May 27 2014

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Coming Soon: Captive by Aimee Carter

Title: Captive

Author: Aimee Carter

Series: Blackcoat Rebellion #2

Genre: Teen Dystopian

Release Date: November 25, 2014

The Overview: For the past two months, Kitty Doe’s life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister’s niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever. But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she’s accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she’ll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

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Despite some underwhelming (but totally justified) reviews I’ve read about Pawn on the blogosphere, I enjoyed the snot out of it. In fact, it was one of my favorite books read in 2013 and I even made a point of purchasing it in hardcover. I loved it because, even though the society’s setup wasn’t totally feasible, I loved the basic concept – especially the way it meshed meshed with a game of chess. I also really enjoyed the writing style and was absorbed from the first page. In any case, I will definitely be on the hunt for this come November!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

May 21 2014

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Coming Soon: The Queen by Kiera Cass

Title: The Queen

Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection Novella

Genre: Teen Dystopian (sort of)

Release Date: December 2, 2014

The Overview: Before America Singer’s story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince…. This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon’s mother, Amberly. Discover a whole new Selection with this inside look at how Maxon’s parents met—and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.

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I am on a Selection craze and have been since I picked up the first book over a year ago. As I’m currently savoring The One (the final book in the trilogy) I find myself incredibly sad that the story is coming to an end. This makes me even more excited to check out The Queen when it comes out in December – I simply cannot get enough of this series. Aside from my obsession, I find Amberly’s selection journey to be just as curious as America’s and look forward to finding out more about her. She’s easily one of my favorite characters!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

May 14 2014

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Coming Soon: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes

Author: Sara Raasch

Series: Snow Like Ashes #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 14, 2014

The Overview: A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making. Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

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I’m really fired up about this book – it looks to have everything I love about high fantasy – all wrapped up in an appealing YA package. It’s supposed to be similar to Game of Thrones, and while I had some issues with that series (the details of which I’ll spare you here) I think the premise of Snow Like Ashes sounds highly interesting. If I can’t manage to get my hands on an early copy of this baby, you’d better believe I’m picking one up the day it comes out! :)

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

May 6 2014

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Coming Soon: The Witch With No Name

Title: The Witch With No Name

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: The Hollows #13

Genre: UrbanFantasy

Release Date: September 9, 2014

The Overview: Rachel Morgan’s come a long way from the clutzy runner of Dead Witch Walking. She’s faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witches, and soul-eating demons. She’s crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She’s lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more. But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price. That time is now. To save Ivy’s soul and the rest of the living vampires, to keep the demonic ever after and our own world from destruction, Rachel Morgan will risk everything.

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I pick up Kim Harrison’s books when I need a guaranteed good read. I take my time with them – savoring every last page and, because of that, am a few books behind in the series. Even so, I dread the day it comes to an end – these books have struck me so profoundly that I will really miss them when they’re done (not that I couldn’t go back and reread, but I will miss the considerable discovery process that makes them so much fun to read). As The Witch With No Name comes out in just a few months, that day is approaching a lot faster than I had anticipated. Because I’ve taken my time, I have a bit more reading to do than the average Hollows fan before I’m ready to pickup the conclusion, but I can’t imagine it being any less than epic when I do! If you like urban fantasy and haven’t read Kim Harrison yet, you are missing out on one of my absolute favorites!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Apr 29 2014

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Coming Soon: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: September 2, 2014

The Overview: Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

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I kind of jumped the gun on this post by including the new cover for Heir of Fire in yesterday’s TTT (Top Ten Books You Might Like If You Enjoyed Throne of Glass). What can I say? I couldn’t help myself… it’s gorgeous.

I think most people who like YA Fantasy are waiting on Heir of Fire, and it’s not hard to see why! This series is absorbing, heart-wrenching, and an absolute blast to read. If you haven’t picked it up yet, you are missing out on one of the most promising series I’ve read in ages (start with Assassin’s Blade… you won’t regret it)! You better believe I’m devouring Heir of Fire the day it comes out.

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes

Apr 22 2014

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Coming Soon: Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Firefight

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Series: Reckoners #2

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: January 8, 2015

The Overview: They told David it was impossible–that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart–invincible, immortal, unconquerable–is dead. And he died by David’s hand. Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there’s no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs. Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David’s willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David’s heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic–Firefight. And he’s willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

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With the premise of superheroes gone bad, Steelheart could have easily been cheesy and overdone… instead, it was one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time. I found it cheeky, action-packed, and thoroughly engaging and am practically chomping at the bit to get my hands on this sequel. Sanderson is quickly creeping up my list of favorite authors – everything I read by him is just so different and amazing… is there anything he can’t do? Who would’ve thought the man that brought us the most epic fantasy ever (Way of Kings) could also write a comic book adventure with a twist? It’s almost not fair. If you haven’t read the Sanderson yet, pick up anything – you won’t regret it. I had so much fun reading Steelheart, I can only imagine Firefight will be just as good!

What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes