~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves #1) by Roshani Chokshi

Out:  1/15

From Goodreads:

                Set in a darkly glamorous world The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence and dangerous but thrilling adventure.

                Paris, 1889:  The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets.  In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie.  But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined:  his true inheritance.  To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts:

                An engineer with a debt to pay.  A historian who can’t yet go home.  A dancer with a sinister past.  And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.        

                Together, they’ll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris.  What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 I have really enjoyed this authors Star-Touched books and I am intrigued to learn more about this past life of decadency and secrets. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

~Can't Wait Wednesday: King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Out:  1/29/19

From Goodreads:

                Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible.  No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way.  Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

                Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built.  With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him.  He will risk everything to save his country and himself.  But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Ummm I really loved Nikolai and I am stoked we will get to see how things worked out for him.  That is enough said to be honest but come on doesn’t hurt she’s an auto-buy author for me! 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1)

                Hello happy readers.  I don't know about where you are but here in South Georgia it has been raining pretty non-stop for the last two weeks.  Basically it makes me want to curl up with a book and/or nap constantly.  Even as I type this a nap is calling my name as the drizzle continues.  Still I am excited to have had the time to finish another new release book that doubles as a debut book that had been on my anticipated reads list.  And let me tell you it was more than I hoped.  What book you ask?  AshPrincess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Theodosia has lived more of her life as a captive in her own palace after the Kaiser took over her country and murdered her mother, the Fire Queen, when she was only six.  Now at sixteen she has lived longer as a captive, regularly abused and ridiculed in the court at the Kaisers whims, than as a the true ruler.  She should be the queen but he mocks her as an Ash Princess.  She has become used to her life but one day the Kaiser pushes Theodosia further than she thought she could handle and instead of breaking she remembers who she really is and that surviving is not enough and she must do what she can to take down the Kaiser and save what is left of her people.

                We are taken right into her world and it is harsh and cruel.  She is a symbol and kept under extreme conditions, all Astreans are.  Theodosia, Theo, is very anxious and nervous knowing even if she follows every rule and does everything she can the Kaiser will always change the rules and find a way to punish her.  Her life, while not that of a slave in the mines risking being driven mad by the magic or poorly fed, she is just as much a slave.  She is interesting as she comes to terms with things.  She has to keep repeating it to herself given she doesn't want to risk losing it again.  It came at a cost. The weight of this upbringing really shapes Theo and the way she carries herself.

                There are a lot of darker tones to this book and they are made clear from the start.  This is a land that was conquered and that isn't something that happens peacefully.  So the world is shown as brutal but it's done in a way that gets the point across without being gratuitous, in my opinion.  There is a lot happening with Theo coming into her own for sure as she gets to know the only Astrean's she's had contact with since she was a child, Blaise whom she knew as a child and others.  She also has grown to be friends with Cress who has taken her under her wing of limited protection from other Kalovaxians as the daughter to the right hand of the Kaiser.  And now Soren, the Kaisers son, is back from battle and he seems less evil than his father and proves he might be the key to her crazy plan. 

                I loved getting to know everyone and Theo as she got to know herself.  She has vague memories of life before and was not raised to be a queen by any means.  She has spent her whole life surviving.  Now she has a purpose and has to push down old fears even as circumstances grow more dangerous as she continues to push forward.  There is magic too.  It is limited in this book.  The gems her people have been enslaved to mine, one small one in the hands of a true guardian could cause such power, but the Kalovaxians use them as bobbles and product.  We hear what they do but don't get to see their full power though I hope we learn more in the next book.  And then there is romance.  A triangle of sorts really.  I enjoyed that both grew from different sides of the coin.  With Soren she is playing on him to get information and protection it is strategy but things are never that easy when you have to get someone to fall for you a part of you must be in there too. 

                I really enjoyed this book.  There were some things at the end that have me really amped up and excited for book two for sure but it didn't leave us at a huge cliffhanger, which I appreciate.  I am ready to see what happens next though I have some theories.  The book had it's predictable moments for sure as anyone who has enjoyed some YA Fantasy some things you expect but it had it's own unique voice and I enjoyed taking the ride.  I was captivated through the story and the audiobook was really good, I love the accent it was read in.  I highly recommend this debut! 

