Waiting on Wednesday: Asunder by Jodi Meadows

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Coming January 2013

(New Soul 2) 

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

I absolutely love the first book, Incarnate, and can't wait for this second one. The cover is gorgeous and the description sounds even better!

What are you waiting for?

 

Immortal City by Scott Speer

Immortal City

Immortal City Series 1

Author: Scott Speer  
Pages: 368 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: April 3rd 2012
Review Source: Purchased

When I first read the description I thought it sounded pretty interesting and when the cover came out I thought it was gorgeous. But, it wasn't until I finished this book and met Scott and the Teen Austin Book Festival that I really wanted more!

Jackson Godspeed is about to become a full Guardian and everyone wants to know who his first protection is going to be. Jackson just wants... more.

Maddy, unlike the rest of the world, doesn't follow the Angel blogs or gossip. She just goes to school and work, preparing for college. But when she gets swept up into Jackson's world of glitz and glamour... and apparently murder, things take a completely different turn. For both.

I'll admit that I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to like this book, but I found myself completely intrigued the more I read. With a premise that may at first seem superficial, Scott delves not only into an outsiders perspective of the Hollywood scene but also into how our society views celebrities.

The story is told from both Maddy Montgomery's perspective and Jackson Godspeed's, which I think worked just right! Jackson doesn't really know anything different then how he grew up, being in the public eye. While Maddy has grown used to being in the background, invisible. And they both find themselves thrust into situations that they aren't used to.

Oh and did I mention that there's a bit of a murder mystery, too. Not only do we get fun with the angel/celebrity world, but we also get a pretty scary case that needs to be solved before it's too late. Who will be the next victim?

I don't want to give anything away for anyone who hasn't had a chance to read this yet, but I did get a question that I had by the end of the book answered at the Book Festival. Now I can only imagine what will happen in the next book, Natural Born Angel! Waiting is going to be difficult...

Scott Speer
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday: Days of Blood and Starlight

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

 Coming November 6th

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is--and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

 My sister was the one to talk me into reading the first book in this series and I knew that it was going to be good. Laini's descriptions and story building are beyond words. I've been waiting for this book for over a year now and I can't wait to get my hands on it, especially since Laini's tour is coming through my home town!

What are you waiting for!

Embers and Echoes by Karsten Knight

Embers and Echoes

Wildefire 2

Author: Karsten Knight  
Pages: 480 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: August 28th 2012
Review Source: Simon & Schuster

I discovered this author last year just before his debut, Wildefire, came out and I'm so glad that I did. His writing, attention to detail, and wit are just a few of the things that I love about this series and can't wait for more.

When things don't work out in California or on her trip with Cole, Ashline Wilde heads to Miami to find her little sister Rose, the goddess of war.

Along the way she discovers more young deities, both stronger and more dangerous than before. And things are only just beginning.

One of the things I've discovered about some male writers, especially when they're writing from a female perspective, they tend to have a difficult time expressing the emotion a girl would have or writing a lot of details. Karsten definitely doesn't have that problem and I think that's one of the reasons I love this series so much. Ashline is clearly a tough character, witty and a bit sarcastic, but her emotions clearly come across the page. You get the struggles she's dealing with and want to know more about her.

Mythology is also pretty much one of my favorite things, and Karsten introduces a whole bunch of new mythological gods and goddess this time around. He thrusts them into a modern setting and presents them in a way that you could really see it all happening.

I especially love the intricate story and plot line that is given. There's so much more happening than our characters know about and as it slowly unravels you just want to know where it's all leading. All of the characters and different deities offer something, they aren't added just to be there and I can't wait to find out who all will be there in the last book.

Now after the way things ended in this book, not that it was really a cliffhanger, I am more than excited to get Afterglow, the last book in the trilogy. Everything has been building up to this and I'll have to sit and wait patiently (or as patiently as I can).

Karsten Knight
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Shadow of the Mark

I am beyond excited to help with the cover reveal for the next book in Leigh Fallon's Carrier trilogy, Shadow of the Mark. It is gorgeous and absolutely fitting with the theme from the first book.

 

Summary: Life for Megan Rosenberg just got a lot more complicated.

