Waiting On A Wednesday

Waiting on a Wednesday is a meme where blogs can share the upcoming releases that they're dying to read. This week, i'm going to share one of this my most anticipated debuts for this year.

The Nightmare Affair - Mindee Arnett
Publication - March 5th 2013 by Tor Teen

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.
Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target

Looks amazing doesn't it?

So, what are you dying to read?

Have a great day,

Imo xx

The Seven Year King Cover Released!

So, it is with great excitement that i present to you the cover of The Seven Year King, the third book in Kiki Hamilton's Faerie Ring series to be released on May 14th 2013.

It's gorgeous, right? Unfortunately there's no synopsis out yet, although the author did share this teaser on her blog yesterday...

A deadly sacrifice, a heartbreaking choice, an uncertain future... 

And in case you've had a complete mental blank, here are all the books in the series so far:

Let me know what you guys think, and be sure to check out the books and the author's site!

Imo xx

Hottest New Releases for the New Year!

Happy New Year guys! I hope it's a great one for you, although i suspect my resolutions will be out the window within the week (me and gyms never do seem to get along). Anyway, seeing as it's the start of a completely new year i thought i'd put up some of January's best new releases for you to look forward to!

Seriously can't wait to get stuck into these!

Imo xx

The Assassin's Curse

TITLE: The Assassin's Curse

AUTHOR: Cassandra Rose Clarke

SERIES: Assassin's Curse #1

PUBLISHER: Strange Chemistry

RELEASE: 20th October 2012

         MORE INFO

Note: An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Cassandra Rose Clarke has managed to surpass all of my expectations with her debut novel The Assassin’s Curse. A wonderful mix of fantasy, adventure, piracy and a subtle but definitely present romance, this book kept me entertained into the long hours of the night and is highly recommended for anyone looking for something a little bit different.

The daughter of a pirate lord and a wind mage, Ananna of Tanarau’s biggest dream is to sail the high seas in a ship of her own. Bartered for in a marriage to a boy she hardly knows Ananna reacts on instinct and runs away, hiding in the city and waiting for her retribution. This comes in the form of Naji, an assassin hired by the boy’s father who becomes unwillingly bonded to Ananna when she inadvertently saves his life. Tied together by a terrible curse, Ananna travels with Naji in his quest to find the one wizard who can break it. However, they may find that it takes more than just a wizard to break this ‘impossible’ curse, and Ananna will learn that danger comes from many sources; not just the assassin at her side.

Ananna is an admirable heroine and her witty, observational narrative is one of the highlights of this book for me. Quick to stand up for herself and thoroughly capable of holding her own, it was astounding to see her enormous amount of growth during the course of the book. Far from being the stereotypically perfect ‘Mary Sue’, Ananna had flaws and Clarke wasn’t afraid to show them. It was this in particular that made her such a well-rounded, realistic and enjoyable character that was such a delight to get to know.

Then there’s Naji; the tortured hero who made me fall for him just as much as he did Ananna. Cold and brutal at the beginning, it was wonderful to see him slowly reveal his gentler side as he spent more time with our heroine. Clarke seems to be particularly adept at character development, and this is particularly noticeable the further you progress into the story. She doesn’t shy away from showing Naji’s uglier aspects as well as his better ones, and I found myself sympathising more and more with him as the truth about the nature of his curse was revealed.

The plot was a definite hit with me – unique, balanced and teaming with pirates and magic. The curse was a brilliant invention of the behalf of Clarke, and I cannot wait to see where she takes it with the introduction of these ‘tasks’ at the very end of the book. The only problem I found was with the world building, in that we don’t seem to get too much information about the whole domain in itself and just the parts that are relevant to the story. The reveal of the curse also seemed to be a bit rushed and probably could have been held off a bit longer, though in all honesty it didn’t really ruin anything, just cut of the suspense quickly.

Despite this I still stick with my initial statement that The Assassin’s Curse is a debut novel I would highly recommend. With amazing characters and a five star plot, this book is one I think the vast majority would love. Make sure you get your hands on a copy in October, and I will be eagerly awaiting the second book in this fascinating series.

Beautifully Broken

TITLE: Beautifully Broken

AUTHOR: Sherry Soule

SERIES: Spellbound #1

PUBLISHER: Moonlight Publishing

PAGES: 305 (Paperback)

       MORE INFO

Note: A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Eerie, humorous and romantic, Beautifully Broken is a potent story about young witch Shiloh and the curse that threatens her town. Highly entertaining, I would definitely recommend this to any fan of YA paranormal romance!

