Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.

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.  

This one sounds awesome! I love seeing the Jack the Ripper stories pop up in books! Especially paranormal ones! It makes it all even more creepy!!

TITLE: Stalking Jack the Ripper

AUTHOR: Kerri Maniscalco

PUBLISHER: Jimmy Patterson
GENRE: Historical YA Fiction

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2016

Once there was a world’s end.

The forests burned, the lakes and rivers dried up, and the oceans swelled.

Then came a plague, and fever spread across the globe. Families died, violence reigned, and man killed man.

Next came WICKED, who were looking for an answer. And then they found the perfect boy.

The boy’s name was Thomas, and Thomas built a maze.

Now there are secrets.

There are lies.

And there are loyalties history could never have foreseen.

This is the story of that boy, Thomas, and how he built a maze that only he could tear down.

All will be revealed.

A prequel to the worldwide Maze Runner phenomenon, The Fever Code is the book that holds all the answers. How did WICKED find the Gladers? Who are Group B? And what side are Thomas and Teresa really on? Lies will be exposed. Secrets will be uncovered. Loyalties will be proven. Fans will never see the truth coming. 

Excited for more answers to the mystery that is the maze!

TITLE: The Fever Code

AUTHOR: James Dashner

PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press
GENRE: Dystopian YA

RELEASE DATE: September 27, 2016

 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by MizB of Books and Beat. 

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.

"He pushed himself up onto his elbows and twisted his neck. Broken bones popped back together with a hideous sound. 'But I appreciate the sentiment.'

'I broke your neck,' Athena said." p 175

TITLE: Mortal Gods
AUTHOR: Kendare Blake
PUBLISHER: Tor Teen
GENRE: Paranormal Fantasy YA
RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

This week's topic is: Back To School Freebie--Required Reading for Fantasy Fans

*in no particular order

10. TOUCH OF POWER by Maria V. Snyder--pretty much any of Maria's books are required! This one is a trilogy that's separate from her previous one which connect in the same world! Still fabulous reading!

9. FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes--this one blew me away! I absolutely love it! The multiple points of view can be overwhelming at first, but soon you get used to it and are totally enthralled with them and their world!

8. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas--totally remarkable! We got fantasy, fairy tale retelling and involvement of the fae! How more incredible can this one get?! I REALLY need to read the second one already!

7. THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson--this one was awesome! Not only the whole mystery of who's who, but there was a good deal of action and so much more!

6. PRINCESS OF THORNS by Stacy Jay--a sort of fantasy/fairy tale retelling! And another incredible one too!

5. AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir--this series is so amazing!! And I just heard that book 3 won't release until 2018! Oh the agony!! And I just read the ARC two weeks ago!! AHHH!!!

4. THE WRATH & THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh--another fairy tale retelling/fantasy mix! And another amazing one! Still gotta finish the duology up still! LOL!

3. CRUEL BEAUTY by Rosamund Hodge--this too is a fairy tale retelling, yet still fantasy. I think those two genres can go hand in hand at times.

2. RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard--another amazing series that I must continue, though I heard of cliffhangers in the second book, so I held off! LOL!

1. POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder--because I can't not mention it! This was probably my first fantasy read outside of fairy tales and still remains one of my most beloved favorites! There's magic, posions, romance, adventure, action...it has it all!!!

Review--Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake

Ares, God of War, is leading the other dying gods into battle. Which is just fine with Athena. She's ready to wage a war of her own, and she's never liked him anyway. If Athena is lucky, the winning gods will have their immortality restored. If not, at least she'll have killed the bloody lot of them, and she and Hermes can die in peace.

Cassandra Weaver is a weapon of fate. The girl who kills gods. But all she wants is for the god she loved and lost to return to life. If she can't have that, then the other gods will burn, starting with his murderer, Aphrodite.

The alliance between Cassandra and Athena is fragile. Cassandra suspects Athena lacks the will to truly kill her own family. And Athena fears that Cassandra's hate will get them ALL killed.

The war takes them across the globe, searching for lost gods, old enemies, and Achilles, the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. As the struggle escalates, Athena and Cassandra must find a way to work together. Because if they can't, fates far worse than death await.

It’s been too many years since I last read Antigoddess, so diving back into Kendare Blake’s Greek mythology series took a bit of doing. I couldn’t remember much that had happened besides the death of one of the characters—and if you haven’t read Antigoddess, be forewarned now that there will be spoilers of said death! Mortal Gods is the second book of the trilogy that will continue the journey of Cassandra and Athena as they try to take out Aphrodite, but in this installment, new players get involved on both sides and it’s basically bound to lead to one epic battle to come and leaving the victor immortal (in the case of the gods).