Dimension Drift (Dimension Drift Worlds #1)

                Hey happy readers!  Sorry for going MIA on you.  The downside to dispatch and weird hours is swap over.  This week I have went from the last of night shift to day shift and the transition has been a bit of an adjustment.  I've been doing good on the sleep side of things but day shift means more people/interruptions and less reading time.  Just means I have to get back on track with my reading / typing outside of work which like the shift just takes a bit of adjusting.  That said this is the first of two delayed reviews from last week for you today.  Both I was lucky enough to score via NetGalley and came out on 4/24 so you can grab them now!  This first is a prequel in a new series, Dimension Drift (Dimension Drift Worlds #1) by Christina Bauer. 

               

Rating:  4 Stars

                So Dimensional Drift is a prequel to a new series by an auto-buy author of mine Christina Bauer.  I was excited to dive into this new world and see how things start off.  A very dystopian reality that has very strict laws and school is mostly a way to teach you how awesome the government is and have you working for free.  The sick or unproductive are removed and science is forbidden unless it is under strict control.  Basically being your own person is not an options.  Still we get to know Meimi and her world and how she survives day to day until everything goes out the window and a science crime leads to a stranger from another dimension and all sorts of trouble for her. 

                This is a seriously fast read but it got me curious about the world, which sounds horrible and no place I'd want to be in, and in Meimi.  The science behind it all with the different worlds and dimensions have such promise.  There is a bit of romance forming and I'm curious to know more about our gentleman.  There are so many questions from the Scythe, her sister, this world drifts, and more.  I look forward to learning more about them and diving into this new series full of science, action and adventure, and more. 

                More soon…

~Can't Wait Wednesday: These Rebel Waves (Stream Raiders #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

These Rebel Waves (Stream Raiders #1) by Sara Raasch

Out:  8/7

From Goodreads:

                Adeluna is a soldier.  Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grave Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid a country ruled by religion.  But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy.  When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice---but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.

                Devereux is a pirate.  As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market.  But after Argrid causes raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target.  An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any way.

                Benat is a heretic.  The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic.  When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can chance a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre. 

                As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are…and what they are willing to become for peace.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 So I enjoyed this authors other series so I’m game to try her new one.  Plus this cover is awesome!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you had a good weekend, mine was long at work but I did get some listening down for a read-along so I call it a win.  I also found lots of recipes I want to try in the near future so there is that also.  The March book in the Goodreads read-along I co-host was Strange theDreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor and I LOVED it!  I had high hopes as I enjoyed her other series but this just blew me away.  So the rest will be my full thoughts on the story though if I miss spell anything I am sorry I listened so I got most of my spellings from Google.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Lazlo Strange is a war orphan who lives in the dream world of books and seeks nothing more than to know everything about the mythic city of Weep.  The journey would take much more boldness than the librarian holds but when the opportunity presents itself in the form of Weeps own hero, The Godslayer, and his warriors it may be the push Lazlo needs to be bold.  Weep is just a city but it became mythical after it was cut off from the rest of the world some two hundred years prior.  The Godslayer is in search of people to come to Weep and help them solve their mysterious problem.  Weep holds many mysteries including what Gods did the Godslayer slay to get his title; why is Lazlo the dreamer dreaming of a blue-skinned goddess before he knew she could exist and more? 

                Okay so this book.  I LOVED IT!  Seriously it was amazing and as I got towards the end I was so anxious and worried and looking to see how long I’d have to wait to find out what happens next.  Lazlo pulls you in with his pure adoration for learning wanting to spend all of his time learning all the things he can including his free time learning anything there is about this city of Weep.  He is genuinely good in a way that we don’t see as much.  He doesn’t do anything with the hope of getting something for himself but because he honestly wants to help.  There was just something that made me love him from the start.  Along the way we meet some good and not so good characters who are vast and varied to be sure.  One of my favorites in the book who caught me by surprise was Calixtie, she is a gem and I'll leave you with this to grasp who she is: 

"And Women," said Lazlo.  "It's a woeful species that's all male."

"More like a nonexistent species," remarked Calixte.  "Men lacking both wombs and good sense."

