Tripping Over May

Tripping Over MayGuys, I can’t even begin to tell you how many AMAZING books are coming out this month. May is completely an embarrassment of riches in terms of books. PLUS! It’s BEA month! I can’t. I usually only pick my five most anticipated reads each month, but I can’t even lie: That’s going to be pretty much impossible.

Tripping Over May

Book cover Camelot Burning Kathryn RoseCamelot Burning: Metal & Lace #1 by Kathryn Rose {Goodreads}

A steampunky Arthurian tale with magic, Merlin, a steamy squire, and the quest for the Holy Grail. I’m just going to repeat myself: A steampunky Arthurian tale with magic, Merlin, a steamy squire, and the quest for the Holy Grail. I cannot. (Flux)

Tripping Over May

Book cover for Since You've Been Gone by Morgan MatsonSince You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson {Goodreads}

ahshhafoaihfoeytqidbvq *the sound of Amy dying from EXCITESSSS* But seriously, though. I’ve read Morgan Matson’s books so many times over because she just nails everything, always. I have not heard a single bad thing about this book. I need it. I need it ASAP. (Simon & Schuster)

Book cover The Wizard's Promise Cassandra Rose ClareThe Wizard’s Promise: The Hannah Duology #1 by Cassandra Rose Clarke {Goodreads}

I could literally stare at this cover all day. It’s effing GORGEOUS and so interesting. That’s probably because the story itself sounds interesting: a young girl who just wants to be a witch is stuck with a mysterious apprentice who MIGHT be more than he seems and a “non-human” boy who follows them on their journey on the sea. (Strange Chemistry)

Book cover Wish You Were Italian Kristin RaeWish You Were Italian: If Only…#2 by Kristin Rae {Goodreads}

So many cute contemps coming out! This one sounds fantastic, too. Books about traveling are always going to pique my interest, and when you combine Italy with art school and a couple love interests? I’m in. (Bloomsbury)

Book cover Chapel Wars Lindsey LeavittThe Chapel Wars by Lindsey Leavitt {Goodreads}

Lindsey Leavitt’s books are always solid reads for me. There’s always a good mix of romance and emotions, and THE CHAPEL WARS sounds like the goods: a girl whose grandfather leaves the family wedding chapel in Las Vegas to her in his will. (Bloomsbury Childrens)

Book cover A Creature of Moonlight Rebecca HahnA Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn {Goodreads}

I’ve been looking forward to this book for ages! There’s DRAGONS in it. Specifically, a girl who turns into a dragon. More specifically, she’s the heir to a kingdom and the kind wants her dead. Ummm…AWESOME. Also, there’s a wild dad dragon who sends magical woods to kill her too. MAGICAL WOODS. Also, it’s blurbed by Kristin Cashore. WUT. (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Tripping Over May

Book cover Threats of Sky and Sea Jennifer EllisionThreats of Sky and Sea: Threats of Sky and Sea #1 by Jennifer Ellision {Goodreads}

Fantasy with elemental magic! Love those, always. Also, there’s a king who wants to force our MC into his service, family danger, secrets, and a dad who used to be the king’s assassin. Don’t use the “a” word if you don’t want me to be excited to read something. (Createspace)

Tripping Over May

Book cover The Castle Behind Thorns Merrie HaskellThe Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell {Goodreads}

I’ve loved Merrie Haskell’s books, friends. Her MG fantasies are always treats and lots of fun. This one, about an enchanted castle, empty save for the boy mysteriously trapped there, sounds like more of the same. (Katherine Tegen Books)

Waiting on Wednesday (50) | Egg and Spoon

Waiting on Wednesday

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Book cover Egg and Spoon Gregory Maguire

A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.

Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years. One of her brothers has been conscripted into the Tsar’s army, the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. Her mother is dying, slowly, in their tiny cabin. And there is no food. But then a train arrives in the village, a train carrying untold wealth, a cornucopia of food, and a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg — a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. When the two girls’ lives collide, an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito, and — in a starring role only Gregory Maguire could have conjured — Baba Yaga, witch of Russian folklore, in her ambulatory house perched on chicken legs.

