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Coming Soon: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

snow like ashesTitle: 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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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

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

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Coming Soon: The Witch With No Name

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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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

 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

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April 2014: Review Recap!

Review Recap

 This month I made a concerted effort to post more reviews. After all, it’s not as if I’m lacking in material to write about – I think at last counts I was almost 20 books behind in reviewing (ouch!). As a book blogger, that’s not a horrible problem to have, but I’m looking forward to the day when I’m only, say, five books behind. The trouble is that I have been on a huge YA kick and those books take practically no time at all to read. I think maybe as early as June I will be able to get back to reading robust fantasy novels again… In the meantime, here’s a look at what went down in April on The Obsessive Bookseller:

Book Reviews:

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas – 5/5 stars!

Abandon by Meg Cabot – 1/5 stars

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins – 4.5/5 stars

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau – 2.5/5 stars

Rush by Eve Silver – 3/5 stars

The Eight Day by Dianne K. Salerni – DNF

And my favorites this month:

 The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson – 5/5 stars!

Kushiel’s Scion by Jacqueline Carey – 5/5 stars!

These books were epic!

Waiting on Wednesday Features:

Normally, I mention which WoW book I most excited to read. This month I’m choosing ALL of them!

Top Ten Tuesday Features:

Top Ten Books You Might Like If You Enjoyed Throne of Glass!

Top Ten Female Characters That Inspire Me!

Top Ten Most Unique Books I’ve Ever Read!

The Top Ten Gateway Books of My Reading Journey!

 I almost didn’t participate in a couple of these TTTs but found myself inspired at the last minute.

 April’s Escape Reality Book Club Pick:

Scarlet

(ERBC is for anyone who wants to geek out about YA. If you’re interested, check out our official launch post).

 That about sums up my month! What great books did you read in April?

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Stacking the Shelves – April 2014 Edition!

Stacking the shelves

Hosted by Tinga’s Reviews

Considering how many books I bought last month (as seen in March’s STS) I think a serious cutback in book buying was definitely called for. I’m pleased to say that the only books I acquired this month were either purchased last month during my spend-a-thon or bought under my personal read 4, buy 1 challenge. Here’s a look at what I got: 

Hardcopies:

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Most of these I’ve already read. I’m at the point where I’m only adding the best of the best to my collection. I think all of these qualify. :)

Ebooks:

All of these I snagged for under $3.00 – killer! I’ve been hearing awesome things about both Red Rising and Archived, and who doesn’t love Robin Hobb?

Library:

Turtlebomb!!! I’ve read about half of the books I’ve borrowed (thank goodness for online renewals), and have, for the most part, enjoyed them all. My favorite read in this category was the Girl of Fire and Thorns – which you may have noticed is also in the “purchased” category… it was AWESOME!

ARCs:

Thank you Penguin Random House! Having the chance to review an early copy of The Immortal Crown is like a blogging dream come true for me. Be on the lookout for the review of it near the end of the month!

 Also, you may have noticed I’m doing a great job sticking to my new resolution to stop requesting so many titles from Netgalley and Edelweiss. I’m reserving that for the best ones – like a new Robin Hobb and a new Trudi Canavan!

So that’s it for my haul! How did YOU do this month? :)

by Niki Hawkes

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Coming Soon: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

heir of midnightTitle: 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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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

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

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Coming Soon: Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

firefightTitle: 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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 Hosted by Breaking the Spine

 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