Hey All!
I hope you all had a great and safe New Years Eve. Well, it is the first day of the new year and what a year 2020 was.
Ok, so this month was my last stand against my Goodreads Challenge! I was so sure I wasn’t going to make it. It was the December 22nd and I was 23 books away from my goal of 150! I wasn’t even going to push for it until I wrote my last Sundays Seven of 7 Books to Help You Reach Your Goodreads Reading Goal! And I thought maybe if I get some shorts I could do this, completely forgetting about graphic novels too!
I decided to push for it, I didn’t complete my last years challenge. Then I thought I definitely won’t if I don’t try, and try I did and it paid off! I completed my challenge and with so much support from my big ass book family!
Now, it is tie to see what I read in December.
Goodreads here I come…
WHAT HAVE I READ THIS MONTH?
THE FIRST LAW TRILOGY by JOE ABERCROMBIE
Book Type: Novels
Review Link: The Blade Itself Review
My Thoughts:
Mmmm, guys this series…I am so late to this party but better late than never, right? These books are great it is grimdark and yet so filled with heart and humour. Nothing is guaranteed in this world and the people that fill it have to fight to survive. I loved the characters in this book and really enjoyed my first journey into Abercrombie’s world and writing.
POWDER MAGE SHORT STORIES by BRIAN MCCLELLAN
Book Type: Short Stories
My Thoughts:
I can only say good things about these stories! Lord knows I needed to go back to this world and I was so happy to actually return to see what made some of my favourite characters who they were. Though, now I just want to reread the main trilogy! McClellan is one of my favourite authors so it felt good that is was the Powder Mage universe that helped me towards my Goodreads Goal!
SAGA VOL 3 – 9 by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN & FIONA STAPLES
Book Type: Graphic Novels
My Thoughts:
I am so glad I read these, they popped up on my radar when I asked Twitter to give me Sci-Fi recs and I’m so glad someone said these! Then Richard was kind enough to send me the first four, the rest I picked up on the Kindle! These are such fun to read. They are emotional, fun and so much more! I cant wait for more to be released.
WE MEN OF ASH AND SHADOW by HL TINSLEY
Charged with hunting down the killer of two guards left washed up on the banks of the canal, the further Vanguard delves into the underbelly of the city the more he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and lies. A prominent aristocrat is missing. Crime lords, con men and harlots run amok and the city teeters on the brink of another revolution.
With his already precarious reputation hanging by a thread, Vanguard must piece together how and why the last war came to pass, find a way to earn redemption for his mistakes and come to terms with the past in a city where few survive, and even fewer can be trusted.
Book Type: Short’ish
My Thoughts:
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a thoroughly enjoyable book and a great start to its following books. The characters are brilliant and while the plot is more of a setter-upper it is still a great read.
DARK OAK by JACOB SANNOX
Now that their common enemy is dead, the nobles begin to forget old loyalties, and Queen Cathrynās realm looks set to plunge into war once more. But there are older and more terrible powers dwelling within the forest, and when they are awakened, Morrick will decide who lives or dies.
BE A PART OF THIS NEW EPIC FANTASY SERIES FROM THE VERY BEGINNING…
Book Type: Novel
My Thoughts:
Jacob was kind enough to send me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review and I am glad he did. It is such a magical book and is firmly in the classical fantasy realm, he has created a beautiful world with a really cool concept and ran with it.
THE HALL OF THE DIAMOND QUEEN by ANTHONY RYAN
Book Type: SHORT
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this short story and could definitely read a full length novel of Sharrow-met and her world.Ā It is a short and simple story but one that still manages to pack a few punches. It is a quick easy read and one that leaves you wanting to know more of the character involved, where certain relationships could go as well as all the before and after of this tale.Ā I’d be down for a fill length novel or more shorts in this world, maybe how she began bonded with Keera or her time spent gaining the sisters loyalty. It would be pretty freaking cool.Ā
RING SHOUT by P. DJELI CLARK
D. W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. Now, rising in power and prominence, the Klan has a plot to unleash Hell on Earth.
