Stacking the Shelves #15

 

Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Welcome back to Stacking the Shelves, a regular meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga’s Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the latest books you have added to your shelves, physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course e-books!

I took “Dry July” to the extreme and didn’t buy or borrow any books, but now it’s August I’m back!

I won a $US10 Amazon gift voucher this week, and have started spending it with two 1001 Dark Nights Demonica novellas from Larissa Ione, Aazagoth and Hades. Love these covers!

I made two requests from Netgalley and they were both granted. The first was Darken the Stars (Kricket, book 3) by Amy A. Bartol. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait to get started on this final installment.

I also asked for and was granted Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, about which I have heard great things. Really looking forward to starting this one, too. Again, both of these have beautiful covers!

Finally, I borrowed The Devil’s Star (Harry Hole, book 5) by Jo Nesbo on audiobook from the public library. I’ve read a few of his books and would like to read more of his Harry Hole novels. They’re very good.

So that’s it for this week. Keep an eye out for my reviews of these in coming weeks. So what new books did you pick up this week? Let me know in the comments.

Sea of Stars, by Amy A. Bartol (Kricket, book 2)

Format: Kindle Edition, 291 pages

Publisher: 47North

To be published: March 31, 2015

ISBN: 9781477828236

Genre: Fiction, science fiction/fantasy

Back cover blurb: Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.

My review: I practically inhaled this book! Sometimes second books in a series feel like placeholders, just marking time until the third and final installment, but not this one. Sea of Stars is just as gripping as Under Different Stars, with the action from the first book flowing straight into the second and never stopping for an instant.

Kricket comes into her own more as she finds herself separated from Trey and her other bodyguards and forced to contend not only with Kyon but also a new foe, Comantre baddie Giffen. Her ability to see the future comes in very handy, and there are some shocking revelations which have left me panting for the next book.

My favourite parts, though, were when Kricket and Trey were together. Their relationship develops considerably once they are reunited, and while the first book felt more like YA, this one is certainly more grown-up *fans self*. The secondary characters are again a joy, and there are some new ones I hope we see again.

Book 3, Darken the Stars, is due out later this year and I, for one, cannot wait! You must read this series!

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

My rating: 5/5

Amazon