                Along the way we learn about other characters who have had a very different life.  The citadel and Weep the back and forth of the two was just heartbreaking at times.  There was so much pain and suffering on both sides.  The duality of it all was beautifully written I cried several times while listening I can’t lie.  Every new discovery brought me closer in understanding the larger picture as a whole.  Sarai, Sparrow, Ruby, Feral, and Minya have a different kind of life and seeing it had me back and forth on my feelings many times over.  I was so sure of some things throughout and some I was right about and others I was wrong but as I was proven wrong it was so much better (story wise) than I could have imagined. 

                There are a lot of serious feelings in this story and I don’t even know how to describe them without giving things away.  So in this I will simply say this was a top read for me and I can’t wait for the sequel.  I need it in my life NOW.  I loved the characters and the imagery.  The world was so full of beauty and imagination.  I want to live in it.  The story was intriguing and kept me emerged it was hard to stop when I got out of the car (I had it as my car book for the first 65% or so before I broke down and just had to listen at work) because I found all the different facets interesting.  One thing I found with the characters was their level of self realization and understanding.  I was able to forgive or understand the actions of some characters because of how some of the characters reacted.  Sarai really is such a beautifully complex character knowing both sides of things given her gift.  She is raised to know one thing and sees that side but also in it sees that of her "enemy" and is able to understand both sides.  She as a character might have a deeper understanding of people as a whole than most people in the world and that depth really was an amazing feat. 

                I can't wait for the sequel and I was thrilled when I heard it was going to be  duology because that means I won't have to wait for another book after October.  I have so many theories for what is to come and worries because I stress again this book has some seriously dark moments and is not for everyone.  It handles the issues too and they are felt rather than brushed aside which is another attribute.  Is it October yet?

                Until next time… 

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a good weekend and if you celebrate a Happy Easter.  We are finished with March and into April now.  Time seems to be going at super speed in some areas and inching along in others.  As for time for reading there is never enough, but that said I did enjoy participating in a Facebook read-along with the authors for Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #4).  I am still enjoying the chats on the group page but once you hit a certain part it's hard to not keep reading and finish up.

Rating:  4 Stars

                The age old saying is be careful what you wish for.  Well Josephina 'Jo' is a hacker-for-hire in a very different reality than we know, a fractured US.  Then one day on a job her best friend and her are caught and as bullets rain down she uses her last breathe to make a wish, something she remembered from her grandmother in days past.  Her wish is simple enough to save her friend and she will accept the price no matter the cost.  The cost, she is now a member of the mysterious Society of Wishes set to live among the other members in a separate time space and use her gifts to help grant future wishes.  Though she is given the plush new digs and can do pretty much anything her new home lacks one major aspect…freedom and purpose.  Checking in on her friend to ensure her wish was put to good use she finds him about to attempt the same task that got them both killed to start with.  Now what do you do when interfering is against the rules?

                This was a quick read for sure and I did really enjoy the concept.  A magical society that grants wishes that alter the reality.  I loved the idea of them being from all different worlds and time periods and each with their own power.  The way they live is rather unique and we are only just getting to know a few of them as Jo learns her place and tries to accept her new reality.  This book is more about her than anything else.  There isn’t some big bad guy / evil to face down just a new reality to accept that basically tears apart everything you knew in the world. 

                We are still getting to know this world but this was a good start.  I can see the start of some much bigger questions and I look forward to watching unfold.  The characters have peeked my interest and I look forward to learning more about the other members of the society and the society as a whole.  Thankfully the sequel, Circle of Ashes, comes out next week April 9^th so I won’t have to wait long.

                Until next time…

~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Smoke Thieves~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Smoke Thieves (The Smoke Thieves #1) by Sally Green

Out:  5/1

From Goodreads:

                A princess, a traitor, a hunter and a thief.  Four teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands.  Four nations destined for conflict.

                In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a loveless political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father.  In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people.  In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town.  And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell.

                As alliances shift and shatter, and old certainties are overturned, our four heroes find their past lives transformed and their futures inextricably linked by the unpredictable tides of magic and war.  Who will rise and who will fall?  And who will claim the ultimate prize?

