What is a more relaxing way to spend your Sunday than wandering around a book shop? That is exactly what I did today, partly because I needed to collect a book I’ve been waiting to ship since the release date in September, and partly to explore what will likely be my new local bookshop! So, I figured I may as well write a blog post about the two books that I picked up.
I didn’t really go in with a specific book I wanted to buy, other than the one I was there to collect so I wandered around looking at books, seeing what was on offer (those buy one get one half price stands are always hard to resist). My new local Waterstones has two floors including a cafe, which looks lovely to sit down with a book in and definitely something I will be doing in the future. Conveniently near the fantasy section too… They don’t have the best fantasy collection as it is smaller than in other Waterstones I’ve been to, but when you live near enough to Waterstones Picadilly suddenly all sections in a bookshop seem small…
However, I did manage to find and buy Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, a book which I have heard so many fabulous things about recently. Now, I don’t know too much about it, all I know is that it is a high fantasy lesbian romance inspired by things like Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve heard that it is such a cosy and wholesome story, meaning it is just perfect for this time of year.
The Waterstones blurb for Legends & Lattes says that “Things get interesting very quickly, as a retired orc barbarian sets up a coffee shop in Baldree’s wonderfully warmhearted slice of fantasy about fresh starts, ancient magic and excellent pastries.” Which just sounds perfect for me, especially the mention of pastries makes me think there may be baking involved, and I don’t know about you but I love a book that makes me hungry and this definitely seems like one that will do the job! I think to read it I may have to set myself up with copious amounts of snacks!
Then I finally picked up my preorder, the special Waterstones edition of Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong. I have been waiting for this for what feels like forever, but due to Waterstones’ warehouse issues and me not being able to change my delivery address, it has been a nightmare trying to get ahold of it! I thought all hope was lost as it was sold out, until I realised I could click and collect it, at which point I did so immediately!
Foul Lady Fortune follows on from Chloe Gong’s previous duology These Violent Delights, Foul Lady Fortune is set in the same universe following some of the side characters from the original duology. The Waterstones blurb says “Filled with secrets, conspiracy and romance, this evocative slice of historical fiction from the author of These Violent Delights sees a young assassin fight for the greater good in 1930s Shanghai. Foul Lady Fortune, the first in a duology, is a speculative historical noir surrounding the events of Imperial Japan's expansion into China in the 1930s.”
Already massively intriguing, I cannot wait to dive back into Chloe Gong’s writing. I really enjoyed the first duology and feel that she has set up future novels so well, that when she announced it I was immediately intrigued. I am a big fan of the way she describes Shanghai, making it come to life on the page so cannot wait to get back into this city, a few years in the future! I also really like the chemistry between her characters so I’m excited to see what this one brings!
So, those are the most recent books I have bought! Let me know what yours are or if you have read either of these, though obviously without any spoilers please! Now I just need to get a new bookshelf sorted, because oh boy am I swiftly running out of space…
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