March

The Monthly Round-Up: March 2016

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The Monthly Round-Up March 2Welcome to The Monthly Round-Up. Join me as I look back on the past month to see which books I’ve read, the reviews I’ve posted, the goals I’ve completed and my all important Book of the Month!

| The Monthly Round-Up: March 2016 |

This month has been so hectic I’m surprised I managed to get through as many books as I did! With work coming out of my eyeballs, a virus which feels like someone’s taken a sander to my throat, the death of my reading companion Felix – RIP Piggle 😦 – and two new guinea pigs springing into my life, I feel like I’ve barely touched ground this March. My review count has suffered a little and my posts have been somewhat erratic (or non-existent in the case of Bookish Beats!) but all in all, the books I’ve read have given me some much needed relief. So let’s take a look at the literary delights I’ve been consuming:

| Books Read |

| 1. |

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

Read as part of the official blog tour, Girl Waits With Gun, with its gun-toting, feisty real-life heroine and its exciting storyline, was an excellent read with which to start my month.

| 2. |

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

A Gathering of Shadows, the sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, was most definitely a highlight of March. This was an excellent follow-up which, in my view, surpassed the first in terms of narrative and excitement. I certainly can’t wait for the third!

| 3. |

Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace

Envy of Angels, the first Sin du Jour novella, was a book I’d had my eye on ever since reading a review for it a few months back. It certainly lived up to expectations by proving itself to be tremendous fun and ever so slightly grotesque.

| 4. |

Stranger of Tempest by Tom Lloyd

Stranger of Tempest has been on my reading list ever since the wonderful cover reveal in January. Luckily for me, it proved just as good as its wrappings and has once more placed Tom Lloyd at the top of my reading list!

| 5. |

Skinshaper by Mark Gelineau and Joe King

Another day, another Gelineau and King novella!  These guys certainly know how to write a captivating piece of short fiction and Skinshaper is no exception. This novella, with its enigmatic characters and abhorrent creations, is one of the most disturbing and captivating to date.

| 6. |

The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter by Rod Duncan

The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter, a steampunk piece of alternative history, brought about a change of pace with its steady narrative and gorgeous prose. A surprising and delightful novel, I’m looking forward to my next venture into the Gas-Lit Empire.

| 7. |

A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire

For March’s Read Along we returned to the world of October ‘Toby’ Daye in the second novel of the series by Seanan McGuire. After something of a rocky start, A Local Habitation turned out to be a rather enjoyable read and I cannot wait to get stuck into the third in the series this April!

Book of the Month2

A Gathering of Shadows

by V.E. Schwab

| March Goals |

To finish NOS4R2 and Emma before the month is out!

Yes, yes another roll over!

Status: Incomplete

… Perhaps it’s time to stop posting this goal and accept that they’ll be read when they’re read!  – I hate to think how many months it’s been rolling over!

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| Goals for 2016 |

Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge: 25/100 Books Read (25%)

Status: +7% in March

| Reviews Posted |

The Copper Promise by Jen Williams

Legend - Gemmell

Legend by David Gemmell

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

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Broken Banners by Mark Gelineau and Joe King

Occupy Me by Tricia Sullivan

| Other Posts From March |

This month ushered in a change to the schedule with The Friday Face-Off becoming a weekly meme! I love posting and comparing book covers every Friday and it’s fantastic seeing the covers other bloggers post! So thank you for joining in and long may it continue! 

Announcement: The Friday Face-Off – A Weekly Meme

The Friday Face-Off: March 04 – Dragon Hunters by Marc Turner

The Friday Face-Off: March 11 – First Friday Freebie

The Friday Face-Off: March 18 – Here be Dragons

The Friday Face-Off: March 25 – Green With Envy

The Monthly Round-Up: February 2016

The Month Ahead: March 2016

Cover Reveal: The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan – US Edition

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten… Books When You’re in the Mood for Axe-Wielding Maniacs

Top Ten Tuesay: Top Ten… Books on my Spring TBR

Teaser Tuesdays: March 01 – A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Teaser Tuesdays: March 08 – The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter by Rod Duncan

Teaser Tuesdays: March 15 – Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace

Teaser Tuesdays: March 22 – Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig

Teaser Tuesdays: March 29 – Tomorrow the Killing by Daniel Polansky

Book Haul: March 02 – Swords of Good Men & Blood Will Follow

Book Haul: March 31 – Angel of Storms & Legion: Skin Deep

Read Along: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire – Week 1

Read Along: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire – Week 2

Read Along: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire – Week 3

Read Along: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire – Week 4

The Friday Face-Off: Water, Water Everywhere

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Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new weekly meme here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.

