Series Review | The Rot & Ruin series by Jonathan Maberry

Have you heard of humane peaceful killing? What about respecting a life by making a kill that is noble so it will protect your heart and soul?

The Rot & Ruin series show a completely different take on zombies. The depth, the warmth, the humanizing of zoms, I've never read such a fresh perspective of seeing the zombies as loved ones instead of the living dead.  

The story is told through the eyes of a naïve sheltered teenage boy, born into a zombie infested world, and knows nothing of the world prior to First Night.

Benny, Nix, Chong, Morgie, Lilah, and Riot faces tough decisions during their growth and training. They quickly lose their innocence as their soul is chipped away little by little.

What a compelling journey. An epic story of growth, apprenticeship, human heart, and love. By far, my new favorite series of the year. If the world ever end up like the Rot & Ruin, I hope there will be people like these six who will defend it and breathe life to it. 

Warrior smart.

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid (The Diabolic #2)
Published October 31st 2017 by Simon & Schuster Books
Genres: Sci-Fic, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia
Page: 378
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

It’s a new day in the Empire. Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side and now they can find a new way forward. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets and systems for centuries - and they are plotting to stop this teenage Emperor and Nemesis, who is considered nothing more than a creature and certainly not worthy of being Empress.

Nemesis will protect Tyrus at any cost. He is the love of her life. But she cannot protect him by being the killing machine she once was. She will have to prove the humanity that she’s found inside herself to the whole Empire - or she and Tyrus may lose more than just the throne. But if proving her humanity means that she and Tyrus must do inhuman things, is the fight worth the cost of winning it?

Thoughts

 

My heart is breaking. What an emotional journey.

 

The scheming, the manipulating, the agony. I was going through a rush of emotions chapters after chapters.

 

Frustration at the hopelessness, heartbreak at Tyrus and Nemesis' torn love. I wanted to grieve with them, scream at the indignity, wish for things to ultimately set right. But this isn't that kind of story.

 

S.J. Kincaid is a mastermind at breaking into the complex human psyche. What drives us, rages us, makes us break. This brutal story won't give me a satisfying happy conclusion. I'm left feeling raw and quaking.

Full review can be found on goodreads (Here)

Monday Reviews: Prism by Nina Walker

Prism by Nina Walker
Published August 17th 2017 by Addison & Gray Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fic, Romance, Dystopia
Page: 388
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

What if color held the secrets to powerful magic?

Forced to move into the palace, Jessa begins training as a Color Alchemist under the direction of the kingdom's most eligible bachelor, Prince Lucas. As an alchemist, Jessa must capture and harness the color of living things. Every color has a unique purpose, except red. Red is the untapped magic no one can access—until Jessa.

Prince Lucas is running out of time. His mother is deathly ill and healing magic hasn’t worked. When Lucas suspects someone is using alchemy to control her, he sets out to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

PRISM is the first installment of a unique young adult romantic fantasy series where a dystopian world with a Victorian flair meets the dynamic magic of color! 

Review

Thank you to Addison & Gray Press/Book Review 22 for sharing a copy of the first book in The Color Alchemist series.

The story begins in a nuclear middle-class family set in a dystopian society of normals and color alchemists. The Royal Officers are questioning the children over the discovery of a recent bloodwork done for an accident that occurred six months ago. Unable to find proof that the family are harboring color alchemists, the Royal Officers left. That night, during a Royal Ballet performance, Jessa accidentally triggers the separation of purple, the color in her ballet outfit, into blue and red. This startles the Royals and she is immediately captured.

Color alchemy doesn't manifest immediately until an event triggers the power, usually found in young children. In this case, Jessa's first reaction occurs at age sixteen. Colors from everyday life can be taken and used in intricate ways. Green, for example, is the power of healing. Blue is used to enhance listening. Orange allows the alchemist to move heavy objects. Color alchemists can access purple, blue, green, yellow, and orange, while black, red, and white are a mystery.

Thoughts

The story is cleverly written and the idea of using colors as a power source is very creative.

What I find fascinating is that no one is particularly innocent. Each person Jessa meets has an ulterior motive. What I find distracting is the romance blossoming between Jessa and Prince Lucas. They are each fighting for their idealism but they are unable to work symbiotically. Lucas withholding necessary information to appease Jessa's fears annoy me. And Jessa's antagonistic feelings over his protection of her also bothers me. Their interactions are frustrating to read, it seems their emotions are getting in the way of the story.

I really like the short inside look into the Resistance. Not much is revealed and they are a mystery player. It will be fascinating to see what role they play in the next book.

