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Ideally, this should have been posted on Monday, but I had too many things to cram into the week to make it happen. I never thought I’d get to the point where I had more ideas for posts then space … Continue reading
Title: Darkness Splintered
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Dark Angels #6
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: November 5, 2013
The Overview: When Risa loses the second key to hell, she angers several powerful people, and she’s starting to feel the pressure from all sides. She gets a visit from her father, who gives her an ultimatum: Get back the key or he will kill her friends.Ris4a also finds herself under the scrutiny of the vampire council, some of whom consider her a monster who should be destroyed. But they offer her a bloody bargain: Take on the lethal head of the council, Madeline Hunter, and others will support her. As the search for the keys to hell heats up, Risa realizes that she has no choice. For the sake of the people she loves, she must find the keys — and get rid of Hunter — before the second gate is opened and brings the world closer to all hell breaking loose…
Nik’s Notes:
This week’s Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine) I’ve chosen to feature Keri Arthur, the author who got me hooked on the urban fantasy genre. To this day, her Riley Jensen series is among my all-time favorites and I’ve read them several times. As a spinoff series, the Dark Angels has been every bit as entertaining as Riley (who, to my delights, makes some appearances). Although I’m not caught up with this series, I hope to be by the time this one is released in November.
What book are you waiting on?
Title: Curtsies and Conspiracies
Author Gail Carriager
Series: Finishing School #2
Genre: Teen Fiction
Release Date: November 5, 2013
The Overview: Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests? Sophronia’s first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won’t Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers’ quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship’s boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot–one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.
Nik’s Notes:
This Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine) was a hard one because I’ve already featured all of the books I am dying to read (Allegiant, Champion, and Fiery Hearts to name a few). So this week my pick is one that I’m convinced I will be excited for once I read the first book (based on customer feedback and helpful reviews by my fellow bloggers). I love books that take place in schools, and this one has sort of a steampunk edge to it that promises to be amazing.
What book are you waiting on?
Title: Autumn Bones
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Series: Agent of Hel #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: October 1, 2013
The Overview: Fathered by an incubus, raised by a mortal mother, and liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, Daisy Johanssen pulled the community together after a summer tragedy befell the resort town she calls home. Things are back to normal—as normal as it gets for a town famous for its supernatural tourism, and presided over by the reclusive Norse goddess Hel. Not only has Daisy now gained respect as Hel’s enforcer, she’s dating Sinclair Palmer, a nice, seemingly normal human guy. Not too shabby for the daughter of a demon. Unfortunately, Sinclair has a secret. And it’s a big one. He’s descended from Obeah sorcerers and they want him back. If he doesn’t return to Jamaica to take up his rightful role in the family, they’ll unleash spirit magic that could have dire consequences for the town. It’s Daisy’s job to stop it, and she’s going to need a lot of help. But time is running out, the dead are growing restless, and one mistake could cost Daisy everything .
Nik’s Notes:
The only, and I mean the only reason I haven’t picked this series up yet is because I have this neurotic need to finish all of her other books first. Her Kushiel’s series is so epic and amazing that it has officially landed itself among my all-time favorites. I loved her characters, the world building, and the love story. I am beside myself with excitement to see her apply all of those elements to an urban fantasy setting. I can’t imagine them being anything other than fantastic!
What book are you waiting on?
Title: Words of Radiance
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: The Stormlight Archive #2
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: March 4, 2014
The Overview: In that first volume, we were introduced to the remarkable world of Roshar, a world both alien and magical, where gigantic
hurricane-like storms scour the surface every few days and life has adapted accordingly. Roshar is shared by humans and the enigmatic, humanoid Parshendi, with whom they are at war. Among those caught up in the conflict are Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, who leads the human armies; his sister Jasnah, a renowned scholar; her student Shallan, a brilliant but troubled young woman; and Kaladin, a military slave who, by the book’s end, had become the first magically endowed Knight Radiant in centuries.
In Words of Radiance their intertwined stories will continue and, as Sanderson fans have come to expect, develop in unexpected, wonderfully surprising directions. The war with the Parshendi will move into a new, dangerous phase, as Dalinar leads the human armies deep into the heart of the Shattered Plains in a bold attempt to finally end it. Shallan will come along, hoping to find the legendary, perhaps mythical, city of Urithuru, which Jasnah believes holds a secret vital to mankind’s survival on Roshar. The Parshendi take a dangerous step to strengthen themselves for the human challenge, risking the return of the fearsome Voidbringers of old. To deal with it all, Kaladin must learn to how to fulfill his new role as leader of the restored Knights Radiant, while mastering the powers of a Windrunner.
Nik’s Notes:
Hosted by Breaking the Spine, this is a weekly feature where we have a chance to look ahead at what’s new in reading. This is the second week this month that I’ve featured a forthcoming Brandon Sanderson novel. As an aspiring novelist, he is quickly becoming one of my ultimate inspirations because not only is he prolific, but his work is of the utmost quality. You are almost guaranteed an amazing read every time you pick one up. Of all the Sanderson’s on the market, none has gotten quite so much positive feedback as The Way of Kings. It is next on my reading list and I cannot wait to see what everybody is raving about. I will most assuredly be ready for the second book in the series by January.
What book are you waiting on?
Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. I’ve always loved seeing which books people are looking forward to and am happy to finally be participating. I have been doing a similar feature for about a year now, but somehow it seems more official, haha. This week I am anticipating:
February 4, 2014
Title: Burn
Author: Julianna Baggott
Series: Pure #3
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Release Date: February 4, 2014
The Overview: The fate of the world is more fragile than ever as Pures battle Wretches and former allies become potential enemies. Inside the Dome Patridge has taken his father’s place as leader of the Pures. His intent had been to bring down the Dome from the inside with the help of the secret resistance force led by Partridge’s former teacher Glassings. But from his new position of power, things don’t seem quite as clear. Perhaps his father had been right. Perhaps if the world is to survive it needs the Dome—and Partridge—to rule it. Outside the Dome Pressia and Bradwell continue piecing together the clues left to them by their parents from the time before the detonations. Soon they will be able to help heal the Wretches, freeing them from their monstrous fusings and the Dome’s oppression once and for all. But their success also depends on Partridge. Can they still trust their friend and ally to see their plan through? Or will a new war begin?
Nik’s Notes:
Having just finished Pure, the first book in this series, I am eager as ever to read the second book (Fuse) and will likely be doubly eager to read Burn by the time it comes out. I enjoyed the world building, the characters, and the layered plot and think anyone who loved the edgier dystopians like The Fifth Wave and Divergent should definitely check this series out! :-)
Pure was July’s Your Pick for Nik! – check out the review by clicking the cover below:
#1 Pure by Julianna Baggott
The Obsessive Bookseller 