Letterbox Love #64

Letterbox Love all of the lovely, lovely books I’ve gotten in the post, bought and everything else. Summaries are taken from the cover, or Amazon/NetGalley/Goodreads in the case of e-books, unless otherwise stated. Hosted by Narratively Speaking.

For review:

Waistcoats and Weaponry, Gail Carriger (paperback)

It’s quite one thing to waltz properly. It’s quite another to waltz properly with a bladed fan stitched into one’s corset.

Sophronia continues finishing school in style – with a range of deadly defences secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Her fashionable choice of weapons comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap and the charming Lord Felix Mersey hijack a suspiciously empty train to return their chum Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland.

But when Sophronia discovers that are being trailed by a dirigible of Picklemen and flywaymen, she unearths a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos. With her friends in mortal danger, Sophronia must sacrifice what she holds most dear – her freedom.

Gather your poison, your steel-tipped quill and the rest of your school supplies, and join Mademoiselle Geraldine’s proper young killing machines in the third rousing instalment of the New York Times bestselling Finishing School series.

This series is so much fun! Thanks Atom!

Red Queen, Victoria Aveyard (e-proof)

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.   

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her away in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

The Epic Reads ladies have been falling all over themselves about this one so I nabbed it as soon as I saw it on NetGalley. Thanks Orion!

The Last Leaves Falling, Sarah Benwell (e-proof)

And these are they. My final moments. They say a warrior must always be mindful of death, but I never imagined that it would find me like this...

Japanese teenager Sora is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gerig’s Disease). Lonely and isolated, Sora turns to the ancient wisdom of the samurai for guidance and comfort. But he also finds hope in the present; through the internet he finds friends that see him, not just his illness. This is a story of friendship and acceptance, and testing strength in an uncertain future.

I absolutely cannot wait to read this. Thanks Netgalley and RHCP!

Bought:

Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Maggie Stiefvater (paperback)

For the first time in her life, Blue Sargent has found a place where she feels at home. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own and she is sure that this is where she belongs.

But certainties can unravel.

Visions can mislead.

And friends can betray.

The trick with found things is how easily can they be lost...

I haven’t actually read The Dream Thieves yet, but I plan to re-read The Raven Boys and marathon the three books as I’ve heard incredible things about this. Also: so gorgeous!

Snow Like Ashes, Sara Raasch (e-book)

Game of Thrones meets Graceling in this striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and discovering your true self. Sara Raasch’s fantasy debut is a lightning-fast story of loyalty, love and controlling one’s destiny.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. The Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild their kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior – and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter’s future king – she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of half of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself – only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and to realize her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Another one that the Epic Reads ladies have been raving about this one and I’m in the mood for fantasy so BAM purchase.

Sophie