Why I’m Waiting:

                I just recently discovered it and it looks rather interesting.  I'm not familiar with the authors other titles but it seems to be getting some solid reviews from some of my Goodreads friends so that is promising. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

Warcross (Warcross #1) & Signed Copy Giveaway

                Hello happy readers.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I know I did.  I got to go up and visit a fellow blogger friend, Bogdana the Booknerd, where we attended the Marie Lu event and then got to do out Christmas.  This is progress last year we didn't get to do Christmas until March so big steps!  We also got the chance to discuss our plans for revamping our reading group, Perpetual YA Bookworms and hope you will join us this year.  That said the Marie Lu event was one of the main reasons for the trip as she had the release of the new Batman:  Nightwalker (DC Icons #2) but also mid last year she also had the release of Warcross (Warcross #1) both of which I have read and very much enjoyed.  So having finished Warcross before the event and my Twitter poll on which one to get for a giveaway was at a tie I went with Warcross.  The giveaway will be at the bottom of the post with all the details.  First my thoughts on the book itself.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Warcross isn't just a game but a way of life.  The ten year obsession that spans the world is a place of escape from reality.  It's also a way to make a profit.  Hacker struggling to get by Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet illegally.  Like most things the world is competitive and not always easy.  Needing quick cash fast Emika risks a hack of the opening game of the international Warcross Championships, only she accidently glitches herself into the game and becomes an overnight sensation.  Not exactly subtle.  Convinced she's going to jail Emika is surprised when instead she gets a job offer and a wild card spot to this years tournament.  Warcross creator and young billionaire Hideo Tanaka wants her to play but also help discover a security problem, much like the one she exploited when she glitched in.  Swept up in the fame and fortune of this world she quickly uncovers much less glamorous plot that would have major consequences for all of Warcross. 

                Emika is in a difficult spot trying to make it in the world.  Things are not easy and despite how hard she tries her past has put a bit of a damper on her ability to make ends meet.  So after a series of disappointments she makes a split second decision to try and make a play to help herself.  And her anonymity goes out the window as everyone suddenly knows who she is.  So when the Warcross company contacts her….a lot….she isn't surprised.  What does surprise her is the offer to fly her to headquarters and offer her a job rather and punishment for her breach.  Even more amazing is that she gets to talk to, and is on the way to meet, Hideo Tanaka, Warcross creator and boy genius who she has had a crush on since she first started coding.  The job seems straight forward: she'll participate in the game and get all the perks of being a player in the tournament but she is also to work from within to try and find this security breach.  She is on a bounty hunt with much higher stakes and the prize is well over any bounty she's took on before.  But hunting in the shadows is a bit more difficult than she originally thought.

                Emika is really easy to like.  She has had a tough run at things and despite her less than legal actions at times she has a good heart.  But as amazing a character as I found her I say the biggest character in the book was Warcross.  It is not only a game but a way of life.  Glasses you wear all the time as everything comes up with a second layer.  This is so amazing and futuristic but at the same time something that we could end up with a version of in our lifetime which is kind of amazing.  The intricate world that is described just blew me away and for a book that isn't super long this is a huge thing.  One I think Lu manages so well in her books.  So yes all the different worlds within Warcross and what it is capable of just astounds me.  So it's almost like adding in fun and vivid characters like Emika and Hideo are just icing on the cake.  Hideo is a rather complex character himself as he is guarded and a bit closed off but we get to see more about him as we get deeper into the story.  He is very focused and likes to build and fix things. 

                Plus that doesn’t even mention her team in the game.  Because the game itself, her cover, is amazing.  All the press and parties sure but the games themselves.  Training to get up to the proper level with everyone being an unknown she is behind on many areas but while it is a cover she doesn't want to let her team down.  I loved that aspect.  That she was good at it but she did have to train, she wasn't just an instant know it all.  She had to learn the higher levels like others who have been playing on them have done.  Plus while I knew it was virtual and all it didn't take away a single moment of action in the games.  As the attacks happen I was just as invested and concerned if they were really injuring one another because the VR is that intense in the book and really pulls you into it.  Everything is very in the moment. 

