Category Archives: Readings

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Waiting On Wednesday – 84

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING (Kingdom On Fire #1) by Jessica Cluess (expected publication: 20th September 2016 by Random House BFYR). It’s a YA Historical Fantasy set in Victorian London – you all know how much I love those… And isn’t the cover amazing?

A Shadow Bright and Burning cover

From Goodreads:

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.

Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she’s shocked when instead of being executed, she’s invited to train as one of Her Majesty’s royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city–and the one she loves?

Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess’s spellbinding fantasy introduces Henrietta Howel, a powerful, unforgettable heroine, and an entertaining world filled with magic, monsters, and mayhem.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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Waiting On Wednesday – 83

Hello gentle reader,

Today I’m waiting on CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber (expected publication: 10th January 2017 by Flatiron Books). It’s a YA Fantasy and I CANNOT WAIT for its release, mainly because: 1) the cover is gorgeous, 2) the premise sounds fantastic, 3) I read the first chapters and they’re amazing, 4) Stephanie, whom I met in L.A. last summer, is possibly the nicest person ever, and this is her debut. Is it January yet?

Caraval_final-cover-1

From Goodreads:

Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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Book of the Week – A Tyranny of Petticoats

Hello gentle reader,

A Tyranny of Petticoats releases today and it sounds like the perfect YA read for this International Women’s Day!

Tyranny of Petticoats

It’s a YA anthology of “fifteen stories of belles, bank robbers and other badass girls” edited by Jessica Spotswood. The Historical Fantasy short stories are by Elizabeth Wein, Beth Revis, Marie Lu, Andrea Cremer, Caroline Richmond, J. Anderson Coats, Marissa Meyer, Katherine Longshore, Saundra Mitchell, Robin Talley, Y.S. Lee, Kekla Magoon, Leslye Walton and Lindsay Smith.

From Goodreads:

From an impressive sisterhood of YA writers comes an edge-of-your-seat anthology of historical fiction and fantasy featuring a diverse array of daring heroines.

Criss-cross America — on dogsleds and ships, stagecoaches and trains — from pirate ships off the coast of the Carolinas to the peace, love, and protests of 1960s Chicago. Join fifteen of today’s most talented writers of young adult literature on a thrill ride through history with American girls charting their own course. They are monsters and mediums, bodyguards and barkeeps, screenwriters and schoolteachers, heiresses and hobos. They’re making their own way in often-hostile lands, using every weapon in their arsenals, facing down murderers and marriage proposals. And they all have a story to tell.

Doesn’t it sound exciting?!

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Waiting On Wednesday – 82

Hello gentle reader,

Happy New Year!

Today I’m waiting on HALF LOST (Half Bad #3) by Sally Green (expected publication: 29th March 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers). And by ‘waiting’ I mean DYING to read it. This is easily my Most Anticipated Book of 2016. It’ll be the final book in a truly fantastic YA Fantasy trilogy, which you should read if you haven’t already. I, for one, can’t wait to see how Nathan’s story ends!

Half Lost

 

From Goodreads (edited to avoid spoilers):

Nathan must travel to America (…) to turn the tide for the Alliance of Free Witches and end the bloody civil war between Black and White witches once and for all…

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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2016 – Most Anticipated Books

Hello gentle reader,

2015 is coming to an end and it’s time to look ahead at the books I’m anticipating to read in early 2016.

This year I read 39 novels, 3 novellas, 4 unpublished manuscripts and I re-read 8 books. That’s basically a book a week, and my goal is to read as many books in 2016.

In my Waiting On Wednesday posts, I already mentioned YA books I’m eagerly waiting for: TRUTHWITCH by Susan Dennard, REVENGE AND THE WILD by Michelle Modesto, THE RAVEN KING by Maggie Stiefvater, OUTRUN THE MOON by Stacey Lee, FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP by Sarah Glenn Marsh, REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn Hamilton, THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine, and THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp.

Now let’s add a few books to this list:

Sword and Verse

Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan

YA High Fantasy

(expected publication: 19th January 2016 by HarperTeen)

Why I want to read it: A Fantasy world where literacy is a capital offense? Colour me intrigued.

The Dark days Club

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

YA Historical Fantasy

(expected publication: 26th January 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers)

Why I want to read it: “a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter”? Yes, please.

Assassin's Heart

Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers

YA Fantasy

(expected publication: 2nd February 2016 by HarperTeen)

Why I want to read it: “With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this fantasy is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.” Assassins and revenge? I’m curious…

TheGirlFromEverywhere

The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

YA Fantasy

(expected publication: 16th February 2016 by Greenwillow Books)

Why I want to read it: A time-traveling ship! Need I say more?

