Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess

The Arcana Chronicles 1

Author: Kresley Cole  
Pages: 369 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Apocalyptic
Release Date: October 2nd 2012
Review Source: Simon and Schuster Publishing

The description is what first drew me in to want to read this, and Kresley did not disappoint with such an interesting premise to her young adult debut.

Evie had the perfect life in her small hometown, at least until she starts having horrifying hallucinations. All she wants to do is put them behind her finish out her senior year, and that's exactly what she's going to do, until her hallucinations come true.

Jackson Deveaux, the new "bad boy" in town, drives her crazy and is the one guy who can keep her safe. As he helps Evie on her search for answers, she discovers there's more happening than she'd ever thought. An ancient prophecy and battle that other teens like her have to face. Who is on the right side?

One of the things that I loved was that this was set in Louisiana and the male lead was a true Cajun boy. It made my day to actually see his true "Cajun speak" after hearing it from my parents and relatives in passing. That really endeared me to him and this story.

I also loved Kresley's take on the tarot cards and how we see them play out with a handful of the characters. If you haven't read it, then I don't want to give anything away, I'll just say that it's definitely set up for more to happen and I'm interested to see how it all plays out.

After the ending, it'll be interesting to see how things progress in the next book. I'm not sure if the whole series will be from Evie's point of view, but I hope that it will because I want to see how she grows and what happens with her and Jackson. Throughout the book they battled each other and assumed that the other had ulterior motives, so I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get to how they change and learn more for the overall story.

Cover Reveal: Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn

Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn

(Book Three of the Mindjack Trilogy) Now Available!

When your mind is a weapon, freedom comes at a price.

Four months have passed since Kira left home to join Julian’s Jacker Freedom Alliance, but the hole in her heart still whistles empty where her boyfriend Raf used to be. She fills it with weapons training, JFA patrols, and an obsessive hunt for FBI agent Kestrel, ignoring Julian’s worries about her safety and repeated attempts to recruit her for his revolutionary chat-casts. When anti-jacker politician Vellus surrounds Jackertown with the National Guard, Kira discovers there’s more to Julian’s concerns than she knew, but she’s forced to take on a mission that neither want and that might be her last: assassinating Senator Vellus before he can snuff out Julian’s revolution and the jackers she’s come to love.

All of the Mindjack stories are available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, and iTunes (Note Free Souls is not yet available on Kobo or iTunes)

Early Praise for Free Souls

“Quinn paints a picture of a not-too-distant America where politicians inflame the hatred of one section of the populace for another—all for their own gain—and you worry that her world is not so far off from our own.”

— Dianne Salerni, author of We Hear the Dead, The Caged Graves, and the forthcoming The Eighth Day

"Free Souls starts with a bang and doesn't let up. Like a mash-up of all your favorite science-fiction adventures from Star Wars to The Legend of Korra, it blends nonstop action, nail-biting escapes, and great romance. I absolutely loved it! A great series conclusion—a must-read."

— Leigh Talbert Moore, author of Rouge and The Truth About Faking

“Susan did it again. Free Souls was WOW! I expected Kira to step up to her role as heroine but not like this. Surprises kept coming until the very end which tied up more loose ends than I knew existed. Warning: Don't start reading until you have time to finish. I didn't want to put Free Souls down for a second. It's that kind of book.”

— Sher A. Hart, Goodreads Review

Interview Susan's over at Amy Saunder's blog today (12.14.12), answering questions about how she came up with the mages' abilities, what kind of mage she would be, and all about her future works.

Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn

(Book Three of the Mindjack Trilogy) Now Available!

When your mind is a weapon, freedom comes at a price.

Four months have passed since Kira left home to join Julian’s Jacker Freedom Alliance, but the hole in her heart still whistles empty where her boyfriend Raf used to be. She fills it with weapons training, JFA patrols, and an obsessive hunt for FBI agent Kestrel, ignoring Julian’s worries about her safety and repeated attempts to recruit her for his revolutionary chat-casts. When anti-jacker politician Vellus surrounds Jackertown with the National Guard, Kira discovers there’s more to Julian’s concerns than she knew, but she’s forced to take on a mission that neither want and that might be her last: assassinating Senator Vellus before he can snuff out Julian’s revolution and the jackers she’s come to love.

All Mindjack stories available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes (Note Free Souls is not yet available on iTunes)

Early Praise for Free Souls

“Quinn paints a picture of a not-too-distant America where politicians inflame the hatred of one section of the populace for another—all for their own gain—and you worry that her world is not so far off from our own.”

— Dianne Salerni, author of We Hear the Dead, The Caged Graves, and the forthcoming The Eighth Day

"Free Souls starts with a bang and doesn't let up. Like a mash-up of all your favorite science-fiction adventures from Star Wars to The Legend of Korra, it blends nonstop action, nail-biting escapes, and great romance. I absolutely loved it! A great series conclusion—a must-read."

