We Want It! February 2016

[helloladies]

Because we haven't quite managed to work out a way for us to consume ALL the entertainment yet: to keep us from emerging haggard and zombie like after regular all night box set marathons, book splurges and music overload we've set up this monthly space where we can express our pure fannish glee at the fact that so many projects of awesome potential are continually being made. All of our past wants and desires can be found in the We Want It! tag.

Jodie

Books

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor Lavalle — Diana M. Pho was reccing this all over Twitter and it sounds like just my sort of thing. I'm fascinated by SFF which mixes American history and magic, especially when stuff that sounds grounded in urban fantasy frameworks (all those twisty back alleys make cities the perfect breeding grounds for magic it seems).

The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie — I have heard that there are lesbian pirates in this book so I am all in. Skrutskie's main character wants to train seamonsters, and I'm getting a kind of Temeraire vibe from the blurb. The conflict seems to revolve around imprinting and the main character getting thrust into a life they would never choose.

Rush, Oh! by Shirley Barrett — I simply can't resist a whale book and there are some pretty great whale books coming out this year. This one is about a woman coming of age among a whaling family. Victoria Hoyle really liked it which is good enough for me. Sidenote: can I just say what a treat it is to have Victoria back writing regularly.

The Whale: A Love Story by Mark Beauregard — The second whale book on my list. This one is a fictionalised account of a love affair between Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Philip Hoare's book The Whale supposes that Melville's love for Hawthorne was probably unrequited but I think I would enjoy reading a novel which thoroughly considers the case against that argument.

Giant Days, Vol. 1 by John Allison, Lissa Tremain and Whitney Cogar — I don't read a lot of a contemporary comics now but once upon a time I used to be very into webcomics like Piled Higher and Deeper. Giant Days sounds like it would appeal to fans of that comic and bizarrely I am absolutely struck by the cover of the collected trade edition even though (because?) it's such a simple design.

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Clues — Stories about magical characters who aren't The Chosen One are growing in popularity. Generally, I find these stories kind of gimmicky (but then any trend can feel gimmick heavy if you read enough of it) but I'm always looking for books that defy my expectations. I have a feeling this could be one of them because the heroine is aware she's not the chosen one and out to deceive others into thinking that she is. It's magical Victorian setting also sounds like it could fill the Sorceror to the Crown shaped hole in my life.

Renay

Books

Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer — have I talked about this here? I feel like I have been vibrating over this book for awhile now and I've lost track of where I've waved it around going, "This sounds so cool!" But this sounds so cool so it's cool if I've mentioned it before. Based on the expanded blurb I'm a little more cautious about this title than I was before, but I hope it will be good. Fingers crossed.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater — First it was pushed to February, then to April, and if it moves again I'm going to fling myself into a dark, underground cave in protest. Of course, if the author needed time to make it good, that's perfectly fine! IT'S FINE. Because I really want her to stick the landing with this book and have all my fingers and toes crossed for her to manage it and for this book to be full of emotions. Then I can start pushing the series on the people who haven't read it yet because the whole thing will be done and there won't be cliffhangers (I'm coming for you, friends).

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows — our Foz has a book coming out (yes, I have JUST CLAIMED HER) and I am so happy and overjoyed and bursting with pride! After reading Through the Ice last year so I could force Ana through it with me I have been craving a portal fantasy that I have confidence won't be a trash fire halfway through and I know this one won't be! I'm so happy this book will soon exist. :D The cover is also super lovely.

The Obsession by Nora Roberts — that's right! I'm going to embrace my roots and claim that I am HELLA STOKED for this novel. Surprisingly, my library here doesn't carry a ton of romance, so I'm largely cut off from the genre and the newer stuff coming out (thanks, unemployment), but they always get multiple copies of Nora Roberts. Heck yeah!

Space Hostages by Sophia McDougall — GUESS WHAT IS OUT JUST IN TIME FOR ME TO READ IT (when I get the money). THAT'S RIGHT: the sequel to Mars Evacuees, which I loved. You can't really read about this novel without being spoiled for Mars Evacuees, so you should start at the beginning because everything about the first novel is great. :D

Act of God by Jill Ciment — I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but after reading Station Eleven and loving it I'm always on the look out for other books which center a tragedy by focusing on individuals and their journey. This is a book about mold that glows! Into it.

Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller — I want to read this book so much! It's not out yet, but get ready to see it everywhere, on displays, on wishlists, on best-of lists, and on any best-seller list that exists. :D

Broken by Susan Jane Bigelow — I meant to read this when it was out the first time and I utterly failed even though my library had a copy. Thankfully, Book Smugglers Publishing is re-releasing this and I am so excited to finally get to read it. :D Also, the new art for the series is amazing! I'm super impressed with this artist, Kirbi Fagan, who I had never heard of before. They just did a cover reveal where you can see the cover in all its glory!

Susan

Games

Famous Detective Pikachu — I can't tell if this looks amazing or awful, but it has a Pikachu solving crime and I think I might need it in my life.

Comments

[jb_slasher]

The link for Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer is missing "ht" at the beginning.

These posts get me so excited about books! And games! :D

[readingtheend.pip.verisignlabs.com]

YES to the Victor Lavalle book! I read The Devil in Silver last year and found it fascinating and appalling and strange, so I am obviously all about this new thing. It even has ballad in the title! I love ballads! (Murder ballads are best.)

And the Hamilton book -- sigh. Want it so very, very much.