The plot was definitely one of my favourite things about this novel, I almost always find that most YA books have strayed away from the creepy stuff; but not Soule. She added just the right amount of eeriness to accentuate the supernatural aspects of the book and get your heart pumping, though not so much as to subtract from the other light-hearted themes. The concept of the curse was one in particular that fascinated me, and as Shiloh navigated her way through the secrets and lies about her heritage I found myself just as captivated as she was.

Shiloh surprised me at every turn; her powers, her personality, her relationship with other characters – everything was well written and believably conveyed. She was so strong and determined that I really felt sympathetic towards her when it came to her lack of support in this scary new world of magic and demons, and the distance between her and her mother was something that can hopefully be mended in future books. However, Shiloh certainly doesn’t lack closeness in her relationship with her friends, and their interactions were one of many things that kept the book realistic and identifiable.

To touch up quickly on the romance; it was sweet, swoon-worthy and unhurried. Though there was the cliché insta-attraction at the beginning this was quickly forgotten as they actually attempted to establish a bond, rather than immediately being overwhelmed by crazy animal lust. True, Trent had the some of the stereotypical bad boy traits, but other facets of his personality thankfully set him apart from other YA alpha males. Together they definitely seemed to bring out the best of each other, and I’m sure that in future books they will be a force to be reckoned with.

The writing was another positive in favour of this book, and overall I found it to be highly descriptive and polished. I always had a clear image in my head of what was going on at that particular moment, and there was minimal ‘purple prose’ (I think that’s what it’s called), meaning that the writer uses lots of pretty, complicated words but it comes across as complete gibberish. That is a real pet peeve of mine, and I’m so glad that Soule has managed to stay away from that annoyingly common practice.

Beautifully Broken is an intriguing new YA release with a unique twist of the theme of witches and curses. Great for reading when you have a few hours of spare time, I look forward to seeing how the story continues in the next book of the Spellbound series.

Want to read the book? Buy it online at:

PRINT: http://amzn.to/OnCB4f

KINDLE: http://amzn.to/OnCDca

NOOK: http://bit.ly/Q6mGqx

SMASHWORDS: http://bit.ly/NvvIRX

New Releases this Month

August has been a pretty busy time both in terms of publishing and the real world. For starters, how could i dare forget the Olympics, something that only finished a couple of days ago and is hands down the greatest sporting event of all time? I hope you guys got in on some of the action, i certainly did!

But, of course, this is not a sports blog, it's a BOOK blog. And there's some fabulous new releases coming up in the next couple of weeks, some of which include:

They look great, huh? I might have a couple of pre-orders out on some of these...

Have an awesome week,

Imo xx

Throne of Glass

 TITLE: Throne of Glass

AUTHOR: Sarah J. Maas

SERIES: Throne of Glass #1

PAGES: 416 (Hardcover)

PUSBLISHER: Bloomsbury

           MORE INFO

Though I never got to witness the Fiction Press excitement around this book myself, I can see why Throne of Glass gained such a following with its readers. Adventurous, compelling and romantic, this is one debut novel that definitely lives up to my expectations.

Being Adarlan’s most infamous assassin finally caught up with Celaena Sardothien, and after a mysterious betrayal enabled her capture at the hands of the king she was sent to the brutal salt mines in Endovier for over a year. Scarred, starved and overworked, when Crown Prince Dorian presents her with an opportunity for escape she grasps at it with both hands. The catch: she must compete with over twenty men for the title of the king’s champion, though as contestants begin to show up murdered Celaena fears that she may not live long enough to earn the freedom she so desperately craves.

Celaena was not quite what I was expecting when I came into this book. She was strong, deadly and intelligent; but also quite vain and surprisingly witty when bantering with the males in this novel. One thing Maas excels at is the strong representation of not one, but two of her female characters. Whilst Celaena is our main focus it would be hard to forget Nehemia, a rebellious young woman severely underestimated by everyone at court. The friendship that blossomed between the two young women was genuine, and I can only hope that she remains a fixture in the next novel in the series.

When discussing the book with my peers the one thing that seems to attract most people to it is the description, and I will be the first to admit that for me it was exactly the same. In reality the plot almost, almost, lived up to everything I could hope for, yet I found it to be a smidgen on the wrong side of predictable. Though I commend the author’s attempts at cultivating red herrings I am disappointed to say that I’d worked out the mystery killer barely halfway into the book, and found it frustrating when Celaena and Chaol were floundering around on a wild goose chase. However, I should add that I still found the novel very entertaining, and was not tempted to stop reading just because I might have worked a few things out.

