Book mail is one of my favorite things in the world. There’s nothing better than getting packages, but packages of books are even better.
Here is a collection of books I’ve gotten recently, one by request and the rest by the goodness of these publisher’s hearts. I appreciate all of you so much—thank you for continuing to support me.
Let’s start at the top. Goodreads links for more detailed synopses are embedded.
SADIE by Courtney Summers
– 9/4/2018, wednesday books –
Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water. But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.
I have been hearing nothing but rave review after rave review about this book. The words “twisted” and “messed up” have been thrown around and let’s face it—that’s entirely my cup of tea. Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me a copy.
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
– Speak –
At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor’s favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.
I thought the original cover for this book was stunning, but I absolutely love the redesign as well. And when I saw the preorder incentive for SMOKE IN THE SUN was a copy of the new paperback, it was even more a reason.
The Darkdeep by Allie Condie & Brendan Reichs
– 10/2/18, Bloomsbury –
When a bullying incident sends twelve-year-old Nico Holland over the edge of a cliff into the icy waters of Still Cove, where no one ever goes, friends Tyler and Ella – and even ‘cool kid’ Opal -rush to his rescue…only to discover an island hidden in the swirling mists below.
If you pitch something to me as The Goonies meets Stranger Things, it’s going to rocket to the top of my TBR. Just sayin’. This was another book I missed out on at BEA due to so many other things happening, so thank you muchly Bloomsbury for sending me this galley.
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
– 2/5/19, Flatiron Books –
When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
This is one of my most anticipated 2019 releases and I cannot be more pumped to start this. Thank you Flatiron Books for sending me a galley.
MUSE OF NIGHTMARES by Laini Taylor
– 10/2/18, Little Brown –
In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.
When I had to leave early from BEA and missed Laini’s signing for this book I was seriously bummed. So when I opened this package and saw this book, I make no apologies for making a pterodactyl squawking noise at work. STRANGE THE DREAMER was one of my most pleasant surprises of 2017 and I cannot wait to dive back into a world of Weep and see how Lazlo rescues Sarai. Thank you thank you thank you to LBYR/The Novl for sending me a galley.
Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
– 7/31/18, Little Brown –
Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace–someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir’s eye, it’s Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.
Pitched as The Handmaid’s Tale for this generation, I cannot wait to start this. I also recently got the UK hardcover in a book subscription box and the international cover is so gorgeous. Thank you LBYR/The Novl for sending me a finished copy!
#MURDERTRENDING by Gretchen McNeil
– 8/7/18, Freeform –
Welcome to the Near Future, where good and honest citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.
I’m about a third into this and I cannot describe how intrigued I am. This book is delightfully twisted and surprisingly graphic for YA. And I’m holding my breath for the swerve because I KNOW it’s coming. Is it also sad that I can completely see Tr*mp doing this, too? *le sigh* Thank you Disney Book Group for sending me a galley and a finished copy.
Camp Valor by Scott McEwen
– 7/1018, St. Martin’s Press –
When Wyatt gets framed for a friend’s crime, he thinks his life is over. But then a mysterious stranger visits him in jail with an unusual proposal: spend three months in a secret government camp and have a ten-year prison sentence wiped clean.
This will be my first foray into McEwen’s work minus watching American Sniper, which wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. I will definitely give this a try because I’ve heard wonderful things about his writing, but I’m not convinced it’ll be the book for me. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a finished copy.
Campfire by Shawn Sarles
– 7/17/18, jimmy patterson –
While camping in a remote location, Maddie Davenport gathers around the fire with her friends and family to tell scary stories. Caleb, the handsome young guide, shares the local legend of the ferocious Mountain Men who hunt unsuspecting campers and leave their mark by carving grisly antlers into their victims’ foreheads. The next day, the story comes true.
I’m a horror buff and this sounds all kinds of awesome. I’m loving all these horror novels coming out even before Halloween. Thank you jimmy patterson books for sending me this finished copy. That cover is wonderfully terrifying.
What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
– 7/10/18, Little Brown –
After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family has moved back to China. Settling into a luxurious serviced apartment in Shanghai, Wei, Lina, and their daughter, Karen, join an elite community of Chinese-born, Western-educated professionals who have returned to a radically transformed city.
I read this book in one sitting and was so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Historical fiction isn’t really my thing, but WHAT WE WERE PROMISED has all the things I like: beautiful writing, family/political intrigue, and (kind of?) a love triangle. Thank you Little Brown for sending me a finished copy. Tan will definitely be on my radar.