Shelf Control #12

It’s been, gosh, three weeks since I’ve participated in this feature. Again.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a whole lotta fun, so if you’re interested in participating yourself, click the backlink above.

This week I’m highlighting a book I’ve wanted to read for a couple of years, but have never found the right time to read it: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Length: 305 pages

Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fiction

Publisher: Tor Books

Release Date: 17 March 2020

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: April 2021

Why I Wanted to Read It: Because I’d heard nothing but good things about it, particularly from one of my college friends. And the reviews were also glowing.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I was busy with other stuff when I first got it, and then it just never seemed like the right time for whatever reason. Plus, as usual, I kept getting distracted by other books.

Will I Ever Read It?: I absolutely still want to read this. Perhaps if I enjoy In the Lives of Puppets, I’ll read it afterwards.

Thank you for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #11

It’s been a couple of weeks (again), but I started getting sick (again) last week, so I couldn’t post as often as I might have liked. But here it is – another Shelf Control post!

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a whole lotta fun, so if you’re interested in participating yourself, click the backlink above.

This week I’m focusing on the first book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, eponymously named Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1)

Length: 464 pages

Genres: Horror, Mystery, YA, Fiction

Release Date: September 20, 2016

This #1 New York Times bestseller and deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion.

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine.

When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her back to her own sheltered world. The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: 2019

Why I Wanted to Read It: I thought that it looked interesting at the time.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I essentially bought it on a whim and checked out some (spoiler free for the story) reviews, and realized that this book was probably not for me and kind of ignored it. I was distracted by other stuff going on that was more important, too.

Will I Ever Read It?: Probably not. Mostly because I bought it on a whim (as I’ve mentioned) and I lost interest quickly. I’m considering trying out Maniscalco’s other series, though I haven’t bought or even borrowed a copy of Kingdom of the Wicked yet.

Have you read this book or any of the author’s other work? What did you think? Or is it just sitting unread on your bookshelf too?

Thanks for reading and have a glorious day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #10

Sooo… It’s been, like, three weeks. Whoops. Things got a little crazy after my medical thing at the end of January. But I’m back with another participation post for Shelf Control!

This week, I’m highlighting one of the books that’s been sitting on my shelf the longest: American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Series: American Gods (Book #1)

Length: 635 pages

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

Release Date: July 16, 2002

Description:

Days before his release from prison, Shadow’s wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Numbly, he makes his way back home. On the plane, he encounters the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break.

Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long, hard look into the soul of America. You’ll be surprised by what – and who – it finds there…

Why It’s Still Sitting Unread on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: June 2016

Why I Wanted to Read It: I’d heard nothing but good things about it, and I was at a point in my life where I was attempting to read more adult fiction (still hasn’t really happened yet, lol).

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I got distracted by a bunch of stuff. I was starting a new job, transitioning to university, and I got some big news about my favorite fictional thing ever that I go gaga over. But yeah, it kinda fell off the wayside and then I lost interest.

Will I Ever Read It?: I don’t know. That’s honestly the only answer I can give now, lol.

What books have you been reading lately? Which ones are languishing unread on your bookshelves?

Thanks for reading and have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #9

It’s Wednesday, so you know the drill. It’s Shelf Control time! Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

It’s a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, go ahead and check out BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week, I’m talking about a book I’ve had for a couple years. It’s a science-fantasy called The Other Side of the Sky, and it’s written by Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman.

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Series: The Other Side of the Sky (Book #1)

Length: 480 pages

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, YA, Fiction

Release Date: September 8, 2020

Description:

New York Times bestselling author duo Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have crafted a gripping tale of magic and logic, fate and choice, and a deadly love. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Brandon Sanderson.

Prince North’s home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate engines, powered by technology. Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the Surface, responsible for providing answers, direction–hope.

North’s and Nimh’s lives are entwined–though their hearts can never be. Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose between saving their people or succumbing to the bond that is forbidden between them.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: July 2020

Why I Wanted to Read It: I just saw it at the bookstore and it had a nice cover and the summary looked interesting.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I kept having some issues (not with books or anything), that I will not get into here. It was very distracting at the time, before I started to get them resolved. But yeah, because of this I kind of forgot about it after a few weeks.

Will I Ever Read It?: I don’t know. I kind of still want to, but I’ve got so much on my TBR at the moment that I’m leaning closer to “maybe not” at this time.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What books are languishing on your bookshelf?