Monday Reviews: Secondborn by Amy A. Bartol

Secondborn
Written by Amy A. Bartol (eBook)
Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Page: 321
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

On Transition Day, the second child in every family is taken by the government and forced into servitude. Roselle St. Sismode’s eighteenth birthday arrives with harsh realizations: she’s to become a soldier for the Fate of Swords military arm of the Republic during the bloodiest rebellion in history, and her elite firstborn mother is happy to see her go.


Review

This was such a delightful find. It was listed under Goodreads' new August releases and wow am I impressed with this dystopian take. The first chapters pulled me into a tragic society of secondborns, who are disposable, used, and unwanted. Many of the lower class children are sent away by their families to become soldiers at ages 10-18. Roselle, a high society aristocrat, isn't any different. Raised unloved and under the watchful televised eyes of society, she eats when they tell her, sleeps when they tell her, dresses how they want her, and does everything she is told.

It was so heartbreaking to witness her "secondborn" treatment, yet she grew strong and no one can anticipate how much her soldier training prepared her for the brutal violent world she's entering at the age of 18.

Friday 56! June 8, 2017

Happy Friday Everyone! By the time you read this Shon, Tina, and I will be in Disney California Adventure! Enjoying some awesome rides, food, and shows! SO I hope your weekend starts off as good as ours!

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. Post it.

"The blood-eyed man grins, his teeth gleaming and straight. He stands over Cal with relish, enjoying the sight of a prince at his feet. Enjoying the power it gives him. But I am the lightning girl, and he knows nothing of true power."

From the book Glass Sword

by Victoria Aveyard

Have a safe and fun weekend
Happy Reading
Xo,
Wendy

Friday 56! May 12, 2017

So glad it's Fri-Yay! I'm in desperate need of the weekend to catch up on some reading. Hope you guys enjoy your weekend by reading and soaking up sun! 

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. Post it. 

"I realize I'm staring and glance away, heat rising in my cheeks. Suddenly, the looks he's been getting from the younger women in the cavern make sense."

From the book An Ember In The Ashes 

a novel by Sabaa Tahir 

Have a safe and fun weekend

Happy Reading

Xo,

Wendy 

Friday 56! April 21, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1. Grab a book, any book.

2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.

3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4. Post it.

"I tell myself, as sternly as possible, that is how things work here. We do dangerous things and people die. People die, and we move on to the next dangerous thing. The sooner that sinks in, the better chance I have at surviving initiation." 

Goodreads: Divergent by Veronica Roth 

Have a great weekend!

Xo,

Wendy

Friday 56! March 31, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1. Grab a book, any book.

2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.

3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4. Post it.

"That was all he had to say, when the last time they'd seen each other was naked in a hot tub, halfway across the world? 'So where were you?' 
Atlas blinked. 'I took a gap year, traveled around.' 
'Don't give me that bullshit.' She crossed her arms. 'I know the truth, okay?" 

From: The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Have a great weekend :)

Xo

Wendy

Monday Reviews - The Stars Never Rise

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent
Published June 9th 2015 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Page: 368
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis 

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble. 


Review

This book is not what I expected. I didn't read the blurb before starting so imagine my pleasant surprise at the complexity of the story and the well thought out and executed scenes. And each moment is epic. Wow what a find! Every scene becomes better and better. I'm already looking forward to the next book. What exciting discoveries will Nina uncover that will outshine the secrets of The Stars Never Rise?

Friday 56! January 6, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1.] Grab a book, any book. 

2.] Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. 

3.] Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. 

4.] Post it.

"You asked to see what I was capable of," I reminded her, slowly releasing my grip and lifting up an arm, balancing on a single palm. Though I wasn't so strong as before, my body was lighter, compensating for the muscular changes. "Should I have lied to you about my capabilities?"

From the book:

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid 

Have a safe weekend

Xo,

Wendy

Tina Reviews: Ink and Bone

Title/Author: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine 
Published July 7th 2015 by Allison & Busby
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Young Adult
Page: 320
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina


Synopsis
In 48 AD, a fire set by the troops of Julius Caesar destroyed much of the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the first of several disasters that resulted in the destruction of the accumulated knowledge of the ancient world. 

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a separate country, a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. It has grown into a vast power, with unquestioned and unrivaled supremacy. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
 
 


 
Review 

I have so many emotions.

