This Christmas my family treated me to a great selection of books to get me through the gap between University semesters. I’m so happy and grateful for them all so I thought I’d put them in a haul post! They’re in no particular order, but I do have a little ramble about my excitement for them, so I suppose you’ll be able to see what ones I’m most hyped about.
Warcross | Marie Lu
Published: 2017, by Penguin Books.
Pages: 353
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Summary: For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game – It’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and other hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meat, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcoss Championships – only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.
I’ve picked this up at my local bookstore so many times, conflicted, but after the amount of positive reviews I’ve seen I’m looking forward to giving this a read. Admittedly, I don’t know much of the story outside of the blurb, but it looks like a unique plot – if a little Hunger Games, maybe?
Cinder | Marissa Meyer
Published: 2012, by Puffin Books.
Pages: 387
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Summary: Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.
This series has been one forever talked about, knowing little outside of the first installment, however, I felt as if it was about time I gave this series a try. The concept seems like an interesting one, so I really hope it lives up to its beautiful cover. Plus, it’s one on my Independent Study reading list, so now’s a better time than any!
Second Star | Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Published: 2014, by Square Fish.
Pages: 248
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Retellings, Romance, Fantasy
Summary: A troubled beauty. An irresistible boy. A dangerous ally. When seventeen-year-old Wendy sets out to find her missing brothers, her journey leads her to a mysterious cove inhabited by a tribe of renegade surfers. Wendy is instantly drawn to their charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete’s nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she’s falling hard for Pete.
Admittedly, I’m a little skeptical about this book, but it’s a necessity for my Independent Study. I’m a huge fan of Peter Pan, adoring the story, so I couldn’t resist adding this to my reading list, plus the title made me squeal, yet the plot-line sounds a little too fluffy for my liking. I’m already sensing a damned love triangle… We’ll see!
Captive Prince | C.S. Pacat
Series: The Captive Prince Trilogy
Published: 2015, by Berkley.
Pages: 270
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, LGBT
Summary: Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the thrown of Akielos. But when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave. Beautiful, manipulative, and deadly, his new master, Prince Laurent, epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.
This book is definitely one of my favourite presents this year, having been searching for it in all my nearby bookstores since being recommended it by a friend. I adore fantasy series, and anything LGBT is always an auto-buy for me. I’m desperately hoping this lives up to its expectations!
Stalking Jack The Ripper | Kerri Maniscalco
Published: 2017, by Jimmy Patterson.
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Horror
Summary: He murdered women in cold blood. He terrorized an entire city. He taunted those of us who hunted him down. But despite all these horrors, in the end, I could not deny it… I was the girl who loved The Ripper.
This is another book I always returned to in bookstores, having read many positive reviews online. As someone who’s deeply fascinated with Jack The Ripper, I’m desperate to read this story. It’s one of those you discover and immediately wished you thought of it yourself, and the gorgeous cover just makes me wish it was mine even more. This will definitely be one of the first books I read after deadlines.
Dear Future Historians: Lyrics and Exegesis of Rou Reynolds for the Music of Enter Shikari | Rou Reynolds
Published: 2017, by Faber Music.
Pages: 192
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Non-Fiction, Music
Summary: British rock/electronic/post-hardcore band Enter Shikari have created a wealth of heavily politicised music over the course of ten years and four albums. They have become one of the most influential British rock bands of their generation, sharing with their fans a belief that music can inspire change. Dear Future Historians features front-man Rou Reynolds own song interpretations and social commentary alongside all of their lyrics to date.
This has been on my wishlist since its release early this year, however, I haven’t been able to justify the price until now. The book itself looks beautiful, being full of photos of the band’s past, and is an essential item for any fan. As someone who’s been a devoted fan of Enter Shikari for some time now, I’m so excited to sit down and read about the songs that have been a part of my life for so long.
A Little Fool Reads 