Waiting on Wednesday (30)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Inhuman (Fetch, #1) by Kat Falls

Release Date: March 2013

Publisher: Scholastic

Author Information: Website / Facebook

Add to Goodreads!

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father's life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it's necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane's father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts--he is a Fetch. It's a dangerous life, but rewarding--until he's caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb--and her very DNA--in the Savage Zone. But she's not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn't exhibit any signs of "manimal" mutation, he's hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy.

Whoa! There are so many things that make me excited about this book! The cover seems very dystopian/urban fantasy-like, and I there are not nearly enough YA UF reads, in my opinion. Also, the synopsis has me thinking that this is going to be Tomb Raider meets Feral/Ravaged World, and who would not be interested in reading something like that??

What is your pick for this week?

Send me a link, and I will check it out! :)

Waiting on Wednesday (29)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My Choice:

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Release Date: March 3, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen

Author Information: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook
Other Information: Debut

Pre-Order: Amazon / Books-A-Million
Add to Goodreads!

16-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Dusty is a magical being who feeds on human dreams.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder. The setting is Arkwell.

And then it comes true.

Now the Dusty has to follow the clues--both within Eli’s dreams and out of them--to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. It definitely stands out amongst other YA novels! The author also posted the full dust cover, text and all, which is just GORGEOUS! (I love the mysterious and slightly creepy vibe it has.)

The premise turned out to be just as unique as the cover, which made me even more excited! A girl who feeds on nightmares? Where can I get myself a copy of this book? Throw in the main character straddling boys, a hot, prophetic love interest, and a little bit of murder, mayhem, and mystery, and I am sold! :D

The author is holding a giveaway to win an ARC of The Nightmare Affair here, if you would like to sign up!

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Let the Sky Fall (Let the Sky Fall Series, #1) by Shannon Messenger

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Author Information: Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

Add to Goodreads!

Vane Weston should have died in the category five tornado that killed his parents. Instead, he woke up in a pile of rubble with no memories of his past—except one: a beautiful, dark-haired girl standing in the winds. She's swept through his dreams ever since, and he clings to the hope that she's real.

Audra is real, but she isn't human. She's a sylph, an air elemental who can walk on the wind, translate its alluring songs, even twist it into a weapon. She's also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect him at all costs.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra has just days to help Vane unlock his memories. And as the storm winds gather, they start to realize the greatest danger might not be the warriors coming to destroy them, but the forbidden romance growing between them.

Set amongst the desert airstreams of Coachella Valley in California, LET THE SKY FALL is about two teenagers broken by their pasts, divided by their futures, and bound by love.

I just have to start out by saying that I ADORE the cover! Love, love, love it!! The title is also pretty epic. The premise of this story is super interesting (love the air elemental factor), and forbidden love stories, while sometimes heartbreaking, always makes me fall in love with the characters. I cannot wait for this one! We only have to wait…. 9 months. [sigh] 

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles, #1) by Lenore Appelhans

Release Date: January 15, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Author Information: Blog / Twitter

Other Information: Debut

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

Add to Goodreads!

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow prisoners, Felicia passes the endless hours downloading memories and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and the boy she loved, Neil.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber disappears, and nobody but Felicia seems to recall she existed in the first place. Something is obviously very wrong. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, she learns the truth: a rebellion is brewing to overthrow the Morati, the guardians of Level 2.

Felicia is reluctant to trust Julian, but then he promises what she wants the most—to be with Neil again—if only she’ll join the rebels. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself in the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

Oh man, Level 2 has some of my favorite story elements compounded in ONE book! Crazy! I am all for rebels overthrowing the powerful, especially when they are ghosts/dead (but not creepy, like zombies). Also, Julian and the whole “dangerously charming” thing? Yeah, I do not think Felicia will be the only one swooning over him (because you know she will!). The only thing that I am not liking about this book is the release date. Getting excited about a book only to see it will be released in 2013 is just heartbreaking. [sigh]

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte

Author Information: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

Add to Goodreads!