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day/night! Join me for my next post for more bookish things, and next week for some more Shelf Control!

~ Mar ~

Shelf Control #8: Instructions for a Secondhand Heart

It’s that time of the week again (or thereabouts *coughs*), so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week I’m not talking about a fantasy book that’s been languishing on my bookshelf for years for once. This week I’m highlighting Instructions for a Secondhand Heart by Tamsyn Murray. (Yes, I do occasionally read something that isn’t even remotely SFF. Yes, it is very surprising.)

About Instructions for a Secondhand Heart

Length: 321 pages

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, YA, Fiction

Release Date: December 5, 2017

Book Description

A moving novel about grief, guilt, and the unpredictability of love, for fans of Everything, Everything and All the Bright Places.

Jonny knows better than anyone that life is full of cruel ironies. He’s spent every day in a hospital hooked up to machines to keep his heart ticking. Then when an organ donor is found for Jonny’s heart, that turns out to be the cruelest irony of all. Because for Jonny’s life to finally start, someone else’s had to end.

That someone turns out to be Neve’s twin brother, Leo. When Leo was alive, all Neve wanted was for him (and all his glorious, overshadowing perfection) to leave. Now that Leo’s actually gone forever, Neve has no idea how to move forward. Then Jonny walks into her life looking for answers, her brother’s heart beating in his chest, and everything starts to change.

Together, Neve and Jonny will have to face the future, no matter how frightening it is, while learning to heal their hearts, no matter how much it hurts.

Features select graphic novel illustrations from Jonny’s sketchbook.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: January 2018

Why I Wanted to Read It: Unfortunately, I can’t really remember why. But upon rereading the summary, I think I can get a bit of an inkling of what drew me to this book. Angst and romance – a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, particularly when the angst doesn’t have to do with the actual romance itself.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: At the time I got this book, I was making my way through a series – The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – so I had put this off and into my TBR. Then, a horrible thing happened in my personal life, and I just wasn’t feeling books for a bit. And then I forgot about it. Whoops.

Will I Ever Read It?: Hmm… I really don’t know. Maybe if I’m in the mood to break away from fantasy for a bit and/or I want a quick and easy read. But yeah, don’t know. It would probably be a spontaneous decision if I did, though.

Have you read this book? Or is it languishing on your bookshelf too?

Have a glorious day/night!

~ Mar ~ 🙂📚

Shelf Control #7: Haunting the Deep

It’s that time of the week again, so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week I’m talking about a sequel that I’ve had sitting on my shelf for a while. It’s Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather.

About Haunting the Deep

Series: How to Hang a Witch Duology (Book #2)

Length: 344 pages

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, YA

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Book Description

Samantha Mather knew her family’s connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials might pose obstacles to an active social life. But having survived one curse, she never thought she’d find herself at the center of a new one.

This time, Sam is having recurring dreams about the Titanic… where she’s been walking the deck with first-class passengers, like her aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, in Sam’s waking life, strange missives from the Titanic have been finding their way to her, along with haunting visions of people who went down with the ship.

Ultimately, Sam and the Descendants, along with some help from heartthrob Elijah, must unravel who is behind the spell that is drawing her ever further into the dream ship… and closer to sharing the same grim fate as its ghostly passengers.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: October 2017

Why I Wanted to Read It: I thought the plot looked super interesting.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I hadn’t even read the first one – How to Hang a Witch – yet, and when I did eventually read that one, I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped to.

Will I Ever Read It?: Probably not. Like I said, I wasn’t super into the first book, and I didn’t really like it enough to read its sequel. But who knows what the future holds? Things can change on a dime, after all.

§ • § • §

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? See you on the flip side for more bookish things!

Shelf Control #6: The Lies of Locke Lamora

It’s that time of the week again, so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week I’m talking about – you guessed it! – yet another fantasy novel. This one’s The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch.

About The Lies of Locke Lamora

Series: Gentleman Bastards [Book #1]

Length: 752 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: June 27, 2006

Book Description

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: January 2021

Why I Decided to Read It: I’d heard some glowing reviews about it, and I’ve heard that it’s considered to be one of the so-called GOATs of fantasy.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I just got distracted by other life stuff, coupled with being busy. Then I kind of forgot about it for a while and I started reading other things.

Will I Ever Read It?: Yes! I absolutely still really want to read this! I’m hoping to sooner rather than later, as well (like in the next few weeks type of soon, actually, haha).