Now we come to the real issue, the dreaded Love Triangle of Doom (insert dramatic music here). It wasn’t that I particularly disliked one of the love interests over the other; it was just that there appeared to be only one realistic choice. Dorian and Celaena’s relationship felt over-clichéd and contrived, whereas her interactions with Chaol were deeper and allowed for the building of a true connection. Something that particularly irritated me was that Dorian visited her maybe once every two weeks, yet she was still hopelessly attracted to him and left in a severe state of swoon when they parted. Chaol, however, was reliable and unfailing, and I can only hope that Celaena will come to her senses in future novels.

A well-deserved 4 stars, Throne of Glass is an outstanding debut novel that I recommend to any YA or fantasy lover. I, among many others, cannot wait to read the sequel when it releases, and feel that with a starting book such as this the series can only get better!

Latest Cover Reveals

Hi guys! Thought i'd share with you some of the latest cover reveals from the last few weeks, feast your eyes on the pretty!



So what do you think of the new covers? Leave a comment and i'll come visit!

Imo xx

Innocent Darkness

TITLE: Innocent Darkness

AUTHOR: Suzanne Lazear

SERIES: Aether Chronicles

PAGES: 408 (Paperback)

FORMAT: ARC

PUBLISHER: Flux (Aug 8th 2012)

Note: An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For a book that had such an intriguing premise, this barely lived up to my expectations and it got to the point where I put the book down and didn’t pick it up again. As it is, I consider it a valiant effort that I managed to get through three quarters of it, although if you are keen on a quick – if insubstantial – read then you may find this novel much more enjoyable.

Innocent Darkness is the story of Magnolia ‘Noli’ Braddock, a rebellious young woman with a flair for mechanics and rule-breaking. After an accident that could have ended catastrophically she is sent off to a strict boarding school for troubled young women, where she accidentally is transported to the ‘Otherworld’ and taken in by Kevighn, a gorgeous, if a little mysterious, faerie. But Kevighn is actually the Queen’s huntsman, charged with the job of capturing a young girl with the Spark as a sacrifice to save the realm. However, Noli’s best friend Steven, or ‘V’ as she calls him, has a few secrets of his own, and he is determined to save her before it’s too late.

Innocent Darkness desperately needs a few more rounds of edits, and as such feels almost unfinished when reading it. The pages are riddled with spelling errors and grammatical faults, not to mention the jumpy transitions between characters and repeated sentences that were blatantly the same behind the synonyms used. There were also quite a few annoying contradictions that crept up in Noli’s narrative, and I found myself getting frustrated at her flippant nature.

Despite my misgivings I actually felt a dash of empathy for Noli, and at some parts I actually liked her character. She was shrewd, curious and at times would show a confidence that evoked a rush of pride for her. But, there are only so many good qualities you can give a character before they start becoming too perfect.  She had the traits previously mentioned, but she was also extremely beautiful, gifted, and in possession of the largest amount of Spark Kevighn has felt in a long time. As this was revealed Noli began to feel more like a dream than an actual person, and I could myself slowly losing interest in her and her plight.

The plot of this book is almost childish in its ideas and language, yet at times the author seemed to throw in random sentences about opium and ‘soft women’ as if trying to show us that yes, this is a young adult novel. The characters and the world seemed to naïve to have things like this pop up, and rather than appearing to mature the novel it just felt quite desperate made me feel vaguely perturbed.

The romance between Noli and Kevighn was not a strong point in this novel, it came across as quite superficial and almost too…I don’t know, fairy-tale like? Though Kevighn has captured hundreds of girls, all who were beautiful and talented, he can’t help but fall over himself for Noli and allow her break down all his barriers within only a few days. He is relatively underdeveloped, erratically spouting bits of seemingly important yet useless information in between brooding and indulging in his opium and soft women. His motives and purpose seemed very vague, and I can only guess that he is being left deliberately ambiguous for the next book in this series.

A slow read, this book would need a lot more work for me to find it suitable for general consumption in the young adult book market. However, even if it can be saved I think I will be staying away from this author’s work in the near future.

Struck

TITLE: Struck

AUTHOR: Jennifer Bosworth

SERIES: Struck #1 (prequel available)

PUBLISHER: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux

PAGES: 373 (Hardcover)

             MORE INFO

An exciting premise with a healthy dose of originality, Struck is the latest offering in YA dystopia. Though the novel was certainly good enough, it didn’t quite live up to its potential and I struggled to get through the middle third of the book.

The prologue of this novel is the hook; it draws you in with one simple sentence: ‘My name is Mia Price and I am a lightning addict.’ Like many others I expected this revelation to be explored in the novel much more than it actually was, especially since it is perhaps the most important point in the whole plot. Instead, we get the barest of information before Mia is thrown into this tug of war between the two cults – The Seekers and The Followers – whilst I much would have preferred to find out why on earth Mia is able to survive being struck by lightning and what could have driven her to discover this. To say I was confused is an understatement, and I can only hope that if there are future books Bosworth will go into this more thoroughly.

