Book Box Club - June 2018 Unboxing

In this post I am going to be unboxing the June 2018 Book Box Club box. (What follows will contain spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to know what is in the box)

Book Box Club is a monthly book subscription box. Each month you receive a specially selected YA book release and 2-4 hand picked goodies which fit in with the theme. Book Box Club also hosts a members only online book club where subscribers get a chance to chat to each other as well as the author about the book.

The theme this month was Bad Girls (Spoiler filled post under the cut)

Review#77 - The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Details:

Title: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Author: Heather Morris

Publisher: Zaffre

ISBN 13: 978-1785763649

Synopsis:

I tattooed a number on her arm. She tattooed her name on my heart.

In 1942, Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. 

Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight. And he was determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure this woman, Gita, did, too.

So begins one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust: the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.

Review:

Review #76 - Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin

Details:

Title: Spare and Found Parts

Author: Sarah Maria Griffin

Publisher: Titan Books

ISBN 13: 978-1785657054

Synopsis:

Nell Crane has never held a boy's hand. In a city devastated by an epidemic, where survivors are all missing parts-an arm, a leg, an eye-Nell has always been an outsider. Her father is the famed scientist who created the biomechanical limbs that everyone now uses. But she's the only one with her machinery on the inside: her heart. Since the childhood operation, she has ticked. Like a clock, like a bomb. And as her community rebuilds, everyone is expected to contribute to the society's good... but how can Nell live up to her father's revolutionary ideas when she has none of her own? Then she finds a lost mannequin's hand while salvaging on the beach, and inspiration strikes. Can Nell build her own companion in a world that fears advanced technology? The deeper she sinks into this plan, the more she learns about her city-and her father, who is hiding secret experiments of his own.

Review:

Review #75 - City of Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Details:

Title: City of Bastards

Author: Andrew Shvarts

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

ISBN 13: 978-1484767634

Synopsis:

Tilla, bastard of House Kent, is finally safe from her murderous father in the dazzling capital of Lightspire, she lives a life of luxury under the protection of the Volaris King. However, it doesn't last long when Tilla stumbles upon the body of a classmate - a friend. The authorities are quick to rule it a suicide but when Tilla herself is attacked by a mysterious man, she's convinced of a conspiracy. As she digs deeper, the more questions she uncovers. Nothing is as it seems in the glorious capital, and Tilla's presence might just be the spark that sets the Kingdom aflame.

Review:

Review #74 - Star Wars: Lost Stars vol 1 by Claudia Gray

Details:

Title: Star Wars: Lost Stars vol 1

Author: Claudia Gray

Publisher: Yen Press

ISBN 13: 978-1975326531

Synopsis:

The Empire can be seductive, particularly if you're an aspiring young pilot...

Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree both know this very well when they enroll Imperial Academy, eager to pursue their dreams. When Thane discovers the darker side of the Empire, though, and defects to the Rebellion, the pair's lifelong friendship will be put to the ultimate test.

Will Thane and Ciena's relationship -- or even they themselves -- survive this galactic conflict...?

Review:

Review #73 - A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Details:

Title: A Torch Against the Night

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Harper Voyager

ISBN 13: 978-0008160340

Synopsis:

A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself―a mission that might destroy her, instead.

Review:

Review #72 - Saga Vol 4 by Brian K Vaughan

Details:

Title: Saga vol 4 

Author: Brian K Vaughan

Publisher: Image Comics

ISBN 13: 978-1632150776

Synopsis:

Visit new planets, meet new adversaries, and explore a very new direction as Hazel becomes a toddler, while her family struggles to stay on their feet.

Review:

Review #71 - Star Wars: Finn and Poe team up by Disney

Details:

Title: Star Wars: Finn and Poe team up!

Author: Disney

Publisher: Disney

ISBN 13: 978-1484741436

Synopsis:

This level 1 early reader retells a favorite scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Featuring beautiful full-color illustrations, this World of Reading book is perfect for little Star Wars fans who are ready to read on their own.

Review:

Review #70 - The Extinction Trials: Exile by SM Wilson

Details:

Title: The Extinction Trials

Author: SM Wilson

Publisher: Usborne

ISBN 13: 978-1474927352

Synopsis:

After surviving on Piloria once, Storm and Lincoln are the obvious candidates to return to the dinosaur continent to test the new virus that should clear the way for human settlement. But they have their own priorities - finding a cure for the plague that's sweeping Earthasia, and keeping themselves alive.

Review:

May Wrap Up and June TBR

So in May 2018 I managed to read a total of 10 books, which was a little disappointing compared to previous months. But I did have a lot going on.

In order of reading I completed A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas, Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron, Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Jason Fry, To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, Saga vol 3 by Brian K Vaughan, Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, Star Wars: Shattered Empire by Greg Rucka, The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill, Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo and The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green. 

 

Stats -  

Hardback = 4

Paperback = 3

Graphic Novel/Manga = 2

Audiobook = 1

Ebook = 0

 My 5 star reads were The Smoke Thieves, Crooked Kingdom, Star Wars: Shattered Empire and Saga vol 3. The Smoke Thieves was a fun ensemble read full of adventure that finished on an evil cliffhanger, Crooked Kingdom was an perfect way to finish the duology, Star Wars: Shattered Empire was a great little filler read with the added bonus of learning more about Poe Dameron's parents and Saga vol 3 was yet another great installment. The most disappointing read for me this month was The Surface Breaks, it was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year and it disappointed me so much. I ranted for a long time post reading.

So in June I plan to read a few books in preparation for meeting the authors of them at YALC in London. Though there will be some new releases mixed in there.

 

Review #69 - Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Details:

Title: Sea Witch

Author: Sarah Henning

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN 13: 978-0008300845

Synopsis:

Evie has been wracked with guilt ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned. So when a girl appears on shore with an uncanny resemblance to Anna, Evie befriends her in an effort to make amends. And as the two girls catch the eyes – and hearts – of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at happy ever after. But is Evie’s new friend really who she says she is?

A gripping story of friendship, betrayal and the power of hope…

Review:

Review #68 - The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green

Details:

Title: The Smoke Thieves

Author: Sally Green

Publisher: Penguin

ISBN 13: 978-0141375397

Synopsis:

A princess, a traitor, a soldier, a hunter and a thief.

Five teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands.
Five nations destined for conflict.

In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father, while her true love, Ambrose, faces the executioner's block.

In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town.

And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell.

As alliances shift and shatter, and old certainties are overturned, our five heroes find their past lives transformed and their futures inextricably linked by the unpredictable tides of magic and war.

Who will rise and who will fall? And who will claim the ultimate prize?

Review:

Review #67 - Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Details:

Title: Crooked Kingdom

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Orion's Childrens Books

ISBN 13: 978-1780622316

Synopsis:

Welcome to the world of the Grisha. Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. 

As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets - a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Review:

Book Box Club Unboxing May 2018

In this post I am going to be unboxing the May 2018 Book Box Club box. (What follows will contain spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to know what is in the box)

Book Box Club is a monthly book subscription box. Each month you receive a specially selected YA book release and 2-4 hand picked goodies which fit in with the theme. Book Box Club also hosts a members only online book club where subscribers get a chance to chat to each other as well as the author about the book.

The theme this month was Stargazers (Spoiler filled post under the cut)