Waiting on Wednesday: Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

 "Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, what's really got my pages in a twist is...

Love, Life, and the List

Kasie West

Publication Date: December 26, 2017

Hardcover, 384 pages, HarperTeen

Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance

B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

This is the first in a set of three standalone books with crossover characters.

My Thoughts

I don’t really even know what this book is about. What I do know is that it’s a Kasie West contemporary, and the one I did read of hers, The Distance Between Us, was super fun and cute. I really want to collect all of West’s contemporary books.

What book are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Dean Winchester Friday

Dean Winchester (or sometimes Jensen Ackles) Fridays make me a very happy fangirl. You'll see why when you look at the pic.

Because their photos are super relevant to this month’s Halloween aesthetic, I’m going to continue on the Entertainment Weekly theme. 

In case you missed last week’s DWF, Entertainment Weekly did a special Halloween edition of their magazine, and there are four different Supernatural covers! This is a photo from one of the shoots with all three of Supernatural’s main characters. If only I could be a skeleton in that room... (Too creepy?)

Review: Calamity by Brandon Sanderson

Calamity

Brandon Sanderson

(The Reckoners #3)

Publication Date: February 16, 2016

Hardcover, 417 pages, Delacorte Press

Genres: YA, Sci-Fi

B&N | Book Depository | Amazon | Goodreads

When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David’s fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father. Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy.

David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when the Reckoners’ leader struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back. . . .

But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.

My Review

Holy superpowers, Batman! I finally finished The Reckoners trilogy!

The third and final book in Brandon Sanderson’s series about superpowered bad guys is a fun, quick-paced end that’s great for any Marvel or DC fan.

Book three starts off a few weeks/months (it’s not entirely clear) after book two ends, and it starts in the thick of an action-packed scene. One thing Sanderson is good at is adding action into his plots. However, I think he sacrificed action for plot in the case of this last book. The ending was just a tad bit… weird and rushed. The world-building is still on point, though.

As for the characters of the series, there wasn’t a whole lot of growth or development. David was mostly the same, just a little more frantic. He was keeping some secrets, though; I just don’t think those secrets really meant much in the grand scheme of the story. I was expecting him to have this big BAM! moment, but he never did. David’s love interest, Megan, gets very little development, but I did feel like she become more interesting in this book.

All in all, Calamity is a good ending to a good series. If you’re addicted to comic books and science fiction, this trilogy may just be for you.

Waiting on Wednesday: Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 "Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, what's really got my pages in a twist is...

Brave

Jennifer L. Armentrout

(A Wicked Saga #3)

Publication Date: December 11, 2017

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Goodreads

Ivy Morgan hasn't been feeling like herself lately. Not like anyone can blame her. After all, being held captive by a psychotic fae prince hell-bent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld is bound to leave some mental scars.

It’s more than that, though. Something dark and insidious is spreading throughout Ivy, more powerful than she could ever imagine... and it’s coming between her and the man she’s fallen deeply in love with, elite Order member Ren Owens.

Ren would do anything to keep Ivy safe. Anything. But when he makes a life altering choice for her, the fallout of his act has far reaching consequences that threaten to tear their lives apart. If Ivy is going to have any hope of surviving this, she must put aside the hurt and betrayal she feels, and work with not only those she loves, but with an enemy she would rather kill than ever trust. War is coming, and it soon becomes clear that what Ivy and Ren thought they knew about the Order, themselves, and even their enemies, has been nothing but a cluster of dangerous, deadly lies. Ivy knows she must be more than just brave to save those she loves--and, ultimately, to save herself.

Because behind ever evil fae Prince, there’s a Queen…

My Thoughts

I love 90% of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s books. The first book in this series was even in one of my top five books of the year a few years back, yet for some reason, I still haven’t read book two. Maybe once this one comes out, I’ll complete the trilogy in one swoop.

Also, can we talk about this ugly cover change for the last book in a series? The first two covers are beautiful. This is just ugh.

What book are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Top Ten Yummy Foods Mentioned in Books

 My second week participating in Top Ten Tuesday!

If you’re unaware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there’s a new Top Ten theme that the blogger responds to with their own list of answers.

This week’s theme is… *drumroll please*…

Ten Yummy Foods Mentioned in Books

This is a hard topic. I only really know of a select few books that have food involved, so a majority of my list will be made up of Harry Potter foods.

***

Turkish Delight (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

I’ve had a candy bar version of Turkish Delight, but I’m not sure if it’s really the same thing. I haven’t heard the greatest things about the treat, but I’d still like to try it.

Lembas Bread (Lord of the Rings)

Apparently, this bread stays fresh for long periods of time. I really need that because I tend to forget about my bread sometimes. Also, who doesn’t want to eat Elvish bread? I’m broke, so being able to eat one bite of something and be full would help save on groceries.

Pumpkin Pasties (Harry Potter)

These aren’t as high on my list, simply because I’m not in the mood for pumpkin foods yet. Once Thanksgiving comes around, I might be more in the mood.

