Waiting on Wednesday: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Aurora Rising Series: The Aurora Cycle #1 Written by: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Published: May 7, 2019 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure. The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch… A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder An alien warrior with anger management issues A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy. They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I think I may have first learned about this book when I saw Amie and Jay on tour last year for Obsidio. But if I didn't, I remember them talking about it and being super excited. I love both of these authors and they are completely brilliant together and so I am really excited to read more of them.

Not to mention, I have been really enjoying science fiction lately. Space operas have been some of my favorite books of the year so far and this one is giving me serious Firefly vibes. Not to mention, the characters just sounds really amazing. This is one of those books with an unlikely crew getting up to some shenanigans and I am all for that.

I am very excited to read this book. It is one of my most anticipated books of 2019. I recently saw it on Netgalley and I clicked request so fast! But if I don't get approved, I will definitely be getting myself a copy. It comes out right before my birthday so it will probably be my gift to myself.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Aurora Rising along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Devouring Gray Series: The Devouring Gray #1 Written by: Christine Lynn Herman Published: April 2, 2019 by Disney-Hyperion (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening…  Uprooted from the city, Violet Saunders doesn’t have much hope of fitting in at her new school in Four Paths, a town almost buried in the woodlands of rural New York. The fact that she’s descended from one of the town’s founders doesn’t help much, either—her new neighbours treat her with distant respect, and something very like fear. When she meets Justin, May, Isaac, and Harper, all children of founder families, and sees the otherworldly destruction they can wreak, she starts to wonder if the townsfolk are right to be afraid. When bodies start to appear in the woods, the locals become downright hostile. Can the teenagers solve the mystery of Four Paths, and their own part in it, before another calamity strikes?

 
Why I'm Waiting:

When I first learned about this book I was attracted to it because it was pitched as Stranger Things meets The Raven Cycle which are two things I love and two things that sounded amazing combined. I mean, just read that synopsis! Mysterious small town with magical happenings and a mystery to solve. I am all in for those things.

But then I learned that the author went to college in Rochester, New York and based the setting for this book on Western, New York. Usually when a book is set in "Upstate New York" they actually mean an hour outside of NYC, so it's really refreshing that this book is deep upstate. If you didn't know, I grew up in a small town in New York south of Rochester. I super excited to read a book that might remind me of my hometown. Mostly I'm hoping there is mention of Wegmans. If you really want to set a book in Rochester you need a Wegmans,

I am very excited to read this book. It is without a doubt one of my most anticipated debuts of 2019. I am planning to get a copy when it comes out and I really hope that I enjoy it. I mean it sounds amazing so here's hoping.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Devouring Gray along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Everlasting Rose Series: The Belles #2 Written by: Dhonielle Clayton Published: March 5, 2019 by Freeform (Disney Book Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Camille, her sister Edel, and her guard and new love Remy must race against time to find Princess Charlotte. Sophia's Imperial forces will stop at nothing to keep the rebels from returning Charlotte to the castle and her rightful place as queen. With the help of an underground resistance movement called The Iron Ladies-a society that rejects beauty treatments entirely-and the backing of alternative newspaper The Spider's Web, Camille uses her powers, her connections and her cunning to outwit her greatest nemesis, Sophia, and restore peace to Orleans.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I was late to the party with The Belles because I was trying to avoid some of the hype and I honestly regretted it because this book was amazing! I will not be late when it comes to the sequel. I have been desperately wanting to read this book since I read The Belles.

One of my favorite things about The Belles was the world. It is one of the most creative magical systems I have read in awhile so I cannot wait to find out more about it. I know there are going to be some big information revealed based on the way the last book ended. I am also really interested in exploring the larger setting of this world which is a classic series thing to do. I'm ready to explore!

I am also really interested in just reconnecting with these characters. I loved Camille in the first book and the secondary characters were even more interesting. I can't wait to find out what is going to happen to them especially because I know there will be more reveals.