Burning Glass

Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

YA High Fantasy

(expected publication: 1st March 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books)

Why I want to read it: “a 17-year-old girl who is forced use her gift for feeling—and absorbing—the emotions of others to protect her nation’s emperor from would-be assassins.”

Tell the wind and fire

Tell The Wind And Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan

YA Fantasy

(expected publication: 5th April 2016 by Clarion Books)

Why I want to read it: New York! A city torn between two very different kinds of magic! Sarah Rees Brennan! I CAN’T WAIT.

What about you? Which books are you most looking forward to reading in 2016? Feel free to leave me a comment below!

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Book of the Week – Susan Dennard on Truthwitch

Hello gentle reader,

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Susan Dennard’s books. As such, I’m really looking forward to reading her new YA Epic Fantasy series, The Witchlands. Book one, TRUTHWITCH, is coming out on 5th January 2016, and Susan has kindly agreed to a short interview for this upcoming release.

Truthwitch-US-cover

(US cover)

To write Truthwitch, where did you get your inspiration from?

So, Truthwitch was one of those “perfect storm” ideas. I wanted to write epic fantasy (since that’s my true genre-love), and I wanted to write something with a Croatian vibe—ever since I’d backpacked there in 2010, the landscape had haunted me! And of course, I REALLY wanted friendship to be at the story’s heart.
It was right around then that I discovered Two Steps from Hell. I heard their piece “El Dorado” and this scene just BURST FORTH in my mind. Two best friends caught up in a roadside heist gone wrong! Turquoise blue waters on one side and limestone cliffs on the other! And a city similar to Dubrovnik only a few miles away…
The story grew from there!

Truthwitch-UK-cover

(UK cover)

Have you read any books this year you’d recommend?

Oh my gosh, this year has been a strange reading year for me. I’ve read more non-fiction than anything else. By FAR my favorite read was Cathedral of the Wild by Boyd Varty — it’s just an incredible look at life in the South African bush.

Another amazing read I just devoured was Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman. I grew up on Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies, and Bowman does an incredible job of tapping into that true western heart.

Oh, and I totally fell in love with Kate Elliott’s Court of Fives. Elliott is a master storyteller and world-builder. I am SO excited for that book’s sequel!!

Thanks, Susan, for the interview!

More about Truthwitch:

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

You can add TRUTHWITCH on Goodreads or find out about preorders here.

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Waiting On Wednesday – 81

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on REVENGE AND THE WILD, a YA Historical Fantasy by debut author Michelle Modesto (expected publication: 2d February 2016 by Balzer + Bray). It’s a Steampunk Western with magic. Need I say more?

Revengeandthewild

From Goodreads:

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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Waiting On Wednesday – 80

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine (expected publication: 5th January 2016 by Margaret K. McElderry Books). It’s a YA Fantasy by the author of SANCTUM and OF METAL AND WISHES. The cover is gorgeous and the blurb sounds intriguing, so I’m looking forward to this one!

TheImpostorQueen

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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Waiting On Wednesday – 79

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on THE RAVEN KING (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater (expected publication: 26th April 2016 by Scholastic Press). I waited until the cover reveal to write this post, even though I’ve been dying to read this book since I finished reading BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE. This is such a fantastic YA Fantasy series, if you haven’t read them yet, I can only recommend you pick up the first books before the final one comes out.

NB: This post doesn’t have any spoilers 🙂

TheRavenKingcover-550x830

 

From Goodreads:

The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love’s death. She doesn’t believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: “Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close.”

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

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Waiting On Wednesday – 78

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on OUTRUN THE MOON by the fantastic Stacey Lee (expected publication: 24th May 2016 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers). I absolutely LOVED Stacey’s debut UNDER A PAINTED SKY, and I can’t wait to read her new YA Historical!

9780399175411_OutrunTheMoon_BOM.indd

From Goodreads:

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, an historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the Army to bring help. Fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, yet Mercy still has the ‘bossy’ cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenaged girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

Breakout author Stacey Lee masterfully crafts another remarkable novel set against a unique historical backdrop. Strong-willed Mercy Wong leads a cast of diverse characters in this extraordinary tale of survival.

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by book blogger Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Have you heard about this book? Is it on your TBR list? What are you waiting on this week?

REMINDER: there’s still time to enter my All Hallow’s Read Giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the YA Anthology SLASHER GIRLS AND MONSTER BOYS! More info here.