While she evoked the air element, and her feelings for Adam
intensified, a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal has been spun around  her.  With the Order tightening its hold, and the
reinstatement of the Mark Knights, Megan has more questions than  answers as the
Marked Ones grow in strength.

New people arouse suspicion, the DeRises start behaving
strangely, and Megan begins to unravel a destiny shrouded in mystery.   It?s a destiny the Order has struggled to hide,
and a destiny someone from the past?far in the past, has already laid claim to.

Alliances will be made, and friends will be lost, as the
Order?s dark secrets are revealed by the very thing they sought to destroy.

And along with the cover reveal Leigh is offering a giveaway. Be sure to check it out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Emblaze

Just saw the gorgeous cover for the third book in The Violet Eden Chapters and I'm even more excited to read it than before. Check it out:

 

Summary:  Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

I'm so excited for this book! Not only is there so much to look forward to finding out, but I also got to meet Jessica last month at the Austin Teen Book Festival. She's such a sweetheart!

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Hidden

Firelight 3

Author: Sophie Jordan 
Pages: 272 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: September 11th 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen

This review will contain spoilers if you haven't read the first two books in the series. 

One of the main things that drew me into this series was Sophie's dragon's. She built such an amazing world with them and created her own unique one's.

Jacinda has to set things right after Cassian's sister, Miram, is captured. With the help of her sister, Will, and Cassian, Jacinda infiltrates herself as a prisoner to help get Miram out and to safety.

But nothing is as easy as it seems. There's no guarantee of them all making it out and as truth's are revealed, everyone is tested. Including Jacinda.

I've loved Jacinda from the very beginning. She's unique even among her pride as a fire draki and is driven by her natural instincts. Though she's expected to be this protected, good little girl among the other draki, Jacinda doesn't accept that. She falls in love and doesn't want anyone else to tell her who she is or what she can do. An amazing character.

Each book has had just a little bit more about the draki world, including new and interesting draki's that weren't mentioned before. Especially in this last one, Sophie introduces a pretty amazing male draki that I'm not entirely sure what kind he is, but I definitely want to know more about. Their lives hidden by the mists, their connection to gems and such, even their training to fly is all stuff that I really enjoyed.

The world of Firelight has so much to it that I'd be happy if it never ended. The fantasy world of the draki, the mystery and adventure for the characters, and the romance between Jacinda and Will. There's just so much there that I'd keep reading, but since it eventually has to end I'm happy that we got just the right one. Sophie gave us conclusions and hope for more without leaving readers disappointed or feeling bittersweet.

Sophie ensured that I'll continue to read more from her with this series and I'm already itching to get my hands on her new book Uninvited. If only I didn't have to wait... 

Sophie Jordan
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Velveteen

Velveteen 1

Author: Daniel Marks 
Pages: 364 pgs
Genre: YA, Horror, Paranormal
Release Date: October 9th 2012
Review Source: NetGalley

Not only does Velveteen have an amazing cover, haunting and dark, but it also has a pretty fabulous description that pulled me in. And I'm so glad that it did!

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

Because of my major in college (CJ), I've always found serial killers fascinating. And when I found out that Velveteen was about a girl going after her killer, I knew that this was something I had to check out. An angry ghost who wanted to get revenge on her murder, I mean who wouldn't want to read that.

I loved Velvet's snark and tough girl attitude. She definitely wasn't one of the typical female character's I've read lately and that made me want to read more. Daniel created a fun character set in dreary purgatory and added some anger and snark to the mix.

On top of that he created a pretty interesting world to fit Velvet and her friend's into.  The hierarchy, jobs, and setup for Daniel's purgatory and other characters only added to the mix. It's not some place I'd want to go, but it was fun to experience his world with Velvet.

There was so much more to the story and background that I didn't know would be there, which only pulled me in more. We only get a little piece of the puzzle and I can't wait to find out what else is in store.

Be sure to check out the rest of the tour HERE.

Blog Tour: Iridescent by Carol Oates

Iridescent

Ember 2

Author: Carol Oates 
Pages: 319 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: October 16th 2012
Review Source: Omnific Publishing

I fell in love with Carol's writing after reading her debut novel Shades of Atlantis and haven't been disappointed yet. Each book of hers just gets better and better.

Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.

Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has.

Lies, manipulation, and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven, and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.

If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?