The story takes place in Europe. It is believed to be heresy to mass produce books. People were simply put to death for thinking and inventing the printing press. All original texts are stored in the Archive and books are read on the Blanks (tablet-like reader technology). This led to years of revolts as new criminals rise in succession: cutters (runners/book stealers), burners, and ink lickers (buyers of stolen books).
 
The Great Library is the judge and executioner of human lives. They act as "Big Brother", watches all of mankind, and plays behind the scenes.

The actual meaning of a librarian is a far greater more profound role. They preserve, study, and protect original texts (scrolls and books). There are several positions within the library that serves their purpose. Besides a Scholar, an Obscurist works behind the blanks and all library technology, and is valued to be backbone of the Great Library.

I find Ink and Bone very fascinating. I've never seen the Word play in such a complex system. We all know for centuries, the Roman Catholic have tried to withhold the knowledge of the Bible from its believers and Europe tried to keep their citizens illiterate, but both have failed. This is such a gritty violent story of Man vs Word. Can word hold more value than human lives? Men will die to protect books, destroy books, and steal books. This is truly a very creative story.




 

Shon's September TBR & Most Anticipated Releases!!

Hello Bookworms. It's that time again. These are the books I'm planning to read this month.

September TBR

1. The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

2. Sugar Daddy (Sugar Bowl #1) by Sawyer Bennett

Seduction has never been so sweet! The New York Times bestselling author of the Cold Fury series—Alex, Garrett, Zack, and Ryker—returns with the first novel in a hot new trilogy.

Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.

The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.

Note: Sugar Daddy ends on a cliffhanger. Sela and Beck’s story continues in Sugar Rush and Sugar Free!

3. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England.

4. The Edge of Juniper by Lora Richardson

“You’re off-limits, so why can’t I stop thinking about you?”

Fay Whitaker, sixteen years old and yearning for adventure, is excited to spend the summer with her fearless cousin Celia in small-town Juniper, Indiana.

But Fay soon discovers that her summer home is not what she expected. She is alarmed by her uncle’s temper, and learns of the grudge he holds against the Dearing family. Celia handles the tension at home by escaping with her boyfriend, leaving Fay with time on her hands—time that leads her straight to Malcolm Dearing, off-limits because of his last name. Fay is captivated by Malcolm’s warmth and intensity. She finds that trying to stay away from him only makes her think of him more.

Fay and Celia are launched on a journey, and each must attempt to navigate the thrilling and unpredictable world of love. Everything Fay thinks she knows about love is put to the test, as relationships unfold and reveal themselves in ways she never before dreamed.

5. Black Ice (Stark Springs Academy #3) by Ali Dean

When your enemy dies under strange circumstances? Don’t stop looking over your shoulder. 
When secrets of a past scandal are plopped into your lap? Solve a mystery. 
And when you’re a member of the National ski team? Don’t get distracted. 
Roxie’s senior year at Stark Springs Academy is not what she envisioned. She never intended to be privy to Stark’s biggest secrets, but she’s thrown right into the middle of it, whether she wants to carry that burden or not. As Ryker Black’s girlfriend, nothing is simple or straightforward. A ski racer first and foremost, Roxie can’t let the ghosts of Stark Springs Academy distract her from the race course. Will she be able to pull it off? 

6. The Falconer (The Falconer #1) by Elizabeth May

One girl's nightmare is this girl's faery tale

She's a stunner.
Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, has everything a girl could dream of: brains, charm, wealth, a title—and drop-dead beauty.

She's a liar.
But Aileana only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. she's leading a double life: She has a rare ability to sense the sìthíchean—the faery race obsessed with slaughtering humans—and, with the aid of a mysterious mentor, has spent the year since her mother died learning how to kill them.

She's a murderer.
Now Aileana is dedicated to slaying the fae before they take innocent lives. With her knack for inventing ingenious tools and weapons—from flying machines to detonators to lightning pistols—ruthless Aileana has one goal: Destroy the faery who destroyed her mother.

She's a Falconer.
The last in a line of female warriors born with a gift for hunting and killing the fae, Aileana is the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity. Suddenly, her quest is a lot more complicated. She still longs to avenge her mother's murder—but she'll have to save the world first.

The first volume of a trilogy from an exciting new voice in young adult fantasy, this electrifying thriller combines romance and action, steampunk technology and Scottish lore in a deliciously addictive read. 

7. This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

Most Anticipated Releases!

As Old as Time (Twisted Tales #3) by Liz Braswell 

What if Belle's mother cursed the Beast?

Belle is a lot of things: smart, resourceful, restless. She longs to escape her poor provincial town for good. She wants to explore the world, despite her father's reluctance to leave their little cottage in case Belle's mother returns--a mother she barely remembers. Belle also happens to be the captive of a terrifying, angry beast. And that is her primary concern.