I am very excited to read this book. I can't wait to get a copy when it comes out next month. It is one of my most anticipated sequels. I will probably end up listening to the audiobook because it's narrated by Bahni Turpin and I really like her as a narrator, plus the audio on the first one was so good.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Everlasting Rose along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Schotle

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Four Dead Queens Written by: Astrid Schotle Published: February 26, 2019 by Putnam (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: A divided nation. Four Queens. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messenger. And the murders that unite them. ​ Get in quick, get out quicker. These are the words Keralie Corrington lives by as the preeminent dipper in the Concord, the central area uniting the four quadrants of Quadara. She steals under the guidance of her mentor Mackiel, who runs a black market selling their bounty to buyers desperate for what they can’t get in their own quarter. For in the nation of Quadara, each quarter is strictly divided from the other. Four queens rule together, one from each region: Toria: the intellectual quarter that values education and ambition Ludia: the pleasure quarter that values celebration, passion, and entertainment Archia: the agricultural quarter that values simplicity and nature Eonia: the futurist quarter that values technology, stoicism and harmonious community When Keralie intercepts a comm disk coming from the House of Concord, what seems like a standard job goes horribly wrong. Upon watching the comm disks, Keralie sees all four queens murdered in four brutal ways. Hoping that discovering the intended recipient will reveal the culprit – information that is bound to be valuable bartering material with the palace – Keralie teams up with Varin Bollt, the Eonist messenger she stole from, to complete Varin’s original job and see where it takes them.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

First of all, is this a standalone YA fantasy? How freaking rare are those? Honestly, as a rule most new YA fantasies I want to read. I am a huge fan of the genre and so if a new one is coming I out I probably want to read it. But I love that this one is a standalone. We need more of those.

That being said, one of things I am most excited about this book is that looking at the synopsis it looks like a book full of political intrigue. I love my fantasies to have a lot of political scheming and revolutions and this seems like that kind of read.

I also love that the main character of this book is a thief. Thieves, pickpockets, assassins... those are the type of morally grey main characters I like to read about and Keralie seems like she is going to be that kind of character. Someone doing the wrong things for the right reasons. I feel like she will become a little tropey, but we shall see.

I am very excited to read this book. I can't wait to get a copy when it comes out next month. It is one of my most anticipated debuts. Depending on the narrator I may end up listening to the audio but either way, I can't wait to read it.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Four Dead Queens along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Bloodwitch Series: The Witchlands #3 Written by: Susan Dennard Published: February 12, 2019 by Tor Books (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Fans of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story. High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets. The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I loved the first three books in The Witchlands series and I am super excited for the next book to come out. I loved Susan's debut series and honestly this one is so much better. It is one of those series that has me thinking so much about every little thing that I have all these crazy theories about what will happen next. I know there will be some surprises in this book and I can't wait to find out what they are.

I also really love these characters. Susan is great with developing complex characters that you connect with and I have totally connected with all these characters. I am anxious to find out what happens to Isuelt, Safi, Merik, and of course Aeduan who I am hoping we will find more about in this book. SO PUMPED! Also, ships. The ships.

I am very excited to read this book. I can't wait to pick up a copy when it comes out next month. I should probably do a reread of the series because it's been awhile but I probably won't have time. But either way, I cannot wait to read this book!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Bloodwitch along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: King of Scars Series: Nikolai Duology #1 Written by: Leigh Bardugo Published: January 29, 2019 by Imprint (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army. Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

Leigh Bardugo is an autobuy author. I have loved all her books in the world of the Grisha and honestly they have been getting better. I would be super excited about any new Leigh Bardugo book and therefore I am excited about this one.

Plus, IT'S A BOOK ABOUT NIKOLAI. If you didn't love Nikolai in the original series then I don't know who you are and I don't want to be your friend. He was definitely one of the more interesting characters in that series and had great development. I am excited to learn more about him and see what everything is like for him now.

I am also really excited to find out what things are like in  Ravka. There were some vague mentions in Six of Crows but I think there is a lot more going on and I assume plenty of political intrigue. And there are more characters I am excited to check back in with. Nina Zenik has perspectives you guys!

I am very excited to read this book. I might listen to the audio depending on who narrates it but I will definitely be getting a copy. I need to read this book so badly. MORE GRISHAVERSE!!! *flails*

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on King of Scars along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: In an Absent Dream Series: Wayward Children #4 Written by: Seanan McGuire Published: January 8, 2019 by Tor Books (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: This is the story of a very serious young girl who would rather study and dream than become a respectable housewife and live up to the expectations of the world around her. As well she should. When she finds a doorway to a world founded on logic and reason, riddles and lies, she thinks she's found her paradise. Alas, everything costs at the goblin market, and when her time there is drawing to a close, she makes the kind of bargain that never plays out well.  For anyone . . .

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I marathoned this series earlier in the year when Beneath the Sugar Sky came out and I was incredibly impressed. I was hooked almost from the beginning and with every passing book the mythology deepened and the worlds expanded. I am so excited for more of this series.

But I am even more excited to explore a new world and meet a character that we know so little about. What I love about this series is that the first book introduced us to the basics of the world and then with each new book we get to go to a different world and learn about that and the characters who were sent there and why. It's a really cool concept and builds a lot of investment in what could have been a confusing scenario had it all been written as one book.

Plus even if I didn't love this series, I probably would still want to read this because of the synopsis. First of all, goblin market. Those are always such fascinating settings full of magical objects and wonder and mystery. And then in the synopsis you have the concept of a bargain that doesn't end well and honestly, I am intrigued.

I am very excited to read this book. I listened to the audios for the other books in the series and I will probably do that again but it depends on the narrator. I may end up buying an e-book because the novellas tend to be short and I may want to read it instead.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on In an Absent Dream along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Gilded Wolves Written by: Roshani Chockshi Published: January 15, 2019 by Wednesday Books (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure. Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance. To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can't yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much. Together, they'll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

Will I ever stop running my mouth about how I wants books set in Paris, particularly during the Belle Epoque? No, probably not. I mean come on! It's such a great setting and there are definitely not wnough books that take place during the era. But lucky for me, and all of us, Roshani Chokshi has heard my pleas and wrote a book that takes place in Paris in 1889.

Also, I think Roshani is a perfect author for this kind of setting. I really loved the worlds in her Star-Touched Queen series. They were lush and beautifully crafted in a visual and engaging way and that is the kind of author I want writing historical Paris.

But even if it wasn't a setting I really wanted to read and an author who I wanted to read books from Is till think I would read this book. Just look at that synopsis. Darkly glamorous world, mystery, dangerous and thrilling adventure? Plus the main character is a treasure-hunter. Like, I really need this book.

I definitely have this book preordered but I am still holding out a little hope that I might get an advanced copy. I would seriously give anything to read this book.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Gilded Wolves along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Boneless Mercies Written by: April Genevieve Tucholke Published: October 2, 2018 by Farrar, Straus,and Giroux (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction! Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere. Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

First of all, any book that is pitched for both fans of V.E. Schwab and Maggie Steifvater is a book that I want to read. Those are two of my auto-buy authors so anything that is similar to their work I am all for. I have also heard good things about Tucholke. I have been wanting to read her books for years now and I am excited to make this my first one.

There are very few YA standalone fantasies in the world and I think we need more of them. Sure, series are great, but sometimes it is nice to just escape into a world for a book without having to worry about cliffhangers or world-building taking up too much of the plot.

Speaking of the plot, how amazing does that sound? I am so excited for a book about a group of female mercenaries who take matters into their own hands and fight monsters. Plus fierce girls, blood, quests, and alliances Yeah, this sounds like my find of thrilling read.

I got an advanced copy of this at ALA and I was really excited. I can't wait to read this book and I am so glad to be able to snag a copy so I can read it.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Boneless Mercies along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Grim Lovelies Written by: Meghan Shepherd Published: October 2, 2018 by HMH Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime. Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for. From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

One of the things I have desperately been wanting to read lately is books set in Gilded Age Paris aka the Belle Epoque. It's such an interesting time and a lush setting that is perfect for historical fiction and fantasy. So when I heard that there was a fantasy set in Paris with a fantasy system based on magical creatures I knew that I needed to read it. It's such a cool concept and an even more exciting setting.

I havent read anything from Meghan Shepherd but I have heard really good things about her from some blogger friends whose opinion I definitely trust. I know her first series was a retelling that had a historical setting and I am definitely excited to read this book to see how I like her style to maybe read more.

I got an advanced copy of this at ALA and I was really excited. I also met Meghan Shepherd and she definitely seemed really nice. I can't wait to read this book and I am so glad to be able to snag a copy so I can read it.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Grim Lovelies along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy Series: Montague Siblings #2 Written by: Mackenzi Lee Published: October 2, 2018 by Katherine Tegan Books (Harper Collins) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor. A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science. But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I absolutely love Mackenzi's writing. I read her debut a few years back and really really enjoyed it and since then I have been reading all her books. However, my favorite book from her is Gentleman's Guide. So when I found out there was going to be a follow up novel from Felicity's perspective I was so excited. I loved Felicity in the first book and I can't wait for more from her.

But even if I didn't love the author and the first book in the series, I think I still would have been super excited about this book. I mean it is a historical fiction novel about a young woman who subverts society's expectations and takes up with pirates and goes on an adventure to solve a mystery. Those are some of my all-time favorite things and things I want to see more in books. I am super pumped to read it.

I got an advanced copy of this at ALA and I was so freaking excited. This was one of my top three must get books at ALA and I am so glad I got it. I have plans to read it next month because I need some Felicity in my life. And if there is a little Percy and Monty, all the better.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!