Book Haul #72

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Welcome to the Lockdown book haul!

Here in New Zealand the courier is still working hard to deliver essential goods to people in self isolation. Books are not an essential (I know; it’s wrong on many levels), but I had ordered these books prior to lockdown (and two that I bought at stores before lockdown), and they arrived during the first week or so, which was a wonderful surprise.

All of these books are actually ones that I bought for myself. If you’ve been around the blog for a little while now, then you’ll be aware that I am lucky enough to receive new books from a few publishing companies. I receive these books for free on the condition that I write a review for the book (whether I liked it or not!) here on This Splendid Shambles. Most of the book reviews on the blog will have a wee disclaimer at the bottom of the post letting you know if I got it from a publisher. Because of all this, it’s rare that I actually buy books for myself. But not today! They’re all ones that I bought because I found them on sale or I just really wanted to read them.

The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon

The first and only Samantha Shannon book I’ve read is The Bone Season, which I really enjoyed. For whatever reason I haven’t got around to continuing on with the series, but The Priory of the Orange Tree came out last year and I had heard only fantastic things about it. I was at Unity Books on one of the last days before New Zealand went into COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown, and decided it was time to buy it. It’s a HUGE book – 830 pages! – so it’s unlikely I’m going to read it any time soon, but when I do I will let you know what I think!

The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky, by Mackenzi Lee

This is a novella, hence it’s wee size, and it follows Monty and Percy from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, after the events in that book. It was a fun little story, and a neat addition to the full length novels in that series. The second book in that series is The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, and it’s also wonderful. I’ve actually read both of those twice now. So looking forward to the third in the series, which occurs many years after, The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks.

This Monstrous Thing, by Mackenzi Lee

Another one by Lee. This Monstrous Thing is a retelling of Frankenstein and sounds brilliant!

Warrior of the Wild, by Tricia Levenseller

A few years ago I read Daughter of the Pirate King by Levenseller and loved it. I’ve actually read that book twice too. I’m a little late to this book – it came out in February 2019 – but I’m really looking forward to picking it up. I really enjoyed Levenseller’s writing style and story telling, so I’m interested to see how she tells this stand-alone story about gods and monsters.

Loki: Where Mischief Lies, by Mackenzi Lee

Oh hey there Mackenzi Lee. Welcome to the bookshelf. Yup, another from the author of Gentleman’s Guide. Can you tell I enjoy her stories? Loki came out last year and ever since it did I’ve been dying to get my hands on it. I actually haven’t read any books about Marvel characters like this before, but if the writing is anything like her other stories, then it’s bound to be good. Also, it’s Loki.

House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J Maas

Okay okay, so I haven’t finished the A Court of Thorns and Roses series nor the Throne of Glass series yet, and I’ve bought the first in her next series. But it’s a Sarah J Maas book, you guys! I had to get it. Also, look at that cover! The title is a bit confusing and I always have to double check wither the book is called House of Earth and Blood or Crescent City. Can confirm that Crescent City is the name of the series. But having it big on the (albiet beautiful) cover is confusing. While it may sit on my shelf for a little while (or a long while) I’ve heard fantastic things about this new story and I can’t wait to read it!

Bought any books recently? Which ones? Have you read any of these ones?