Just look at that first line: “A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.” STOP. IT. You only need to say “fantasy” and “Tsarist Russia” for me to be ALL IN. Those are two of my favorite things together in one book. Never mind that the author of this gem of a mash-up is written by Gregory Maguire, the author of WICKED and so many other amazing retellings. Also, BABA YAGA?! I can’t. I can’t wait for EGG AND SPOON.

EGG AND SPOON comes out September 9, 2014 from Candlewick

Egg and Spoon  

Waiting on Wednesday (49): Hook’s Revenge

Waiting on Wednesday

Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schultz

Book cover Hook's Revenge Heidi Schultz

 

Captain Hook’s feisty daughter hits the high seas to avenge her father’s death at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile in Heidi Schulz’s spirited middle-grade debut.

Twelve-year-old Jocelyn dreams of becoming every bit as daring as her infamous father, Captain James Hook. Her grandfather, on the other hand, intends to see her starched and pressed into a fine society lady. When she’s sent to Miss Eliza Crumb-Biddlecomb’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, Jocelyn’s hopes of following in her father’s fearsome footsteps are lost in a heap of dance lessons, white gloves, and way too much pink.

So when Jocelyn receives a letter from her father challenging her to avenge his untimely demise at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile, she doesn’t hesitate–here at last is the adventure she has been waiting for. But Jocelyn finds that being a pirate is a bit more difficult than she’d bargained for. As if attempting to defeat the Neverland’s most fearsome beast isn’t enough to deal with, she’s tasked with captaining a crew of woefully untrained pirates, outwitting cannibals wild for English cuisine, and rescuing her best friend from a certain pack of lost children, not to mention that pesky Peter Pan who keeps barging in uninvited.

The crocodile’s clock is always ticking in Heidi Schulz’s debut novel, a story told by an irascible narrator who is both dazzlingly witty and sharp as a sword. Will Jocelyn find the courage to beat the incessant monster before time runs out?

I am loving this Peter Pan retelling thing that’s going on, friends. I mean, I love that story, even though it isn’t my favorite Disney/classic out there. But mostly I love it because it’s so imaginative, plus it’s got pirates and THOSE I am always excited about. Take HOOK’S REVENGE, for example. The badass daughter of Captain Hook takes off after the crocodile that killed her father, but she must first fight against the structured life that young girls of her time are supposed to have.

Also. Peter Pan is in it. WORD.

Plus, can we leap for joy over this cover? It’s AMAZING. So bright and fun, and it’s illustrated. One of my favorite things about middle grade is that I can get unabashedly excited over illustrations. Based on this cover, I can’t wait to see what kinds of excellent images HOOK’S REVENGE contains.

HOOK’S REVENGE comes out September 16, 2014 from Disney-Hyperion

Hook's Revenge

Waiting on Wednesday (48): Talon

Waiting on WednesdayTalon: Talon #1 by Julie Kagawa

Book cover for Talon by Julie Kagawa

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!! So, I’ve known about TALON for a little while now. It went instantly on my radar because HOLY DRAGONSSSSSS. Like, honestly, though: I will be instantly drawn to books that even HINT at dragons. When I heard that Julie Kagawa was writing a series about dragons, I basically lost it. Her Iron Fey series is really the only faerie series I’ve ever truly enjoyed, so my hopes for this new series are super high.

Plus, OMG, this book has dragonslayers. No. I can’t with all this. There’s a PLOT for dragons to TAKE OVER THE WORLD. Get me the smelling salts. Please. I’m feeling light-headed right now.

TALON comes out on October 28, 2014 from Harlequin Teen

Talon

Tripping Over April

April

I’m behind on everything bloggy lately, friends! I’m hoping to get caught up a little bit this weekend, though, so bear with me, ok? *hugs* You guys are the best.

In the meantime, I want to shout out some books that I’m DYINGGG to read this month!! Prepare yourselves, friends, because the next two months? ALL THE AWESOME BOOKS. THEY ARE COMING.

