This post is for the past four weeks.
For Review
by Elisabeth Wheatley
I received the first two books in this series. I don't usually accept self/indie published books, but something about this one looked good. It's epic fantasy and I have a soft spot for that genre. After reading the previews on Amazon, I decided to give them a shot.
Author requested review.
Traded
by A. C. Gaughen
I'm always so on the fence about the Robin Hood story. On one hand, I don't really love the idea of stealing from people, so I have a hard time getting on board with Robin and co. But, I have such fond memories of Disney's Robin Hood...so, I'm torn.
This version is supposed to have a romance that's up my alley, and that's really what tipped the scales for me in favor of Scarlet.
by Rachel Hartman
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 467
Goodreads Page
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 467
Goodreads Page
I was so tempted to request this book when it was up on NetGalley, but that 467 page count and the fact that I read my e-galleys on my computer totally turned me off.
I was fine with this, AND THEN. Then I kept reading review after review singing Seraphina's praises and describing it as basically the perfect fantasy book for me. So I wept. And then I added it to my wishlist for trading. And then someone was kind enough to trade with me and save me from a life of Seraphina-less misery!
Library
I finally got a library card for my new library system! And, of course, I over-indulged. I've really missed the process of browsing through the shelves, pulling off treasures, bringing home my big stack, and then diving in with no pressure to review. Here's what I got:
by Catherine Fisher
I had this book on my TBR for soooo long that it really was getting embarrassing. I had no excuses, either, because the sequel Sapphique has been published for a while now. So when I saw it on the shelf I decided to rectify the situation.
And oh my gosh. I'm so glad I did! I'll be reading the sequel ASAP.
by Holly Black
This is another series that I've had on my TBR for a really, really long time. In my defense, I was waiting for this whole series to be published before starting, and now they are. I love male MC books, but they're rare and finding one that's actually good and has That Voice is even rarer. I'm hoping Cassel hits the mark!
by Gerald Morris
Pages: 200-ish
Goodreads Page
Goodreads Page
Another one I've been meaning to read for a while. But, I won't be able to take it off my TBR just yet because I'm DNF-ing it for now. It's not that I don't like it, because I do, it's just that I'm not feeling it at the moment. It's a little too King Arthury for me right now and that's just not where my reading mood is taking me at the moment.
by Lloyd Alexander
Pages: 200-ish
Goodreads Page
Goodreads Page
And ANOTHER that's been on my list forever. I've heard such good things about this series and I really want to love it, but eeeh I don't know. I'm not loving it so far. I've put it on hold (which is like a short term DNF) but I'm not ready to return it to the library yet. I want to love it and I want to love it NOW, so I'm going to try to pick it up again.
I think vague flashbacks to the Disney movie are clouding my judgment too, and I know that's not something I should allow given how much the movie changed and sucked in comparison.
by Anne-Laure Bondoux
I really, really, really wanted to love this book! Some of my favorite bloggers adore it and I was so excited to see my library had a copy and I totally fell in love with it when I read the letter the princess leaves for her father explaining why she's running away.
And then. Then I started to not like it very much. The chapters switch between the princess's POV and the perspective of a pirate's son and though I really liked the events, I kind of didn't like both of the characters at all. So now I don't know what to do, but I've DNF-ed it for now.
by Alethea Kontis
I love fairy tale retellings! I had originally thought this was just about the Frog Prince, but then all the reviews I read mentioned there were a ton of other fairy tales referenced. Double score! Also, they had pretty great things to say about the book overall, so I was really excited to see a copy at my library.
by Victoria Hanley
I've had my eye on this one for a while, but I keep hearing mixed reviews so I'm not sure. It's high fantasy though, so I think I just have to give it a try and see for myself. For the longest time I thought it was a standalone, but apparently it's the first book in a trilogy (of course!). I haven't heard much buzz about the other books though...
Bought
by Hilari Bell
I've already read and loved this book, so when I saw it for sale on Amazon for $3.60 I decided to buy it (even though it's a paperback and the sequel I already own is a hardcover...). It's a fantasy series about two guys who go around solving mysteries in a fictional, hm, it's a little more modern than medieval but that's a close enough setting.
by Susan Ee
I've heard so many good things about this book! I read the preview on Amazon and I was pretty much hooked instantly. I'd tossed around the idea of buying the e-book (it's so cheap), but I really wanted a print copy. Finally, Amazon has released a print version!
What did you get this week? Are you interested in reading any of these books? What did you think of them if you've read them already?
. Tweet
I hope you enjoy Seraphina-I actually just bought a copy for myself this weekend because it has been my second-favorite read of the year (after Code Name Verity). Looking forward to a review!
ReplyDeleteAwhile back, I tried to email you about Scarlet by AC Gaughen, though I don't know if you ever saw it. I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE GOING TO TRY IT - it's one of my absolute faves ever, and I knew that it would be the perfect thing for you to try once I finished it :)
ReplyDeleteI love White Cat!!!! Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed White cat...I wasn't "in love" but it was a fun read. I have Seraphina waiting for me in my shelf...hope to get to it soon. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteMy Added to the Bookshelf post!
♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
They all sound fantastic! I should get a library card too. I used to have one, but when I went abroad I ended my membership. :(
ReplyDeleteI've read The Seer and the Sword. In my opinion it was a light high fantasy, a very easy read. I guess it would depend what your tastes are and what you are in the mood for. I think I gave it 4/5 when I read it. I had no idea it was a series. As for the other books - I haven't heard of most but oh my gosh, at least half of them have AMAZING covers. I especially love the cover for The Squire's Tale and The Princetta.
ReplyDeleteGreat books this week! I'm glad you enjoyed Incarceron-- the idea was definitely strange, but worked great. Not sure, but I think I have The Seer and The Sword on my shelf somewhere...need to get around to picking that up. >_<
ReplyDeleteI've heard all good things about Angelfall! Can't wait to see what you think!
ReplyDeleteCassel from White Cat is pretty awesome XD I love him. I definitely think he's one of the better male protagonists in YA. Oh my gawsh, Seraphina is so high on my wishlist right now. I NEED IT.
ReplyDeleteI went through a Victoria Hanley phase after I read Crown Duel. I was looking for some YA fantasy to follow it up with. I remember enjoying her books, but not in a fangirly way. Maybe it's time to revisit them?
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love Scarlet,nthough.
Ooohh Scarlet and Seraphina!! I can't wait for those!! Toooo badddd about The Princetta, though! :( I'm always so bummed (and I feel quite bad) when I recommend a book to someone and it doesn't sit well with them... :/ I hope you can pick it up again later and maybe enjoy it more! ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso - Enchanted was good, but kind of...weird..boring? I dunno. The Last Knight, I just couldn't get 30 pages into it...for some reason I lacked the patience. It's a neat idea though and someday maybe... ;)
but INCARCERON. Shoot, Small, wasn't it brilliant??? You seriously need to pick up Sapphique, like, NOW. :DDD
Great week of books, Small! :D
Sierra @ Yearning to Read