Waiting on Wednesday: Witches Steeped in Gold & Realm Breaker

Witches Steeped in Gold
(Witches Steeped in Gold #1)
by Ciannon Smart

Expected Publication: April 20th 2021
by HarperTeen

Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.

Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom - and vengeance.

Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power.

Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain - except the lengths they will go to win this game.

This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes.

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Realm Breaker
(Realm Breaker #1)
by Victoria Aveyard

Expected Publication: May 4th 2021
by HarperTeen

A strange darkness grows in Allward.

Even Corayne an-Amarat can feel it, tucked away in her small town at the edge of the sea.

She soon discovers the truth: She is the last of an ancient lineage—and the last hope to save the world from destruction. But she won’t be alone. Even as darkness falls, she is joined by a band of unlikely companions:

A squire, forced to choose between home and honor.
An immortal, avenging a broken promise.
An assassin, exiled and bloodthirsty.
An ancient sorceress, whose riddles hide an eerie foresight.
A forger with a secret past.
A bounty hunter with a score to settle.

Together they stand against a vicious opponent, invincible and determined to burn all kingdoms to ash, and an army unlike anything the realm has ever witnessed.

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•     •     •

Do these two upcoming fantasy novels sound fantastic, or what??
I definitely need to read more fantasy books, and these sound like the perfect ones to add to my list.

Add them to your TBR today!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Audiobook)

Serpent & Dove
(Serpent & Dove #1)
by Shelby Mahurin
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 519
ISBN: 9780062878021
Genre: Young Adult | Paranormal | Witches
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy | Own

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Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all. (Goodreads)

I have to admit that the first thing that drew me to Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin was that absolutely gorgeous book cover. (Snakes seem to the new thing for book covers lately, and the cover for this book is definitely eye catching.) After reading the summary for the book I was not only intrigued, but I also thought this would be a great addition to my Halloween TBR. And it WAS.

It’s been quite a while since I read a good witch story, so I was super excited to read Serpent & Dove. I very much enjoyed the storyline for this book. It’s all about witches and magic and so much more, and I was hooked as I turned the pages. The book ends in a way that definitely left me wanting more, and I’m super curious to see what’s going to happen in the next book.

I have to say I love SO many of the characters in this story. SO MANY. Lou, the main character, is definitely my favorite. I loved her sass and humor so much. Watching the relationship between her and Reid grow over the course of the story was both interesting, and, I dare say, quite intense. (It’s a very well written enemies-to-lovers storyline.) This was really fun to watch. (I also want to add that there is a pretty graphic sex scene in the book, which kind of caught me by surprise, because this book is a YA book, and I don’t see that in YA very often. It didn’t bother me, I read a lot of romance, but if that’s not your type of thing, be prepared.)

While I had a review copy and a finished copy of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook after checking out a sample clip on Audible. I am SO glad I did! I have listened to a few audiobooks narrated by Holter Graham in the past, and I very much enjoyed his voice for Reid. The voice for Lou was also familiar, and I can’t tell you how many books I’ve listened to that have been narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. SO MANY BOOKS! I love her voice, and I was beyond thrilled to have her tell me Lou’s side of the story.

Overall; If you like a good witch story, then you definitely want to look into Serpent & Dove! This book was a really quick read, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Blood & Honey, which is set to release in 2020!

My Thoughts: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (Audiobook)

The Crown's Game
(The Crown's Game #1)
by Evelyn Skye
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Publication Date: May 17th 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 407
ISBN: 9780062422583
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy \ Own

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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. (Goodreads)

I originally read The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye way back in 2016 when it was first released, and I remember loving the story SO much, but for some reason never read the second book in the story. After recently reading Evelyn’s newest book, Circle of Shadows, which I enjoyed SO much as well, it reminded me that I still needed to finish this series, so I set out to do just that!

As I mentioned above, I originally read this book a few years ago, and while I remember some of the story, most of the details have been forgotten in my old brain. (That’s what happens when you read hundreds of books a year!) I do remember how much I enjoyed the story the first time I read it, so I was more than happy to dive back into it again, and I’m thrilled that once I did, all the details from the story came rushing back. That being said, I think I enjoyed reading the book even more the second time around, and I’m excited to get my hands on the sequel now!

