series, and it appears this novella will be set in the same world but focusing on a yet-to-be-introduced character who works for the German equivalent of the Folly. At least, that’s what I’ve managed to gather from the limited info I could find online, but I’m excited to learn more as we get more details. Definitely reading this.

Speaking of Peter Grant, from the kind folks at Kaye Publicity and DAW, I also received a finished copy of Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch, book seven of the series. I’ve already read it, and surprise, surprise…I loved it. My review went up earlier int he week, so check it out if you haven’t yet.

More from Penguin Ace/Roc/DAW: Gates of Stone by Angus Macallan is a book that first landed on my radar because of that gorgeous cover, but this Young Adult crossover fantasy is making me feel more intrigued by the day. My thanks to the publisher for the ARC, as well as the following finished copies: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey by Gordon Doherty is the official novel tie-in to the game, which I have yet to even get – and let’s face it, it’s gonna be a while, given all these other games on my plate – so I figure it wouldn’t hurt to read the story instead; and Breach by W.L. Goodwater is the first novel in a new Cold War fantasy series with a great premise to explore if I’m ever in the mood for a historical urban fantasy featuring magic and spies.

Also, I’m ecstatic over this growing trend of comic book tie-ins, and Titan Books has been releasing a lot of great ones as of late: Venom: Lethal Protector by James R. Tuck is the first of the publisher’s new series of original Marvel novels, and tells the story of Eddie Brock and his relocation from New York to San Francisco following his truce with Spider-Man. Of course, DC Comics gets some love too, with Harley Quinn: Mad Love by Paul Dini and Pat Cadigan. Harley Quinn has long been one of my favorite comic book characters, and this book is described as her definitive story, co-written by one of her creators himself. Really looking forward to checking out both of these.

Thank you also to Tor Books for sending me a finished copy of Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang, a book I’m in the middle of now and so hopefully a review will be going up sometime in the next week or so. It’s been a wild and thrilling ride so far – a good one for Sci-Fi Month. From the publisher I also received a surprise ARC of Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, an upcoming epic fantasy that has been on my radar for quite a while. A protagonist discovering that he is a long-lost prince isn’t exactly new, but what if the twist is that your family turns out to be a bunch of vile traitors? And what if, rather than being destined to save the empire, you were instead meant to destroy it? This definitely has potential.

And finally, rounding out this batch are a couple of gems I received from the amazing folks at Harper Voyager. I was excited when an ARC of Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik showed up earlier this week, a sci-fi space adventure which promises an intense mix of action and romance. Next is Roar of Sky by Beth Cato, which was a surprise arrival. However, I’m definitely no stranger to the Blood of Earth series, of which this is the third installment. I’m so far behind on this trilogy (as in I haven’t even started yet), but it’s one I’d love to read at some point.

In the digital pile, a couple new acquisitions from good old NetGalley, always providing me with new temptations. With thanks to Redhook for Heresy by Melissa Lenhardt (yay for a Western starring an all-female bandit gang) and Del Rey for The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden, the third and final book of the Winternight trilogy which I can’t wait to read.

From the generous publicity team at Tor.com, I also received an eARC of Vigilance by Robert Jackson Bennett. Any kind of story described as a “parable” tends to make me wary, but I love the author and I’m willing to give anything he writes a try.

Earlier this week I also downloaded a few e-galleys from Edelweiss. The Lost Puzzler by Eyal Kless is sci-fi dystopian debut that caught my eye from Harper Voyager list of upcoming releases. I was also immediately intrigued by The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters, following my discovery that it’s YA historical story about Edgar Allan Poe, so thanks to Amulet Books for approving my request. And with thanks to Angry Robot, I also received an eARC of The Fall of Io by Wesley Chu, the sequel to The Rise of Io.

Just one new audiobook review copy this week. Last but not least, with a huge thanks to Audible Studios, I received a listening copy of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. Anything by Sanderson is always a blast, so I hope to be starting this one real soon.

Reviews

A list of reviews I posted since the last update:

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch (4 of 5 stars)
Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker (4 of 5 stars)
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa (4 of 5 stars)
Occupy Me by Tricia Sullivan (3.5 of 5 stars)
Slender Man by Anonymous (3.5 of 5 stars)
Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean (3 of 5 stars)
Street Freaks by Terry Brooks (3 of 5 stars)

Interviews & Guest Posts

Here’s to the authors who stopped by The BiblioSanctum this week!

