I actually look forward to uploading these posts every month. I’m a nosy person myself so I love seeing what’s on other people’s to be read shelves. Just me?
A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge
I’m not even sure when or why I added this to my to be read. I’ve never read anything by Frances Hardinge and the cover is particularly appealing to me.
If I’m being completely honest the synopsis doesn’t sound that interesting to me and I don’t know if I can read a book about a character called ‘Makepeace’. A little too on the nose for me.
Verdict: Remove
Synopsis: This is the story of a bear-hearted girl . . .
Sometimes, when a person dies, their spirit goes looking for somewhere to hide.
Some people have space within them, perfect for hiding.
Twelve-year-old Makepeace has learned to defend herself from the ghosts which try to possess her in the night, desperate for refuge, but one day a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard.
And now there’s a spirit inside her.
The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, and it may be her only defence when she is sent to live with her father’s rich and powerful ancestors. There is talk of civil war, and they need people like her to protect their dark and terrible family secret.
But as she plans her escape and heads out into a country torn apart by war, Makepeace must decide which is worse: possession – or death.
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
I have heard so many great things about Girl in Pieces and it has been recommended to me a few times. I’m not currently in possession of any format of this book, but I do really want to read it so I won’t be removing it just yet.
Verdict: Keep
Synopsis: Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The broken glass washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.
Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I have a real love-hate relationship with this book. I’ve attempted to read it three times now and I actually got a good chunk into it before forgetting I was reading it and never picking it up again. Just a few days ago I decided to stop reading it for the third and final time. I just don’t get on with this.
I know it’s meant to be a really good book and I did enjoy what I read, so I’m undecided right now. I’m tempted to remove it, but I have both physical books in the duology and I find it harder to get rid of physical books.
Verdict: undecided
Synopsis: They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.
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