Luckily, Maryse Boudreaux has a magic sword and a head full of tales. When she’s not running bootleg whiskey through Prohibition Georgia, she’s fighting monsters she calls “Ku Kluxes.” She’s damn good at it, too. But to confront this ongoing evil, she must journey between worlds to face nightmares made flesh–and her own demons. Together with a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, Maryse sets out to save a world from the hate that would consume it.
Book Type: SHORT
My Thoughts:
I loved this, it is such an incredible Novella and one worth reading if you haven’t already read it. It has a little darkness, historical fiction and incredible characters and it really packs a punch despite its fast pace! I can’t recommend this book enough.
TRISTAN’S FOLLY by Marcus Lee
Tristan’s Folly. An ageing fortress built over fifty years ago to repel the invading hordes of the Witch-King, an invasion that never materialised – until now.
Now itās a crumbling reflection of its former self and set against Daleth’s savage horde of a hundred thousand men are a mere fifteen hundred defenders, who are surely doomed to fail.
As Kings and Daemons face one another, there is but one shining light that pushes back the darkness, but even her flame might be extinguished thanks to Tristanās Folly.
In this epic tale of a battle against the odds, the best and worst of humankind will show itself … sacrifice, honour, bravery and love, set against depravity, betrayal, greed and hatred.
Book Type: Novel
My Thoughts:
Tristanās FollyĀ is a fast paced book, that is another classic feeling fantasy. It continues the story of some much loved character while showcasing a beautiful writing style. I really like these books and cant wait to read the finale.
DESCENDER VOL 1 – 3 by JEFF LEMIRE & DUSTIN NGUYEN
Book Type: Graphic Novel
My Thoughts:
These graphic novels are BEAUTIFUL, the artwork is just amazing. It is minimalist and yet packed with detail. I have a new found love for watercolour art. Though, these aren’t simply awesome for the art the characters are incredible also and the world is brilliant. I ant wait to read the other three in this series.
GUILTY PLEASURES by LAURELL K. HAMILTON
Book Type: Novel
My Thoughts:
This was a fun read, it sets up a pretty coo world and the main character is dang cool too. I like these reads for when I am a little unsure of what to read because they are easy to consume and I know exactly what I am getting more often than not.
THE FIRES OF VENGEANCE by EVAN WINTER
Book Type: Novel
My Thoughts:
Well, this book is freaking amazing! It is just as brilliant as book one and gives you so much more of the world. I’m not going to say to much as I plan to review this real soon.
THE ENGINEER by DARRAN M. HADSHAW
The vast, fallen city of the Ancients is home to a new people who face the constant struggle to find resources needed to survive in the dangerous ruins. For the Engineer, however, Redemption is a treasure trove of technology, opportunity, and answers. But his unique skills make him a target for those who would use his talents to achieve their own dreams of power and control.
In his endless quest for the truth, will Actaeon discover the fallen cityās greatest secrets? Or will he share the same fate as the Ancients of whom nothing remains but a whisper?
One thing is certain: in Redemption, everything comes with a cost.
Book Type: Novel
My Thoughts:
Another one I plan to review real soon, so I won’t say too much. The Engineer is a great read, it is a chunky boy but it is such a well crafted world and you see some brilliant world building.
DNF:
- KINGDOM OF THE WICKED
- MY SISTER, THE SERIEL KILLER
Ok, so the bit of the post you actually wanted to read…
…
This months BOOK OF THE MONTH is , once again no easy task to decide, as you can see I read A LOT this month and I have enjoyed most of them! This month, I am giving my Book of the Month to…
RING SHOUT BY P. DJELI CLARK
Despite having read some amazing book Ring Shout is like nothing I have read before and I LOVED it so much. It is so much more than its story and you should all read it!
Well that’s is fellow book friends! Thank you for reading, feel free to comment here or on Twitter if you have read and loved/hated any of my reads this month. Also, let me know what your favourite read was this month.
_ The Book in Hand _ 
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