Shelf Control #5: Goddess in the Machine

It’s that time of the week again, so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ BookshelfFantasies.com.

This time, I’m talking about a sci-fi novel that’s been on my shelf for a hot minute. It’s called Goddess in the Machine by Lora Beth Johnson.

About Goddess in the Machine

Series: Goddess in the Machine duology [Book #1]

Length: 397 pages

Genre: Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Post-Apocalypse

Release Date: June 30, 2020

Book Description

When Andra wakes up, she’s drowning.

Not only that, but she’s in a hot, dirty cave, it’s the year 3102, and everyone keeps calling her Goddess. When Andra went into a cryonic sleep for a trip across the galaxy, she expected to wake up in a hundred years, not a thousand. Worst of all, the rest of the colonists–including her family and friends–are dead. They died centuries ago, and for some reason, their descendants think Andra’s a deity. She knows she’s nothing special, but she’ll play along if it means she can figure out why she was left in stasis and how to get back to Earth.

Zhade, the exiled bastard prince of Eerensed, has other plans. Four years ago, the sleeping Goddess’s glass coffin disappeared from the palace, and Zhade devoted himself to finding it. Now he’s hoping the Goddess will be the key to taking his rightful place on the throne–if he can get her to play her part, that is. Because if his people realize she doesn’t actually have the power to save their dying planet, they’ll kill her.

With a vicious monarch on the throne and a city tearing apart at the seams, Zhade and Andra might never be able to unlock the mystery of her fate, let alone find a way to unseat the king, especially since Zhade hasn’t exactly been forthcoming with Andra. And a thousand years from home, is there any way of knowing that Earth is better than the planet she’s woken to?

Why It Languishes on my Bookshelf

When I Got It: July 2021

Why I Wanted to Read It: It seemed like a cool sci-fi YA novel with an interesting presence. I love it when science fiction, or when science-fantasy, has technology that seems like magic, because most of the characters don’t actually understand what it is. It just usually makes for a compelling and interesting story.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I had lots of stuff going on at the time, so I pushed it off to the side for a while. Then I got distracted by other books when I had less stuff going on, and the rest is history.

Will I Ever Read It?: Hmmm… I’m not sure actually. I still kinda want to, in the back of my brain, but I honestly don’t know. Maybe someday soon when I’m feeling a sci-fi novel again.

And that’s it for this week’s Shelf Control! Have you read this book? What did you think of it? As always, thanks for reading, and join me next time for some more bookish things.

Shelf Control #4: To Kill a Kingdom

It’s Wednesday once again, so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out this post on BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week, I’m talking about a breakout YA fantasy debut that’s come out within the last few years. And, to my knowledge, it’s still relatively popular, I haven’t checked or anything though. It’s To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo.

About To Kill a Kingdom

Series: Standalone novel

Length: 346 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Book Description

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most–a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen and or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby–it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good–But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: July 2021

Why I Wanted to Read It: Because it looked interesting. And it had mermaids. I love mermaids.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: This was a huge impulse buy. I decided that I wasn’t really that interested in reading it a few days after I got it, actually.

Will I Ever Read It?: Probably not. Like I said, I lost interest pretty quickly.

Have you read To Kill a Kingdom? What did you think of it? Have you read any of the author’s other work?

Thank you, as always, for joining me for this Shelf Control. Next post will (as usual) have more bookish things!

Shelf Control Week #3: An Ember in the Ashes

It’s Wednesday once again, so it’s time for some more Shelf Control. Shelf Control is an original feature created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out BookshelfFantasies.com.

This week, I’m talking about a popular YA fantasy book from a few years back. Well, it’s probably still pretty popular, I haven’t checked or anything though. It’s An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

About An Ember in the Ashes

Series: An Ember in the Ashes [Book #1]

Length: 480 pages

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopia

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Book Description

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Acquired It: October 2017

Why I Wanted to Read It: The book had good reviews, and many of the people around me at the time kept singing its praises.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: When I got the book, life happened, and I kinda forgot about it for quite a while. By the time I remembered that I had it, I’d lost interest in it.

Will I Ever Read It?: I honestly don’t know. I’ve heard different reviews since then that have turned me off from it a little, and the stuff I’ve heard about the plot and characters just doesn’t seem like my cup of tea. Who knows, though?

Have you read An Ember in the Ashes? What did you think of it? Or is your copy languishing on your shelf, just like mine? As always, thanks for tuning in!