Waiting on Wednesday: An Enchantment of Ravens, The Queen's Rising, & The Girl with the Red Balloon

Oh hey look, it's a Waiting on Wednesday post! I haven't had one of those on the blog for what feels like forever.

Waiting on Wednesday features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on! It used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and I will continue to do WoW posts on my blog periodically.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

From Goodreads: "Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life.

Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless.

Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel."

An artist whose paintings have the power to make the fair folk feel? YES PLEASE. Also, look at that stunning cover.  

The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

From Goodreads: "When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?"

I love the whole notion of passions and patrons that must sponsor you -- I'm hoping for awesome worldbuilding in this one! (Although, does anyone else think the answer to 'who will be that queen?' will be, well, Brienna?)
  
And again, the cover. Gorgeous midnight blue shade.  

The Girl with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

From Goodreads: "When sixteen-year-old Ellie Baum accidentally time-travels via red balloon to 1988 East Berlin, she’s caught up in a conspiracy of history and magic. She meets members of an underground guild in East Berlin who use balloons and magic to help people escape over the Wall—but even to the balloon makers, Ellie’s time travel is a mystery. When it becomes clear that someone is using dark magic to change history, Ellie must risk everything—including her only way home—to stop the process."

Of course, I immediately think of this 80's song:


Ninety-nine red balloons go by... *hums*

Anyway... Time travel to 1988 East Berlin? Magical balloon escapes? A nefarious attempt to alter history? I am here for that!

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Masks and Shadows

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

 

Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis

 

 

Goodreads' description:

"The year is 1779, and Carlo Morelli, the most renowned castrato singer in Europe, has been invited as an honored guest to Eszterháza Palace. With Carlo in Prince Nikolaus Esterházy's carriage, ride a Prussian spy and one of the most notorious alchemists in the Habsburg Empire. Already at Eszterháza is Charlotte von Steinbeck, the very proper sister of Prince Nikolaus's mistress. Charlotte has retreated to the countryside to mourn her husband's death. Now, she must overcome the ingrained rules of her society in order to uncover the dangerous secrets lurking within the palace's golden walls. Music, magic, and blackmail mingle in a plot to assassinate the Habsburg Emperor and Empress--a plot that can only be stopped if Carlo and Charlotte can see through the masks worn by everyone they meet."

 

I believe this is Stephanie Burgis's first adult novel... and it looks awesome! That cover! That synopsis! "Music, magic, and blackmail..." Um, why YES, I *would* be very interested in reading that, please and thank you.

 
What books are you waiting for?

 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Gilded Cage

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray (translated by Melissa Albert)

 

Goodreads' description:

"A historical psychological suspense and murder mystery for teens, with all the trappings of Downton Abbey.

After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her brother's death was an accident.

A bitter poacher prowls the estate, and strange visitors threaten the occupants of the house. There's a rumor, too, that a wild animal stalks the woods of Walthingham. Can Katherine retain her sanity long enough to find out the truth? Or will her brother's killer claim her life, too?

This Gothic murder mystery is filled with history, psychological suspense, and all the trappings of Downton Abbey."

I'm a sucker for Gothics, and also a fan of Downton Abbey (although, it looks like this one is set much earlier than the Edwardian era, so I'm not sure how accurate the comparison is)... so this one sounds right up my alley!

 

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: My Lady Jane and The Crown's Game

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

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

 

Goodreads' description:

"For fans of The Princess Bride comes the comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey.

Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger—and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong."

Lady Jane Grey might well be my favourite queen in history, for the very reason that she totally did not want to be queen. Like, from what I understand anyway, she would have been so happy anywhere else. I'm not sure exactly what tone this retelling is going to take — it looks like it will be a little less historically accurate, a little more entertainment value (with a fantastical element?)...maybe kind of like the TV show Reign?

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

 

 

Goodreads' description:

"Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose."

 

A duel to the death between magicians who are falling in love? What could go wrong? (Except possibly the love triangle... please, do the love triangle well!) Also, that cover of the Russian city skyline doubling as a crown is genius.

 
What books are you waiting for?

 

Waiting on Wednesday: Every Heart a Doorway and Blackhearts

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's WoW theme is: heart-associated titles :D

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Goodreads' description:

"Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost."

I believe this is an adult novel, and not a specific retelling of any particular fairy tale, but more about what happens to the children who have somehow fallen into fairy tales and have now returned to the real world. I have the feeling this will probably be pretty dark and mature, but I'm really interested by the premise.

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Goodreads' description: 

"Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything. This is their story.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay."

This is the origin story of Blackbeard, which I really don't know much about (it just makes me think of the fairy tale Bluebeard) so I'm interested to learn more. 

