Top Ten Tuesday: Starry-eyed for books

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish, and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This weekly list feature uses topic prompts to inspire readers/bloggers to share the best (or worst, or most Interesting) of their bookshelves, be it the TBR section, personal favourites or books that have caught their attention.

This week’s prompt is “TBR books you predict will be 5-star reads”, and this one is bound to be interesting! It’s also a tricky one because my bar for a 5-star read is set at “it gives me extreme feels” which is a rather high bar to set. I have loved many books, but the list of ones that have legitimately wrecked me is a bit more exclusive!

But, let’s see what I think is going to be a winner here…

 

 

Let’s start with a couple of finales I’m looking forward to!

Empire of Gold is the upcoming final volume in S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy, and she has set her own bar high for an absolute rollercoaster ride of destroyed feelings if the first two books were anything to go by. I was delighted by how much I enjoyed them, and I can’t wait for the big finish.

The House of Sundering Flames is, likewise, Aliette de Bodard’s conclusion to her Dominion of the Fallen series (spanning three novels and a handful of short fiction). Thankfully this one is already on my TBR, and is unquestionably a must-read – just as soon as I have the strength to revisit this gloriously dark and Gothic alt-historical world. It’s going to demand all my attention, but I’m just fine with that because it’s been amazing so far.

 

 

Two more from my TBR, from that old sub-category of “why haven’t I read it yet?”:

Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone – this was an automatic must-buy, and anyone who has read Max’s previous work may well understand why. Not only does the book itself sound awesomely epic, but Max Gladstone has established himself as a modern SFF author to watch, and is doing wonderful things for the genre right now.

Turning Darkness Into Light by Marie Brennan – anyone who was around when I tore through a group-read of the Lady Trent novels, back when I was blogging on Over The Effing Rainbow, will know how much I loved those books. This one revisits that world, but with a new generation of Isabella’s line. I got to hear Marie Brennan give a reading from the book at Worldcon last summer in Dublin, and seriously, Self, why haven’t you read this one yet?!

Soon, my babies. Soon.

 

From final volumes to firsts!

Deal With The Devil by Kit Rocha – If you’ve heard of Kit Rocha* before, it was likely on account of the Beyond series, their previous post-apocalyptic romance centred upon a gang of rebel bikers taking down The Man. From what I understand, this new series – titled Mercenary Librarians, and if that doesn’t sell it to you then you may have no soul – is set elsewhere in the same world, and I’m looking forward to that expansion, as well as new stories and new characters I will no doubt also love.

* Pen name of author duo Donna Herren and Bree Bridges

Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor – again, I came to love Laini’s work after reading her Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. I love her fantasy world-building and her brand of darkly beautiful otherworldliness, and I was tempted enough by this book to splash out on the gorgeous UK hardcover edition. This one may end up on this year’s Wyrd and Wonder TBR…

 

Time for a round of HYPE.

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells – the second volume of the Murderbot Diaries is one I am 100% legitimately DYING to get my hands on, because the first volume, All Systems Red, captured my heart and blew my mind at the same time. I freely admit that I am ashamed to have resisted the hype for so long, because in this case it is absolutely deserved.

Behind The Throne by K.B. Wagers – This is another one that everyone keeps telling me I should read, and it’s a rare example of me deciding to listen instead of going with my habit of being contrary, heh! So I expect big things, and I will be coming for everyone who hyped this if they were wrong. (Not really, you’re safe.)

(Or are you?)

 

 

(I’m doing the final two separately because the images were differently sized and it bothers me plus I can do what I want)

Carved From Stone and Dream by T. Frohock – Again, if you’ve been following my ramblings long enough you will probably be aware of just how much I love the Los Nefilim books. The second novel in the series, following on from Where Oblivion Lives, was always going to be a must-have, and I have complete faith in this writer’s ability to deliver. Can’t wait to get my hands on this one!

 

 

And last but certainly not least, another follow-up!

Stormsong by C.L. Polk – After reading and thoroughly enjoying Witchmark (another one that got a lot of well-deserved hype), I knew I had to have the sequel when it comes out. I mean, queer gaslamp fantasy with fresh and interesting magic systems and family drama? Sign me the heck up.

*

So that’s my selection! How’s yours looking?

 

 

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