Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo — Obviously. Today is its release day, but I'm actually holding off for a few days so that I can buy a new shiny copy for Bardugo to sign when I see her this Saturday! And then I am going to have an epic Grisha trilogy (and companion novellas) read.
Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne — The comparisons to Tamora Pierce's Tortall books are enough to make me want to read this. I read and enjoyed Blackburne's prequel novella "Poison Dance" [my review] and am really looking forward to this one!
Crushed by Eliza Crewe — I don't have much to say about this since I haven't read its predecessor yet (also listed here), but I think the general premise sounds fascinating and I hope to enjoy this one!
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen — A super hyped adult fantasy? Of course I'm going to read this one! It sounds very heavy on the political intrigue and very light on the romance, which is basically the perfect combination for me.
Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee — The heroine of this novel can apparently manipulate the threads of time. How cool of a power is that?! The synopsis kind of hints at a love triangle, but I'm hoping that's just poor marketing because I really just want to read about this fascinating protagonist without romance dominating the plot.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott — Because the summer feels like a good time to read this classic about four sisters living in a Civil War-era America. And honestly? I cannot go through another summer (or season, really) without having read a new-to-me classic. It's been too long.
Cracked by Eliza Crewe — Soul eaters! I am so intrigued by the premise of this novel, not to mention the fact that our protagonist sounds like she would typically be the antagonist in most stories. I've heard good things about this series and am excited to read it over the summer.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen — I own this, and, while I wasn't overly enamored by Dessen's Just Listen, I'd like to give her books another try. This sounds like the perfect sort of summer book (bonus: it takes place over the summer). Give me a weekend by a lake or at a cabin or something and this will get read.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge — In the weeks leading up to this one's publication I was so excited to read it. And my boyfriend was kind enough to buy me a copy. Now it sits on my shelves. But, again, this one will get read very soon. Fairy-tale retellings don't sit on my shelves long before I have a crave for that sort of story.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente — This will remain on my list until I actually read it. So hopefully that happens this summer. Not just because I want it off my seasonal TBR lists, but because I really, really think I'll like this and I need to force myself to actually start it.
Please let me know which books have made it onto your Summer 2014 TBR list!
Please let me know which books have made it onto your Summer 2014 TBR list!
The Queen of the Tearling and Ruin and Rising are books I hope to get to this summer as well. I've heard good things about The Midnight Thief. Little Women is always a good choice :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read Cracked as well, especially since it's being published by Strange Chemistry and I've had such good luck with their books. The Queen of the Tearling is also on my summer TBR, too, and I've been really wanting to read Midnight Thief since I read the prequel. Great list!
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten
Cracked was a really refreshing and fun read. I hope to get around to Catherynne M. Valente's book too! It's been on my radar for so long, and I've heard nothing but good things. And I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of the The Queen of the Tearling, Amanda. I enjoyed it overall, but it wasn't quite as exciting as I was hoping it would be.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard much about Gates of Thread and Stone, but that sounds intriguing. I'm also excited for Midnight Thief. The Truth About Forever is my favorite Dessen. I hope you enjoy it. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThe Midnight Thief! Even though it didn't make my list today, I'm hoping to snag a copy this summer! I've heard fabulous things about the Fairyland series. Like you, I've been wanting to start it for a while. Who knows when I'll get around to it though. Maybe if you love it, I'll be encouraged to get to it sooner! Enjoy everything on your list, Amanda! It all looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteMarlene @ The Flyleaf Review
I am so in love with this reading list! Cracked was fantastic and yes, the MC is very much the villain at first. I have the second book to read for review and I'm so excited to get back into that series :D
ReplyDeleteRuin and Rising is totally getting read this summer, for sure. I have my kindle copy all ready to go. :) Cracked has been getting tons of love, I might have to check that one out myself. Cat Valente's Fairyland series is a ton of fun. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your thoughts on Tearling! I just finished Ruin and Rising and loved it. I've got to read Midnight Thief soon too. PLEASE let me know when you read Gates of Thread and Stone! I hadn't heard of it, but it sounds great minus the triangle. Hope you like Truth About Forever and Cruel Beauty too. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteWhaa you're meeting Leigh Bardugo this Saturday?? Omigawd, SO envious! Those books are already a work of art, but they would be priceless with Leigh's autograph. And it would just be so cool to meet her! I'm still impatiently waiting for Ruin and Rising to arrive in the mail...
ReplyDeleteMidnight Thief was a bit of a disappointing read for me, but I'm thinking I might be alone in that opinion because the reviews I've read for it so far have been raving about it! And if you liked the prequel, then it follows that you will like the book.
Cruel Beauty wasn't without its faults, but I was actually very surprised how much I ended up enjoying it considering how romance heavy it was! And I would be very curious to hear your thoughts on it especially because you know what you're talking about when it comes to fairytale retellings.
And as for the rest, I haven't read any of them yet, but I hope to be able to get to The Queen of the Tearling sometime soon! The hype has been crazy for it, but I'm trying not to let my expectations become too high. It also seems like The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland has been on my TBR forever, and I do hope to get to it soon because I'm pretty sure I'll love too.
I hope you find time for all of these reads this summer and that you enjoy them all, as well!!