Guest Post: “Five Weird Books of the English West Country” by Aliya Whiteley

What I’ve Read Since the Last Update

Here’s what I’ve managed to “unstack” from the TBR since the last update. I’m actually surprised I managed to read this many books, considering how the last couple weeks were so busy with Halloween and all my kids’ social and academic events. I also had…other distractions:

But here are the books I finished. Reviews are up for a few and more coming soon.

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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!

Friday Face-Off: Spiders

Posted on November 9, 2018 30 Comments

This week’s theme is:

“All right! They’re spiders from Mars! You happy?”
~ a cover featuring A CRITTER OF THE EIGHT-LEGGED VARIETY

Mogsy’s Pick:

The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone

To be honest, spiders probably don’t bother me as much as they do others – yes, they’re icky, but unless I find one right up in my personal space, I typically leave them to do their own thing. Like people say, most house spiders are actually pretty harmless and are good to keep around because they take care of even worse insect pests.

But the spiders in The Hatching are another story. While reading this book, I had fight several urges not to jump into the shower because I was convinced I was feeling hundreds of tiny little skittering legs crawling all over my skin. The story begins in the jungles of Peru, where The Swarm (believe me, it’s completely appropriate to designate the spider horde as a character in its own right) claims its first victim. Before long, other disturbing reports are emerging all over the world. In China, a nuclear bomb goes off, which their government claims was a “training incident” gone wrong. In Minneapolis, an American billionaire’s private jet suddenly falls out of the sky. In Kanpur, India, a group of scientists receive unusual seismic readings at their earthquake lab. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, screams suddenly ring out aboard a cargo ship.

The commonality between all these events? Give yourself a pat on the back if you guessed eight-legged creepy crawlies. Needless to say, if you’re an arachnophobe, this one’s going to go really badly for you. But let’s take a look at the covers:

From left to right:
Gollancz Hardcover (2016) – Gollancz Paperback (2017)

Atria/Emily Bestler Books (2016) – French Edition (2018) – Spanish Edition (2016)

Portuguese Edition (2016) – Hungarian Edition (2017)

Winner:

There is just something about the Portuguese edition that really appeals to me. Maybe it’s the color scheme (I love the crimson/white/black combo), or the art style that makes that cover come alive with a hectic, frenetic energy. But even with the freaky image of the huge nasty spider dominating the picture, that one just keeps drawing my attention back to it.

But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

Posted on November 8, 2018 36 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Book 7 of Peter Grant/Rivers of London

Publisher: DAW (November 13, 2018)

Length: 304 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I’ve made it no secret that I love Peter Grant/Rivers of London, and right now, it’s easily one of my favorite urban fantasy series. But for the last few books, our characters have been floundering in their hunt for the Faceless Man, the main baddie who has been a constant thorn in the Met’s side since the very beginning, and I was starting to worry that the lack of progress might soon be blowing up in all our faces. Luckily though, those wondering if we’ll ever get to see the end of this Faceless Man’s saga will be pleased to know, Lies Sleeping has the final showdown and answers you’re looking for. After seven books, this resolution was a long time coming, and it was awesome.

Needless to say, if you’re not caught up with the series yet, be aware this review may contain references to events from the previous books, so only read on if you’ve read finished The Hanging Tree to avoid any potential spoilers. Since the last time we saw him, Peter has received a promotion on the police force and is now playing a key role in the operation to take down the Faceless Man, now identified as Martin Chorley, as well as his associate Lesley May, a one-time friend of our protagonist. Chorley’s grand plan for London has also been revealed, involving a dastardly plot to lure out one of the city’s oldest and most deranged gods—a supernatural killer with whom series fans should be very familiar.

For this dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, Peter and his mentor Thomas Nightingale must shore up their resources and gather all the support they can get, calling in help from all corners including the regular police force, history and archeology experts, and even Arthurian scholars. But unfortunately for Peter, Lesley knows all his usual tricks, and worse, where to hit him where it hurts the most. Chorley is up to something big, and no matter how well the Folly plans, their target always seems to be a few steps ahead, constantly slipping through their fingers.