But Belle touches the Beast's enchanted rose, intriguing images flood her mind--images of the mother she believed she would never see again. Stranger still, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful Enchantress who cursed the Beast, his castle, and all its inhabitants. Shocked and confused, Belle and the Beast must work together to unravel a dark mystery about their families that is twenty-one years in the making

Expected publication: September 6th

The Playboy by J.S. Cooper 

A-List actor Zack Houston needed no introductions. He was the handsome playboy of Hollywood and every woman wanted to be with him. Every woman except for Piper Meadows. Piper wanted nothing to do with a man like Zach. And that’s why she pretended she didn’t know him when they first met. She wasn’t to know that Zack would see her as a challenge. She wasn’t to know that he had an offer that she was going to find hard to refuse.

Piper Meadows thought she knew what men like Zack Houston wanted. Only she had no idea what a real playboy was like. Zach Houston might be the playboy of Hollywood, but he couldn’t stop himself from being intrigued by Piper. As they find themselves caught up in a web of hot passion, lies and love, neither one are prepared for the explosion of secrets that turn their lives upside down.

Expected publication: September 13th

Stalking Jack the Ripper (Untitled Trilogy #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

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.

Expected publication: September 20th

Witch's Pyre (The Worldwalker Trilogy #3) by Josephine Angelini 

Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.

Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers―to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory lies at Lillian's side, what price will Lily be willing to pay?

Internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini takes us on another emotionally wrenching thrill ride in the stunning conclusion to her Worldwalker Trilogy

Expected publication: September 20th

The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia #1) by Sarah Beth Durst

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. 

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

Expected publication: September 20th

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.

In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling out again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.

But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair. . . .

Inspired by the Russian folktale Vassilissa the Beautiful and Sarah Porter’s years of experience teaching creative writing to New York City students.

Expected publication: September 20th

Stealing Snow (Stealing Snow #1) by Danielle Paige

Seventeen-year-old Snow has spent the majority of her life within the walls of the Whittaker Institute, a high security mental hospital in upstate New York. Deep down, she knows she's not crazy and doesn't belong there. When she meets a mysterious, handsome new orderly and dreams about a strange twisted tree she realizes she must escape and figure out who she really is.

Using her trusting friend Bale as a distraction, Snow breaks free and races into the nearby woods. Suddenly, everything isn't what it seems, the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur, and she finds herself in icy Algid--her true home--with witches, thieves, and a strangely alluring boy named Kai, none of whom she's sure she can trust. As secret after secret is revealed, Snow discovers that she is on the run from a royal lineage she's destined to inherit, a father more powerful and ruthless than she could have imagined, and choices of the heart that could change the fate of everything...including Snow's return to the world she once knew.

This breathtaking first volume begins the story of how Snow becomes a villain, a queen, and ultimately a hero.

Expected publication: September 20th

A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1) by Jessica Cluess

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she's brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

Expected publication: September 20th

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

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.

Expected publication: September 20th

Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3) by Sara Raasch

Angra is alive, his Decay is spreading—and no one is safe.

Meira will do anything to save her world. With Angra trying to break through her mental defenses, she desperately needs to learn to control her own magic—so when the leader of a mysterious Order from Paisly offers to teach her, she jumps at the chance. But the true solution to stopping the Decay lies in a labyrinth deep beneath the Season Kingdoms. To defeat Angra, Meira will have to enter the labyrinth, destroy the very magic she’s learning to control—and make the biggest sacrifice of all.

Mather will do anything to save his queen. He needs to rally the Children of the Thaw, find Meira—and finally tell her how he really feels. But with a plan of attack that leaves no kingdom unscathed and a major betrayal within their ranks, winning the war—and protecting Meira—slips farther and farther out of reach.

Ceridwen will do anything to save her people. Angra had her brother killed, stole her kingdom, and made her a prisoner. But when she’s freed by an unexpected ally who reveals a shocking truth behind Summer’s slave trade, Ceridwen must take action to save her true love and her kingdom, even if it costs her what little she has left.

As Angra unleashes the Decay on the world, Meira, Mather, and Ceridwen must bring the kingdoms of Primoria together…or lose everything.

Expected publication: September 20th

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

Expected publication: September 27th 

Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon

Willow Lamott’s best friend is a murderer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. For four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.
Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow reminded him what he’d been missing. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton fears his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves, especially the girl he left behind. 

Expected publication: September 27th