Review - The Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
Title: The Uninvited (Uninvited #1) Author: Sophie Jordan Teaser: “They say she’s a killer. One day she will be.”...
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As you can see, I have created a brand new Header for Cover Crazy Monday! ^^ I think its schnazzy! This will be the first of many posts as I am returning, so I thought I would cut the grand re-opening red tape with some great upcoming cover releases! Enjoy:
Title: Glass SwordAuthor: Victoria AveyardGenre: YA High FantasyNumber of Pages: 448Release Date: February 9th 2016 by HarperTeenI'm about to read the first one!Blurb:
The thrilling second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen trilogy follows Mare Barrow on her mission to defeat the traitorous Maven.Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness of her own heart.
Title: The Forbidden OrchidAuthor: Sharon Biggs WallerGenre: YA Historical FictionNumber of Pages: 432Release Date: February 2nd 2016 by VikingSo pretty! And I love the setting and main character's first name of this book!Blurb:Staid, responsible Elodie Buchanan is the eldest of ten sisters living in a small English market town in 1861. The girls' father is a plant hunter, usually off adventuring through the jungles of China.Then disaster strikes: Mr. Buchanan fails to collect an extremely rare and valuable orchid, meaning that he will be thrown into debtors' prison and the girls will be sent to the orphanage or the poorhouse. Elodie's father has one last chance to return to China, find the orchid, and save the family--and this time, thanks to an unforeseen twist of fate, Elodie is going with him. Elodie has never before left her village, but what starts as fear turns to wonder as she adapts to seafaring life aboard the tea clipper The Osprey, and later to the new sights, dangers, and romance of China.But even if she can find the orchid, how can she find herself now that staid, responsible Elodie has seen how much the world has to offer?
Title: Tragedy GirlAuthor: Christine Hurley DerisoGenre: YA Contemporary MysteryNumber of Pages: 240Release Date: April 8th 2016 by FluxI'm a sucker for a good mystery.Blurb:Of course Anne would be drawn to Blake. He’s good looking, he’s friendly, and they both bring sob stories to the table: her parents died in a car wreck, his girlfriend, Cara, drowned. Of course Blake would understand what she’s gone through. And of course they can help each other work through the pain. It’s like it was meant to be.But just as Anne starts to feel she’s finally found something good in all the tragedy, she can’t ignore signs that something’s off. Her friends rarely let her be alone with Blake. Even those closest to Blake seem uneasy around him. And then there are the rumors about the death of Cara, whose body was never recovered. Rumors that suggest Blake’s pain is hiding something darker than Anne can even begin to comprehend . . .Any of these spark your interest? -
I have spent a lot of time lately adding to my TBR list with 2016 and even some 2017 books. BLARG I can't stop. I am an addict to adding more and more to my TBR. Here are some recent cover releases for this Monday of some books I am looking forward to!
Title: The Abyss Surrounds UsAuthor: Emily SkrutskieGenre: YA Science Fiction GLBT with PIRATES!Number of Pages: 288Release Date: February 8th 2016 by FluxBlurb:
For Cassandra Leung, bossing around sea monsters is just the family business. She’s been a Reckoner trainer-in-training ever since she could walk, raising the genetically-engineered beasts to defend ships as they cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. But when the pirate queen Santa Elena swoops in on Cas’s first solo mission and snatches her from the bloodstained decks, Cas’s dream of being a full-time trainer seems dead in the water.There’s no time to mourn. Waiting for her on the pirate ship is an unhatched Reckoner pup. Santa Elena wants to take back the seas with a monster of her own, and she needs a proper trainer to do it. She orders Cas to raise the pup, make sure he imprints on her ship, and, when the time comes, teach him to fight for the pirates. If Cas fails, her blood will be the next to paint the sea.But Cas has fought pirates her entire life. And she's not about to stop.
Title: The Shadow QueenAuthor: C.J. RedwineGenre: YA High Fantasy Fairy Tale RetellingNumber of Pages: 400Release Date: February 23rd 2016 by Balzer + BrayBlurb:
Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.
Title: Sword and VerseAuthor: Kathy MacMillanGenre: YA High FantasyNumber of Pages: 400Release Date: January 19th 2016 by HarperTeenBlurb:
Raisa was only a child when she was kidnapped and enslaved in Qilara. Forced to serve in the palace of the king, she’s endured hunger, abuse, and the harrowing fear of discovery: everyone knows she is Arnath, but not that Raisa is a Learned One, a part of an Arnath group educated in higher order symbols. In Qilara, this language is so fiercely protected that only the King, the Prince, and Tutors are allowed to know it. So when the current Tutor-in-training is executed for sharing the guarded language with slaves, and Raisa is chosen to replace her, Raisa knows that—although she may have a privileged position among slaves—any slip-up could mean death.That would be challenging enough, but training alongside Prince Mati could be her real undoing. And when a romance blossoms between them, she’s suddenly filled with a dangerous hope for something she never before thought possible: more. Then she’s propositioned by the Resistance—an underground army of slaves—to help liberate the Arnath people. Joining the rebellion could mean freeing her people…but she’d also be aiding in the war against her beloved—an honorable man that she knows wants to help the slaves.Working against the one she loves—and a palace full of deadly political renegades—has some heady consequences. As Raisa struggles with what’s right, she unwittingly uncovers a secret that the Qilarites have long since buried…one that, unlocked, could bring the current world order to its knees.And Raisa is the one holding the key.