                 Another thing I found really compelling in this book is the play on right and wrong.  Lu is great at having characters who are on either side but she also has this amazing talent for walking the grey line.  This is something the characters play with yes, but also the idea of technology.  When one side is fighting to destroy it to understand their actions you learn a different side of things than you normally would have.  I liked this back and forth on if technology was good or bad.  Can we as flawed humans really be in charge of something so powerful?  At the signing Lu mentioned something along those lines as well and I found that to be something the resonated in the book and I have no doubt will continue to be a factor in the sequel. 

                I really enjoyed this book and I think it is my favorite book by the author yet and that is saying something since I haven't disliked a single thing.  Still I am super excited for the sequel which at the moment doesn't have a title, cover, or release date, though I do have my suspicions.  That said I am thrilled to have a SIGNED copy of Warcross to giveaway.  All the ways to enter are in the option below and I'll leave it open until Friday 2/2/18.  Good luck! 

                Until next time…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wolves & Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend yet again.  For me I worked but I also had lots of time to read and drink some tea (I got a simple electric kettle for me and my co-worker to use) which I call a win.  Sinuses are starting to act up but I'm hopeful that will pass.  However, today what I'm thrilled to talk about is a new book that came out last week on Halloween, Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer.  I had previously gave a quick review on a sampler I got a few months back and then was lucky enough to get an ARC thanks to NetGalley and Monster House Books.  As the book came out last week my pre-ordered copy has also arrived so yay!  This is book one in a new series by an author I already adore.

Rating: 5 Stars

                Wolves and Roses is a fairy-tale retelling with a modern and unique twist.  Bryar Rose is almost eighteen and one of the Magicorum-part of three magical races of shifters, fairies, or witches and they follow a fairy tale life template.  Bryar's is Sleeping Beauty.  She isn't too fond of this and has no desire for it.  Some parts make sense but others couldn't be further from the truth.  Like the part where she can't stand her so call Prince Philpot but does have dreams of a hottie and a compulsion with finding ancient papyri from Egypt.  So  not the typical Sleeping Beauty she is supposed to be.  So when she meets the literal man of her dreams the powerful werewolf Knox her already interesting life takes an unexpected turn.

                I already adore this author and her other series but this one was something new and exciting.  I love how quickly her books fly by.  It's the style of writing that just go straight forward no holds barred where you are captivated in every second and don't realize where the last few hours went.  There is a beautiful middle between kick butt female characters, action, mystery, magic, romance, and drama!  It's a magical little bubble full of all the feelings you want in a story.  I was instantly intrigued with Bry and her life.  Anytime she got too excited or wound up she'd start to have an "episode" and could freeze like her SB counterpart if she didn't take her meds.  Kind of sucks.  But as we go on there is much more to the story and you just feel for her.  Who wouldn't want to live their own life and not have it pre-arranged for her?  Then her bestie Elle, whom I adore, and her constant cons were just amazing.  Had some White Collar and Leverage feels come up, what can I say I love a good con story. 

                And of course we have Knox, the second POV in the story.  I dig his story as well.  A reluctant leader type.  Powerful and flawed.  Broading and sexy.  He has his reasons to brood don't get me wrong and he makes some mishaps along the way but I loved his POVs and hearing him have internal debates with his wolf they had me cracking up.  His friendship with Alec is grounding.  It's the male version of Bry and Elle.  I love that while they do spend time together they still have their special bond between original friends.  That is important.  I love how the friendship is strong and plays an important part and not just to talk about boys (or girls for the guys) though there is some of that.

                As for the story itself there is a lot going on.  Not only did we get to know and love all of these characters as well as despise some others.  We have a larger hunt for a magical fountain going on and tons of little side plots afoot including Bry finding herself.  I can't say much more there because I don't want to give away any of the fun but with the Denarii and all the different types of magic in the world and how they interact with the modern world I just love it and can't wait to see more.  I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to Spring of 2018 for the next book Moonlight and Midtown so I can see what happens next.  I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of retellings, magic, or just an intense fast paced story!

