In My Mailbox: February Wrap-Up

I used to do IMM's once a week, but some weeks I don't have anything to share, so I figured I'd do monthly IMM's instead. The following are what I've received in February:

For Review:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. A rich account of a family’s polygamous history is revealed, including how a young woman became a plural wife.

Soon after Ann Eliza’s story begins, a second exquisite narrative unfolds–a tale of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day Utah. Jordan Scott, a young man who was thrown out of his fundamentalist sect years earlier, must reenter the world that cast him aside in order to discover the truth behind his father’s death.

Thanks to Transworld Publishers Black Swan!

I'm currently reading this book. The polygamous marriage practiced by the Latter-Day Saints intrigues me. Is it really what the Prophet deems - God's command? Or is it merely a political play to cover up his insatiable lust for beautiful young women?

Lockdown (Escape From Furnace, #1) by Alexander Gordon Smith

Furnace Penitentiary: the world's most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth's surface. Convicted of a murder he didn't commit, sentenced to life without parole, Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars.

My deepest gratitude to Alex for sending me this book! It sure sounds great! And I totally love the kick-ass cover.

Giveaway Wins:

The Cabinet of Earths by Anne Nesbet

To protect her baby brother James, 12-year-old Maya has to take on the magical underworld of Paris, in which houses have bronze salamanders for door handles, the most beautiful people are all hooked on the sweet-smelling “anbar,” and a shimmering glass Cabinet of Earths has chosen Maya to be its next keeper.

Many thanks to Anne Nesbet for this book! I won a giveaway on her blog with a random number of 123 - actually not so random as I chose this number because my birthday falls on the 23rd of January!

Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

Many thanks to Brenna for this book! You can read more about the prize pack I received here: A Surprise Package from Brenna Yovanoff

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran

In this deft historical novel, Madame Tussaud (1761-1850) escapes the pages of trivia quizzes to become a real person far more arresting than even her waxwork sculptures. Who among us knew, for instance, that she moved freely through the royal court of Louis XVI, only to become a prisoner of the Reign of Terror? Her head was shaven for guillotining, but she escaped execution, though she was forced to make death masks for prominent victims. Novelist Michelle Moran covers this breathtaking period without losing the thread of its subject's singular story.

You can't imagine how excited I am about this book! I was supposed to review this book before its publication date, but the books Michelle sent my way never arrived. It literally broke my heart. But the good thing is, I ended up as the 7th place winner in Michelle's Heads Will Roll contest thanks to Queeny's help. Michelle was kind enough to send two copies of Madame Tussaud - one for me and one for Queeny! And fortunately this time, the books arrived safely - yay! Thank you so much, Michelle!

Torn by Cat Clarke

Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down.

Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever...

Many thanks to Claire from Claire Reads for sending this book my way! Torn sounds like a winner!

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano

At age 16, Rhine Ellery has four years to live. Thanks to a botched effort to create a perfect race, all females live to age 20 and males live to age 25. On the cusp of her 17th birthday, Rhine attempts to flee, but what she finds is a society spiraling out of control.

I won this last year, but it only arrived now because it was a pre-ordered copy. It's amazing how I can wait 100+ days for a book to arrive. Many thanks to Simcha from SFF Chat for this book!

Random Act of Kindness (RAK):

Touch of Power (Healer, #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

Thanks to Jen at lratrandom.blogspot.com for this gift! You can read my review HERE.