August TBR

Last month I managed to read all the books in my TBR, so this month I have decided to increase my TBR quite a bit. I have a week off work and I think its the perfect time to catch up on reviews, and reading books that I have been sent for review. This months TBR is mostly books that have been sent to me from publishers, as well as including re-reading the start of an amazing series and a thrilling mystery story that I hope will keep me on the edge of my seat.

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The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

‘Somebody’s going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won’t appear to be a murder and so the murderer won’t be caught. Rectify that injustice and I’ll show you the way out.’ It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed. But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden – one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party – can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot. The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath…

The past couple of months I have heard some really amazing reviews for this book and I am in the mood for confusing whodunit mystery, and I think this will be the perfect book to read. 

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Zero by Marc Elsberg

When a teenager is shot dead after chasing a criminal in the street, investigating journalist Cynthia Bonsant is led to the popular social media platform Freemee, a competitor to Facebook whose lifestyle app claims to give you everything you need to succeed in life. But there is someone who warns against its evils: Zero, the world’s most-wanted activist, known for exposing the toxic truths behind social media giants and their pursuit of total control. As Cynthia gets closer to unravelling the evil mastermind behind the Freemee site, she herself becomes a target. But in this world of hidden cameras, data glasses and hyper-smart phones there is nowhere to hide . . .

I read Blackout by Marc Elsberg last year and I found it to be very original and really engaging, so I hope Zero is going to be exactly the same. 

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Gangster School- The Brotherhood of Brimstone by Kate Wiseman

Trouble is brewing at Blaggard’s School for Tomorrow’s Tyrants. Sir Byron’s Brain, a priceless legendary diamond, has gone missing. If it leaves the school grounds, Blaggard’s will be destroyed forever and the head teacher obliterated! Could the evil Brotherhood of Brimstone – an ancient secret society – have anything to do with it? Best friends Milly and Charlie embark on an adventure to find out. They discover a web of evil plots involving Gruffles, Charlie’s stinky dog, and Wolfie, the robot dog turned invisible superhero. On top of this, Blaggard’s is expecting a school inspection from the mysterious Dr X – Chief Inspector of Criminal Schools. He could turn up at any time, and no one knows what he looks like. Time is running out for Milly and Charlie. Will Dr X appear? And can our heroes defeat the evil Brotherhood, rescue their canine companions and save the day?

This is the second book in the Gangster School series and I cant wait to read it. I absolutely loved the first book and this one sounds like it going to be just as fun. 

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Take Nothing With You by Patrick Gale

1970s Weston-Super-Mare and ten-year-old oddball Eustace, an only child, has life transformed by his mother’s quixotic decision to sign him up for cello lessons. Music-making brings release for a boy who is discovering he is an emotional volcano. He laps up lessons from his young teacher, not noticing how her brand of glamour is casting a damaging spell over his frustrated and controlling mother. When he is enrolled in holiday courses in the Scottish borders, lessons in love, rejection and humility are added to daily practice.

I was offered the chance to read this book a couple of months back and I jumped at the chance. I have never read a Patrick Gale book before but I watched a TV show that he wrote last year and loved it, and now I want to see whether I like reading his material as well as watching it. 

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Gilded Cage by Vic James

Britain’s magically skilled aristocracy compels all commoners to serve them for ten years – and now it’s the Hadleys’ turn. Abi Hadley is assigned to England’s most ruthless noble family. The secrets she uncovers could win her freedom – or break her heart. Her brother Luke is enslaved in a brutal factory town, where new friends’ ideals might cost him everything. Then while the elite vie for power, a young aristocrat plots to remake the world with his dark gifts. As Britain moves from anger to defiance, all three must take sides. And the consequences of their choices will change everything, forever.

I first read Gilded Cage last year and it quickly became a new favourite and a new series that I couldn’t wait to read about. I am now re-reading this series because the third and final book in the series has only just been released. 

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Tarnished City by Vic James

Luke is a prisoner, condemned for a murder he didn’t commit. Abi is a fugitive, desperate to free him before magic breaks his mind. But as the Jardines tighten their grip on a turbulent Britain, brother and sister face a fight greater than their own. New alliances and old feuds will remake the nation, leaving Abi and Luke questioning everything – and everyone – they know. And as Silyen Jardine hungers for the forgotten Skill of the legendary Wonder King, the country’s darkest hour approaches. Freedom and knowledge both come at a cost. So who will pay the price?

Even though I loved Gilded Cage I still have yet to read this book even though it has been sitting on my bookshelf for months. But now I am getting round to Tarnished City, and I cant wait to see how the series continues. 

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Bright Ruin by Vic James

Magically gifted aristocrats rule Britain, and the people must serve them. But rebellion now strikes at the heart of the old order. Abi has escaped public execution, thanks to an unexpected ally. Her brother Luke is on the run with Silyen Jardine, the most mysterious aristocrat of all. And as political and magical conflicts escalate, each must decide how far they’ll go for their beliefs. Dragons clash in the skies, as two powerful women duel for the soul of Britain. A symbol of government will blaze as it dies, and doors between worlds will open – and close forever. But the battle within human hearts will be the fiercest of all.

I am both excited and a little worried for whats in store in this book. I have read a couple of reviews already and I think I am in for a wild ride in this series finale.

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Show Stealer by Hayley Barker

Hoshiko and Ben have been on the run since they burned Silvio Sabatini’s circus down to the ground. But Ben’s mother will stop at nothing to track him down and get her revenge: backing him into a corner where he is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko. The deadliest show on earth has been resurrected and if Ben thought he’d seen into its dark corners as an outsider, the true extent of the horrors that lurk beneath the Big Top are about to be revealed as he becomes the circus’ new star attraction…

I remember reading the fist book in the series, Show Stopper, last year and I really enjoyed it, so I jumped at the chance to review Show Stealer. I cant wait to jump back into this world again.

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Ascension by Victor Dixen

Six girls, six boys. Each in the two separate bays of a single spaceship. They have six minutes each week to seduce and to make their choices, under the unblinking eye of the on-board cameras. They are the contenders in the Genesis programme, the world’s craziest speed-dating show ever, aimed at creating the first human colony on Mars.
Leonor, an 18 year old orphan, is one of the chosen ones.
She has signed up for glory.
She has signed up for love.
She has signed up for a one-way ticket.
Even if the dream turns to a nightmare, it is too late for regrets.

Recently I have seen this all over the book community and it sounds really interesting and a very original start to a new series. If the story is anything like the cover then I know I am going to really enjoy it. 

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Have you read any of the books on this months TBR?

What do you plan on reading this month?

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