So today I visited the lovely Science Fiction bookshop in Stockholm’s Oldtown, planning to buy like two books I’ve been meaning to buy for some time. And then I couldn’t stop myself. I had prepared a big budget when buying, but I maaaaay have been a little too…generous.
Mum, if you’re reading this– I’m so sorry but I regret nothing.
Below are the books I bought, but know this; I prefer knowing as little as possible before starting a book, so there’s no synopsis of the stories, instead it’s about my experience with the author/previous books.
Shadow Captain by Alastair Reynolds [x]
This. This is the first book I saw when entering, and immediately a bell rang. I knew this cover design. I rush forward, and I almost choke when I realize that this is a sequel to a book I never thought would get a sequel. And I had no idea it recently came out!
Shadow Captain by Alastair Reynolds is the sequel to Revenger, the second book I reviewed when starting this blog (my review here)! I absolutely loved this book, it wasn’t perfect but god was it clever and so… subtle. The story follows our main character ‘Fura’ Ness as she runs away with a sister to work on a spaceship, but they end up attacked by the fretted Bosa Sennen. Together with what could have been just another Alpha Bitch™ character, Fura goes on a journey to escape the men sent after her from her father, while trying to save her captured sister.
I don’t want to read the synopsis of this second book, but let me tell you; Fura Ness is what Holly Black tried to make Jude in The folk of the Air and Marie Lu tried to make Adelina in The Young Elites. Also, it’s one of those rare Female p.o.v. YA’s with not a single love interest and zero focus on romance. Read it.
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson [x]
Ah, yes. If you’ve been following this blog for some while you will be quite aware who Brandon Sanderson is. If you’re new– I’m just gonna be brief with you. In my religious love for books, he is a god of SciFi/Fantasy. I love his books, but mostly I get so intimidated starting one book because they’re just so… sacred to me. But now I got my hands on this ScFi of a girl and her dragon spaceship who’s gonna fight aliens.
A Veil of Spears by Bradley Beaulieu [x]
The third instalment in The Song of the Shattered Sands series, I’ve been unable to read it when it came out due to studies. But now I don’t have any excuse at all! This series is wonderful, set in a fictional world inspired by the Islamic golden age but with elements of the pre-Islamic Middle East, one girl is set on destroying twelve kings. The book series starts with a gladiator fight with our main character Çeda, and you realize immediately it’s gonna be bloody brilliant. This series is what I always recommend anyone who was disappointed in Throne of Glass – series by Sarah J Maas.
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden [x]
Another book in a series, also the third instalment, this was one series I was expecting to be disappointed in. But Arden completely surprised me with her first book because I actually adored it. She just captured that feeling of eastern fairy tale perfectly. I’m european, so I saw a lot of russian and slavic (sometimes inspired) old animated movies as a kid, and reading this book series felt like I was once again watching one of those. And just look at that cover. So perfect, so wonderful.
Gullstruck Island by Frances Hardinge [x]
Frances oh Frances, wherefore art thou such a great author? I’ve read three of her books and LOVED every single one; The Lie Tree, A Skinful of Shadows and most recently read A Face Like Glass. Like my most recent read, this is not set in a fantasy world with… Volcanoes? Like I’ve said, I prefer knowing as little as possible before reading a book, and this is no exception. But like Brandon Sanderson, this is an author I will probably never be disappointed in.
I’ve done ‘A Song & a Book’ for both The Lie Tree and A Skinful of Shadows to give you an idea of the books. A review of A Face Like Glass will be up very soon!
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge [x]
You think I can walk past the shelf with all of Hardinge’s books and pick just one? HAHAHAH what do you take me for. I’ve heard such great things about this book that I can’t wait to start reading it! All I’ve gathered about this book without reading the description is that there’s a sassy little girl, a murderous goose and some kind of con-artist..? Honestly, what more do you need to know before reading it?
Are any of these books on your TBR? Have you read any? Or are you just curious about authors or series– don’t hesitate to leave a comment! x
A BOOK WITHOUT END 
That’s a great haul! I look forward to seeing the reviews.
I’m like you in not reading a synopsis overly much. Often spoils what might have been a tense moment in a book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, thank you! But oh dear where to start??
Yeah like books just become much more exciting when you know next to nothing of what to expect. The first Brandon Sanderson book I read, The Final Empire, I only knew it was about a teen girl in a dystopian world. Because of that, the book became a roller coaster from the very first chapter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I listened to the audio book version of the Final Empire. So good! And it worked well as a stand alone even though it was part of a trilogy.
LikeLiked by 1 person