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

Ahhh, after reading so many paranormal books lately, I have been looking for a cute, romantic read to get excited about, and look what I found! This book just seems like all kinds of adorable, and I love the whole falling-for-the-boy-you-hate scenario! Add the fact that the story is set in London (a place I have always wanted to venture to), this book was immediately added on my to-read list. Why is November still so far away? I want this book now!!

What are your picks for this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

Release Date: December 6, 2012

Publisher: Dial

Author Information: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Pre-order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Add to Goodreads!

Be your own hero . . .

An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns—and the heroines who use them all.

Set in Edwardian London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician’s assistant. The three young women’s lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It’s up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder—and the crimes they believe may be connected to it—without calling too much attention to themselves.

Told with Adrienne Kress’s sharp wit and a great deal of irreverence, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike—well, relatively ladylike—heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

After reading the summary and checking out the cover, the first thing I thought was that The Friday Society is going to be like a steampunked version of Charlie’s Angels! Three butt-kicking heroines solving murders while breaking boys’ hearts and toting guns? What’s not to love?! I love the cover and I love the synopsis, but I am going to hate the wait until December rolls around and I can get my hands on this book. What are your thoughts and picks for this week? 

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My choice:

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Author Information: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook
Pre-Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

Add to Goodreads!

In a desert land where serpents made of unbreakable glass fly through the sky and wolves made of only sand hunt within storms, Liyana is destined to be a vessel, to sacrifice herself so that her clan’s goddess can inhabit her body... but her goddess never comes.

You had me at glass serpents and sand wolves! This is one of those summaries that intrigues you, yet gives you almost nothing to go on, and in turn intrigues you more. I have no idea what to expect (outside of the serpents, wolves, and no-show goddesses),but I am certainly interested! The landscape seems both mysterious and fantastical, and the premise of the story has definitely captured my attention. I also like the cover a lot. This is a book I am looking forward to reading come September! What is your choice this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (21)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My Choice:

Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1) by Morgan Rhodes (pseudonym for Michelle Rowen)

Release Date: December 11, 2012

Publisher: Razorbill

Add to Goodreads!

Sixteen-year-old Cleo has grown up in luxury, the royal heiress to a prosperous kingdom. But beneath her nation’s seemingly peaceful surface lies dangerous unrest. Whispers of war are growing ever louder—intensified by a murderous incident for which Cleo’s betrothed, Aron, is accused.

Amidst the ongoing intrigue, Cleo has a more desperate mission. She defies her father’s orders and sets off on a secret and perilous journey into a neighboring country, seeking a magic long thought to be mythical. If it’s real, it could be the cure that heals her ailing sister. If it’s only legend, Cleo will be stranded in a kingdom that has just declared war on her own.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with unforgettable characters and vibrantly imagined magic. Falling Kingdoms is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Cinda Williams Chima, and George R.R. Martin.

My first thought when I glanced at the cover was “WHOA! A YA Assassin’s Creed novel!? I need to check this out!” While this book ended up having nothing to do with AC *sad face*, it definitely sounds like a great read! The cover is awesome, the plot seems interesting, and I love finding more epic/high fantasy reads. Cleo sounds like a strong character, one that I could end up really getting behind, and with mentions of being similar to the works of Kristin Cashore, Cinda Williams Chima, and George R.R. Martin (aka the greatest fantasy authors of our time), how could anyone not want to read this? What is your pick this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme mentioning an anticipated upcoming release!

My pick:

Stormdancer (The Lotus War, #1) by Jay Kristoff

Release Date: September 1, 2012

A DYING LAND

The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST

The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Could this book possibly be more tempting? A historical Japanese steampunk novel? Yes, please! いただきます。I am craving this novel. I have been interested in Japanese culture and language for as long as I can remember, and currently living in Japan has made me even more interested (which I did not think was possible)! There are so few books relating to Japanese history and culture (especially for YA), and when I find one, I latch on. That is what happened with this book. I randomly came across it this weekend on Goodreads, and it is now on the top of my list for most anticipated upcoming releases. No joke. I really cannot put into words how excited I am for this book, so hopefully some of the following pictures will give you an idea for how much I am looking forward to reading this book! 

この本を読むことを楽しみにしています！(^^)v

(Warning: the following pictures are not an exaggeration)

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it is a weekly event showcasing an  upcoming release we're excited for!