Once I found out that there was going to be more to Ember, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Not only does Carol know how to build brilliant worlds and back stories, but she also knows how to really create relationships with her characters, to make readers root for them.

We only get a bit of the angel mythology Carol created in Ember, but she's goes into more detail in Iridescent. I found myself guessing and wondering just where everything was leading, which made me love the outcome even more. Now I'm wondering if somehow there will be more, because I hate to leave this fascinating world behind.

Oh, and who doesn't love a good romance? If falling in love with each character wasn't enough, Carol knows how to build up the romance and tension between her characters. I could feel my heart jumping into my throat quite a few times and I loved it every single time. I was invested in what happened to them and wanted things to work out.

Iridescent is a fun read with a little bit of everything: from fantasy world building to beautiful descriptions and even lovely romance. I can only imagine what will come from Carol next, but I do know one thing: I will definitely be checking it out either way!

Carol Oates

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

To check out the rest of the stops on the tour you can go HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Coming October 23, 2012

(Hush, Hush #4)

Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush saga. Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

 

I picked up the first book in this series randomly and fell in love with it. Now I can't wait for the final book to come out and meet Becca when she visits my town on her tour!

What are you waiting for?

Friday Finds and New Reads

Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

 So it's been a while since we've had FFNR and I'm sorry for that! Let's get right to it then.

First up we have Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield:

Description: Sing and the darkness will find you.

Shipwrecked on an island seven years ago, Lucy has been warned she must never sing, or disaster will strike. But on All Hallows Eve, Lucy hears tantalizing music in the air. When she sings it, she unlocks a terrible secret: She is a Chantress, a spell-singer, brought to the island not by shipwreck but by a desperate enchantment gone wrong.

Her song lands her back in England — and in mortal peril, for the kingdom lies in the cruel grasp of a powerful Lord Protector and his mind-reading hunters, the Shadowgrims. The Protector has killed all Chantresses, for they alone can destroy the Shadowgrims. Only Lucy has survived.

In terrible danger, Lucy takes shelter with Nat, a spy who turns her heart upside-down. Nat has been working with his fellow scholars of the Invisible College to overthrow the Lord Protector, and they have long hoped to find a living Chantress to help them. But Lucy is completely untrained, and Nat deeply distrusts her magic. If Lucy cannot master the songspells, how long can she even stay alive?

Beguiling and lyrical, dangerous and romantic, Chantress will capture readers in a spell they won’t want to break.

This caught my interest not only because of the gorgeous cover (which is so beautiful), but also because of the amazing summary. Everything about it sounds alluring and has made it high up there on my to-read list.

And now we have Arclight by Josin L. McQuein:

Description: There is the Light. There is the Dark. And no one survives The Fade. These are the absolutes... until a teenage girl stumbles out of the shadows with no memory of how she survived.

Her appearance brings hope, but also danger as a race of parasitic, chameleon-like creatures known as The Fade begin attacking those who have given her shelter. Torn between the possibility that she's the key to defeating the Fade, and the growing dissent that would sacrifice the girl in hopes of stopping the attacks, she's hard pressed to find anyone she can trust.

She finds a strained ally in the son of the man who died to bring her to safety. And when the two teens stumble across a captive Fade who begs them for help locating his lost mate, they begin to wonder if the Fade are the enemy they've been taught to believe.

This one sounds like a great book! A bit of dystopian, a bit of fantasy/sci-fi all weaved in mystery and intrigue. I love books like this and am so excited for it.

Now for some new reads I've gotten lately:

 

 

    

Next for review:

Silver by Talia Vance

Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Embers and Echoes by Karsten Knight

Rapture by Lauren Kate

What I'm reading now:

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Upcoming Reads:

False Memory by Dan Krokos

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Iridescent by Carol Oates

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

Divergent 2

Author: Veronica Roth 
Pages: 525 pgs
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Review Source: Purchased

I fell in love with this series last year when Divergent first came out. I told my sister that I had to force myself to slow down and savor what I was reading with that one, and I found myself doing it again.

Instead of enjoying her initiation day, Tris and the rest of her friends have to flee from Dauntless headquarters and seek safety when war breaks out. War has broken out.

