Waiting On Wednesday – 59

Hello gentle reader,

today I’m waiting on THE SHADOW CABINET (Shades of London #3) by Maureen Johnson (expected publication: 16th September 2014 in the US/Canada, but 5th February 2015 in the UK). It’ll be the third book in this YA Fantasy series, which will have four books in total.

I enjoyed the first two books and the prequel of this series about teens fighting ghosts in London, and I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.

The Shadow Cabinet

The blurb is super spoilery if you haven’t read the first books, but you can read it on Goodreads here if you want.

“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?

YA Halloween Reads 2013

Hello gentle reader,

Halloween is coming up! Last year I shared with you my October reads and I thought it could be interesting to do it again this year. So if you’re looking for Halloween books suitable for Young Adults readers, here are a few suggestions…

Ghosts: The Shades of London series

(The Name of the Star and The Madness Underneath) by Maureen Johnson

nameofthestarseries

Vampires: The Blood of Eden series

(The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure) by Julie Kagawa

julie-kagawa-immortal-rules-eternity-cure-book-covers-2

Steampunk supernatural extravaganza: The Parasol Protectorate series

(Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless and Timeless) by Gail Carriger

Soulless

Gothic / Post-apocalyptic Fantasy: The Masque of the Red Death series

(Masque of the Red Death and Dance of the Red Death) by Bethany Griffin

Masque of the Red Death

What are you reading this Halloween? Feel free to share your recommendations below!

And stay tuned for an ALL HALLOWS’ READS giveaway, coming up next week…

YA Ghost Stories

What’s on my bookshelf ? 5

Today I want to mention a few ghost stories that I enjoyed reading and that I think are suitable for Young Adult readers.

So, on my bookshelf, you can find:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

After the murder of his family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard and is raised by ghosts. Growing up in a graveyard can be dangerous but everyone knows the world outside its gate is even worse…

An amazing setting, and such a great story. Neil Gaiman has no equal.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Two American sisters inherit a flat which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. The teenage twins move in and meet their strange neighbours, before realizing  their deceased aunt can’t seem to leave her old apartment – and life- behind.

Technically an Adult book. An interesting premise and a chilling ending. However the story relies heavily on clichés about London and its supposedly ghostly feel. Since I actually live here, I need a little more than that in terms of setting.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The ghost of Jack The Ripper is killing again in modern-day London. The secret ghost police of London are on the case, with no time to waste.

Again a book set in London and targeted at American readers who have never set foot here. But in this one, the plot is great and the author actually conveys a “British feel” to her story.

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Manhattan, 1882. A teenage girl who cannot speak. A haunted painting. A love story across time and space.

A good YA read, although the plot lacked high stakes. And I liked the twist halfway through the book.

That’s it for YA ghost stories sitting on my bookshelf… Any other books you’d recommend? Feel free to comment!

Also you can enter my 100 Followers Giveaway here and win YA books!