One of the things that I love most about The Crown’s Game is how magical the story is. It reminds me a little of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which happens to be one of my most favorite fantasy stories. The storyline for this book was absolutely addictive, and the setting was so well described, that I could picture everything perfectly in my mind.

The book also has a really great group of characters, including the two main characters, Vika and Nikolai, who are both enchanters, and who are both absolutely fantastic. The story is told from their alternating viewpoints, and I was completely fascinated by them both.

I also want to add that I listened to the audiobook for this re-read, and it was Fantastic. Steve West did an amazing job of narrating the story, and it made this magical story even more magical. If you have the opportunity to check this book out in audio format, I highly recommend it.

Overall; I enjoyed The Crown’s Game the first time I read it, and I think I enjoyed it EVEN MORE the second time around! I am absolutely kicking myself for not having finished this series sooner, but I’m thrilled that I am doing just that now. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book asap! If you’re a fan of magical fantasy stories, do check this book out right away!

My Thoughts: The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

The Rest of the Story
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: June 4th 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780062933621
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy / Own

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Emma Saylor doesn’t remember a lot about her mother, who died when she was ten. But she does remember the stories her mom told her about the big lake that went on forever, with cold, clear water and mossy trees at the edges.

Now it’s just Emma and her dad, and life is good, if a little predictable…until Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother’s family—her grandmother and cousins she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl.

When Emma arrives at North Lake, she realizes there are actually two very different communities there. Her mother grew up in working class North Lake, while her dad spent summers in the wealthier Lake North resort. The more time Emma spends there, the more it starts to feel like she is divided into two people as well. To her father, she is Emma. But to her new family, she is Saylor, the name her mother always called her.

Then there’s Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little. Roo holds the key to her family’s history, and slowly, he helps her put the pieces together about her past. It’s hard not to get caught up in the magic of North Lake—and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo’s spell as well.

For Saylor, it’s like a whole new world is opening up to her. But when it’s time to go back home, which side of her will win out? (Goodreads)

Summer just is not summer without a Sarah Dessen book in your hand, and the story for this season is her newest book, The Rest of the Story! I started reading this book while we were on vacation at the beach, (which was the perfect place to start the book), and I finished it on the drive home. This book was the perfect summer read, and is definitely a new favorite as well!

There are so many things that I really loved about this book, one being the characters! There were many great characters in this book, and two of my favorites were Emma, the main character, and Roo, a boy she meets in the book. There are a lot of interesting secondary characters as well, including a whole bunch of new family members that Emma didn’t even know she had. (I love these kinds of stories!)

Another thing that I really loved about the story was the storyline and setting. Like Sarah’s previous books, the storyline is fun, but also touches on some difficult issues as well. I was addicted to the story, and I flew through the pages faster than I expected to. I also love that the book was set at the lake, (which also had a beach), as I seem to be reading a lot of beach books lately, and definitely want more lake stories! This book was perfect.

And before I forget, I also want to add that I LOVE that Sarah adds little Easter eggs in her books that are throwbacks to some of her previous stories! I’ve ready all of Sarah’s books, and I’m always on the lookout for an egg, and this one was great! (I won’t mention it, so read the story to find it for yourself!) This totally makes me want to read all of my other favorite books of Sarah’s this summer, and I’m currently trying to figure out how to add them to my Summer TBR!

Overall; The Rest of the Story was the perfect summer read that was JUST what I needed to kick off my summer reading, and I’m thrilled at how much I enjoyed this book. It’s definitely a new favorite, and it has made me want to re-read ALL of my other favorites of Sarah’s. (I am definitely trying to figure out how to work those into my Summer TBR!) If you’re a fan of Sarah’s books, I know you will love The Rest of the Story. And if you’ve never read one Sarah’s books before, this would be a great book to start with!

My Thoughts: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: February 5th 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062675798
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Free Copy from Publisher

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Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script. (Goodreads)

I’m always super excited when an author I like has a new book coming out, and whenever Kasie West has a new book coming out, I get super excited! Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss sounded super cute, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on it. Having finally read the book, I can tell you that I really enjoyed it, though it’s not my most favorite book by Kasie.

