Up and Coming: May

I’m not going to jink it by saying I’m more on top of things but…I’m more of top of things! Yay! For this month, at least.

I suddenly reached a point where I got about six posts done in a week and it broke the back of it. I used to have an organisation system where I wouldn’t even plan the following month’s posts until a certain date. Right now, however, I’m making the most of the mood and keeping ahead of myself while I can.

I won’t be thinking like this by the end of the month, I can promise that.

I’m doing a book haul post again this month (two months in a row: that’s unheard of for me!) because I “accidentally” bought seven books from The Works last month. I only went on to get a friend’s birthday present…

I certainly have no shortage of books to review at the moment: it’s just a matter of figuring out which ones come first. I’m trying to prioritise the ones I have received from publishers followed by Netgalley books, with the hope that I can get back to the library next month…

I love having too much to read!

Here’s what made the cut for this month:

Songs of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope:

A treacherous, thrilling, epic fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers. 

Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive–an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart. 

Jack’s mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagamiri is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and it’s people from the True Father and he needs Jasminda’s Earthsong to do it. They escape their ruthless captors and together they embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps. 

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation. 

The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

Me: I saw this on Netgalley and thought it looked up my street: overwhelming magic and two people bound by destiny. After requesting, I was then invited to take part in the blog tour, hence why this jumped to position one for this month.

Eden’s Endgame by Barry Kirwan:

The awesome finale to the Eden Paradox series. In his battle to overrule the galaxy, Qorall unleashes a new weapon. Humanity is low in the galactic order, but will play a pivotal role in the ultimate battle at Hell’s End. Heroes fall in this final volume, galactic concepts are challenged, and familiar characters are pushed beyond their limits.

Me: I’m having really mixed feelings about reading this book. I can’t wait because I’ve loved the entire series. But that’s just it…this is the final book of the series and I love the world/characters; I don’t want it to end. It’s going to be an epic ending, I’m certain of it.

Paris Ever After by Karen Burns:

Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after?

Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.

Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.

As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.

Me: I was contacted by the author back in January asking if I would review this book. I’ve branched out with my reading genres for certain this year and I was more than happy to give it a go. I’ve unfortunately missed the release week (May 1^st) but getting it in the same month is pretty impressive for me. Looking forward to this one.

The Wolf by Leo Carew:

Violence and death have come to the land under the Northern Sky.

The Anakim dwell in the desolate forests and mountains beyond the black river, the land under the Northern Sky.

Their ancient ways are forged in Unthank silver and carved in the grey stone of their heartland, their lives measured out in the turning of centuries, not years.

By contrast, the Sutherners live in the moment, their vitality much more immediate and ephemeral than their Anakim neighbors.

Fragile is the peace that has existed between these very different races – and that peace is shattered when the Suthern armies flood the lands to the north.
These two races revive their age-old hatred and fear of each other. Within the maelstrom of war, two leaders will rise to lead their people to victory.
Only one will succeed. 

Me: Boy oh boy am I excited about this book! I received it from the publisher but have seen other people review it subsequently and it sounds like it is going to be a ride and a half. I’ve got high expectations for this one and looking forward to getting my teeth into it. Hopefully it won’t disappoint.

I’ve just realised; so much for being organised, I’ve got no idea what television or films I’m going to do this month. I probably should stick the television on and see what takes my fancy.

There we have it: my May. How is it looking for everyone else? Do you have anything exciting coming up?

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