Water, Water Everywhere

Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off! Whether it’s a romp on the high seas, a protagonist drowning their sorrows in a bottle of the soft stuff, or a reflective pool in a glade – if it’s water, anything goes! Distant (liquid) bodies, faint splatters and the odd drop or two are all welcome. Post your links in the comments!

For this Friday’s post I’ve settled on an author I cannot wait to sample – Nnedi Okorafor. Lagoon, published by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and by Saga Press in the US, not only has an intriguing premise, but also has some wonderfully eye-catching cover art. Take a look and see which one is your favourite.

Hodder & Stoughton – UK Cover

Artwork by Joey Hi-Fi

Saga Press – US Cover

Artwork by Franklin Kappa

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Well… is there any comparison? Joey Hi-Fi, whose illustrations you might recognise from some of Chunk Wendig’s wondrous book covers, contributes such a stunning piece of artwork for Lagoon that it seems almost unfair to compare the two. But compare we must!

The UK edition, with its wonderfully watery and muted colour palette; its touch of urban splash; its writhing, chaotic sea creatures (which come together to compose a pretty damn awesome title); and its solitary figure floating in the void, is both beautiful and eye-catching. By comparison, the Saga Press offering is a little too simple, a little too bland and not nearly as evocative. A thoroughly deserved winner, this week’s title goes hands down to Joey Hi-Fi with the Hodder & Stoughton edition of Lagoon. Now I just need to hunt out all his other book covers…

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

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Post LinksNext Friday’s theme is: Peace is Poor Reading

A cover which features war

Remember to check The Friday Face-Off Feature Page for upcoming themes

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Book Haul: March 31

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| Angel of Storms by Trudi Canavan |

Having not got around to reading Thief’s Magic, the first book in the Millennium’s Rule Trilogy, I still hadn’t picked up a copy of its sequel, Angel of Storms. Luckily for me I happened across this little gem in my local bookshop! With this beautiful signed edition added to my collection, this trilogy will be heading straight to the top of my reading pile… here’s hoping it’s as good as it looks!

| Synopsis |

Tyen trains students in the ways of magic, but his teaching may soon be outlawed. Rumour has it that the formidable ruler of all worlds, long believed to be dead, is back and is harshly enforcing his old laws – including the one forbidding schools of magic. As teachers and pupils flee, Tyen is left with no home and no purpose . . . except to fulfil the promise he made to Vella, the sorcerer imprisoned in a book. Tyen must decide what he is willing to do to free her.

Elsewhere, Rielle’s peaceful new life as a tapestry weaver has been shattered by a local war. As defeat looms, the powerful Angel of Storms appears and invites Rielle to join the artists of his heavenly realm. But what will he require in return for this extraordinary offer?

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|Legion: Skin Deep by Brandon Sanderson |

And no sooner had I spotted a signed Trudi Canavan book to add to my collection than I caught sight of this pesky Sanderson mini-tome to add to the signed Sanderson shelf. Another book which is long overdue to be (both bought and) read!

Legion3

| Synopsis |

Stephen Leeds, AKA “Legion,” is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the new story begins, Leeds and his “aspects” are hired by I3 (Innovative Information Incorporated) to recover a corpse stolen from the local morgue. But there’s a catch. The corpse is that of a pioneer in the field of experimental biotechnology, a man whose work concerned the use of the human body as a massive storage device. He may have embedded something in the cells of his now dead body. And that something might be dangerous…

What follows is a visionary thriller about the potential uses of technology, the mysteries of the human personality, and the ancient human need to believe that death is not the end. Legion: Skin Deep is speculative fiction at it most highly developed. It reaffirms Sanderson’s place as one of contemporary fiction’s most intelligent—and unpredictable—voices.