Eat Me Cake (Alice in Wonderland)

Not sure how these taste, but I would have fun eating one, growing, and then drinking the potion to shrink.

Butterbeer (Harry Potter)

Normally, this would be higher on my list, but I’ve actually had Butterbeer before. I’d just like to have more. ;)

Pumpkin Juice (Harry Potter)

Again, not sure in the mood, but I’d like to try it.

Aunt Petunia’s Pudding (Harry Potter)

Doesn’t this just look tasty? I love sweets, and this pudding looks very sweet. ;)

Lemon Cake (A Song of Ice and Fire)

This is the only food I’ve heard about in the Game of Thrones universe. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s every mentioned or seen in the show. I do love me some lemon pie and lemon bars, so I think this could be pretty good.

Mrs. Beaver’s Marmalade Roll (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

In the film, Mrs. Beaver serves fish and chips, but in the books, marmalade roll is mentioned. I’ve never had one, but it sounds good and gooey.

Willy Wonka’s various sweets (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

I mean, who doesn’t want the best chocolate in the world? I don’t think the fake stuff made Nestlé are quite the same. I also LOVE chocolate!

**

Alright, there you have it. My first Top Ten Tuesday and my list of yummy foods. What books/foods would you put on this list? Let me know in the comments section.

Recent 2018 Cover Reveals

Some awesome covers have been revealed lately, so I thought I’d share them on the blog! I think 2018 is going to be an even better book year than 2017 has been.

Allied

Amy Tintera

(Ruined #3)

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Hardcover, 320 pages, HarperTeen

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads

Note: This description is for book one in the series, Ruined.

A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.

My Thoughts

I’ve read the first two books in this series, so I want to know what happens. However, I wasn’t too terribly impressed with the second book. I hope Allied will revive the series for me.

I’m in love with its cover, though! This thing is absolutely gorgeous!

**

Rage

Cora Carmack

(Stormheart #2)

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Hardcover, 352 pages, Tor Teen

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads

New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack's young adult debut series: the second in a captivating new YA fantasy/romance series perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it's that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.

In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.

This feels like more than rage.

It feels like war.

My Thoughts

I’m currently reading the first book in this series, and I’m loving it! While I think the first cover is the prettiest of the two, this cover is also stunning! The orange is beautiful.

**

My Plain Jane

Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton

(The Lady Janies #2)

Publication Date: June 26, 2018

Hardcover, 512 pages, HarperTeen

Genres: YA, Historical Fiction

Goodreads

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (yikes) and his uneven temper (YIKES) they fall in love--and, Reader, she marries him.

My Thoughts

I still haven’t read the first book, but Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton are two authors I really enjoy. I’ve yet to read a Jodi Meadows book, though.

As for the cover, the blue and yellow combination is very pleasing to my eyes. I love this one way more than the first book.

**

These Rebel Waves

Sara Raasch

(Stream Raiders #1)

Publication Date: July 3, 2018

Hardcover, Balzer + Bray

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads

Inspired by the Spanish Inquisition, Raasch's duology takes place on the magic-rich island of Grace Loray, which five years ago overthrew its oppressor country, Argrid. Argrid is a country ruled by religion and has an inherent fear of Grace Loray's enchanted properties. So, when an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks, the country quickly places blame on Grace Loray's people and their magic.

Trapped in the middle of this reinvigorated war are three teenagers: There's Adeluna, a soldier who helped overthrow Argrid; Devereux, a pirate, or "Stream Raider," who deals in magic and becomes a target in the Argridian diplomat's abduction; and Benat, the Crown Prince of Argrid and a heretic, who is obsessed with Grace Loray's magic.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t super fond of this cover at first, simply because I couldn’t see the waves behind the symbol and I thought the background was a plain black. Now, though, I can’t stop looking at it. I love those pretty waves. I can’t wait to add this book to my shelves!

**

Hero at the Fall

Alwyn Hamilton

(Rebel of the Sands#3)

Publication Date: March 6, 2018

Hardcover, 464 pages, Viking Books for Young Readers

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads

When gunslinging Amani Al'Hiza escaped her dead-end town, she never imagined she'd join a revolution, let alone lead one. But after the bloodthirsty Sultan of Miraji imprisoned the Rebel Prince Ahmed in the mythical city of Eremot, she doesn't have a choice. Armed with only her revolver, her wits, and her untameable Demdji powers, Amani must rally her skeleton crew of rebels for a rescue mission through the unforgiving desert to a place that, according to maps, doesn't exist. As she watches those she loves most lay their lives on the line against ghouls and enemy soldiers, Amani questions whether she can be the leader they need or if she is leading them all to their deaths.

My Thoughts

I really love the cover redesign for this series. I’m a sucker for people on my book covers. I know a lot of people hate it, but I’m a huge fan 75% of the time.

**

Alright, there you have it. Those are some recent cover reveals I was excited to share with you. It’s interesting that all but one are YA fantasy novels. I guess I know what genre I’ll be reading next year.

What recent cover reveals are you excited about?