As a heroine, Mia took a while to grow on me. Not that I hated her, but for a while I just felt indifference. One thing that really annoyed me was her ability to take massive leaps and do crazy things when everything could have been sorted with a conversation or some openness from her and the other characters. They were all just too uptight, especially Jeremy, who’s big ‘secret’ I called way in advance. He chose to be deliberately vague when warning her about the Waste, when the truth would have saved time and been way more effective.

A big theme revolving around the plot is this idea of religion, and how the two cults are trying to stop the incoming apocalypse. They both have vastly different ideas of how this ought to be done; yet one thing they have in common is that they need Mia. Rather than being concerned or angry, I just felt vaguely irritated by these two warring factions. One brainwashes its members, whilst the other blackmails and intentionally keeps secrets. In my mind they are both just as bad as each other, and I think Jeremy was completely right when he said to avoid either of them.

This book has been getting quite a lot of hype in the book blogging circle, and for most I would say that Struck is an enjoyable read that is by far not the worst YA novel you could pick up. Though its originality seems to be lost the more pages you turn, I will be keeping an eye out for more of Bosworth’s books in the future.

More Cover Reveal Awesome

Check out the latest covers to be released!

They're so pretty, aren't they? I can't wait to get my hands on them next year!

So what do you guys think?

Imo xx

Waiting on a Wednesday

Waiting on a Wednesday is a meme where blogs can share the upcoming releases that they're dying to read. Seeing as i've had a run of good luck with this genre lately, this week i've chosen:

Crewel - Gennifer Albin (Oct 16th)

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.
That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.
Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back

Looks amazing, doesn't it? And isn't that cover gorgeous!
So, what are you guys waiting on this fine wednesday?

Imo xx



Boundless Cover Reveal

Not going to waste your time, so here it is, the cover for Boundless, the last book in the Unearthly trilogy!

Isn't it absolutely gorgeous! What do you think?

Have a good weekend,

Imo xx

Cover Reveals - The Rising and Mind Games

Just in case you haven't seen it yet (and who hasn't?), i thought i'd give you another look at the stunning cover for Kiersten White's new book, Mind Games. This is one of my top books for 2013, and i absolutely can't wait to read it!

From what we've heard so far, it's kind of a psychic romantic thriller that's a lot darker than the Paranormalcy series, but just as addictive. And how gorgeous is that cover?

Another cover reveal is for Kelley Armstrong's The Rising, third in the Darkness Rising Trilogy. I love how they all fit in so well together, and i am chomping at the bit to see Mayar finally meet Chloe. Twill be awesome!

So, what do you guys think?

Imo xx

Pushing the Limits

TITLE: Pushing the Limits

AUTHOR: Katie McGarry

PUBLISHER: Harlequin Teen

PAGES: 384 (Hardcover)

FORMAT: ARC

      

           MORE INFO

Note: An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Fresh and compelling, Pushing the Limits is an intense novel from debut author Katie McGarry. An eye-opening look into the lives of two troubled teenagers, this story is one to be read in one sitting.

In essence Noah and Echo are eerily similar yet at the same time completely different; both have dark pasts, yet one still strives to excel and the other has given up completely. The characterisation of Noah was slightly contradicting; snarky and crude on the outside whilst on the inside he was just as emotionally damaged as Echo. Sometimes it felt like the burden he carried was just too much for one teenage boy, but then you come to realise that for many people around the world they have to deal with just as much – or more – every single day.

As for Echo…well, for the most part she seemed split in two. On the one side she was determined to please her father and play the shy, traumatised, insecure girl who desperately needed to be loved. Yet there’s also a side to her that’s willing to look at confidential files and comfort other people, even when their troubles were practically a speck of dust compared to the mountain of her own. It was nice seeing how she was slowly transformed by Noah and their relationship, but while at times it seemed sizzling I just couldn’t help but feel that she wasn’t entirely…there, all the time.

As a rule I am not a fan of dual narrative, I find it can lessen my connection to the characters and make things totally confusing. However, in this case I think I can make an exception. Though I felt that the narrative swapped a bit too quickly for my taste it suited the story and allowed for the fleshing out of other sub-plots, which really added more layers to what could be quite a superficial novel. The problem with Noah’s brothers, for example, allowed me to sympathise more readily with Noah, something which could be a little difficult at times due to the choices he makes.