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The Friday Face-Off: Green With Envy

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Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new weekly meme here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.

Green With Envy

 

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off! This Face-Off is comparing books with predominantly green covers and, for me, there’s only one book which came instantly to mind!

Published by Gollancz in the UK and by Tor in the US, Elantris by Brandon Sanderson is not only a brilliant read but has some stunning artwork gracing its covers. Scroll down to see which one takes this week’s crown.

Gollancz – UK Cover

Artwork by Sam Green

Tor – US Cover

Artwork by Stephan Martiniere

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Stephan Martiniere’s US cover is undeniably beautiful and incredibly detailed. It has a brilliant traditional and almost sci-fi quality to it which still manages to resonate beautifully with the narrative. However, the Sam Green covers for Brandon Sanderson’s extensive repertoire have been a long time favourite and so this week’s winner was an easy choice. Monochrome with a flash of colour, these beautiful illustrations never fail to impress. Capturing the beautiful eerie quality of a city under a magical plague, this wonderfully stylised artwork along with its eye-catching typeface couldn’t fail to come out on top in this week’s Face-Off.

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

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Next Friday’s theme is: Water, Water Everywhere

Remember to check The Friday Face-Off Feature Page for upcoming themes

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The Friday Face-Off: Here be Dragons

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Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new weekly meme here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.

Here be Dragons

Temeraire / His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik

Welcome to this week’s Friday Face-Off! This Face-Off is all about dragons, so I’ve gone for the first book in a series I intended to start almost ten years ago and still haven’t got around to!

Published as Temeraire by Harper Voyager in the UK and as His Majesty’s Dragon by Del Rey in the US, the first book in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series has some stunning cover art on offer by some very talented artists. Take a look and see which one is your favourite.

Harper Voyager – UK Cover

Artwork by Andrew Davidson

Del Rey / Ballantine – US Cover

Artwork by Dominic Harman

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

For me, the UK cover of Temeraire wins hands down. That wood engraving by Andrew Davidson is ridiculously detailed and has some wonderful depictions of dragons. I love the illustrative style, the very simple colour palette and the interesting typeface which grows from the tail of the main dragon!

On the other hand, despite an eye-catching piece of dragon artwork in the centre, the red background of the US cover completely distracts my attention – so much so that I’d almost say I disliked it if it weren’t for the alternative editions below. The typeface similarly does nothing for this cover which has led to a very easy decision this week! I only hope Andrew Davidson continues to produce beautiful cover art!

| Alternative Cover Bonus |

Temeraire - Alternative

Artwork by Dominic Harman

Additionally, Dominic Harman has produced several alternative covers for the UK including this mass market edition (left) based on the first edition UK cover, and the latest cover (right) which is incredibly similar to the US cover from Del Rey. Despite both these covers being beautiful and the fact that I prefer both to the US offering above (the cover on the right definitely benefits from a light background and improved typeface!), I can’t help but think it’s something of a loss to have come away from that gorgeous wood engraving from Andrew Davidson.

Which cover wins your vote this week? Are any of the alternative editions your favourite? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

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Next Friday’s theme is: Green With Envy

Remember to check The Friday Face-Off Feature Page for upcoming themes

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The Friday Face-Off: First Friday Freebie

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Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new weekly meme here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.

First Friday Freebie

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

Welcome to the first post of The Friday Face-Off as a weekly meme! This week is a freebie so I’ve gone for a book which has been sitting on my shelf for far too long and has two gorgeous covers to its name (and who knows – possibly more!).

Published by Sceptre in the UK and by Random House in the US, The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell features two covers from completely different ends of the design spectrum. Take a look and see which one is your favourite!

Sceptre – UK Cover

Artwork by Neal Murren

Random House – US Cover

Artwork by Oliver Munday and Peter Mendelsund

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

These two covers really couldn’t get much more different. The US cover is clean and modern and, dare I say it, almost transcendent. It’s one of those covers which makes you think without revealing too much of itself, and I love those pale blues and the simple, elegant typeface. The US cover really is the calm before the storm of the UK!