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Servant of the Crown, The Impostor Queen, and The Shadow Queen

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

Sense a theme? I'm getting my royal fantasy on in this week's "Waiting on Wednesday" post.

Servant of the Crown by Melissa McShane

Goodreads' description:

"Alison Quinn, Countess of Waxwold, is content with her bookish life—until she’s summoned to be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Tremontane’s mother for six months. Even the prospect of access to the Royal Library doesn’t seem enough to make up for her sacrifice, but Alison is prepared to do her service to the Crown. What she’s not prepared for is Prince Anthony North, Queen Zara’s playboy brother, who’s accustomed to getting what he wants—including the Countess of Waxwold.

When the fallout from an unfortunate public encounter throws the two of them together, Alison has no interest in becoming the Prince’s next conquest. But as the weeks pass, Alison discovers there’s more to Anthony than she—or he—realized, and their dislike becomes friendship, and then something more—until disaster drives Alison away, swearing never to return.

Then Alison is summoned by the Queen again, this time to serve as Royal Librarian. A threat to Tremontane’s government, with her treasured Library at stake, draws Alison into the conflict…and into contact with Anthony once more. Can they work together to save the Royal Library and Tremontane? And can she open her heart to love again?"

A quest to save the Royal Library. Hate-turned-to-love romance. A threat to the government. What is not to like here? Plus Sherwood Smith liked it, so there's that, too. This book has a very YA-fantasy-esque cover but I believe it's actually an adult novel.

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine

Goodreads' description:

"Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed."

I haven't read any of Sarah Fine's previous books, but I have had her on the blog as a guest blogger for Psychtember! Interested to see how the magic system is handled in this book, and also the social strata.

The Shadow Queen by C. J. Redwine.

"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."

I'm always up for a fairy tale retelling! In this case it's Snow White... but with dragons? Should be interesting... I haven't read C. J. Redwine's first series, but I've heard good things.

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Rook, First Frost, and Ink & Bone

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

Oh look, it's a Waiting on Wednesday post! Haven't had one of those on the blog in ages...

Anyway, without further ado, my WoW picks:

Rook by Sharon Cameron

Goodreads' description:

"History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse."

I think I first saw this one mentioned by Lindsey at Bring My Books as one of the top books she's looking forward to in 2015. And then once I read the description I was like, "Yep, that is going on my TBR list!" I read and enjoyed Sharon Cameron's The Dark Unwinding (have not yet read the second book!) and so I'm hoping Rook will deliver as well. It sounds like a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel but...set in a future Paris? Very cool.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Goodreads' description:

"From the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells comes a story of the Waverley family, in a novel as sparkling as the first dusting of frost on new-fallen leaves...

It's October in Bascom, North Carolina, and autumn will not go quietly. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to turn, the Waverley women are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree... and all the magic that swirls around it. But this year, first frost has much more in store.

Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley’s Candies. Though her handcrafted confections—rose to recall lost love, lavender to promote happiness and lemon verbena to soothe throats and minds—are singularly effective, the business of selling them is costing her the everyday joys of her family, and her belief in her own precious gifts.

Sydney Waverley, too, is losing her balance. With each passing day she longs more for a baby— a namesake for her wonderful Henry. Yet the longer she tries, the more her desire becomes an unquenchable thirst, stealing the pleasure out of the life she already has.

Sydney’s daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to…if only he could see it, too. But how can he, when he is so far outside her grasp that he appears to her as little more than a puff of smoke?

When a mysterious stranger shows up and challenges the very heart of their family, each of them must make choices they have never confronted before. And through it all, the Waverley sisters must search for a way to hold their family together through their troublesome season of change, waiting for that extraordinary event that is First Frost.

Lose yourself in Sarah Addison Allen's enchanting world and fall for her charmed characters in this captivating story that proves that a happily-ever-after is never the real ending to a story. It’s where the real story begins."

I quite liked Garden Spells, so I'm interested to see how Sarah Addison Allen continues those characters' stories in this sequel (pretty sure it's the first sequel she's written to any of her books...?). I particularly enjoyed the subtle use of the magic in this world in Garden Spells, so I hope that keeps up in First Frost.

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

"In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…"

Anything involving the Great Library of Alexandria gets automatic points from me. A world where you can only access books by use of alchemy? Spies? Heresy? SIGN ME UP. 

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: When My Heart Was Wicked and The Midnight Queen

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

When My Heart Was Wicked by Tricia Stirling

Goodreads' description:

"'I used to be one of those girls. The kind who loved to deliver bad news. When I colored my hair, I imagined it seeping into my scalp, black dye pooling into my veins.

But that was the old Lacy. Now, when I cast spells, they are always for good.'

