Waiting on Wednesday #320 - Smoke in the Sun & Providence

Smoke in the Sun
(Flame in the Mist #2)
by Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: June 5th 2018
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781524738143

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The highly anticipated sequel to Flame in the Mist—an addictive, sumptuous finale that will leave readers breathless from the bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn.

After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice—to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor's ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead.

With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and very the safety of the empire. (Goodreads)

I *finally* read Flame in the Mist recently, and really enjoyed the book,

now I'm SUPER excited to get my hands on Smoke in the Sun!!
I'm hoping to work the book into my TBR once it is released,

or at least read it this summer. *fingers crossed!*

Providence
by Caroline Kepnes
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Publication Date: June 19th 2018
Publisher: Lenny
ISBN: 9780399591433

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A propulsive new thriller about the obsessive nature of love when an intensifying relationship between best friends is disrupted by a kidnapping.

Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they can never find the words to tell one another the depth of their feelings. When Jon is finally ready to confess his feelings, he's suddenly kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft and has a plot to save humanity.

Mourning the disappearance of Jon and facing the reality he may never return, Chloe tries to navigate the rites of entering young adulthood and "fit in" with the popular crowd, but thoughts of Jon are never far away.

When Jon finally escapes, he discovers he now has an uncontrollable power that endangers anyone he has intense feelings for. He runs away to protect Chloe and find the answers to his new identity--but he's soon being tracked by a detective who is fascinated by a series of vigilante killings that appear connected.

Whisking us on a journey through New England and crashing these characters' lives together in the most unexpected ways, Kepnes explores the complex relationship between love and identity, unrequited passion and obsession, self-preservation and self-destruction, and how the lines are often blurred between the two. (Goodreads)

I have not yet read a book by Caroline Kepnes, but that will be changing really soon!
Not only do I have this book on my TBR for next month,
but I also plan to start You soon as well!
I'm super excited to finally read both books.

Those are my WOW picks for this week!!
What books are YOU super excited for??

**"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: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Flame in the Mist
(Flame in the Mist #1)
by  Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: May 16th 2017
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 392
ISBN: 9780399171635
Genre: Young Adult | Retelling | Fantasy
Source: Own

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The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires. (Goodreads)

I've had a copy of Flame in the Mist sitting on my shelf for the longest, but I unfortunately hadn't had the chance to pick it up until recently. I've read a few books by Renee Ahdieh in the past, and really enjoyed them, and I was super curious to finally read this one as well. Retellings are some of my favorite books, and I just knew I would enjoy Flame in the Mist. With the second book in the series coming out next month, I figured it was time to finally read the book, and I'm really glad I decided to do so!

The storyline for Flame in the Mist was really interesting, and I love that it was a Mulan retelling. I love Mulan, and I couldn't wait to finally read her story. The story starts off with a bang, then gets a little slow in the middle, but picks back up as the story goes along. I was definitely entertained throughout, and didn't see many of the twists throughout the story coming. The book ends with quite a cliffhanger ending, and I'm actually glad that I waited until to read this, as now I don't have to wait so long before starting the next book. I really want to know what happens next!

There were a lot of characters to like in Flame in the Mist. I love the main character, Mariko's, strength and determination. She proves time and time again throughout the story that though she's a girl, she's quite fierce, and she was definitely able to take care of herself. I really like Mariko's brother, Kenshin, as well, and I definitely appreciated the strong bond between these two twins. There are a lot of other secondary characters in the story to like as well, but I don't want to give anything away about them, so read the book and meet them for yourself!

Overall; Flame in the Mist was not at all what I expected, but I really enjoyed the story! This is the third book that I've read by Renee Ahdieh, and I find myself enjoying her stories more and more. I am super excited to get my hands on Smoke in the Sun as soon as it is released, as I'm super curious to know what's going to happen next, especially after that cliffhanger ending in Flame in the Mist! If you're a fan of retellings, especially Mulan retellings, do check out this book!

