Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out Lisa’s introductory post, here.

The Burning Chambers
by Kate Mosse

Carcassonne 1562: Nineteen-year-old Minou Joubert receives an anonymous letter at her father’s bookshop. Sealed with a distinctive family crest, it contains just five words: SHE KNOWS THAT YOU LIVE.

But before Minou can decipher the mysterious message, a chance encounter with a young Huguenot convert, Piet Reydon, changes her destiny forever. For Piet has a dangerous mission of his own, and he will need Minou’s help if he is to get out of La Cité alive.

Toulouse: As the religious divide deepens in the Midi, and old friends become enemies, Minou and Piet both find themselves trapped in Toulouse, facing new dangers as sectarian tensions ignite across the city, the battle-lines are drawn in blood and the conspiracy darkens further.

Meanwhile, as a long-hidden document threatens to resurface, the mistress of Puivert is obsessed with uncovering its secret and strengthening her power . . .

This novel sounds right up my street. It’s set in the 16th century, my favourite era to read and learn about, and features religious turmoil which I’m also fascinated by during this era of history. I still haven’t reached for it, though, because I previously DNF’d another of Mosse’s novels, but with the second book in this series out next year I’d like to try and get to it soon.

Do you enjoy historical fiction? What’s your favourite era to read about?

It’s the last week of the N.E.W.Ts – I can’t believe September is just around the corner, but I can’t wait for autumn – and I could feel myself heading towards a slump over the weekend…

Before

I couldn’t resist picking up City of Blades after I read and loved City of Stairs, especially when it followed one of my favourite side characters from that first book, and I really enjoyed it! It gave me my E in DADA, meaning I’ve achieved all the grades I need for my chosen career for the N.E.W.Ts. I’d like to try and get another O before the end of the readathon if I can, but I was starting to feel a little burned out after going straight from the Medieval-A-Thon into the N.E.W.Ts so we’ll see!

Now

Just yesterday my request for an eARC of The Beautiful was granted by NetGalley, and I decided to dive straight in! I want to start getting on top of my NetGalley reads, I’ve been avoiding them for too long, so I figured reading and scheduling a review of this one in advance will give me the kick up the backside. Vampires have never been a favourite paranormal creature of mine, but I’m really excited that they seem to be making a comeback and this novel is pretty fun so far and just what I needed to stop me from falling into a slump. I’ll never say no to a story set in New Orleans!

Next

Speaking of NetGalley reads, Sea Witch has been waiting for me to read and review it for far too long. This darker retelling of The Little Mermaid is set in Denmark and I’m going to Denmark next month, so I’d love to get to it before I go!

What are you reading right now?