Let’s start this off by talking about the characters. Lacey, the main character, is an up-and-coming actress that just got her first big break in a zombie movie. It was really interesting to read the story from Lacey’s point of view, especially the parts on the movie set. I enjoyed watching the relationships between her and her co-stars grow as the story went along, and the relationship between her and her tutor, Donovan, was super cute, even if it did take me a bit to warm up to it. Also, her dad is pretty great as well.

The storyline for this book was a lot of fun. The movie that I mentioned above in which Lacey will star in actually sounded like it would be interesting to watch, and I kind of love that it was based off a book as well. There is also a bit of mystery included in the book, as someone on the set has set out to sabotage Lacey, (not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis!), and it was constantly trying to figure out what it was. Having that included definitely kept things interesting!

Overall; though Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss is not my most favorite book by Kasie West, it was definitely a super cute read, and just the cute read that I needed at the moment. I think fans of Kasie’s books, and of contemporary stories in general, which definitely enjoy this new release!

My Thoughts: Evermore by Sara Holland

Evermore
(Everless #2)
by Sara Holland
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Publication Date: December 31st 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780062653697
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss / Own

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The highly anticipated sequel to New York Times bestseller, Everless!

Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: not only are the stories true, but she herself is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.

The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Jules must delve into the stories that she now recognizes are accounts of her own past. For it is only by piecing together the mysteries of her lives that Jules will be able to save the person who has captured her own heart in this one. (Goodreads)

Evermore by Sara Holland is the much-awaited sequel to Everless, which I read when it first released last year and really enjoyed. After reading the first book last year and being really drawn by the story, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen in this sequel, especially since this is was the final book in the duology. I was definitely not disappointed!

The thing that drew me to Everless, (besides the gorgeous cover), was how unique the story was. I don’t think had ever read anything like it before, and I was instantly hooked as I turned the pages. The ending, of course, was a cliffhanger, and it left me pining away to get my hands on the sequel. Since I have read many books after the first read of Everless, I ended up re-read it before starting Evermore, just to give my brain a little refresher before starting the sequel, and I’m so glad I did. There was so many little details to the story that I had forgotten, and I’m glad I could re-read to remember those again.

That being said, I seem to feel a bit different about the sequel. I enjoyed the story very much, and loved that a lot of my lingering questions from the first book were answered, but… this book just seemed to have a slightly different feel to it than the first book did. And I’m not even sure why, to be completely honest. There were a few things that felt a bit rushed, and a few things that were a bit confusing as well. I probably need to re-read the book again to figure out where things went wrong for me.

The characters were still great, and I enjoyed getting to know more about Jules and Caro, and some of the secondary characters as well. I love Jules for her strength, and getting to know more of her backstory was really interesting. I do wish she had been a little less indecisive throughout the book, as she seemed to change her mind about things quite a bit throughout the story. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the storyline, and I definitely need more books with sorcerer’s and alchemist in my life!

Overall; Evermore was definitely an interesting follow-up to Everless, and having finally read the book, I’m kind of sad to see it end. This definitely could have been a longer series, but I’m happy with the way things wrapped up in the end. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Sara in the future!

My Thoughts: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (Audiobook)

A Very Large Expanse of Sea
by Tahereh Mafi
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Publication Date: October 16th 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780062866561
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down. (Goodreads)

I have read all of Tahereh Mafi’s books in the past, most of them the moment they were released, so of course I was super curious to check out A Very Large Expanse of Sea right away as well! Unlike Tahereh’s previous books, which are mostly fantasy and dystopian, A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a contemporary fiction novel. I think I was the most curious about this, because contemporary stories are my FAVORITE, and I couldn’t wait to get started on the very first one by her. The story did not disappoint.

With A Very Large Expanse of Sea, we get a small look into what life was like for a young Muslim girl, Shirin, a year after the attacks of 9/11. Looking back, I remember it to be quite an unsettling time for our country, but getting to read the story from the perspective of Shirin was an eye-opening experience. Reading about some of things she, and to other people of color, went through in the book were heartbreaking to read, and some parts, unfortunately, are still relevant today.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book were the characters. Shirin was such an interesting girl, and I didn’t really want her story to end once I finished the book. (I would also REALLY love to see her, her brother, and their friends break dance. It sounded awesome!) Ocean was quite an interesting character as well, and I enjoyed watching the relationship grow between he and Shirin.

Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the nostalgia! It brought back so many memories from that time period. For instance, I totally remember my first cell phone, and having to watch how many minutes I used, because unlimited was not a thing yet. And text messages were just becoming a thing at that time as well! Also, AOL Instant Messenger. I remember that was the best thing ever at the time!! Hah!

I also want to add that though I have a finished copy of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook instead, mostly because I listened to a sample of the audiobook before I started the actual book, and I completely captivated by Priya Ayyar’s narration of the story. If you have the opportunity to check out this book in audio format, I highly recommend it.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed A Very Large Expanse of Sea, and I think Tahereh Mafi has another hit on her hands with this book! While parts of the book were heartbreaking to read, I loved the story, and the characters, and I am glad that these stories are being told, because, as I mentioned above, they are definitely eye-opening experiences. If you don’t already have this book on your TBR, definitely add it right away. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did!!

My Thoughts: What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

What If It's Us
by Becky Albertalli
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& Adam Silvera
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Publication Date: October 9th 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 437
ISBN: 9780062795250
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBT
Source: From Publisher for Review

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Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is?  (Goodreads)

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera was definitely one of my most anticipated reads for this fall, and I was absolutely thrilled to finally get started on the book! Becky Albertalli is one of my most favorite authors ever, and I was excited to read something new by her. I’ve also wanted to read something by Adam Silvera for the longest as well, so that had doubly excited to read the book. It definitely did not disappoint!!

What if it’s Us is the story of Arthur and Ben, and how they meet one summer in New York. That sentence alone basically sums up the storyline for the book, and if you’re wondering if the story is as cute as it sounds, please know that it totally is. Following along in the story as Ben and Arthur meet, get separated, and find each other again, is completely captivating, and you will find yourself totally engrossed in the story as you fly through the pages to see what is going to happen next. 

And not only is the storyline really great, but this book has an amazing cast of characters as well. Not only were Ben and Arthur completely awesome, but they both had really awesome families, which I LOVE, and friends as well. There are SO many people to like in this book!!

I also really enjoyed the setting of the book. I don’t think I could actually handle visiting New York in real life, but it’s definitely a fascinating place to read about. I loved all of the descriptions of the places Ben and Arthur visit throughout the story.

Overall; What If It’s Us was a quick, fun read, and I enjoyed the story SO much! Fans of Becky Albertalli’s will definitely love this book, and I’m sure fans of Adam Silvera’s will as well! Now that I have finally read something by Adam, I am super curious to check out his previous books, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for new books by him and Becky as well! If you’re looking for an great contemporary read, do check out What If It’s Us!!

Waiting on Wednesday #335 - The Kiss Collector & My Favorite Half-Night Stand

Kiss Collector
by Wendy Higgins
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Publication Date: December 18th 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062795212

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When seventeen-year-old Zae Monroe gets cheated on by the only guy she’s ever loved, then watches her parents' marriage crumble, she decides to forget about relationships and turn the tables on the boys of the world. It’s time to take what she wants, and what she wants are kisses. Athletes, musicians, poets, and bad boys—their lips are all on her agenda, and it's time to collect.

Zae proposes a contest with her friends to see who can kiss the most boys during spring break. But what starts as a harmless competition leads to a downward spiral she can’t seem to break free of. As family, academic, friend, and guy drama come to a head, Zae is forced to face the reasons behind her boy angst, and starts to wonder if she was wrong about the male race...or at least some of them. (Goodreads)

You guys! Does this book sound super cute, or what??
I love a good contemporary story, and I can't wait to dive into this one!

My Favorite Half-Night Stand
by Christina Lauren
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Publication Date: December 4th 2018
Publisher: Gallery Books
ISBN: 9781501197406

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From the New York Times bestselling author that “hilariously depicts modern dating” (Us Weekly) comes a sexy romantic comedy about online dating, and its many, many fails.