Waiting on Wednesday #257 - Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Flame in the Mist
(Flame in the Mist #1)
by Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: May 2nd 2017
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780399171635


Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor's favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family's standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.

Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she's quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru, and his second-in-command, his best friend Okami. Still believing her to be a boy, Ranmaru and Okami eventually warm to Mariko, impressed by her intellect and ingenuity. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets, of betrayal and murder, which will force her to question everything she's ever known. (Goodreads)

Omg, Bookworms... is the cover for this book GORGEOUS, or what??
The story sounds pretty awesome as well!!
I already have my copy preordered, and I can't wait until May!!

I absolutely adored The Wrath & The Dawn and The Rose & The Dagger,

and I can't wait to go on this new adventure as well.

SO EXCITED!!

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

Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose and the Dagger
(The Wrath and the Dawn #2)
by Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: April 26th 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780399171628
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: For Review | Own

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The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."
I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I started reading The Rose and the Dagger just moments after finishing The Wrath and the Dawn. I enjoyed the previous book so much, I was super curious to see how The Rose and the Dagger would compare. Once I started reading this book, I was completely captivated, and, if possible, I think I love it even more than the first book!

Shahrzad is quickly becoming one of my most favorite heroines. I love that she's so determined and willing to do whatever she needs to do to save the ones that she loves, even when putting herself in danger to accomplish it. Her relationship with Khalid is perfection, and I loved all the swoon-worthy moments between the two. They are definitely one of my favorites couples of all time.

There are so many secondary characters in this series that I love, a few that we met in the first book, and some we meet for the first time in the sequel. They are all so well written, you can't help but love them, except for the ones that you'll love to hate, and there are more than a few of them as the story goes along.

The storyline for the book picks up right where the previous book leaves off. I dove right into the pages, dying to know what was going to happen next, especially after that ending in The Wrath and the Dawn. I do believe this book was an even wilder ride than the first book, as it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the story as well, and I love that it kept me guessing. And, the book seriously has the most perfect ending. Everything came together wonderfully, and I was left completely satisfied after I closed the last page. I love it when that happens.

Overall; I adored this series so very much, and implore you to check them both The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger! This series was full of adventure and romance, and it will keep you completely captivated as you turn the pages. I know it did for me, and Renee Ahdieh is definitely now on my list of authors to watch to keep an eye out for. I can't wait to read more by her in the future!!

Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

The Wrath and the Dawn
(The Wrath and the Dawn #1)
by Renee Ahdieh
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Publication Date: May 12th 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 395
ISBN: 9780399171611
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I purchased The Wrath and the Dawn after it had been out for a while, and then it sat on my shelf for an even longer while before I finally picked it up to read. I've only read one other book that was a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, so I was curious to see how this book would compare. I definitely was not disappointed, and I'm now kicking myself for not having read the book sooner!

I was completely captivated by the main character in the book, Shahrzad. She was such a great character, so strong-willed and full of determination throughout the story, this is a girl who sets her mind to something and goes after it. She also has an amazing gift of storytelling, and I was completely fascinated by all the tales she told. I'm so curious to see more of her as her story goes along.

There are so many secondary characters in the novel that I have grown to love as well, and some that I've grown to hate, and they are all so well written. I could go on and on about them all, especially one guy that has nearly stolen my heart, but I'd rather you read the book and meet them yourself! (And come back to tell me what you think when you do!)

The storyline in the book is completely engrossing. I have not read the original tale of A Thousand and One Nights, but these retellings of the tale definitely make me want to check it out. I love the setting and the descriptions of everything from the food and clothing and more. Also, there's romance in the book, and it was SO well written. Not too much, but just enough to make you swoon. *Wink*.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn, and I'm starting the sequel, The Rose and the Dagger, right away, as I must know what's going to happen next, and how it will all end for Shahrzad. Definitely pick up this book if you're a fan of A Thousand and One Nights retellings, as I know you will enjoy the book as well.