I’ve been having some crummy days lately, so to cheer myself up, here’s a book haul.
PURCHASES
PHYSICAL
As is typical of me, I bought many of these because I like the cover. That was the case with Life and Limb as well as Novice Dragoneer. Well, I picked up the books because I like the cover and bought them because the summary intrigued me. However, I got Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged, the second book in his First Law series, because I’m currently buddy-reading the series with Emily at Embuhleeliest. Chronicle of Chrestomanci I picked up because I’ve been curious about it and its author, and Carmilla I got because apparently it inspired Brom Stoker’s Dracula, which I find interesting (although I’ve yet to complete reading Dracula).
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Novice Dragoneer by E.E. Knight
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol. 1 by Diana Wynne Jones
Life and Limb by Jennifer Roberson
Mythos. So many people have read and liked the book that I finally gave in and got myself a copy. Plus, I love Greek mythology. I also love Basford’s coloring books (although I haven’t colored in a while and haven’t completed any of the books I own), so I gave in and got a drawing book by her to hopefully reignite my interest in drawing. Sensor is simply a good-looking book, which reminds me that I should start reading the Junji Ito stuff I own. And I’ve wanted East of the Sun and West of the Moon since I heard of it. It, too, is a beautiful one with stunning illustrations.
Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined by Stephen Fry
How to Draw Inky Wonderlands by Johanna Basford (illus.)
Sensor by Junji Ito (illus.), transl. by Jocelyne Allen
East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales From the North collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe, ed. by Noel Daniel, illus. by Kay Nielsen
So, I visited my comic bookshop to pick up the latest issue of Monstress but couldn’t pass up on getting these others too. Vampire simply sounded interesting with a cool cover. Noir is an anthology of crime comics by Black creators, I believe, and Sara I learned about from Lashaan and Near Mint Condition and gave in on getting it. Plus, Ennis worked on The Boys, which I love, and Epting worked on Velvet, which I also love, so… chances are I’ll love Sara too.
Noir Is the New Black, Vol. 1 by Fabrice Sapolsky (ed.)
Vampire: The Masquerade – Winter’s Teeth, Vol. 1 by Tim Seeley, Tini Howard, & Blake Howard, illus. by Devmalya Pramanik & Nathan Gooden
Monstress, Vol. 6: The Vow by Marjorie Liu, illus. by Sana Takeda
Sara by Garth Ennis, illus. by Steve Epting
PURCHASES
DIGITAL
I always check out the sales on Comixology and got these in a few of them. BiblioNyan reviewed Black Magick a while back and I finally got around to picking it up. We’ll see if I read it soon. I wanted to get a physical copy of Krishna, but it seems to be out of print so I’ve settled on the digital copy for now. The illustrations are stunning. And I love the Moonstruck comics but my libraries don’t have volume 3, so… I got it. 😊
Gideon Falls Vol. 1: The Black Barn by Jeff Lemire, illus. by Andrea Sorrentino & Dave Stewart
Black Magick, Vol. 1: Awakening by Greg Rucka, illus. by Nicola Scott
Killadelphia, Vol. 1: Sins of the Father by Rodney Barnes, illus. by Jason Shawn Alexander
Blue in Green by Ram V., illus. by Anand R.K.
Moonstruck, Vol. 3: Troubled Waters by Grace Ellis, illus. by Shae Beagle & Claudia Aguirre
Krishna: A Journey Within by Abhishek Singh (illus.)
LIBRARY
PHYSICAL
A recent comment from Hopewell’s Public Library of Life reminded me to pick up another Sarah Addison Allen book. It’s been too long since I last read one. And Mary and the Words mentioned Pool’s book in a post about religion in fantasy and do you know who loves fantasy stories that explore religions and gods and all that? Me.
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool
LIBRARY
Digital
I read the first issue of Assassin Nation last year and wasn’t very impressed but I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I gave in and borrowed the first volume from the library.
Assassin Nation, Vol. 1: Number One With a Bullet by Kyle Starks, illus. by Erica Henderson
ARCs
Physical
I received this wordless picture book from Black Sheep, an imprint of Akashic. (Thanks y’all!!) It was pubbed on September 7. Looking forward to reading it soon.
Grand Isle by Kate Samworth (illus.)
ARCs
Digital
These two I got from NetGalley. Wildseed Witch is middle grade fantasy that will be pubbed in May 2022, and The Legend of the Dream Giants is illustrated children’s fantasy that will be pubbed in March 2022.
Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas
The Legend of the Dream Giants by Dustin Hansen (illus.)
FREE
PHYSICAL
I enjoyed the first book, Raybearer, so I’m looking forward to Redemptor to see what happens next. I got a copy of the ARC from a friend.
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
FREE
DIGITAL
Khaw’s book is the latest free download from Tor.
Zezee with Books 
Oh my gosh, I hope you love There Will Come a Darkness!! I know you said you were already loving it, but I hope that continues all the way through to the end! Thank you so much for reading & linking my post. Religion in fantasy is my jam, and Pool does such a superb job of incorporating it into her world. I still can’t believe I haven’t read the finale yet, but soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a feeling I’ll be hooked all the way through. The world really interests me. I’m so tempted to go purchase my own copy, but I’m trying to be good about book buying this month. I’m glad it’s a series that’s already wrapped up. That’s more motivation to stick with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Book hauls seem like such a great way to cheer us up, I just love them! I hope you enjoy Carmilla. I read it last year or the year before and enjoyed it, especially for its place in the history of vampire tales. It’s certainly a different sort of story from Dracula, which I haven’t read in some time but loved when younger. I hope to reread Dracula one of these days. They’re both very different to me from most more modern horror stories. Perhaps that’s one reason I enjoyed them so much, they had that classic feel to them.
LikeLike
That’s interesting. I’m glad you mentioned that they are different. Great motivation to get me to finish Dracula because I’d like to compare them.
LikeLike
What a lovely haul! Also hooray Diana Wynne Jones! I absolutely love her and Charmed Life from the Chrestomanci books was my first of hers.
LikeLike
That’s great to hear. I don’t think I’ve ever read her books but sometimes I’m not so sure.
LikeLike
Great haul! Hope they’ll cheer you up – but also that October in general will be better for you, Zezee! 🙂
LikeLike
Aww thanks! Hope you have a great month too.
LikeLiked by 1 person