TBR Pile: January

I may not have done a proper wrap-up on my 2017 books (mainly because I would never be able to choose: I’m in awe of those who could!), but I thought I would focus on what I am looking forward to reading in 2018 instead!

I am currently doing the trial of Kindle Unlimited. I’ve started it because there are a few series that I would like to complete that I can get through here. Whether I will go further than that or not remains to be seen; it will depend on whether it is worth the money compared to where else I can get access to the titles. Has anyone else used this? Is it worth it?

But for now, here are five books that I’m really looking forward to reading:

Scribes by James Wolanyk: 

Pawns in an endless war, scribes are feared and worshipped, valued and exploited, prized and hunted. But there is only one whose powers can determine the fate of the world . . .
 
Born into the ruins of Rzolka’s brutal civil unrest, Anna has never known peace. Here, in her remote village—a wasteland smoldering in the shadows of outlying foreign armies—being imbued with the magic of the scribes has made her future all the more uncertain.
 
Through intricate carvings of the flesh, scribes can grant temporary invulnerability against enemies to those seeking protection. In an embattled world where child scribes are sold and traded to corrupt leaders, Anna is invaluable. Her scars never fade. The immunity she grants lasts forever. 
 
Taken to a desert metropolis, Anna is promised a life of reverence, wealth, and fame—in exchange for her gifts. She believes she is helping to restore her homeland, creating gods and kings for an immortal army—until she witnesses the hordes slaughtering without reproach, sacking cities, and threatening everything she holds dear. Now, with the help of an enigmatic assassin, Anna must reclaim the power of her scars—before she becomes the unwitting architect of an apocalyptic war.

It’s pure fantasy. What more could I want? But the entire premise really caught my attention and I’m intrigued to see how the world-building is going to occur. It also sounds like there is a bit of destiny, impossible odds and (hopefully) a strong main character, so I’m really looking forward to this!

 

Between the Blade and Heart by Amanda Hocking: 

Game of Thrones meets Thor: Ragnarok in Between the Blade and the Heart, a gripping story of love and revenge from Amanda Hocking, author of the Trylle trilogy and the Kanin Chronicles.

Malin is a Valkyrie-in-training. It’s her responsibility to slay immortals, returning them to the afterlife to maintain balance in the world. She also struggles to maintain balance in her own life – between her studies, her duties as a Valkyrie and her conflicting feelings for her ex-girlfriend. But when a beguiling stranger breaks into her home on a quest for vengeance, Malin’s carefully balanced life falls apart.

Asher is hunting the rogue immortal who murdered his mother, and he thinks Malin may have information. Her loyalties are tested, as she uncovers a betrayal that unravels everything she thought she knew. And she must decide if helping the mysterious Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk – to the world, and to her heart.

When a book is described as Game of Thrones meets Thor, it makes it impossible for me to refuse. Fantasy with possible a bit of romance thrown in, I’m hoping this one has some interesting character relationships going for it! I’ll let you know!

 

The Key by Kathryn Hughes: 

1956
It’s Ellen Crosby’s first day at work as a student nurse at Ambergate County Lunatic Asylum. When she meets a young girl committed by her father, and a pioneering physician keen to try out the various ‘cures’ available for mental illness, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change all their lives for ever…

2006
Sarah is drawn to the abandoned Ambergate Asylum and whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase in an attic belonging to a female patient who was admitted to the asylum fifty years earlier. The shocking contents of the suitcase lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy, lost love and an old wrong that only Sarah may have the power to put right.

I received this as an ARC copy and it sounds like it could be an emotional rollercoaster. I’m sensing character development as the key focus for this novel. It sounds like it will be really moving and I’m looking forward to seeing if I’m right.

 

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton: 

Juliette loves Nate.
She will follow him anywhere. She’s even become a flight
attendant for his airline, so she can keep a closer eye on him.

They are meant to be.
The fact that Nate broke up with her six months ago means nothing.
Because Juliette has a plan to win him back.

She is the perfect girlfriend.
And she’ll make sure no one stops her from
getting exactly what she wants.

True love hurts, but Juliette knows it’s worth all the pain…

I was part of the cover reveal for this book and when I saw it was available for review, I figured why not continue the campaign the best that I can and review it as well? I’m hoping for some unnerving characters here; it sounds like it could be creepy! It takes a lot for a thriller to impress me these days, so fingers crossed!

 

Hangman by Daniel Cole: 

A detective with no one to trust
A killer with nothing to lose

18 months after the ‘Ragdoll’ murders, a body is found hanging from Brooklyn Bridge, the word ‘BAIT’ carved into the chest.

In London a copycat killer strikes, branded with the word ‘PUPPET’, forcing DCI Emily Baxter into an uneasy partnership with the detectives on the case, Special Agents Rouche and Curtis.

Each time they trace a suspect, the killer is one step ahead. With the body count rising on both sides of the Atlantic, can they learn to trust each other and identify who is holding the strings before it is too late?

I’m so excited for this book! I read Ragdoll early last year and absolutely adored it. As soon as I saw this come up, I hit request so fast I’m not sure my brain caught up with my fingers. I can’t wait to see what happens this time around – and whether it has the “eww” factor of the first one.

 

There we are: the five books I am currently looking forward to. All of them are being published this year, in keeping with my effort to be more on the ball when it comes to getting reviews out on time.

My TBR pile is overwhelming me at the moment: I’m trying to work out what I want to review and what I want to just get through. Hopefully lots of exciting books to come!

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