Book Haul: January

 So far into 2016, I am doing pretty well on book buying this year. "Pretty well" meaning that I am holding myself somewhat in check. I've only bought three books, one of which was a kindle deal for only $.99. I have been lucky enough to get some pretty new ARCs as well.... including a few I am suuuuper excited for.

Bought:

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
Moran is very hit (Cleopatra's Daughter and The Heretic Queen) or miss (Nefertiti and Madame Tussaud) with me, but I cannot resist Queen Lakshmi and India in 1800s.

The Belgariad Volume 1 aka
Pawn of Prophecy
Queen of Sorcery
Magician's Gambit

and The Belgariad Volume 2 aka
Castle of Wizardry 
Enchanter's Endgame

So these are some pretty old fantasy books. I grew up reading them and I honestly haven't cracked an Eddings novel in at least 10 years. However, last year I read a few old fantasy favorites (Shannara! Wheel of Time halfway!) and it made me want to revisit this series. I don't think the plots are all that original (Garion is literally a farmboy chosen one) but the characters were always what made me love them.

ARCs:

So for my last book haul, Harper had dropped a loooot of titles on edelweiss. They had a another, little mini drop and from that I grabbed a few titles. I also downloaded a few NetGalley reads.

Lilac Girls by Martha Jall Kelly -- This one I do not know too much about except I was invited to read it and it's a historical mystery set in WW11.

Proposal by Meg Cabot (Mediator #6.5) - short little novella set between the YA books and the new adult continuation. I'm on the blog tour!!! for Remembrance so this should be a fun reintroduction.

In the Shadow of the Gods by Rachel Dunne (Bound Gods #1) -- I love fantasies that include a struggle with gods or powers with secrets aaaand that's pretty much what this seems to be entirely. Grabby hands indeed.

The Distance from A to Z by Natalie Blitt -- I hadn't thought too much about this -- and had passed it over in my earlier Harper download-athon, but reviews are coming in and it sounds adorable.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani (bought) -- the cover drew me to this one aaages ago. Basically this is about a princess that switches identities plus maaagic. Yes. I also really hope this is set in a non-European inspired world.

Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate -- seven deadly sins plus YA plus diversity? This had somehow missed my radar until the lovely Dahlia Adler started talking it up. Thanks, Dahlia!

Kingfisher by Patricia McKillip -- veteran author coming out with a fantasy full of powerful sorceresses and tangled family issues. So basically Jessiebait.

When We Collided by Emery Lord -- Emery Lord is a magical being and her contemporaries always hit the spot. I've loved each new one more than the last and she is fast becoming an autobuy author.
 
Ravenous by MarcyKate Connolly -- I read and loved the author's debut Monstrous last year so this was a no brainer when the sequel popped up on edelweiss. I don't read a lot of MG anymore but the first book was lovely and weird and different.

Kingdom of Ashes by Rhiannon Thomas -- though this is a surprise sequel, I liked A Wicked Thing quite a bit and do think that this story could be successfully expanded into two novels.

Down With the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn -- this seems like an extended, creepy version of "be careful what you wish for" and KKQ is just the author to pull off such a premise.

Risuko by David Kudler (Seasons of the Sword #1) -- this is one I was drawn to because of the cover.

Can you blame me?

Anything new on your shelves from the first two weeks of 2016??