16-year-old Lacy believes that magic and science can work side by side. She's a botanist who knows how to harness the healing power of plants. So when her father dies, Lacy tries to stay with her step-mother in Chico, where her magic is good and healing. She fears the darkness that her real mother, Cheyenne, brings out, stripping away everything that is light and kind.

Yet Cheyenne never stays away for long. Beautiful, bewitching, unstable Cheyenne who will stop at nothing, not even black magic, to keep control of her daughter's heart. She forces Lacy to accompany her to Sacramento, and before long, the "old" Lacy starts to resurface.

But when Lacy survives a traumatic encounter, she finds herself faced with a choice. Will she use her powers to exact revenge and spiral into the darkness forever? Or will she find the strength to embrace the light?"

First, that cover...just gorgeous! The autumnal colour scheme, the hair turning into ravens, the ink-style font... wow.

And I think the premise has potential, too. Love that it sounds like it focuses on a mother-daughter relationship (rather than being romance-centred) and said relationship sure sounds complex. I'm a little wary about how the magic/"witchy" element will be handled, but hopefully it'll work for me.

The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter

Goodreads' description:

"In the hallowed halls of Oxford’s Merlin College, the most talented—and highest born—sons of the Kingdom of Britain are taught the intricacies of magickal theory. But what dazzles can also destroy, as Gray Marshall is about to discover…

Gray’s deep talent for magick has won him a place at Merlin College. But when he accompanies four fellow students on a mysterious midnight errand that ends in disaster and death, he is sent away in disgrace—and without a trace of his power. He must spend the summer under the watchful eye of his domineering professor, Appius Callender, working in the gardens of Callender’s country estate and hoping to recover his abilities. And it is there, toiling away on a summer afternoon, that he meets the professor’s daughter.

Even though she has no talent of her own, Sophie Callender longs to be educated in the lore of magick. Her father has kept her isolated at the estate and forbidden her interest; everyone knows that teaching arcane magickal theory to women is the height of impropriety. But against her father’s wishes, Sophie has studied his ancient volumes on the subject. And in the tall, stammering, yet oddly charming Gray, she finally finds someone who encourages her interest and awakens new ideas and feelings.

Sophie and Gray’s meeting touches off a series of events that begins to unravel secrets about each of them. And after the king’s closest advisor pays the professor a closed-door visit, they begin to wonder if what Gray witnessed in Oxford might be even more sinister than it seemed. They are determined to find out, no matter the cost…"

I like the cover of this one as well — it's simple but striking, and those purplish-blue hues are beautiful. I don't tend to read a lot of adult (or perhaps this one would be considered New Adult) fantasy books, but this one appeals to me since it's set in our world at a magical college. The whole notion of gender roles in this society sounds intriguing, too. (Why are women not allowed to learn magic???)

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dream a Little Dream and I Am Her Revenge

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Goodreads' description:

"Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yep, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially this one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys perform dark magic rituals. The really weird thing is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where’s she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But they seem to know things about her in real life that they couldn’t possibly know, which is mystifying. Then again, Liv could never resist a good mystery. . . ."

I found Gier's time-travel trilogy pretty entertaining, so I'm interested in seeing what she does with this next YA series of hers. I'm not crazy about the cover, though — it's too "bubble-gum" frothy for my tastes. Also, fingers crossed that the premise of Liv seeing these boys in her dream is executed in a fresh way...I'm always a bit leery of the whole dream-connects-to-reality trope.

I Am Her Revenge by Meredith Moore

Goodreads' description:

"The book is about a girl named Vivian who was raised with one goal: to exact vengeance on the man who broke her mother’s heart two decades earlier. Enrolled at an English boarding school, Vivian targets an innocent senior named Ben as part of the revenge plot. But, as the plan is set into motion, Vivian 'starts to uncover secrets so dark and deadly that they threaten to unravel the very being that Mother worked so hard to create.'" 

Ohhhh, the premise of this one sounds dark and twisty! Which is even better when it's paired with an English boarding school setting. Also, is it just me, or does the mom sound kinda creepy?

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Sin Eater's Daughter and The Paper Magician

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Goodreads' description:

"A startling, seductive, deliciously dark debut that will shatter your definition of YA fantasy.

16-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she's engaged to the prince, no one speaks to her. No one even looks at her. Because Twylla isn't a member of the court. She's the executioner.

As the goddess-embodied, Twylla kills with a single touch. So each week, she's taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love her. Who could care for a girl with murder in her veins? Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to her touch, avoids her.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose playful smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he's able to look past Twylla's executioner robes and see the girl, not the goddess. Yet a treasonous romance is the least of Twylla's problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies-a plan that requires an unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?"