— Leigh Talbert Moore, author of Rouge and The Truth About Faking

“Susan did it again. Free Souls was WOW! I expected Kira to step up to her role as heroine but not like this. Surprises kept coming until the very end which tied up more loose ends than I knew existed. Warning: Don't start reading until you have time to finish. I didn't want to put Free Souls down for a second. It's that kind of book.”

— Sher A. Hart, Goodreads Review

Interview Susan's over at Amy Saunder's blog today (12.14.12), answering questions about how she came up with the mages' abilities, what kind of mage she would be, and all about her future works. Digital Box Set Since Free Souls is out, there is now a Digital Box Set of the Mindjack Trilogy for those of you who want the whole series!

Available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble

Mindjack Origins Collection Want more Julian? Wondering how Sasha's ability really works? Looking for EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls? This collection of novellas, scenes, and other goodies is for those craving a bit more of the characters and drama of the Mindjack series.

Includes: Mindjack Novellas Mind Games (Raf's story) The Handler (Julian's story) The Scribe (Sasha's story) TWO EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls (published nowhere else!) PLUS Mindjack flash fiction, an (imaginary) conversation between Raf and Julian, and other goodies for readers who want just a little bit more of Kira, Julian, Raf, and the Mindjack crew.

Available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble

ENTER TO WIN one of FIVE ecopies of the Mindjack Origins Collection

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Waiting on Wednesday: Let the Skyfall by Shannon Messenger

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

(Coming March 2013)

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

I don't know what it is, but this one just sounds amazing! I really love the elemental concept and I'm definitely interested to see how this one will go. 

What are you waiting for? 

 

Falling Kingdoms Teaser

A teaser for you guys:

“You’re not just any girl; you’re the princess. It’s my sole duty now to protect you. So wherever you run off to, you can be certain of one very important thing.”

She waited, her breath catching at the intense way the handsome young guard watched her. “And what’s that?”

When he smiled, the look was equally menacing and enticing. “I will find you.”

—page 93, FALLING KINGDOMS

Cover Reveal: Hover by Melissa West

Thanks to YA Bound and Entangled Publishing for the cover reveal.

This week we have the cover for the second book in the Taking series by Melissa West. Her debut novel, Gravity, released November 20th.

Pre-order Buy links:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Hover-The-Taking-Melissa-West/dp/1620610930/

BN.com- No link yet

Chapters- http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930-item.html

Book Depository- http://www.bookdepository.com/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930

Melissa’s links:

Website- http://www.melissawestauthor.com/

Blog- http://m-b-west.blogspot.com/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/MB_West

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/MelissaWestAuthor

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287439.Melissa_West

 Now, let's get to the cover:

Summary from Goodreads:

Book two in the heart-stopping new series by Melissa West. The follow-up to the acclaimed Gravity, Hover is another thrilling dystopian romance and is perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games,Veronica Roth's Divergent, and Marie Lu's Legend.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Fallen Legion by Laura Kreitzer

Fallen Legion

Timeless 4

Author: Laura Kreitzer  
Pages: 316 pgs
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: October 31st 2012
Review Source: Revolution Publishing

I fell in love with Laura's writing after reading the first in her Timeless series, Shadow of the Sun, and she hasn't disappointed me yet. Each book just keeps getting better and better.

With the Empyrean Guard at full force, Gabriella needs all of the help she can get to keep her angels safe. Even with the Fallen, it just might not be enough.

As Gabriella struggles to find the right solution, lines will be crossed that shouldn't and lives will hang in the balance, human and angel. Will she find the answer that they need to save the angels before its too late?

Gabriella is a really fun character to read. While she's this child genius that's supposed to be really awkward around people, she's also just incredibly down to earth. I loved the fact that in this book, particularly, Gabriella was really snarky and sarcastic in spite of all the difficult things she was facing. It really made her character seem realistic and even more likeable.

Plus, Gabriella is also joined by some pretty amazing guys throughout her journey. From Joseph, the hilarious and awesome FBI agent, to Andrew, an angel and Halo, to Ehno and Patrick, other angels, there are a little bit of everything from them. And we get to learn a little bit more about them throughout the series, but especially in Fallen Legion. Who wouldn't want to be surrounded be these guys all the time?

Laura is one of those writer's that is just amazing and world building. I have absolutely no idea how she is able to keep up with it all with each book, but she does and even sometimes manages to add in more. The Timeless world with all of the different angel factions and history is just incredibly in depth and thought out, which really adds a different layer to the series.


So much happens in this fourth installment, I can only imagine what will happen in the final book, Halo of the Sun. I don't want to give anything away, but suffice it to say you better brace yourself with this latest one. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you won't want it to end. And then you can join me as I try to patiently twiddle my thumbs as we wait for the conclusion.

Laura Kreitzer
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday: Falling Kingdom by Morgan Rhodes

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

(Coming December 2012)

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
 

This just sounds awesome! I love the cover and how dark and mysterious it looks, leaving you to wonder just what's in store. And the description gives you just enough to want to know more as well. I definitely can't wait to get my hands on this one!

What are you waiting for?