Waiting on Wednesday: Lines You'll Find Me in at BEA

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF BEA! If you were not aware, I am currently off in Chicago attending all the crazy, hectic, exhausting event known as Book Expo America. I f you have been following me for the past few years you know I like to do a top five books I'll be waiting for at BEA. It's just a way to highlight some books that are there and to inform anyone going what lines you can maybe find me in. So if you're there and you see me, say hi.

1.) Heartless by Marissa Meyer
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 8, 2016 by Macmillan

Synopsis: Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Why I'm Waiting: This should be pretty obvious, I loved The Lunar Chronicles so I would basically read whatever Marissa Meyer wrote next. But this is a villain origin story, something I love, about the Queen of Hearts. Seriously, sign me up.

2.) Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Black
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 6, 2016 by Harper Teen

Synopsis: Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest

Why I'm Waiting: I have not read any Kendare Black despite her stuff seeming like something I would love. But this is very much up my alley. Dark fantasy with political intrigue and three slightly villainous ruler. Total me book.

3.) Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulhurst

(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 22, 2016 by Balthazar + Bray (HarperCollins)

Synopsis: Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine (called Mare), sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, each discovers there’s more to the other than she thought. Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. Soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.

Why I'm Waiting: The world, and especially my life, needs more f/f Sci-Fi/Fantasy. SO obviously when I learned about this book months ago I knew I needed to read it. I was so excited to see that it was at BEA so it's one of my must haves.

4.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: September 20, 2016 by Jimmy Patterson (Little Brown Books)

Synopsis: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion... 

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why I'm Waiting: I love historical fiction and honestly the darker and more mysterious the better. Not only is this book just that but it takes place during one of my favorite periods to read about and it has a strong female protagonist that subverts gender norms. I've been following this book since before it had a name change and I'm so pumped for a copy.

5.) Gemina by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 18, 2016 by Knopf (Random House)

Synopsis:The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Why I'm Waiting: I only just got confirmation this would be at BEA but I could not be more excited. I absolutely loved Illuminae. It was so creative and engrossing and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm slightly nervous because I don't read books about aliens but come on, I have to read this one.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you at BEA with me? Will I see you in any of these line? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!