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Ash Princess (Untitled Trilogy #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Ash Princess (Untitled Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian

Out:  4/24

From Goodreads:

                Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Queen of Flame and Fury, was murdered before her eyes.  Ten years later, Theo has learned to survive under the relentless abuse of the Kaiser and his court as the ridiculed “Ash Princess.”  Pretending to be empty-headed and naïve when she’s not enduring brutal whippings, she pushes down all other thoughts but one:  Keep the Kaiser happy and he will keep you safe.

                When the Kaiser forces her to execute her last home of rescue, Theo can’t keep her feelings and memories pushed down any longer.  She vows revenge, throwing herself into a plot to seduce and murder the Kaiser’s warrior son with the help of a group of magically gifted and volatile rebels.  But Theo doesn’t expect to develop feelings for the Prince.  Or for her rebel allies to challenge her friendship with the one person who’s been kind to her throughout the last hopeless decade:  her heart’s sister, Cress.

                Cornered into impossible choices and unable to trust even those who are on her side, Theo will have to decide how far she’s willing to go to save her people and how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to become queen.

Why I’m Waiting:

                The cover caught my eye first but reading the synopsis has me interested.  I think this could be a very dark story and I’m curious. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Belles (The Belles #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle Clayton

Out:  2/20

From Goodreads:

                Camellia Beauregard is a Belle.  In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else.  In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful. 

                But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle.  She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land.  But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be.  Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined.  And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces and impossible decision.

                With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

Why I’m Waiting:

                This sounds like an interesting concept.  Being born gray and damned with some having special power and beauty being a power…huh.  I’ve seen many tales where beauty is used like a weapon or distraction but this is new.  Color me curious.

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The CruelPrince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Out:  1/2             

From Goodreads:

                Of course I want to be like them.  They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire.  They will live forever.

                And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest.  I hate him more than all the others.  I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

                Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie.  Ten years late, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality.  But many of the fey despise humans.  Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

                To win a place at the Court, she must defy him-and face the consequences.

                In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed.  But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I have several more Holly Black books yet to read but the ones I have read I have really enjoyed.  She seems to have a way with Faerie and I look forward to this one! 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Wolves & Roses

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Wolves & Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer

Out:  10/31

From Goodreads:

                Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem.  She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches.  That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template.  In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.

                “Should” being the key word.

               

                Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template.  Not even close.  She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures.  She can’t sing.  And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that her aunties want her to marry.  Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancident Egypt.  What’s up with that?

                All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her.  And she might be able to do just that—if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.

                But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams.  Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O.  If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives…as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I love this author.  Obviously.  Auto-buy aside I like the idea of the book with the fairy tale template being turned around on its head.  Should be fun!  Plus the three chapter sampler I read and reviewed has me super pumped for this one! 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

Sampler Review: Wolves and Roses

                Hello happy readers!  Looks like the weekend is upon us.  Sadly it’s a working weekend for myself but provided my sinuses calm down some next week should be better.  Since I am a bit behind and foggy headed the timing for this short review is perfect.  One of the authors I adore, Christina Bauer who writes the Angelbound and Beholder series that I am in love with has a new book/series coming out towards the end of this year, Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1).  So when a sampler was available I was all on board to get a taste. 

Rating:  EXCITED!!!

                So here’s the summary per Goodreads:

                Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem.  She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches.  That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template.  In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.

                  “Should” being the key word.

                  Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template. Not even close.  She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures.  She can’t sing.  And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that he aunties want her to marry.  Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt.  What’s up with that?

                 All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her.  And she might be able to do just that—if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.

                  But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams.  Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O.  If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives…as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.

  

Thoughts thus far:

                So this was only a short, three chapters, sampler so I don’t have a ton to go on but those chapters really got me excited.  Of course I was ready to read it given the summary and the author but seeing Bryar, in only that short bit I really like her.  I’m curious about the growling Knox character and I love the friendship between Bryar and Elle that has been shown thus far.  I am intrigued about the Magicorum and these mysterious disappearances, dreams and the like.  I can’t wait to get my hands on the full and finished copy but for now I can say this sampler really has me anticipating the book even more.  Plus come on fairytale retellings/re-imaginings are always fun and exciting.  Taking characters/stories/templates we know and turning them all around and remolding them is fascinating but this whole take on the life templates, just from what I have seen might be the most creative way yet! 

                Basically I need it to be out now but sadly I have to wait until October.