Welcome to Over-Booked, where I share my latest and greatest book acquisitions! I’m linking up with Stacking the Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews and The Sunday Post at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It’s my first book haul of 2018, and I have to say I’m starting out on the right foot with just a FEW review books:-) We’ll see how long I can keep that up. Here are the books I’ve acquired over the past few weeks:
Physical review books:
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. I won this from Bookish First, and I have it on my plate to read this month. Hmmm, it’s getting some mixed reviews, but I’m curious to see where I fall on the “star rating” spectrum. Thank you G.P. Putnam’s Sons:-)
I got two surprises from Tor this week. First up, Child of a Mad God by R.A. Salvatore. This wasn’t even on my radar, but I have seen other bloggers talking excitedly about it, so now I’m curious. Anyone read this yet? Thoughts? I also received Dark State by Charles Stross, and I did not know what this was until just now! For some reason, I thought it was this book (take a look at the cover, they are eerily similar…) But it’s actually the second book in a series after Stross’ Empire Games. Unfortunately, I have not read that, otherwise I would be very excited, since Empire Games is still on my TBR. But it’s so hard to catch up with series these days, so we’ll see. Thank you Tor!
Oooh, I almost forgot about this beautiful pin I received from Random House! When UPS told me I was getting a .2 lb package from them, I couldn’t figure out what the heck it could be. (All us bloggers know the weight of books: 1 lb for an ARC, 2 lbs for a hardcover, amirite?) This lovely feather pin is part of the Tempests and Slaughter promotion for Tamora Pierce’s upcoming book, and I couldn’t be more excited. Huge thanks to the publisher!
Purchased:
Apex Magazine – Issue 104 – January 2018, edited by Jason Sizemore. This is the inaugural PRINT edition of Apex, and I couldn’t be more excited! This is actually more like a trade paperback and it’s about the length of a novella (150 pages). This issue is full of fiction from the likes of Lila Bowen, Nisi Shawl, Cassandra Khaw, Nick Mamatas and more. The only thing I see missing that would be nice is a table of contents, but perhaps that’s just a “growing pains” thing that will be added in the next issue. You can subscribe to the print version through Patreon or directly from the Apex website, and the cost is about $10 per month. Check it out, it’s so cool, and the real thing looks way better than my crappy photo:-)
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire. You may have read my less than enthusiastic review last week, but I’m on a mission to purchase the entire series in hardcover, so of course I had to preorder this book. And it’s beautiful!
My December PageHabit Science Fiction Box included Immortal Life by Stanley Bing, a book I haven’t heard of before. It doesn’t have great reviews on Goodreads, although it actually sounds pretty good. We shall see!
Digital Books for Review:
Obscura by Joe Hart. I literally just featured this as my Waiting on Wednesday pick this week, and I’m thrilled I was approved on NetGalley. I’m looking forward to this twisty-sounding sci-fi thriller, thanks to Thomas & Mercer.
Smoke Eaters by Sean Grigsby. Big thanks to Angry Robot, I couldn’t resist downloading this when it popped up on NetGalley. Firefighters who fight dragons!
The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French. First off, this is the original, self-published cover, and this is one of the books that had everyone raving during Mark Lawrence’s 2016 Self Published Fantasy Blog Off, and now Crown Books has picked it up for publication this June! I’m looking forward to the new cover, and even more, I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone is excited about. Thank you Crown!
I used to love reading R.A. Salvatore, but I haven’t read him in ages – I might have to check this one out!
Lauren @ Always Me recently posted…The Memory Detective by T.S. Nichols (ARC) – Review
I know he’s been writing a long time. Maybe I’ve waited long enough to try him
You got some good reads! I am curious about Obscura, hope you enjoy it!
Thanks Stormi, I’m really looking forward to Obscura
I’ve always wanted to read a R.A. Salvatore novel. I feel like his fight scenes are legendary…
I’ve never read him, but im very curious!
You always have the best hauls and I think I’m going to check out Apex. I’m half way done with Beneath the Sugar Sky. I was immediately pulled in by McGuire’s writing, but not sure I feel about the tale. I feel like it’s a cross between Alice in Wonderland and the graphic novel I Hate Fairyland.
Exactly, I felt it was a cross between Alice and The Wizard of Oz. I’m not a big Alice fan, so….
Stuff from Tor is always amazing! Looks great 🙂 I haven’t been to their NetGalley in forever, but now I’m really curious to.
Enjoy these 🙂
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Thanks Evelina, Tor does have lots of new books coming out that look amazing:-)
I didn’t know Salvatore had a new book out, although I haven’t read him in ages. and Obscura looks awesome! Thinking of getting that one at some point.
Greg recently posted…Sunday Post #228
I can’t believe I’ve never read Salvatore! Seems like I need to try his new book:-)
Immortal Life was a book I received unsolicited and I was actually interested in checking it out, which is why I’m kinda nervous now that I’m hearing about the bad reviews! And yay for The Grey Bastards! Its SPFBO win was well deserved, and I’m excited to hear what you think!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
I remember you loved The Grey Bastards so I’m very excited to check it out. I’m also curious to see what the new cover will look like:-)
I love that pin. Neat little surprises like that are so much fun. Enjoy your haul. They all look like really great reads.
This is the first pin I’ve ever received from a publisher:-) Who knew?
Ooo… Dark State by Charles Stross! I LOVE his writing and I’ve read his Empire Games series. I also like the look of Obscura:). I hope you have a great reading week, Tammy!
I’ll have to catch up with Empire Games since you are recommending it:-) Thanks Sarah, hope your week is great too!
Whoa, Smoke Eaters sounds amazing! I totally missed it on NG…may have to go back and try to scoop it up.
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Doesn’t it sound like fun? I don’t always have luck with Angry Robot, but I’m definitely trying this one.
Oh my God! You’ve got your hands on some really amazing books!!! The Immortalist?! Child of a Mad God?! Gosh! 😛 I hope you enjoy all of these when you get around to them. 😀
I’m really excited about The Immortalists, hopefully it will be my next read!
I hope you love the Grey Bastards – such a great book.
Lynn 😀