Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly segment that asks you to pick 5 books that fit that week's theme. It was created by Bionic Bookworm and is currently being hosted by Meeghan Reads. With my fourth entry in this series, I've still not managed to identify 'Tuesday' (or weekly).

Today's instalment will be a three-parter, as I'm that far behind. It includes Top 5s for: 1) Books with Thrones, 2) Books with Jewels, and 3) Books with Clocks.

Part 1: Books with Thrones

I prepare this list in hindsight, having looked at 1 or 2 other lists already. I'm going to do my best to be an original and unique butterfly, but this list wouldn't be complete without the elephant in the room. With that out of the way, please meet Mr Elephant:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - self-explanatory. Several versions include the Iron Throne on the cover of the book, meaning it counts twice!

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan - not the best book around, but enjoyable enough. It has some funky magic revolving around gunpowder, somewhat in the vein of a Sanderson magic system. It has been a while since I read it, but my recollection is that the opening shows the MC having led a revolution against the local Monarchy (for various reasons). This throne is, I believe, relevant for plot reasons (royalists don't usually like revolutions). It also has the throne clearly visible on the cover (another bonus point!):

Doesn't look very comfy though.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri - I greatly enjoyed the first entry in Suri's newest series. The nature themed magic and threats, plus some body horror, were cool; and, there were hints of other magics too. The eponymous Jasmine Throne is (IIRC) the name given to the throne held by one of the main character's brothers. So, I think that this counts for double points too.

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine - what a wonderful cover. It grabbed my attention immediately. It's also a really good book, which somewhat revolves around the pictured throne. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I'd expected given the hype, but it was still an easy 4+ for me. I really should read the sequel at some point...

Making your throne look like a star is a real power move.

Warhammer 40,000 - Like many others (I assume), the Golden Throne upon which the Emperor sits, immobile, was an iconic part of my adolescence. The idea that 10,000 people are sacrificed to keep him alive each day was always laughably over-the-top to me. And I loved the conspiracy theory that it was the Golden Throne itself keeping him unconscious.

Made it to five, and only had to steal two answers. What a relief!

Part 2: Books with Jewels

The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore - By no means my favourite Drizzt novels (and there are a lot), but it is the first appearance of our favourite do-gooder dark elf with twin scimitars. It also gives us quality time with Bruenor, Wulfgar and Regis. Oh yeah, it also revolves around the eponymous 'crystal shard' (aka Crenshinibon).

Jade City by Fonda Lee - Magic martial artists fueled by jade in an alternate Hong Kong. What's not to love?

Sin Eater by Mike Shel - I love Shel's series, The Iconoclasts, including the intelligent sword with a jeweled pommel. We learn more about the sword and the world-building in book 2, being Sin Eater. So it's on the list!

The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - After having her Magic JewelTM stolen from her, Yalxi takes a walk down memory lane both physically and emotionally in her bid to get it back. The 'diamond heart' is a powerful artefact that lets a sorceress cast without consuming their own strength. An enjoyable book, if not a lot more introspective than I expected for what was marketed heavily as a 'Sword & Sorcery' story.

Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence - I love this series. Much more than any of Lawrence's other books. I cannot recall which book focuses the most of the 'Shiphearts', although I assume it's book three. In any event, they appear and play a role in all three (IIRC). Not exactly a jewel, I would say it counts (and you can't stop me). The Shiphearts are described as: "blue-white ball of wonder, its surface a multi-layered thing across which floated the ghosts of forms" - close enough. Plus the cover art for book three is very suggestive of a jewel-like aesthetic.

It mustn't be very heavy, or her arm would be getting tired.

Part 3: Books with Clocks

A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark - The 'Angel' and its sinister clock are central to this great story set in an alternate, early 20th century Cairo.

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk - A wonderful cover shows a handsome looking pocket watch (set minutes to midnight, of course). A wonderful fantasy romance by Polk.

Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher - I haven't read this yet, but I've loved everything else I've read by Kingfisher (including other books in this setting).

Doomsday Clock by Geoff Johns (writer) and Gary Frank (Illustrator) - I'm not sure Watchmen needed a sequel, but it got one (and also a TV show sequel). I'll read this one day.

The Big Clock by Kenneth Fearing - I'm gonna level with you. I struggled to find five, so I googled "clock novel" and picked some interesting books. This was one. Apparently a noir novel, which I do enjoy.

That's it for me. Until next Tuesday time.

Cheers,
Shannon