Somehow I managed to haul quite a few books in August – though I’m not sure this post will contain all of them…
Let me explain why I say that. Last Wednesday I flew home from Edinburgh, Scotland to Maryland. (My Scotland post will be up Friday! So stay tuned!) Anyways, and I still don’t know how it happened – my sealed water bottle decided it was somehow going to leak in my backpack. My Mac was in my backpack. You can guess how my mac has faired.
No, I don’t understand how a sealed bottle leaks, but it did.
It’s sitting in a bag of rice unable to be charged.
So I’m dying inside.
I was able to get all my writing files and blog posts off of it before it died completely, but I forgot to grab the list of hauled books off my desktop before it died. I thought I was being so smart by keeping the list on my computer. Fate is laughing at me right now. This month I’ll keep the list of hauled books and read books in my journal – hopefully nothing happens to it.
So, now that, that is out of the way, let’s get into the haul. 4 of these books I got while in Scotland – 2 I bought, and 2 my Aunt bought for me. The rest are books I bought here either in store or preordered. Thirteen books in total – which is a lot for me, but we are coming into release season, and I think my hauls might get bigger. My wallet and shelves will hate me, but I’ll be happy.
Going down the line –
The Towering Sky – Katharine McGee
Welcome back to New York, 2119. A skyscraper city, fueled by impossible dreams, where the lives of five teenagers have become intertwined in ways that no one could have imagined.
Leda just wants to move on from what happened in Dubai. Until a new investigation forces her to seek help—from the person she’s spent all year trying to forget.
Rylin is back in her old life, reunited with an old flame. But when she starts seeing Cord again, she finds herself torn: between two worlds, and two very different boys.
Calliope feels trapped, playing a long con that costs more than she bargained for. What happens when all her lies catch up with her?
Watt is still desperately in love with Leda. He’ll do anything to win her back—even dig up secrets that are better left buried.
And now that Avery is home from England—with a new boyfriend, Max—her life seems more picture-perfect than ever. So why does she feel like she would rather be anything but perfect?
This is going to sound bad, but I’ve only read the first book in this trilogy, I know, shameful. But I’m excited to pick up the second one, and now I can read the rest without having to wait! I loved the first book, and didn’t actually have any idea that there was going to be more than one.
The Prince: Novella – Jennifer L. Armentrout
She’s everything he wants….
Cold. Heartless. Deadly. Whispers of his name alone bring fear to fae and mortals alike. The Prince. There is nothing in the mortal world more dangerous than him. Haunted by a past he couldn’t control, all Caden desires is revenge against those who’d wronged him, trapping him in never-ending nightmare. And there is one person he knows can help him.
She’s everything he can’t have…
Raised within the Order, Brighton Jussier knows just how dangerous the Prince is, reformed or not. She’d seen firsthand what atrocities he could be capable of. The last thing she wants to do is help him, but he leaves her little choice. Forced to work alongside him, she begins to see the man under the bitter ice. Yearning for him feels like the definition of insanity, but there’s no denying the heat in his touch and the wicked promise is his stare.
She’s everything he’ll take….
But there’s someone out there who wants to return the Prince to his former self. A walking, breathing nightmare that is hell bent on destroying the world and everyone close to him. The last thing either of them needs is a distraction, but with the attraction growing between them each now, the one thing he wants more than anything may be the one thing that will be his undoing.
She’s everything he’d die for….
I finished the main trilogy earlier this summer, and forgot how much I loved it, but felt that it was a little open ended. So when I found out that there was going to be a novella I instantly ordered it, and had to wait for it to be published. I haven’t read it yet, but I know when I do, I’m going to want more. Good thing there is another novella coming out next year – I only have to wait that long for it.
These Rebel Waves – Sara Raasch
Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.
Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.
Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.
As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.
Sara Raasch’s Snow Like Ashes trilogy is one of my all time favorite Fantasy trilogies I’ve ever read, so when I found out she was writing another series, but focused on pirates, I was Here. For. It. I can’t wait until I sit down and read this! I know I’m going to love it.
Seafire – Natalie C. Parker
After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet.
But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all…or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?
If this is the season of pirates and mermaid stories, I will read them all. I’m excited to read this, and I don’t think it’s going to disappoint.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix – J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – J. K. Rowling
Since most people have either read or seen the movies, I’m not putting the synopsis for either of the books on here.
These are just other editions to add to my collection of Harry Potter novels. These are the UK “adult” editions of the fifth book and sixth book. Unfortunately Order of the Pheonix doesn’t have the dust jacket, but I appreciate that my Aunt in Scotland is keeping an eye out for the books.
Broken Prince – Erin Watt
Reed Royal has it all—looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.
What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father’s new ward suffer turned into something else entirely—keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed’s arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed’s entire world begins to fall apart around him.
Ella doesn’t want him anymore. She says they’ll only destroy each other.
SHE MIGHT BE RIGHT.
These books have become a guilty pleasure, and such easily bingeable series. Once I’ve finished all the books, I’m planning on dedicating a week to reviewing each book a day, so I won’t say too much here, but the ending of this book left me in shock. Like, mouth gaping, shock.
Twisted Palace – Erin Watt
From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.
Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.
Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.
No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.
With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.
I haven’t read this one yet, but I plan on doing so once I buy the next books in the series. I don’t want to have to wait to read them.
Damsel (ARC)– Elana K. Arnold
The rite has existed for as long as anyone can remember: when the prince-who-will-be-king comes of age, he must venture out into the gray lands, slay a fierce dragon, and rescue a damsel to be his bride. This is the way things have always been.
When Ama wakes in the arms of Prince Emory, however, she knows none of this. She has no memory of what came before she was captured by the dragon, or what horrors she has faced in its lair. She knows only this handsome prince, the story he tells of her rescue, and her destiny to sit on the throne beside him. Ama comes with Emory back to the kingdom of Harding, hailed as the new princess, welcomed to the court.
However, as soon as her first night falls, she begins to realize that not all is as it seems, that there is more to the legends of the dragons and the damsels than anyone knows–and that the greatest threats to her life may not be behind her, but here, in front of her.
I was able to trade a book for this one, and I’m already planning on it being my next read. What originally drew me to it was the cover, which if you haven’t seen it yet; you should definitely go look it up. I think this book is going to be an interesting take on the whole “damsel in distress” trope and I’m honestly so excited to read it!
The Beginning of Everything (ARC) – Robyn Schneider
Varsity tennis captain Ezra Faulkner was supposed to be homecoming king, but that was before—before his girlfriend cheated on him, before a car accident shattered his leg, and before he fell in love with unpredictable new girl Cassidy Thorpe.
I feel like all my posts somehow feature Robyn Schneider – I’m not complaining. But I managed to complete my collection of her contemporary books through #booksfortrade on Twitter, and I’m so happy!
Letters to the Lost – Brigid Kemmerer
Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
Yes, I bought another copy of one of my all time favorite contemporary novels. I think this makes number 5. Again, not complaining. This is the Zoella bookclub edition, with the yellow cover, so when I was in Scotland and saw it, I knew I needed to buy it.
Heir of Fire – Sarah J. Maas
Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?
Since I was in Scotland I knew I needed to get some UK covers of books – but I only had limited room. I opted to get this one because I have the first two and eventually I’ll complete my UK collection. I’ve started my reread of the TOG series in preparation of Kingdom of Ash and I’m starting COM after Damsel.
Question time!
Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts? Are any of these books favorites? Let me know!
Writing The Universe 