Sep 17 2014

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Coming Soon: The Rogue Knight by Brandon Mull

Title: The Rogue Knight

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: Five Kingdoms #2

Genre: Middle Grade

Release Date: October 21, 2014

The Overview: Cole Randolph never meant to come to The Outskirts, but when his friends were kidnapped on Halloween he had to try and save them. Now he is trapped in a world that lies between wakefulness and dreaming, reality and imagination, life and death. Cole’s in search for his friends has led him to Elloweer, another of the five kingdoms that make up The Outskirts. He is accompanied by Mira, Twitch, and Jace; new friends he’s met here in the Outskirts who each have their own important missions. The group is following news that Mira’s sister, Honor, could be in danger. However, Cole and Mira are soon the ones facing direct threat, and must resort to a fascinating new kind of magic to protect themselves. Their journey brings them across familiar faces, some more welcome than others, until their paths ultimately cross with the infamous man known throughout Elloweer as the Rogue Knight. Will he turn out to be an unstoppable enemy, or a key ally? Every move is filled with danger as Cole and his new friends try and outwit the High King, who will stop at nothing to regain what he has lost.

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Aside from Harry Potter, Fablehaven is easily my favorite middle grade series. I’ve read the books more times than I can count. Since the final book was released, I’ve since gone out and read the Candy Shop War (which I liked), Beyonders (which I did not like), Wild Born (cool!), and Sky Raiders (which is easily my favorite series since Fablehaven). So, even though Beyonders was kind of a disappointment, I’m grateful for this new series – it has me fired up about Mull all over again. I was lucky enough to chat with him for a moment at a book signing and to hear him talk about the “awesome stuff you haven’t even seen yet” coming up in the Five Kingdom series has me pumped!

As a side note, he also mentioned that after finishing the series he will be working on a spin off of Fablehaven featuring the dragon sanctuaries prominent in book 4!!!!! I am fricken stoked.

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 2 2014

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Coming Soon: The Dagger’s Path by Glenda Larke

Title: The Dagger’s Path

Author: Glenda Larke

Series: The Forsaken Lands #2

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: January 13, 2015

The Overview: It should have been easy — return the stolen feather and restore Ardhi back to his rightful place. But when Saker, Ardhi, Sorrel, and Piper arrive to find the island in chaos, returning just the one feather will not help — not when the other three have mysteriously disappeared as well. As Saker and Ardhi work to mend the distrust caused by Ardhi’s betrayal and attempt to retrieve the other feathers, they slowly find a sort of peace with the islanders. That is, until Saker realizes they unintentionally led the Spice traders straight to the sacred island they were hoping to protect. Now Saker must fight with both the Va witchery and Chenderawasi magic to defend everything that Ardhi holds dear. But Saker’s powers are very new, and their enemies have them surrounded.

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Glenda Larke is easily one of my all-time favorite fantasy authors. I’ve read every book she has published so far (including the Mirage trilogy which I had to pay big bucks to have shipped over from Australia), and have absolutely loved every last one. She always dazzles me with epic world-building, amazing characters, and well-woven plots, and her work in this latest trilogy is no exception – in fact, it has the potential to be my favorite yet. The Lascar’s Dagger (Book 1 in this series) was phenomenal and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves epic fantasy. I am so excited for this second book I can hardly stand it. And it gets even better – the release day also happens to be my birthday! :)

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 26 2014

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Coming Soon: Ignite by Sara B. Larson

Title: Ignite

Author: Sara B. Larson

Series: Defy #2

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: January 6, 2015

The Overview: Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion’s people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy — before it’s too late?

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Having just finished Defy last week, I can say with certainty I am excited to read Ignite! What a shame I have to wait until January. I enjoyed Defy thoroughly despite the fact that there were a few elements that wouldn’t hold up the close scrutiny. It just goes to show that a novel doesn’t have to be perfect to be highly entertaining. I haven’t written a review for Defy yet, but it’s definitely getting a higher rating. It actually had a lot of similar appeal to Throne of Glass…

As a side note, I picked up Defy because a) I wanted to read it (a given) and b) Larson is scheduled to attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival… you better believe I’ve already purchased a copy to have her sign – much love! :-)

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 19 2014

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Coming Soon: Zodiac by Romina Russell

zodiac Title: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Series: ?