[Read more…]

Waiting on Wednesday (47): Sacrifice

Waiting on WednesdaySacrifice: The Elementals Series #4 by Brigid Kemmerer

Book cover Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

OMG of COURSE I am DYINGGGGG for Michael’s book in Brigid Kemmerer’s Elementals series. He has been my favorite brother ever since I first read the prequel novella about him. The model on the cover of that book and this one look NOTHING alike, but I’m not complaining because OH HAI.

But what I’m really looking forward to the most is reading about Michael. He’s been in every book and is always my favorite presence in each of his brothers’ stories. I find his responsibility and loyalty and strong-but-silent attitude really admirable and special and touching. The main arc of this series has been growing in danger as well, so I’m eager to see how everything plays out. I just can barely wait for SACRIFICE. BARELY.

Check out my reviews of the first three books in The Elementals Series!

STORM | SPARK | SECRET

SACRIFICE comes out on September 30, 2014 from Kensington Teen

Sacrifice

Waiting on Wednesday (46): Stitching Snow

Waiting on Wednesday

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

book cover Stitching Snow R.C. Lewis

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

So my first thought when I read the synopsis of STITCHING SNOW was, “sounds a little like The Lunar Chronicles.” But listen, that’s actually kind of awesome, because The Lunar Chronicles are AMAZING. Thankfully, though, R.C. Lewis’ debut sounds like it’s going to be fantastic in its own right.

I love the sci-fi fairy tale retellings because there couldn’t be two things more different in my mind. Also, let’s be serious, there’s a war and a king that seems evil and a queen that is evil and a crash-landed pilot. So many elements in this book are making me antsy with anticipation. What is this “fiery right for survival”?!?!? AHHHH!

STITCHING SNOW comes out on October 14, 2014 from Disney-Hyperion

Stitching Snow

Top Ten Tuesday (113): Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR

Top Ten TuesdayTop Ten Books on My Spring TBR

These Top Ten Tuesday’s are always some of my favorites, friends. Looking forward to new books is one of the very best things about blogging because it means I get to become endlessly excited about all of the excellent reads coming my way! There are almost literally A TON of great books coming out this spring. I could’ve made this list twice as long, so I’m pretty proud that I was able to restrain myself! There are so many great books on my spring TBR, but these are the ten I’m most DYING to read! [Read more…]

Waiting on Wednesday (45): The Wizard’s Promise

Waiting on Wednesday

The Wizard’s Promise: The Hanna Duology #1 by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Book cover The Wizard's Promise Cassandra Rose Clare

[Read more…]

Tripping Over March

March

Oh friends, March is looking UP bookwise. So many great books coming out this month. It was harder than usual to narrow down my most anticipated titles, but I think I’ve got some pretty excellent sounding books to look forward to.

The Winner's Curse Marie Rutkoski MarchCheating a touch because I’ve already read this one, but honestly. It was excellent, and so much a fantasy after my own heart. My review will be up very soon, but take my (and, well, just about everyone else’s) word for it: THE WINNER’S CURSE is amazing. (March 4, 2014 from Macmillan)

Alex Wayfare_march.pngI’ve been waiting on this one, friends, because OMG TIME TRAVEL. Visions of the past. A girl who visits new time periods in each of her lives and meets the same boy every time. I’m reading this one soon because it sounds so incredible. (March 4 from Strange Chemistry)

Strange Sweet Song Ari Rule MarchThis book just sounds slightly creepy and mysterious and bewitching. I love the angle with the opera singing young girl, plus it’s got a boarding school and a FOREST (those are always creepy and a place where there are hidden SEKRETS), and the synopsis uses the word “gothic.” Yes, please. (March 11 from St. Martin’s Griffin)

Side Effects May Vary Julie Murphy MarchWhat an excellent, thought-provoking concept: A girl who believes she’s on death’s door decides to live her life with no thought for consequences. Except then WHOOPS her cancer goes into remission and she’s left with all kinds of messes to deal with. (March 18 from Balzer + Bray)

Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender Leslye Walton MarchI don’t even know how I could describe this book to you guys: it sounds like magical realism with family curses, love, and a young girl who is born with wings. I’m loving the fact that the action in this book seems to turn on something that happens on the Summer Solstice because that sounds magical. I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s up with this one. (March 25 from Candlewick)