Sceptre’s offering is chaotic and eye-catching, with golds and bright pinks splashed across a dark, starry sky. Even though it’s hard to know where to look first, the more you look, the more detail is revealed. Its sheer energy and and riot of colour, imagery and detail just clinch it as this week’s winner.

Which cover wins your vote this week? Have a cover of your own? – Post the link below!

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Next Friday’s theme is: Here be Dragons

Remember to check The Friday Face-Off feature page for upcoming themes

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The Friday Face-Off: March 04

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Friday Face Off 2cWelcome to The Friday Face-Off, a new feature here at Books by Proxy. Join me every Friday as I pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.

| The Friday Face-Off: Dragon Hunters by Marc Turner |

As soon as I saw the stunning covers for Marc Turner’s Dragon Hunters, a book which has a premise just as captivating as its wrappings, I knew this second novel in The Chronicles of the Exile belonged at the top of my to-read list – and that it had to feature on The Friday Face-Off.

Published by Titan in the UK and Tor / Forge in the US, we have two incredibly evocative pieces of artwork to ogle. With both covers capturing the drama and scale of this imaginative work of fantasy, this week’s face-off is sure to prove a tough choice. Take a look and see which cover comes out on top.

Titan – UK Cover

Tor / Forge – US Cover

Artwork by Greg Manchess

“Wow, that is stunning! I saw some pencil sketches of the cover a few months ago, but kudos to Greg Manchess for producing a final image that really captures the drama and threat of the book. I love how the waterline view makes the dragon loom higher. I also love how the creature seems to be staring at you rather than at the unfortunate souls on the ship. Hard to believe, looking at that cover, that the dragon is the one that’s being hunted. Perhaps someone should remind the creature of that fact.”

~ Marc Turner

| The Friday Face-Off: Winner |

Both of these covers are ridiculously stunning and highlight one of the most appealing aspects of this book – the sea serpents! Whilst both the UK and the US cover capture two wonderfully dynamic images of dragons intent on dealing some damage on the high seas, both offerings remain distinct in their style and excecution.

However, despite the wonderful artwork of Greg Manchess, this week’s face-off has to go to Titan’s UK cover. The colours and lighting which play across the stormy skies and seas are so dramatic and so eye-catching that they bring out my inner magpie at just a glance. Plus, that is one awesome looking dragon. Titan? More please!

Which cover wins your vote this week? And stay tuned for the upcoming review!

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Announcement

From Friday 11th March, The Friday Face-Off will be a weekly meme! Each week will follow a loose theme – which should of course spark a veritable cornucopia of visual delights – just post and compare your favourites from across the globe and link back to that Friday’s post.

The master list is currently being compiled and will be posted in the next few days. If there are any themes you are eager to see just drop me a comment or message! Happy cover hunting bookworms!

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Book Haul: February 24

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| Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart |

This eye-catching tome arrived on my doorstep just in time for the Girl Waits With Gun Official Blog Tour which commences on 7th March – an event I’m very much looking forward to! With a gun-toting, law-wielding, feisty female heroine, this is one novel I cannot wait to get lost in. So join me on the 9th March as the Blog Tour takes an official diversion to Books by Proxy for my scoop on Girl Waits With Gun.

Girl Waits With Gun - Cover

Girl Waits With Gun

Book One of the Kopp Sisters

by Amy Stewart

Historical Crime Fiction | 416 Pages | To be published by Scribe UK on 10th March 2016

Girl Waits With Gun - Blog Tour

| Synopsis |

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Drunken Botanist comes an enthralling novel based on the forgotten, true story of one of the USA’s first female deputy sheriffs.

Constance Kopp doesn’t quite fit the mould. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters from the city to the country fifteen years before. When a powerful, ruthless factory owner runs down their buggy, a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their farm. The sheriff enlists her help, and it turns out that Constance has a knack for outwitting (and disarming) the criminal element, which might just take her back out into the world and onto a new path in life.

Through Amy Stewart’s exuberant storytelling, Constance Kopp catapults from a forgotten historical anecdote to an unforgettable historical-fiction heroine — an outsized woman not only ahead of her time, but sometimes even ahead of ours.

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