First, you may have a moment to drink in that cover. Is that not the most spectacular combination of colours?? And she's inside the bottle. It's fantastic.

Plus, the premise sounds pretty cool too. Not sure about the "goddess-embodied" part, and killing with a touch is reminiscent of the Shatter Me series, but I'm interested to see what direction the author takes the story in. An executioner for a protagonist is intriguing!

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Goodreads' description:

"Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic . . . forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined—animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner—a practitioner of dark, flesh magic—invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart—and reveal the very soul of the man.

From the imaginative mind of debut author Charlie N. Holmberg, The Paper Magician is an extraordinary adventure both dark and whimsical that will delight readers of all ages."

I like the cover of this one too, though for totally different reasons than The Sin Eater's Daughter. It's clean and minimalistic, and the fact there's origami included is awesome. Apparently this is actually the second cover revealed for this one — maybe they redesigned it to appeal more to an adult audience, since it's intended to be a crossover? — but in any case, I think I prefer this one to the original.  

Cover aside, the book description alone would draw me in. Animating paper creatures? Ripping hearts from chests? Sounds offbeat and slightly macabre...

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: A Wicked Thing

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's pick:

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Goodreads' description:

"A spinning wheel. A prick of a finger. A terrible curse.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairytale.

Her family is long dead. Her “true love” is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept. Everyone expects Aurora to marry her betrothed and restore magic and peace to the kingdom before revolution tears it apart. But after a lifetime spent locked in a tower for her own safety, Aurora longs for the freedom to make her own choices. When she meets a handsome rebel, he tempts her to abandon everything for a different kind of life.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her.

With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run."

Love the sound of this fairytale retelling! It'll be interesting to really get inside Aurora's head after she's awoken from the sleeping curse. I'm not crazy about the cover — the girls-lying-down-in-pretty-dresses has been done so often — but I do like the gritty backdrop of a castle fallen into disuse.

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Charisma and Red Queen

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

Charisma by Jeanne Ryan

Goodreads' description:

"A chance at the ultimate makeover means deadly consequences in this Sarah Dessen-meets-Robin Cook thriller

Aislyn suffers from crippling shyness—that is, until she’s offered a dose of Charisma, an underground gene therapy drug guaranteed to make her shine. The effects are instant. She’s charming, vivacious, and popular. But strangely, so are some other kids she knows. The media goes into a frenzy when the disease turns contagious, and then deadly, and the doctor who gave it to them disappears. Aislyn must find a way to stop it, before it's too late.

Part medical thriller, part social justice commentary, Charisma will have readers on the edge of their seats."

This premise is just so fascinating and full of possibility! Medical thriller? Social justice and psychology issues? Sign me up! I haven't read Jeanne Ryan's other novel, Nerve, but as a self-proclaimed introvert, I am particularly interested in Charisma.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Goodreads' description:

"Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood—those with red and those with silver. Mare and her family are lowly Reds, destined to serve the Silver elite whose supernatural abilities make them nearly gods. Mare steals what she can to help her family survive, but when her best friend is conscripted into the army, she gambles everything to win his freedom. A twist of fate leads her to the royal palace itself where, in front of the king and all his nobles, she discovers a superhuman ability she didn’t know she had.

Except . . . her blood is Red.

To hide this impossibility, the king forces her into the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks her new position to aid the Scarlet Guard—the leaders of a budding Red rebellion. Her actions put into motion a deadly and violent dance, pitting prince against prince and Mare against her own heart."

This one has all the earmarks of a potentially awesome traditional YA fantasy. Social hierarchy, surprise superpowers, royal betrothal, rebellion... lots of tropes we've seen before, but if they're used well I imagine this could be an entertaining read! 

What books are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: My Heart & Other Black Holes and The Girl at Midnight

 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

 Goodreads' description:

"Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who seems scared of her, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father who has made her the town pariah, Aysel’s ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers the website Smooth Passages and its section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution. Better yet, a boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman), who’s haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner.

But as their suicide pact starts to become more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, Aysel must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.

This is a gorgeously written and compulsively readable debut novel about the transformative power of love and acceptance."

This one sounds dark but compelling. There are numerous YA books about suicide, but not too many about suicide pacts, so I'm interested to see how that aspect (and the dynamic of that relationship) is handled.

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

 

"For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

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, but 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."

Not gonna lie, I mostly chose this one because of the cover. I mean, look at it. The beautiful purplish background. The twisty scripted font. The phoenix and...dragon, I think? Anyway, despite the comparisons to City of Bones and Shadow & Bone, the description actually reminds me more of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone (off-topic: that's a lot of titles with "bone" in them.) 

What books are you waiting for?