Peter’s resolve has been tested before, but never like this. Lies Sleeping is the big shakeup this series needed, after all the breaks and build-up, and I think it succeeded in delivering both thrilling action and emotional impact. If the goal of the previous book was to bring us back into the thick of things and ramp up the momentum, then this one valiantly took up the baton and ran it to the finish line. I was also ecstatic that I got most of what I’d wished for, number one on that list being more Nightingale in action. While I’m not usually one for literary crushes, I’ve got it seriously bad for that guy. When all is said and done though, taking down the Faceless Man was very much a team effort, and I’m glad we also got the second item on my wishlist, which was seeing more involvement from the rest of the supporting cast. As I expected, Guleed has become a regular, and even more exciting is the fact she’s being brought onto the Falcon magical scene. Abigail becoming a fixture at the Folly was a nice surprise too, after getting know her well from The Furthest Station novella.

Once more, I also found the humor in Lies Sleeping to be on the more muted side, but in this case, I think it’s okay, and even appropriate. Peter still makes me smile occasionally with his dry, sardonic wit, but this was probably one of the more serious sequels, because of all that it had to deal with. Over the course of this series, Peter has matured as a person, taking matters more seriously in both his professional and personal life, becoming a better police officer and a wizard while also settling into a stable relationship with Bev. Still, there are also certain things that never change, and Peter’s mega blind spot with regards to Lesley was the cause of much teeth grinding on my part. There was a moment too where I felt the plot might be falling into a repetitive pattern, but fortunately, Aaronovitch was able to pull things back on track following a lull around the halfway point and save the situation in time for the big finale. Personally, I found the climax to be a bit confusing, in the way things related to the genius loci usually are when it comes to these books, so I suppose that’s nothing new. Regardless, those who have always appreciated this series’ attention to the history and mythology associated with London will find lots of like about this book, I expect.

And finally, Lies Sleeping has the unmistakable feel of a conclusion, though I do sincerely hope that this is just a wrap for the Faceless Man arc, and not for the series itself. It would be cruel to end things right as we’re seeing so much promise for our side characters, not to mention the big news dropped on us in the final few pages, but if this is going to be it, I’m also happy with how things played out. There are a few loose threads I wouldn’t mind seeing addressed, but overall I was impressed with how many conflicts were resolved by strongly tying them back to the series’ roots, i.e. where it all began in Rivers of London. I have no idea where Ben Aaronovitch will take this world and his characters next, but I’ll be crossing my fingers for more.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Whispers Underground (Book 3)
Review of Broken Homes (Book 4)
Review of Foxglove Summer (Book 5)
Review of The Furthest Station (Book 5.7)
Review of The Hanging Tree (Book 6)

#RRSciFiMonth Waiting on Wednesday 11/07/18

Posted on November 7, 2018 18 Comments

Mogsy’s Pick

Tiamat’s Wrath by James S.A. Corey (March 26, 2019 by Orbit)

In honor of Sci-Fi Month, I’m featuring sci-fi picks for my Waiting on Wednesday posts for the whole of November. Up first is the next Expanse novel, book number 8 of 9 in this highly acclaimed rollicking space opera series. We’re coming down to the home stretch, folks. Can’t wait to see how these last two books will play out.

“Thirteen hundred gates have opened to solar systems around the galaxy. But as humanity builds its interstellar empire in the alien ruins, the mysteries and threats grow deeper.

In the dead systems where gates lead to stranger things than alien planets, Elvi Okoye begins a desperate search to discover the nature of a genocide that happened before the first human beings existed, and to find weapons to fight a war against forces at the edge of the imaginable. But the price of that knowledge may be higher than she can pay.

At the heart of the empire, Teresa Duarte prepares to take on the burden of her father’s godlike ambition. The sociopathic scientist Paolo Cortázar and the Mephistophelian prisoner James Holden are only two of the dangers in a palace thick with intrigue, but Teresa has a mind of her own and secrets even her father the emperor doesn’t guess.

And throughout the wide human empire, the scattered crew of the Rocinante fights a brave rear-guard action against Duarte’s authoritarian regime. Memory of the old order falls away, and a future under Laconia’s eternal rule — and with it, a battle that humanity can only lose – seems more and more certain. Because against the terrors that lie between worlds, courage and ambition will not be enough…”