Athena’s goal in this one is to find Odysseus’s friend, Achilles, and basically kill him before Aphrodite can use him on her team. Odysseus is obviously not happy about this idea. Then Cassandra still mourns for Aidan’s death and wants to exact vengeance for him. And bring him back if at all possible. Then we have Andi and Henry growing closer and also learning to fight for the battle to come. Tension is high all over the place and it definitely adds some zest to the story.

I guess one thing that kind of left me upset was how very middle book this one ran. There was so much preparing for war going on, that I felt like I was dragging my feet trying to finish this one. Granted, it was still entertaining in sporadic moments. I never disliked it to a point. There were some very interesting developments, such as the addition of Achilles’ character, and then there was Calypso who has come to town to be with Odysseus, for she is madly in love with him. Ares joins Team Aphrodite as well, and I can’t remember if he was in the first book or not, but it was kind of obvious whose side he’d choose after all!

I really enjoy how Kendare used Greek mythology characters in this one. Not only do we have our gods and goddesses updated to a modern day teenage form (which is still a little odd, but whatever! Lol), we also get other heroes from the Trojan War, such as Odysseus, Achilles, Hector aka Henry, and naturally Cassandra! It’s quite fun! Though I can remember bits of The Iliad, it does become hard to remember everything what with two or maybe three different movie versions popping up in my head! And I think I only ever watched parts of the Brad Pitt one called Troy! So I definitely feel like my knowledge of the story has been muddled by too many sources!

There wasn’t a great deal of action in this one sadly. We do get some incredibly awesome fight scenes. Don’t get me wrong! I loved the bits that we got, but I felt like a lot of this book involved planning. Planning to take down Aphrodite. Cassandra has been itching to do this ever since Aidan was killed. She even talks about wanting to find him in whatever afterlife gods go to, thinking the Underworld is a great place to start. And this basically had me wondering if our Apollo (Aidan) is actually truly dead. Reading has taught me to never believe a character is dead (especially in paranormal books!)! Like I legit can’t truly believe the character is dead even when the body is right there on the page, because naturally, I feel like magic or other paranormal ways might get involved and bring said dead person back! Or maybe they weren’t 100% dead to begin with! Though I think I’ve only ever been right a few times in all my reading, but it’s enough to always leave me wondering! Lol!

The ending to this one was definitely more epic! As all “middle meh” books seem to turn out! Just when you think things might end a little flat with adventure on the horizon, you get an incredibly awesome battle scene! And it’s one to leave you with a lot of worrying questions! But thankfully, I am late to the game and the next and final book is at the ready! So I don’t even really have time to process all those questions, I’m just going to dive in! LOL! A lot of exciting and shocking things happened in those last two chapters or so and I am itching to find out their outcome and for the battle to end all battles…for real this time, to come to a head! Bring it on!


Overall Rating 3.5/5 stars

 

ARC Review--And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

A stunning, terrifying novel about a house the color of blood and the two sisters who are trapped there, by The Dead House author Dawn Kurtagich
When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt's home, it's immediately clear that the "blood manor" is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too--the questions that Silla can't ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that's appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?

Filled with just as many twists and turns as The Dead House, and with achingly beautiful, chilling language that delivers haunting scenes, AND THE TREES CREPT IN is the perfect follow-up novel for master horror writer Dawn Kurtagich.

I received this ARC from the publisher while attending BEA earlier this year. I was in no way compensated for this review.


Dawn Kurtagich, a master of horror and suspense brings us a frightening new ghost story that is sure to leave you chilled...and fearing the toilet! And the Trees Crept In is her second novel and is just as creepy as her debut, but this time it's extra twisted!

Silla and her sister Nori arrive at their Aunt Cath's house in the middle of the night. It's clear they've escaped from something, but Silla is unwilling to say what. The answers are a little slow to come and at times when we get perhaps a glimpse of what might have happened, we can't fully trust what we're reading/seeing. Cath is just happy to see the girls. After some happy years in the house, strange things start to happen. Things that can't be explained. Things that were seriously really freaking creepy!!

This book was weird. However, I am a fan of weird, so I quite enjoyed it! I do want to tell you that because it's weird it might be harder to understand some things. I had moments of confusion, I'll admit but as the story went on the confusion made sense. I was still confused mind you, but I think I was supposed to be confused. Silla is confused herself by all the crazy happening so me being confused with her made a messed up kind of sense. 

The weirdness of the story really added to the creepy. What's real? What's imagined? Silla believes the trees are moving closer to the house (that is basically on the edge of a forest, surrounded by trees) preventing them from leaving. Their aunt goes crazy one day and ends up staying in the attic after some time, never coming down but just pacing along the floor constantly. It's sooo creepy! We basically have a scary story setup on our hands. Then Nori, Silla's sister, makes a friend. One Silla can't see even when he's right behind her. we get to learn things from Cath and Nori through POV changes. But they're kind of few and far between. And the glimpses from Nori come in the form of journal entries. 