Every decision Tris makes has consequences and as she faces them, Tris fights to protect those closest to her. Everything is falling apart, and as the secrets those in power want to keep hidden come to light, the lives they've clung to will be transformed.

One of the things I love about these books is how real and intense the situations are. Veronica doesn't hold back and I think that makes the story even more gripping. You can see and understand each faction, how they got to where they were and how each person fits into them. Even more so in Insurgent when we get to see the other factions besides Dauntless.

My sister and I have had a few discussions about this particular book. And one of the main things I've mentioned is how different Four was for me. In Divergent Four was all about pushing Tris to be strong and showing her that he knew that she was. That's one of the things that I loved about him. He didn't treat her like the small girl she appeared to be. Insurgent he was a bit different and seemed more overprotective of her, though he always mentioned how strong she was. I still love Four, he's one of my favorite male characters, but I think we got to see a different side of him in this book and Tris for that matter. Everybody responds to tragedy and war in different ways and Veronica showed that to us.

There are so many different facets to Insurgent especially and I don't want to give anything away. With each chapter I kept finding myself wanting to read just a little bit more because I couldn't stop where I'd wanted to. One of the focuses in this one was about the divergence. Sure it was quickly mentioned in Divergent, but it was explored more in this book and more of those who were Divergent were revealed. I loved getting a little bit more of an understand on just what that meant.

I can hardly imagine what all will happen in the final book, but I can barely wait! There's just so much that Veronica brings to the plate, so many details and thorough characters, that I'm beyond excited for the conclusion. This is one of the few dystopians, as well, that doesn't have me all squirmy and freaked out to find out what's going on.

Now, to wait patiently...

Velveteen Blog Tour: Author Interview

Thank you for checking out the next tour stop for Velveteen, hosted by Teen Book scene. To follow the rest of the tour you can check it out here. And today we are joined by Daniel Marks, the author of Velveteen, who answered some questions for us.
1. Who are some of your favorite author's right now?  

I absolutely love Jess Walter (BEAUTIFUL RUINS, THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF POETS, THE ZERO). His prose is gorgeous and the way he weaves a tale is reminiscent of another of my favorites, Jennifer Egan (LOOK AT ME, THE KEEP, A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD). If you want to take a look at really great writing and storytelling, check both of them out. Soon. Amongst the YA folk, I love Andrew Smith (THE MARBURY LENS, PASSENGER), Libba Bray (BEAUTY QUEENS, THE DIVINERS) and A.S. King (ASK THE PASSENGERS, PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ).

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

 I’d love to live in Southeast Asia for a while. I’ve traveled to Thailand and the people are so nice, the culture is just so amazing, I’d like to give it a go. Plus, the idea of being an expatriot, living somewhere so foreign really does appeal to me. Writers should spend a fair amount of time outside their comfort zone. Kicks up the dust that gathers on the creativity.
 
3. Which do you think is scary: watching a modern day horror movie or reading a horror book?  

Both. I’m pretty jaded when it comes to the genre, so I have to really put myself in a “zone” to experience the fear. I’m open to being scared, which is becoming kind of a rare sentiment in a world that wants to shelter people from conflict. 
 
4. I love this genre, but I'm always interested in why others choose it. So, why did you choose to write young adult?

 I was a child and adolescent psychotherapist for twelve years before I started writing. Oddly enough, I started writing for adults first, and have a series under another name that I like to keep a bit secret, as it’s so different from what I’m doing now. I’d attempted a middle grade story that was just way too dark and needed some reworking and young adult is really what suited that story best. It became VELVETEEN. Back then it was called THE TROUBLE WITH THE LIVING and Luisa was the protagonist.
 
5. What is your writing process like, and have you had to change it up as you continue? 

I think more than I write. That’s the first part. I can bat around an idea inside my head for six months before I ever jot down a note about it. Which means, of course, I’m always juggling several novels in my head even as I’m focusing on a single one for publishing. I used to try to curb those tendencies, but I’ve given up. It’s just how I work. When I do decide on a thread, I start with a wishlist of scenes, set pieces that I feel like will lead me to character and I write those. It’s as I’m working through that stuff that the story starts to come together. Experimentation leads to plotting rather than plotting being the framework. It might be backward, but it’s the only way I know how. 

Thanks, Daniel! Be sure to check back here later for my review of Velveteen.