With a world-famous speaker at their university, Millie Morris and her four woefully single male colleagues make a pact that they’ll all find dates. Unfortunately, Millie has more success helping them make matches online than she does navigating the onslaught of lewd pics in her own feed. But when she creates a fictional name for a new account, Millie finds herself vying for the online attention of a man she sees every day in the flesh. (Goodreads)

Christina Lauren books are quickly becoming some of my most favorite reads!
I love that they put out books so quickly as well so that we don't have to wait 

very long for new ones!!
I can't wait to read this newest book ASAP!!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
(Montague Siblings #2)
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Publication Date: October 2nd 2018
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 450
ISBN: 9780062795328
Genre: Young Adult | Historical
Source: Own

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In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Felicity Montague must use all her womanly wits and wiles to achieve her dreams of becoming a doctor—even if she has to scheme her way across Europe to do it. A must-have for fans of Mackenzi Lee’s extraordinary and Stonewall Honor-winning novel.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.

In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic. (Goodreads)

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is the second book in the Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee was probably one of my most anticipated new books for this month, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on the story. I read the first book in the series, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, back in it was first released, and I couldn’t wait to get started on this sequel to see what would happen next in the story. I definitely was not disappointed!!

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is Felicity’s story, and picks up about a year after where The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off. I loved Felicity in the first book, and I was super excited to read her story to get to know more about her. She’s such an interesting character, and I enjoyed following her on her adventure. I also love that a lot of the characters that I loved from the first book make appearances in this story as well, and are included just enough to satisfy your curiosity and make you glad to see them, but not so much as to take over Felicity’s story completely. It was nice to ‘see’ them all again though!

I love that the storyline for this book is historical, but also has just a small tough of fantasy in it as well! It definitely kept me curious as I turned the pages. But, while I really enjoyed the storyline, there were also a few things in it that made me angry as well. A lot of it was the from the treatment of women and people of color, which was definitely relevant to the time period in which this book was set. These are just some of the parts of history that I hate reading about, yet I’m glad it was included in the story, because it is a great reminder of how far we have come, and how far we still need to go.

Overall; The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy was an excellent sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! I really enjoyed the story so much, but I also hate to see the series end. If Makenzi wanted to write more books with these characters, I would totally read them. If you’re looking for a quick, fun series to read that includes diversity and eye-opening historical issues that are still somewhat relevant today, do check out The Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee!!

Waiting on Wednesday #334 - Queen of Air and Darkness & Evermore

Queen of Air and Darkness
(The Dark Artifices #3)
by Cassandra Clare
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Publication Date: December 4th 2018
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 9781442468436

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Dark secrets and forbidden love threaten the very survival of the Shadowhunters in Cassandra Clare’s Queen of Air and Darkness, the final novel in the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling The Dark Artifices trilogy.

What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks.

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love. (Goodreads)

You guyyyyyys. Are you as excited for this book as I am??
I am currently working through my re-read of Lady Midnight, and I have Lord of Shadows to re-read next month, then I'll be nice and refreshed before Queen of Air and Darkness releases in December!!
I. Can't. Wait!!

Evermore
(Everless #2)
by Sara Holland
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Publication Date: December 31st 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062653710

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The highly anticipated sequel to New York Times bestseller, Everless!

Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: not only are the stories true, but she herself is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.

The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Jules must delve into the stories that she now recognizes are accounts of her own past. For it is only by piecing together the mysteries of her lives that Jules will be able to save the person who has captured her own heart in this one. (Goodreads)

Ah! This is yet another book that I'm super excited for this December!
I read Everless back when it was first released, and really enjoyed the story!
I'm hoping to re-read it soon to refresh before I start Evermore,

and I can't wait to read both books!!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

Sawkill Girls
by Claire Legrand
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Publication Date: October 2nd 2018
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 447
ISBN: 9780062696601
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Horror | LGBT
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy / Own

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Beware of the woods and the dark, dank deep.

He’ll follow you home, and he won’t let you sleep.

Who are the Sawkill Girls?

Marion: the new girl. Awkward and plain, steady and dependable. Weighed down by tragedy and hungry for love she’s sure she’ll never find.

Zoey: the pariah. Luckless and lonely, hurting but hiding it. Aching with grief and dreaming of vanished girls. Maybe she’s broken—or maybe everyone else is.

