Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books we are adding to our shelves, whether they be physical or digital. This includes physical books bought, digital books downloaded, and those titles received for review.

Review Titles

A small selection of review books this week, with thanks to Titan Books and Orbit Books.

All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter is a "gorgeous, atmospheric gothic fantasy" I'll be reading for a March book tour...

For fans of Naomi Novik and Katharine Arden, a dark gothic fairy tale from award-winning author Angela Slatter.

Long ago Miren O'Malley's family prospered due to a deal struck with the mer: safety for their ships in return for a child of each generation. But for many years the family have been unable to keep their side of the bargain and have fallen into decline. Miren's grandmother is determined to restore their glory, even at the price of Miren's freedom.

A spellbinding tale of dark family secrets, magic and witches, and creatures of myth and the sea; of strong women and the men who seek to control them.

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne is a book I've heard nothing but great things about, and that cover is freaking gorgeous...

Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.

Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods . . .

New Acquisitions: Paperback Treasures

A handful of new arrivals in the mailbox this week, including a pre-order, a pair of titles I missed out on as ARCs, and an exciting new discovery.

The moment I saw S.T. Gibson's tweet about it, A Dowry of Blood was an immediate pre-order. A lyrical and dreamy reimagining of Dracula’s brides in a story of desire, obsession, and (my favorite) emancipation? Yes, please!

The Deep by Alma Katsu is a book I had as an ARC, but there was something wonky in the formatting and I couldn't read it. With the paperback now available, her haunting psychological twist on the sinking of the Titanic and the ill-fated sail of its sister ship, the Britannic, is finally back in my hands.

Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age by Annalee Newitz (who I loved reading on io9/Gizmodo) is a rare non-fiction addition to the shelves that explore some of the most spectacular ancient cities in human history, and attempts to figure out why people abandoned them.

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk is another title I was ridiculously excited about, but my ARC wouldn't advance beyond the TOC. Thankfully, with the Canada Reads edition now out, I can catch up with the young woman who must balance her desire to become the first sorceress against her duty to secure a rich husband who can discharge her family’s debts.

New Acquisitions: Digital Titles

Just a pair of downloads this week...

Beautiful Prey is the first book of The Storm Series by Phoenix Daniels, a romantic thriller featuring Victoria Price, a beautiful undercover Vice officer, on a mission to catch a serial killer who is targeting prostitutes on the streets of Chicago.

Damaged by Troy McCombs is a brutal horror novel for those who've been bullied, teased, and shut out by the world, and I have to admit there's a guilty sort of thrill in looking forward to Adam's vengeance.

Becoming Brittany is the start of a new series by Anne L. Cynklaire, a fetish friend I've read and enjoyed before, so I'm eager to indulge in her latest - a dramatic yet romantic story of one vanilla couple's transformation.