My pick:

The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent

Release Date: August 14, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers

Summary (taken from Goodreads):

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

I am super excited for this book! I have been into steampunk lately, so this book quickly caught my eye. The premise sounds really interesting, I love the character names, and it seems like a love triangle is blissfully absent. I am also enamored with the cover, with both steampunk and historical references apparent (like a steaming Big Ben). I will be praying an ARC comes my way, but in the meantime, let’s start the wait to August! J

Further actions:

• Pre-order the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million
• Add this book to your to-be read list on Goodreads!
• Check out Tiffany Trent’s website, blog, and Goodreads pages! 
• Follow Tiffany Trent on Twitter!

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it is a weekly event in which readers mention one book they are eager to get their hands on!

My pick:

Defiance (Defiance, #1) by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Summary (taken from Goodreads):

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

 Everything about this book, from the cover to the summary, really has me excited. (I absolutely love the cover to bits!) This book seems to be composed of everything I love in a good book: a strong, fierce female lead, an interesting love interest, an intense and captivating plot, a new world, and a nice lack of vampires, werewolves and the like. There are really not enough fantasy/adventure YA books like this, so I am really eager to read this one! Here’s to waiting for August to roll around! What are your thoughts?

Further actions:

·         Pre-order the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

·         Add this book to your to-be-read list on Goodreads!

·         Check out C.J. Redwine’s blog and Goodreads pages!

·         Follow C.J. Redwine on Twitter!

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it is a weekly event showcasing an  upcoming release we're excited for!

My pick:

Auracle by Gina Rosati

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Summary (taken from Goodreads):

On the surface, there’s nothing remarkable about Anna Rogan: She gets average grades, she’s not especially fashionable, she spends most of her time just hanging out with her best friend Rei. But Anna does have a remarkable secret: she has the ability to do astral projection. She uses her out-of-body experiences to explore the universe, until one day when there’s an accident at school and her classmate Taylor gets into her body. Now Taylor’s using her new identity to accuse an innocent boy of murder and she shows no signs of leaving Anna’s body. The only person who knows Anna’s secret is Rei, and as her feelings for Rei grow she must face a future where they can never touch...unless they can find a way to get Taylor out of Anna’s body, stop the murder trial, and discover the true nature of Anna’s power.

I have to start out by saying that I ADORE this cover. I love the blue tones, the water/light specks, and how the girl on the cover seems to be floating (she can astral project, so it makes sense, no?)! Speaking of astral projection, that is the main reason I am so excited for this book! I used to love the show Charmed (do people still remember that show?), and for some reason, I thought Prue's ability to astral project was just the coolest thing. I have not come across many books where the main character has powers like this, so it should be exciting and interesting to read! I am hoping an ARC finds its way into my eager hands soon, but in the meantime, I will begin the long and tedious wait until August rolls around.


Other actions:

• Pre-order the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million
• Add it to your to-be-read list on Goodreads!
• This is Gina Rosati's debut YA novel, so if you participate in the Debut Author Challenge created by Kristi at The Story Siren, be sure to add it to your to-be-read list!
• Check out Gina Rosati's blog and website!
• Follow Gina Rosati on Twitter!

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it is a weekly event showcasing an  upcoming release we're excited for!

My Pick:

Cold Fury (Cold Fury, #1) by T.M. Goeglein
Release Date: July 24, 2012

Summary (taken from Goodreads):

Sara Jane Rispoli is just a normal sixteen-year-old girl coping with school and a developing crush— until her parents and younger brother are kidnapped, and she discovers her family has been a key figure of Chicago’s Outfit (aka the mob) for decades. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all used their special ability, cold fury, to settle disputes between the two mob factions—the muscle and the money. And unless Sara wants the mob to think her now missing family has turned state’s evidence, she will have to fill her father’s shoes as the mob’s peacemaker, using her own cold fury.

A book about the mob? Yes, please! The cover is awesome, the main character seems to be pretty hardcore, and the premise of the novel (THE MOB!) has definitely caught my interest! This book looks like it is going to be packed with awesomeness and action, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!