It’s time to play “guess that book” and also watch our TBRs weep.
Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and is all about the first line of a current/upcoming read. Friday 56 is a meme hosted by Freda’s Voice, where you turn to page 56 (or 56%) in what you’re reading a find a snippet that jumps out at you.
First Lines
Cairn could hear it over the flames crackling in the library fireplace and the thunderstorm battering the windows outside. Her mother, Ahna, smiled at her expectantly as Cairn cradled the gift in her lap.
56% Snippet
“Who?” Cairn asked. An inky darkness spread through the space outside the train car, blotting out the constellations until there was only a suffocating void.
Njörun whispered her next word so quietly Cairn almost didn’t hear it. “Phobeter.”
It took Cairn a moment to register the name from the sprawling list of myths her mother had recited to her. “Phobnetor? The Greek god of nightmares?”
Book Reveal
In a city of gods and mortals, secrets never die.
The gods walk among us. Some lurk in the shadows, masquerading as mortals; others embrace their celebrity status, launching careers from Hollywood to Capitol Hill.
One of them just murdered Cairn Delacroix’s mother.
As Cairn sifts through the rubble, she uncovers a conspiracy two decades in the making: a cursed island, the fellowship of gods who journeyed there, and the unspeakable act that intertwined their fates. One by one, the members of that voyage are dying, and Cairn’s investigations land her in the crosshairs of the rogue goddess responsible.
With the help of Nanook, a polar bear god turned detective, Cairn descends into Boston’s underworld of supernatural crime and political aspiration. To avenge her mother and unmask her assassin, she’ll first have to reckon with a gut-wrenching secret that will rewrite the life she thought she knew.
Reasons to Read
✿ Lots of diverse gods living among humans.
✿ Touches on many diverse mythologies.
✿ Interesting murder mystery … with powers!
✿ Lots of action and fighting.
✿ Characters who have perfect their snark.
✿ Super sweet LGBTQ romance.
This is a weekly meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook meant to take place on Mondays, but since Fridays tend to be my TBR-focused post, I’ve decided to combine them here. Next Monday’s prompt is: LGBTQ+ Author.
I confess that I don’t always know the sexual orientation of the authors that I read, so these will probably be authors I’ve followed on Twitter, so they might be some you’ve seen a lot around here. Forgive me. But also, read them.
Honestly, Reverie sounds awesome, but it landed on my list just because Ryan La Sala is such a pleasure to follow on Twitter. I love his personality, and I didn’t even know he had a book coming out when I started following him, so imagine my surprise! If you’re not following him on Twitter yet, you really should go follow him.
On my quest to read all of T.J. Klune’s books (which feels a little daunting right now, given his backlist), The Lightning-Struck Heart definitely earns a spot on the list. Because gay boys, gay unicorns, and magic. Huzzah!
Okay, so I didn’t love Infinity Son, but I thought it was interesting enough to continue the series, at least. Also, have you seen that cover?! OMG. I want to marry it. Is that weird? Dark phoenixes, ftw. Even the title is sexy. So yes, I will definitely be picking up Infinity Reaper.
See, this is what I mean when I say I have no idea. I didn’t realize David Sedaris was gay, but his Calypso has been on my TBR for a while now. I’ve heard great things about him and his humor, and he’s been recommended multiple times, but I haven’t had a chance to pick up his books yet.
Why haven’t I read These Witches Don’t Burn Yet? Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea. It’s witchy goodness by an LGBTQ author, and I’m not sure how it could get much more perfect than that, honestly.
Sounds good! I love the name “Cairn.” Enjoy. Here’s mine: “THE HALF SISTER”
Laurel-Rain Snow recently posted…AUTHOR’S HOME PAGE
It’s definitely a unique name, and I love the explanation in the book (her father is a geologist).
Sounds like a fun start – the box is growling? I am intrigued.
Sassy Brit @ Alternative-Read.com recently posted…#Friday56 #Interview with bestselling author @CEMcKenzie1
Indeed! It definitely catches your attention, doesn’t it?
Oh that is a cover and half! Love it.
Angelique @ Why I Can’t Stop Reading recently posted…Funtastic Friday #4
Isn’t it pretty?! I honestly don’t know really how it ties to the story? But it’s definitely nice to look at, just the same.
Welp. Just added that to my TBR- thank you very much lol.
susan recently posted…Year Of The Witching’s Gothic Horror Lures You In So Alexis Henderson’s Fearless Writing And Unflinching Black/Biracial Heroine Can Drop A Bomb On Your Soul
You’re welcome. That’s what I’m here for, isn’t it? 😀 I can’t be the only one suffering beneath a looming TBR.
Sounds very good! 🙂 Happy weekend!
Freda Mans-Labianca recently posted…The #Friday56 #Instagram56
It was good! I enjoyed it.
I love the growling box!
I just read Calypso. It’s actually kind of a melancholy Sedaris book because it is a lot about his aging father and the suicide of his sister. I loved it because I’m a big fan. But I think there are funnier Sedaris books to read first if you want to start with a funny one, like Me Talk Pretty One Day or Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.
Oh, is it? Hmmm. Well, thanks for the heads up! I’ve been really curious about Me Talk Pretty One Day because I love the title, so maybe I’ll start with that one instead. 🙂
This looks good! I may have to check it out.
Have a good weekend!
My Friday Post.
Hope you enjoy it if you do!
That is an amazing first line. Love it.
I also am very bad at knowing whether or not an author is LGBTQ. Unless they specifically say so, I usually don’t even think about it TBH? I’ve been trying to keep track (partly for things like Pride month and partly to help with my quest for reading diversity) but so often I am clueless. 🙂
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Friday Reads: My Ongoing Pride TBR
I don’t really think about it, either. I pick up books that sound interesting, regardless of the author. I’m also not a huge romance fan, but it makes no difference to me about the pairing, either. Though, there’s a special place in my heart for badass F/F pairings and cinnamon role M/M. Why? I have no idea. But it’s a thing. xD
Everything in this post has me screaming “yaas!”! I’ve never heard of The Eternity of Masks and Shadows and now my TBR is screaming at me (thanks Sammie) because it’s another book added to the list. What a unique premise!? I don’t think I’ve heard of anything like it before! Also, great 5onmyTBR list! I enjoyed These Witches Don’t Burn and am looking forward to picking up the sequel soon(ish)!
Dini @ dinipandareads recently posted…I Killed Zoe Spanos Blog Tour: Review and Favourite Quotes
Hey, if I have to listen to my TBR scream at me, it’s only fair that you should have to share the same indignity.
These Witches Don’t Burn was so much fun – I’m actually giving away a copy of it on my blog right now as a part of my Pride Month Wrap Up. 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
Oooh, I didn’t even realize! Thanks for the heads up. 😀