It's always strange to read from the mind of someone going crazy, and it's clear that Cath has some things going on with her, because she is a little crazy. Then there's odd things going on with Silla. Is Silla herself going crazy? It all becomes so convoluted in a way, because you really don't know what to trust. But that feeling my friends, just makes the book even more intense!

This book is weird. Completely and totally weird. It's also really frigging creepy. It will confuse you halfway through. I think really the last 1/3 or so was the most confusing. And when the answer finally start to come, it was still a touch confusing, but I pretty much got the general idea of it. What I want to say when you're reading this is don't let the confusion bog you down. Don't DNF because you can't understand what the heck is going on. You're meant to be confused, much like Silla is. This book is crazy, but it's also really freaking awesome!

The ending is where we get that shining light of answers and understanding. Well, some general sense of understanding! Lol. I like the kind of twisted ending we get. It reminds me of this one movie's twisted ending--one I won't share obviously. Heehee! It's not an exact copy of said ending, but in a sense they are kind of similar! But I liked that movie and when you look back with the answer key, you totally get everything that happened! This book is like that, though the answer key doesn't make it 100% clear, more like 90-95%, still good enough! Though the more I think about it after letting the ideas simmer, it's definitely closer to 100%, like 95-99%! LOL!

If you're wanting a read to totally take your head for a spin and give you a scare, then look no further! And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich is one to leave you with a nightmares and chills...and possibly a fear of the toilet! LOL!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars


And the Trees Crept In releases September 6, 2016

  

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.


Last Week I Read:  

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (ARC)--Review to come at a later date And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich (ARC)--Review to come later this morning!     Review that was Posted:  

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (ARC) (5 stars)     Currently Reading:  

Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake     What I Plan to Read this Week:  

 Ungodly by Kendare Blake 

Other Posts of Interest:
Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays Waiting on Wednesday Random Thursday Follow Friday Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!


I had a pretty awesome week! I got my first #otspsecretsister package in the mail and it was awesome!

a cute tote

a cute button

pretzels

bookmarks

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

THANK YOU Secret Sis!

Then I did a little shopping of my own, I remembered finally to buy my keeper copy of Rachel Vincent's book and then was able to find the new copies of JLA's Dark Elements trilogy so that I could have a matching set! Even though I was more a fan of the previous look, I still felt liked I NEEDED these copies too! Yeah...I'm weird like that! LOL!

The Flame Never Dies by Rachel Vincent

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino--really need to start these villain books! LOL!

So what did you all get this week?

Follow Friday

This is a weekly blog meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

 

The Rules:

• The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
• You create your own post using the post prompt.
• You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt.
• Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
• If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
• The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
• It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
• As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES:

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed FOLLOW as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers

 

This week's prompt is: Top 5 Favorite Book Boyfriends

MY ANSWER: Going to keep this to my adult reads, because there are plenty of YA guys that make me swoon but I would feel like a cradle robber for choosing them! LOL!

BONES is always on that list!!

Hunter because he's protective and caring and pretty much like the adult version of Daemon, so not creepy to have him on my book boyfriend list! LOL!

I'm a Marc girl through and through!

It took me awhile to warm up to Ethan, but not he totally has my heart!

Barrons was yet another that took me awhile to warm up to, but I love him too! Really need to get caught up in this series! SO behind!

Random Thursday

It's the final day for 16 Things You Never Noticed About Disney Classic Mulan written by Rachel Paige! This has been a fun little article of some surprising (and maybe some not so surprising) factoids about Mulan! I've enjoyed reading it! As promised, here you will find the link to the article in full! Once again I will be borrowing the pictures the author used because it will be the best visual to the factoid!

"Chi Fu has this picture on his desk"

The author goes on to mention what a classic pose this is and how we'd all want to do this with someone famous! And due to the time era she points out how it's a painting vs a picture! I always thought it was pretty funny myself!

"Mulan is the only warrior with a different chest plate"

I chalked that one up to the fact that she took her father's armor, he was in the army several years ago, so naturally his would be "outdated".

"Shang's horse has not one but TWO hidden Mickeys"

Never caught that myself! Guess the spots were too far away for my anal brain to pick up on it! LOL!

"There's a cliff that magically disappears and then reappears throughout the avalanche"

Yeah...totally didn't catch that really!

"A medic appears out of thin air"

Well I didn't think it was thin air, I just assumed he was nearby or someone ran like Forest Gump and got one to their area. It is later in the day now! 

"The number of Shang's army drastically changes"

I just figured the nameless guys we didn't know hung back for some reason! LOL!

And there you have it!