Val: the queen bee. Gorgeous and privileged, ruthless and regal. Words like silk and eyes like knives, a heart made of secrets and a mouth full of lies.

Their stories come together on the island of Sawkill Rock, where gleaming horses graze in rolling pastures and cold waves crash against black cliffs. Where kids whisper the legend of an insidious monster at parties and around campfires.

Where girls have been disappearing for decades, stolen away by a ravenous evil no one has dared to fight… until now. (Goodreads)

I was super excited to dive into Sawkill Girls, not only because it sounded really awesome, but also because it is written by Claire Legrand! I read Furyborn by Claire earlier this year, and really enjoyed the story, so I was super curious to see what this new book was about. If you read no future than this, then let me just say… This. Book. Was. Awesome!

If you haven’t yet read the summary for the book, you should totally do that now. It has just enough information to lure you in, but once you actually start reading the book, the story is SO much more than you will ever expect. I don’t want to say too much to give anything away, but the storyline was both completely engrossing, and, at times, absolutely terrifying as well. I’m not much of a fan of horror, and, to be honest, I didn’t realize that this was a horror story until I got a little way into the book, then had to stop and look. So, yeah, it’s not usually much cup of tea, but with this book, I absolutely couldn’t stop reading it! I don’t want to say anymore, so do check it out!

I also want to say that this book has some really great characters as well. The story is told from the three main characters, Zoey, Marion, and Val’s, viewpoints. It was interesting to read the book this way, as all the girls were interesting, yet so similar in thoughts as well. Following along on this insane adventure was both nerve-wracking, yet completely engrossing as well. I also love the diversity in the book as well.

Overall; If you don’t already have Sawkill Girls on your TBR, you definitely want to add it now! The story is completely captivating, and it will draw you in and leave you leave you hooked as you fly through the pages. It will make a great addition to your Halloween TBR!! Check it out, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

My Thoughts: Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

Broken Things
by Lauren Oliver
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Publication Date: October 2nd 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9780062224132
Genre: Young Adult | Mystery | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy

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It’s been five years since Summer Marks was brutally murdered in the woods.

Everyone thinks Mia and Brynn killed their best friend. That driven by their obsession with a novel called The Way into Lovelorn the three girls had imagined themselves into the magical world where their fantasies became twisted, even deadly.

The only thing is: they didn’t do it.

On the anniversary of Summer’s death, a seemingly insignificant discovery resurrects the mystery and pulls Mia and Brynn back together once again. But as the lines begin to blur between past and present and fiction and reality, the girls must confront what really happened in the woods all those years ago—no matter how monstrous. (Goodreads)

Lauren Oliver is one of the very first authors I checked out when I started reading YA books, and I’m always on the lookout for something new by her. The summary for her newest book, Broken Things, sounded really awesome, and I absolutely couldn’t wait to check it out!

I was immediately drawn to Broken Things not only because it was written by Lauren Oliver, but also by that super eye-catching cover. How gorgeous is that?? The summary sounded really awesome as well. It’s been a few books since I’ve read a good murder mystery, and this book was exactly what I needed at the moment.

The storyline for the book was very mysterious, and while I guessed what happened pretty early in the book, the book still made me doubt myself more than a few times throughout. And I love that while this was a mystery story, there was also a fit of fantasy in it as well, from the book the girls were so addicted to. That was really interesting, and one reason why I flew through the pages! The end of the book felt a little bit rushed, but other than that, it was really fascinating.

The other interesting thing in the book was the characters. I immediately liked Brynn and Mia, and sympathized for all that they had been through since the death of their friend. And not only after their friend died, but before as well. There were some things that were super easy to relate to in the story. I also liked Abby, who happens to be Mia’s best friend, who was probably my most favorite character in the book. I really enjoyed her storyline, and wish she had been in the book a bit more. Also, there’s a bit of romance in the book as well for a few of these characters, but I’ll say no more on that subject!

Overall; Broken Things was a quick, mysterious read that will keep you guessing as you turn the pages. The storyline was fascinating and addictive, and the characters were interesting as well, and it all made for a really nice read! I definitely feel to the need to re-read more of Lauren’s books now that I’ve read this one, and I just realized that I have not yet read Vanishing Girls, so I must do that soon! Do check out Broken Things!