Apr 7 2015

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Coming Soon: The Hollow Queen by Elizabeth Haydon

Title: The Hollow Queen

Author: Elizabeth Haydon

Series: Symphony of Ages #8

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: June 30, 2015

The Overview: Beset on all sides by the forces of the merchant emperor Talquist, the Cymrian Alliance finds itself in desperate straits. Rhapsody herself has joined the battle, wielding the Daystar Clarion, leaving her True Name in hiding with her infant son. Ashe tries to enlist the aid of the Sea Mages. Within their Citadel of Scholarship lies the White Ivory tower, a spire that could hold the key to unraveling the full extent of Talquist’s machinations. Achmed journeys to the reportedly unassailable palace of Jierna Tal, to kill emperor Talquist—all the while knowing that even if he succeeds, it may not be enough to stop the momentum of the war. As they struggle to untangle the web of Talquist’s treachery, the leaders of the Cymrian alliance are met with obstacles at every turn. Rhapsody soon realizes that the end of this war will come at an unimaginable price: the lives of those she holds dearest.

Waiting on Wednesday
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After several years of wondering if this series would ever reach its conclusion (there was about six years between the release of Assassin’s King and Merchant Emperor), I am thrilled that the story seems to be winding up for one hell of an ending. It looks like this is the third installment of the final “War of the Known World” Trilogy, bringing the series to an end (I think), and I am really looking forward to it. This is a world I have completely enjoyed being immersed in, but find it difficult to recommend because they are a little long-winded. Regardless, I will miss it when it’s over.

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 31 2015

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Coming Soon: The Thorn of Emberlain by Scott Lynch

Title: The Thorn of Emberlain

Author: Scott Lynch

Series: Gentleman Bastards #4

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: September 22, 2016 [Maybe… it keeps changing]

The Overview: A kingdom torn by civil war.

A breakaway republic, outnumbered on all fronts.

Two thieves caught between avarice and admiration.

Things change forever.

Waiting on Wednesday
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Having just finished (and loved) the third book in this series, I am more eager than ever to get my hands on The Thorn of Emberlain. This series is different than anything I’ve ever read in the genre, but still contains all of the elements that make a fantasy great. It’s also kind of hilarious – I laughed through most of the book even though it’s not technically a comedy. I cannot wait to see where the author takes it next!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 24 2015

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Coming Soon: The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Title: The Rose Society

Author: Marie Lu

Series: The Young Elites #2

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 6, 2015

The Overview: Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers that murdered her love, the Crown Prince Enzo Valenciano. But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

Waiting on Wednesday
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As much as I loved the Legend trilogy, I was apprehensive about this series at first, but ended up really enjoying it (so far). Adelina is such an atypical female lead that I couldn’t help but like her. I also really like the setting, and have the feeling it’s only going to get richer going forward. The Young Elites took an interesting plot turned near the end, which is solely responsible for why I’m clamoring for this novel sooner than I would’ve otherwise. I’m really looking forward to this one.

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 18 2015

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Coming Soon: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Title: Soundless

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: N/A

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: November 17, 2015

The Overview: From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore. For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation. But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon. Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…

Waiting on Wednesday
Hosted by Breaking the Spine

When you’re all-time favorite author has a new book coming out, you feel like shouting from the rooftops:

RICHELLE MEAD HAS A NEW BOOK – WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

And not just any new book, but one with an incredibly original sounding concept… not to mention the promise of an exotic setting… where the heck can I get a copy??! I already love everything I know about Soundless and seriously cannot wait to read it. And it’s by Richelle Mead, so you KNOW it’s going to be amazing! If you need me, I will be over here fangirling and crying until I finally get to read it…

What are you waiting on? Anyone want to fangirl with me over Soundless?

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 3 2015

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Coming Soon: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

Title: Walk on Earth a Stranger

Author: Rae Carson

Series: The Gold Seer Trilogy #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: September 22, 2015

The Overview: The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America. Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes. Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.

Waiting on Wednesday
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Considering how much I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I am eager to read anything Carson decides to write. She has a wonderful way with characters, romance, and conflict, and I have no doubt Walk on Earth a Stranger book is going to be every bit as entertaining as I’m hoping it will be. Is it September yet?! Seriously!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Feb 24 2015

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Coming Soon: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

Title: The White Rose

Author: Amy Ewing

Series: The Lone City #2

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 6, 2015

The Overview: Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude. But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm. But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

Waiting on Wednesday
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The Jewel was one of my Top Ten Books of 2014, and I’m so freaking excited for the sequel I can hardly stand it. I have a weakness for this type of novel – girls in pretty dresses trying to survive in a semi-dystopic world (granted, this is a very specific type of book, but I’ve loved every one that I’ve read so far). The Jewel had a lot of elements that I loved about The Selection Trilogy, but explored the society and the world building a lot better in my opinion. It also had a unique love-interest, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was most looking forward to seeing where that goes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will be off pining for this book until it comes out in October.

Is anybody else fangirling over this one is much as I am?

by Niki Hawkes