Late October Book Haul

The ARC gods over at NetGalley were very kind -- and so was my husband. So even though I've done one this month and my birthday is very soon....


ARCS:

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

A young woman’s family is threatened by forces both real and fantastical in this debut novel inspired by Russian fairy tales.

In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, a stranger with piercing blue eyes presents a new father with a gift - a precious jewel on a delicate chain, intended for his young daughter. Uncertain of its meaning, Pytor hides the gift away and Vasya grows up a wild, willful girl, to the chagrin of her family. But when mysterious forces threaten the happiness of their village, Vasya discovers that, armed only with the necklace, she may be the only one who can keep the darkness at bay.

I saw this cover all over BEA but there were no ARCs to be found. So I am super excited to finally get to see what this is all about.


Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet (Kingmaker Chronicles #2)

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD...
"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

I just read and reviewed book one in this series (A Promise of Fire) a few weeks ago. I had some reservations but I am pretty curious to see what happens next for these characters.

Ever the Hunted by Erim Summerill (Clash of Kingdoms #1)

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

Pleasebegoodpleasebegoodpleasebegoooooood

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

This sounds fantastic and eerie and lovely and I am so excited. I am going to read it as soon as the weather turns cooooold. (So never. But really, like soonish.)

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

A 17-year-old pirate captain intentionally allows herself to get captured by enemy pirates in this thrilling YA adventure.

If you want something done right . . .

When the ruthless pirate king learns of a legendary treasure map hidden on an enemy ship, his daughter, Alosa, knows there's only one pirate for the job—herself. Leaving behind her beloved ship and crew, Alosa deliberately facilitates her own kidnapping to ensure her passage on the ship, confident in her ability to overcome any obstacle. After all, who's going to suspect a seventeen-year-old girl locked in a cell? Then she meets the (surprisingly perceptive and unfairly attractive) first mate, Riden, who is charged with finding out all her secrets. Now it's down to a battle of wits and will . . . . Can Alosa find the map and escape before Riden figures out her plan?

Debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling YA pirate tale.

I also have high hopes for this one, though a lot of YA pirate tales have not worked out for me. May this be more like The Abyss Surrounds Us and less like... everything else.




Gifted (from my husband):

I don't often get illustrated books but when I do they're #harrypotter and #GameofThrones. Bookish gifts from my love 💕😍• . • #books #bookstagram #instabook #igbooks #igreads #pagesfordays #got #jontargaryen #chamberofsecrets

A photo posted by Jessie Hall Wallace (@jypsyhowl) on Oct 22, 2016 at 11:35am PDT

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter #2) - this is my 5th edition of the same book (original hardcover -untouched, original hardcover --read, boxset edition, British paperback edition) and it is so lovely. I am so excited to reread.

A Game of Thrones - Illustrated edition (A Song of Ice and Fire #1 ) - the illustrations in this are in black and white and some in color and they are lovely. It makes me want an animated series from this artist!

and also Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman, which I immediately started reading for the first/third time (read incomplete ARC twice before) so it wasn't there for the picture :D