It was the individual issues linked with both characters that really propelled through the story, whether it was finding out what really happened that night or how it would all work out for Noah and his future. If there’s one thing you can say about this book: it certainly doesn’t lack drama. In fact, it’s dripping with it, and though it could be a tad overwhelming at points that’s what really kept me hooked to the plot.

Though this book was quite sound overall, there were a few things that really didn’t float my boat. Take Grace; she served no conceivable point other than to create sympathy for Echo, and even then I found her to be rather a useless character who is unbelievably selfish and not worth carrying the label of ‘friend’. Luke also appeared to fall into this category, and though I appreciate the fact that he was meant to bring Echo and Noah together all he produced was a load of anger and feminist remarks on my part.

A well-earned 3.5 stars, Pushing the Limits is a promising new novel that was perfect for reading on a rainy day. Only time will tell if McGarry’s next novel, Dare You To, is as much of a success as this one was.

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Seraphina

TITLE: Seraphina

AUTHOR: Rachel Hartman

SERIES: Unknown

PUBLISHER: Doubleday Childrens

FORMAT: ARC

       

         MORE INFO

I know i said i'm on hiatus but i had this review scheduled for today, so enjoy!

Note: An ARC of this novel was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This epic fantasy from debut author Rachel Hartman overcasts any other you may have read this year. On the surface two races at war – yet so much more underneath, Seraphina is a captivating play of characters and emotions that will be sure to leave you spellbound.

In a world where a person’s species may not match up with their appearance, fear and hate live hand in hand with those who live in the human kingdoms. An abomination human/dragon hybrid, Seraphina must hide who she is from everyone due to the perilous state of a treaty between the two species. When a royal murder stirs up long awaited angers and intrigues, somehow it comes down to Seraphina and a band of strange misfits to save the treaty; and the peace.

This is a true fantasy at its best; filled with sprawling fairy tale castles, lands vast and mysterious, ancient cultures built on magic and people whose lives are entangled with that of dragons. Hartman’s writing is clear and flawless, easy to follow through the book’s lengthy but easily manageable length. The narrative doesn’t appear rushed, yet moves along at the perfect pace to accommodate the reader and the events in the book.

One of the things I loved most about Seraphina was the diction used, a spectacular array of metaphors and imagery that effortlessly guided the reader’s imagination. Seraphina herself has a beautiful way of looking at things that is connected to her love of music, and everything she thought came across as poetic and delicately elegant. The prose was beautifully polished and infused with emotion, every word a delight to read in your quest to finish the book.

Hartman’s portrayal of a strong female character was greatly appreciated, unlike so many other heroines Seraphina was smart, and made decisions that kept in line with that. She is brave, honest, thoughtful and overall a brilliant young woman; one who was a pleasure to read about. In fact, most of the female characters in this book were shown with a great deal of strength and respect, Glisselda and the Queen being great examples who I thoroughly admired.

As a love interest, Kiggs was perfect. Defying the stereotype of the Ultimate Alpha Jerk, Kiggs was loyal, endearing, insightful, and his selflessness and slight eccentricity completely won me over along with Seraphina. Their romance was subtle yet genuine, a gentle build-up of emotions that touched your heart and left you smiling. A more traditional love story not uncommon to that out of lore, it was another pro for this book that just kept on giving.

Having already received glowing reviews from famous names and some slightly less well known, Seraphina full heartedly deserves every compliment it gets. A sweeping fantasy that everyone should read – even if they’re just looking for a good book, this is a series I will most definitely be looking forward to reading more of in the future.

Waiting on a Wednesday

Has to be a quick one, but my pick for this week is...



Days of Blood and Starlight (DoSaB #2) - Laini Taylor (Nov 6th)

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy.

Seriously, how gorgeous is that cover? I want to read it NOW. November, why you so far away!

Have an awesome day,

Imo

In My Mailbox #13

In My Mailbox is a a meme started by Kristi over at The Story Siren, if you haven't heard of her (you must have been living in a blogging cave!) go rectify you're mistake NOW!

Basically, we all share the books we've received over the past week, whether from the library, the store, or for review, and then other people can leave a comment. So, this week i have...

FOR REVIEW

Silver - Talia Vance

Timepiece (Hourglass #2) - Myra McEntire

Pushing The Limits - Katie McGarry

Shadowfell - Juliet Marillier

BOUGHT

City of Lost Souls (MI #5) - Cassandra Clare

LIBRARY
Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake
Dark Souls - Paula Morris
The Rivals (Mockingbirds #2) - Daisy Whitney
Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton
Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) - Holly Black

I'm feeling pretty lucky right now, and i can't wait to get stuck into some of those ARCs!

So, what's in your mailbox?

Imo