Genre: Teen Science Fiction

Release Date: December 9, 2014

The Overview: At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain…. Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories. When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancrian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians. But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

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I don’t feature upcoming debut books very often because I’m usually too busy waiting on books from authors I already know I’m going to love. That being said, every now and then a new book pops on my radar that I feel oddly drawn towards. Zodiac is one such book. Now, I’ve never been one for astrological readings, but I do like the idea of using its as a premise for a book. I think it has potential to be either really cool or really cheesy… We shall see. :-)

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 13 2014

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Coming Soon: Catalyst by Lydia Kang

Title: Catalyst

Author: Lydia Kang

Series: Control #2

Genre: Teen Dystopian

Release Date: March 24, 2015

The Overview: In the past year Zel lost her father, the boy she loves, her safety, and any future she might have imagined for herself. Now she, her sister, and the band of genetic outcasts they’ve come to call their family are forced on the run when their safe house is attacked by men with neural guns. But on the way to a rumored haven in Chicago, Zel hears something–a whisper from Cy, the boy who traded himself for her sister’s safety. And when she veers off plan in order to search for him, what she finds is not what she expected. There’s more to their genetic mutations than they ever imagined…aspects that make them wonder if they might be accepted by the outside world after all.

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

In my review of Control, I point out that there were a couple of things this author did brilliantly – excellent side characters and beautiful immersive writing, to name a couple. I also expressed how disappointed I was at the direction the story took. It had all the elements it needed to be brilliant, but the main character (who is really smart) decided to make a bunch of foolish decisions. I wondered for a while if I was going to continue this series, but have finally decided there are just too many great things about this author to dismiss. Especially considering the things I didn’t like were preferential and not in any way a ding against Kang’s talents. The bad news? This book doesn’t come out until March of next year. I’m going to be waiting a lot of Wednesdays to find out what happens next.

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 5 2014

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Coming Soon: A Play of Shadow by Julie E Czerneda

Title: A Play of Shadow

Author: Julie E. Czerneda

Series: Night’s Edge #2

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: November 4, 2014

The Overview: What would you risk for family? The truthseer who won Jenn Nalynn’s heart, Bannan Larmensu, learns his brother-in-law was sent as a peace envoy to Channen, the capital of the mysterious domain of Mellynne, and has disappeared. When Bannan’s young nephews arrive in Marrowdell during a storm, he fears that his sister, the fiery Lila, has gone in search of her husband, leaving her sons in his care. The law forbids Bannan from leaving Marrowdell and traveling to Mellynne to help his sister. At least, in this world. As a turn-born, Jenn Nalynn has the power to cross into the magical realm of the Verge—and take Bannan with her. Once there, they could find a way into Mellynne, if they survive. The Verge is wild and deadly, alive with strange magic. Dragons roar and kruar wait in ambush, and the powerful turn-born who tend their world do not care for Jenn Nalynn. But Jenn is willing to try. Their friends Wisp and Scourge — and the house toads — offer their help. But what none of them know is that Channen is rife with magic, magic that flows from the Verge itself. And not even a turn-born will be safe there.

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Okay, so I haven’t actually read the first book in this series (A Turn of Light) yet, but I bought it in hardcover and totally plan on picking it up within the next couple of months. Considering that Czerneda is one of my all-time favorites, it is ultimate shame that I haven’t read this one yet. I think part of my hesitance is that I’ve known her as a science fiction author and this will be her first fantasy… Although I can’t imagine it being anything less than amazing. I think honestly I’ve just been waiting for a rainy day to give it a try. It’s a shame I’m not caught up because the first several chapters of A Play of Shadow are on her website for anybody who’s interested. :-)

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes