Waiting On Wednesday (#2)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5)
By Richelle Mead
Razorbill, 416 pages To Be Released: July 29, 2014

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.
For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

I know I mentioned this in my Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List, but I am SO excited about this book. I mean, the cliffhanger at the end of The Fiery Heart was just MEAN...especially since it seemed like Adrian was getting his life back on track, Sidney was slowly beginning to think independent of the Alchemists, and the Sydrian ship looked like it was sailing for the open ocean. After reading this excerpt of the first chapter (obviously it ends on another cliffhanger. The nerve), it's clear that there's going to be a lot of heartbreak and angst as they try to deal with their worst nightmare. And with July oh-so-close and no Penguin trailers in sight...there's only one thing to do: reread the first four books of the Bloodlines series.

Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List

It’s Top 10 Tuesday (hosted at The Broke and the Bookish) and the topic is:

TOP TEN BOOKS ON MY SUMMER TBR LIST

I'm going to be honest: I find the summer to be slow with respect to book releases. Fall is when publishers really push books for release, probably having to do with the back-to-school rush that sends people to the library/bookstore. Also, summer's usually a time for me to relax, so I'm not usually chasing after the latest-release in a series, but rather catching up on books I didn't have time to read during the school year and rereading old favorites. So far, these are the books that have caught my eye: 

Books that have been released (but I haven't gotten around to reading yet): 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

After all the hype surrounding the release of The Grisha #4 (Ruin and Rising) recently, I checked out the first book and the reviews look promising! I'm always looking for new fantasy series and this one sounds really interesting....I mean, with an evil called the "Shadow Fold" and a creature dubbed the "Darkling" I have really high expectations.

Angelfall by Susan Ee
This came out in 2011, but I think it was lost amidst the sudden deluge of angel books. The blurb looks good, and the minute I read "apocalypse" and "angel" in the same sentence, I was intrigued. Plus, it's set in a "dark and twisted Northern California" which is where I live, so I'm going to be looking out for familiar landmarks (you know the Golden Gate Bridge is going to make an appearance).

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
I read and enjoyed Daughter of Smoke and Bone but never got to reading the sequel. From what I remember, there was some pretty amazing worldbuilding and descriptive prose, so I'm excited to jump back in.








Take Me On by Katie McGarry
Okay, I can admit I don't totally love the Pushing the Limits series. Sometimes, it does seem like the books "push the limits" of YA and get really intense. But I can't resist a good romance. Plus, Haley's supposedly a champion kickboxer. That's pretty cool.

Books To Be Released Summer 2014

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
At one point in our lives, we've all been a fangirl, and I'm no exception. I've heard a lot of good things about this, and I loved Eleanor and Park.

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
After the cliffhanger of The Fiery Heart (SYDNEY!) and this excerpt of the first chapter (obviously it ends on another cliffhanger. The nerve), I'm reaaaaally curious about the outcome of Sydrian.

 Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
I'm a fan of the Thousand Oaks series and Miranda Kenneally's books are always a great summer read.

 Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
Medieval fantasy? Assassin's Guild? Forbidden romance? Enemies working together? I'm allll over that.

Wildflower by Alecia Whitaker
What can I say? I root for the underdog. Small town girl makes it big a la Taylor Swift seems to be the summary.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
I normally don't venture into adult lit (I'm just more comfortable with YA lit as a whole) but sometimes I'll follow a YA author. I like the idea of taking a marriage and going backwards and dealing with first love. 

Waiting on Wednesday (#1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. The Young Elites By Marie Lu Putnam Books for Young Readers, 336 pages To Be Released: October 7, 2014

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.It is my turn to use.
My turn to hurt.

After reading the first 50 pages excerpt I'm pretty much hooked. I LOVED the Legend trilogy and Champion made me bawl like a baby and I actually HUGGED the book. Plus, Adelina seems like a unique character--she's out for revenge and with her powers? I wouldn't stand in her way.

Top 10 Books (So Far)

It’s Top 10 Tuesday (hosted at The Broke and the Bookish) and the topic is:

TOP 10 BOOKS I'VE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR

Cress by Marissa Meyer
I loved Cinder and Scarlet and I'm loving where Marissa Meyer is going with her Lunar Chronicles series.  Cress just ups the tension and continues to raise the stakes for the upcoming battle you know is going to be EPIC. 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Another fairytale retelling! This time, Sarah J. Maas has built a phenomenal fantasy world that is so rich with strong characters (MANON!!!) and a seriously savage evil. I will admit that Heir of Fire felt like it was dragging slowly at times, but a lot of that was Celaena's journey to self-actualization and completely necessary for the transformation that's going to decide is magic will ever return to Adarlan.





Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Summer is the time for beach reads about friendships and love, and this book is no exception. Sloane's sudden disappearance leaves Emily with only one choice: to complete the last to-do list that Sloane made her, full of tasks that Emily would never have done by herself. Add in a cute boy and well, that's the perfect summer read.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
What's summer without a road trip story? Reagan is your classic rebellious teenager, who's going on tour with her best friend, country sensation Lilah Montgomery. Of course, what best friend road trip is complete without boys? Meet Matt Finch, whose honest charm must just win Reagan over....

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Remember My Life Next Door? Here's another summer read from the same author. Gwen and Cassidy have some serious chemistry and the story isn't about so much first loves but second chances, and the evolution of relationships.