Title: A Drop of NightAuthor: Stefan BachmanGenre: YA Mystery ThrillerNumber of Pages: 384Release Date: March 15th 2016 by Greenwillow BooksBlurb:
Five gifted teenagers are selected out of hundreds of other candidates to fly to France and help with the excavation of a vast, underground palace buried a hundred feet below the suburbs of Paris. Built in the 1780's to hide an aristocratic family and a mad duke during the French Revolution, the palace was sealed after the aristocrats fled there. No one has set foot in it for over two centuries.Now, in the present day, the teenagers enter with cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art security, scientists and chaperones. And then a brutal accident occurs. No way out. Caught in the dark.They will have to fight to survive. But are they really alone in the depths? -
Title:The Girl at Midnight (#1)Author:Melissa GreyTeaser:“Magic lives in our darkest corners.”Genre:YA Paranormal Urban FantasyNumber of pages:357Released:April 28th, 2015 by Delacorte Press
Description:Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.
But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.Positives:-Steamy romance scenes. Always a plus for me.-Beautiful, beautiful world. I would LOVE to see this as a film. The description of both the Avicen and Drakharin race make them sound so beautiful. Honestly, if I had to pick being one or the other, I would know which one to pick.-Action-packed plot. It never is boring.Negatives:-Some have said it’s an insta-romance, but I actually didn’t mind it. I’ve seen A LOT worse. And to me, it felt realistic in the sense that they were very attracted to each other. Sometimes that brings people together.Overview:When I first started reading this book, I was a little skeptical. With two such imaginative races they could either end up being really stupid or really amazing. It would be very easy to write races like that fall short, causing them to feel weird or silly. Melissa Grey manages to write these races so beautifully that I WANT A MOVIE. I’d love to see some concept art about this book, so if anyone knows any!The main character was amazing, really. She was hilarious and snarky. She was very funny to read and seemed like an honest character, meaning she had her weaknesses as well as strengths. She wasn’t overly whiny and she wasn’t overly confident. She was just the right amount. And her clever retorts were perfect to help her not just be a ‘blah’ character which can happen often in YA. Plus – diversity! There is a very sweet, romantic gay relationship that builds in this book.The plot has a lot of action mixed with just the right amount of down time. I never felt bored or like things were going too fast. I actually finished this book in basically one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. There were a few things that left me with a tad uncomfortable feeling, such as the love interest’s strong connection to his former lover. It made me sometimes wonder if he sees her in Echo, the main character, and that is partly what draws him to her.As I’ve said, the romance is very sexy and builds up nicely. I also like that there is more than one romance being told at once. It helps make the story not so focused on two characters. It feels more well-rounded that way and leads to a great ‘world-building’. You end up feeling connected all around and not just to these two characters.Rating:
Recommended to:-People who love creative world building and fantasy settings.-People who don’t mind a ‘tad’ of insta-love that is balanced out by smexy scenes.Not Recommended to:-Those that think reading about newly thought up races is too silly (my sister is one of these people).-Those who absolutely hate insta-romance in any level whatsoever.About the Author:
Melissa Grey penned her first short story at the age of twelve and hasn't stopped writing since. As an undergrad at Yale, she learned how ride a horse and shoot a bow and arrow at the same time, but hasn't had much use for that skill since graduating in 2008.
Her debut novel, THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT, will be published by Delacorte/Random House in spring 2015.
To learn more about Melissa, visit melissa-grey.com and follow her on Twitter @meligrey.
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Title:Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1)Author:Josephine AngeliniTeaser:“Worlds collide. Magic reigns. Love burns.”Genre:YA Paranormal Fantasy (Witches)Number of pages:374Released:
September 2nd, 2014 by Feiwel & FriendsDescription:This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.Positives:-In Josephine Angelini brilliance, the romance in this book is sweeping. I am hooked and can’t wait for the next installment.-Utilizing creative elements, some real-world ideas of witchcraft are also put into the lore, such as the use of herbs.-Never a boring moment. Not ever.-Characters you easily get to know and love.Negatives:-The Lillian/Lily thing bothered me at times when it came to the romance. I would have a hard time being in Lily’s shoes.-I wanted more Salem-y lore! Not just ‘witchcraft’, but perhaps the places and history behind it. When I read the location was Salem I was so excited.Overview:I absolutely adore Josephine Angelini. I will most likely read everything she writes. Her creativity, plot, characters, and romance always seem to be spot on to keep you from being able to put down the book. The story never seems too ‘typical’, the plot never seems rushed or dragging on, the characters are alive in your head, and the romance develops realistically and then makes even your skin burn!The plot of this book combines many elements that I love to see in books. Rowan, one of the main characters, takes Lily out in the wilderness and has to survive. I love rugged survival stuff like that. Honestly, it is a good way to have the romance and relationship develop between the two characters realistically, because anyone in that situation would have a hard time not depending on that other person. The plot itself surprised me in many places, and left me feeling like I should cover my eyes in others. This book, needless to say, is very steamy.The characters – what can I say? I would fall in love with Rowan so easily. I love the diversity in this book as well. The Native American culture behind the Outlanders, the introduction of a gay character, and the use of witchcraft. There are scenes between the characters that I could go back and read over and over again, each time getting that rush. Each character has something that makes you adore or hate them, making it easy to feel a connection.There is not much to say about the romance in this book other than – HOLY HELL. It is sexy and makes you feel good and bad at the same time. I can’t wait to see what is next for them.Rating:Recommended to:-Any readers of Josephine Angelini.-Those who want a steamy romance.-Those who like witchy books!Not Recommended to:-Those that perhaps don’t want to read YA fiction that is a little risqué at times.
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