The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from GreenWillow Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Girl from Everywhere
Author: Heidi Heilig
Upcoming Release Date: February 16, 2016

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times - although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix's father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix's existence rather dangerously in question...

Nix has grown used to her father's obsession, but only because she's convinced it can't work. But then a map falls into her father's lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it's that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever. 

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Why?: This cover is wonderful. Time travel and pirates seem to, oddly enough, be a trend this year in YA. I am all about it! I am very much into time travel stories, but they have to deal with paradoxes is ways that make sense. 

Expectations:   I'm expecting a fun adventure in time that takes place on a pirate ship!

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is beautiful. I love how simple it it. The waves. The boat. The eyes. 


--PAUL

Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan - Paul's PRE-READING

*I received this book as an eARC from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Sword and Verse
Author: Kathy MacMillan
Upcoming Release Date: January 19, 2016

Synopsis: Raisa was just a child when she was sold to work as a slave in the kingdom of Qilara. Despite her young age, her father was teaching her to read and write, grooming her to take his place as a Learned One. In Qilara, the Arnathim, like Raisa, are the lowest class, and literacy is a capital offense. What’s more, only the king, prince, tutor, and tutor-in-training are allowed to learn the very highest order language, the language of the gods. So when the tutor-in-training is executed for teaching slaves this sacred language, and Raisa is selected to replace her, Raisa knows any slipup on her part could mean death.

Keeping her secret is hard enough, but the romance that’s been growing between her and Prince Mati isn’t helping matters. Then Raisa is approached by the Resistance—an underground army of slave rebels—to help liberate Arnath slaves. She wants to free her people, but that would mean aiding a war against Mati. As Raisa struggles with what to do, she discovers a secret that the Qilarites have been hiding for centuries—one that, if uncovered, could bring the kingdom to its knees. 

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Why?: I am a huge fan of Fantasy YA and it has really increased in popularity over the past few years. I love that more books like this are being published! This book also has reading/writing at its core and a potential royal romance? All this things attract me. Plus the cover is gorgeous.

Expectations: I'm expecting an interesting world where writing is integral to the world-building. I want some royal intrigue and complicated romantic situations. 

Judging a book by its cover: I LOVE this cover. So much about it captures me.


--PAUL

Ice Like Fire (Snow Like Ashes #2) by Sara Raasch - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Balzer+Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Ice Like Fire (Snow Like Ashes #2)
Author: Sara Raasch
Upcoming Release Date: October 13, 2015

REVIEW of Snow Like Ashes

Synopsis: It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats?

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world. 

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Why?: Snow Like Ashes was my TOP BOOK OF 2014! This is the sequel. I am super excited for this book! I loved the world building and the characters in the first book. I'm really hoping Raasch brings it in this one!

Expectations:   It seems like this will be two stories: Meira adventuring with Theron and Mather dealing with the people of Winter. I'm interested to see Mather's POV. I hope to see the kingdoms that weren't included in the first book. 

Judging a book by its cover: The cover is stunning. I love it! 


--PAUL

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from GreenWillow Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Walk on Earth a Stranger
Author: Rae Carson
Upcoming Release Date: September 22, 2015

Synopsis: Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? 

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.

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Why?: Rae Carson is one of my favorite modern writers. She uses words so efficiently. I absolutely loved her Fire & Thorns trilogy, especially the accompanying novellas. I love the way she write characters. She always includes diversity and shows well rounded people. 

Expectations: Truthfully, I'm not very familiar with the Gold Rush era other than my slight addiction to Oregon Trail in elementary school and a gold mine I visited once in California. I'm interested to see how Carson is able to weave history with fantasy. A girl with the power to detect gold during the Gold Rush? That is an amazing pitch just there alone.  

Judging a book by its cover: I love the cover. The gold is very present. The title is huge. The colors of the sky and the clothing evoke feelings of the Wild West. I'm excited for this magical historical YA!


--PAUL

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney Book Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: A Whole New World (Twisted Tales #1)
Author: Liz Braswell
Recent Release Date: September 1, 2015

Synopsis: Welcome to a new YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. Each book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was changed? This dark and daring version of Aladdin twists the original story with the question: What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie? 

When Jafar steals the Genie’s lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again. 

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Why?: I am a big fan of Disney, especially the movies from my childhood. Aladdin was definitely one of my favorites. This book takes the Disney version of the Aladdin tale and takes it on an alternate route. 

Expectations: I'm interested so see how the animated film translates to a YA book format. I'm interested to see how close to the film the book sticks. Are we going to get Genie pop culture references and a talking parrot?  

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is pretty cool. It seems to take Jasmine and make her look less cartoony. The city of Agrabah also looks more realistic. I'm intrigued how the cartoony feel of the film will translate into a semi-realistic (I'm assuming) Ya fantasy novel. 


--PAUL

Another Day by David Levithan - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Another Day
Author: David Levithan
Upcoming Release Date: August 25, 2015

Paul's Every Day Review
Paul's Six Earlier Days Review
Ashley's Every Day Review

Synopsis: In this enthralling companion to his New York Times bestseller Every Day, David Levithan (co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green) tells Rhiannon’s side of the story as she seeks to discover the truth about love and how it can change you.

Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up.

Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person . . . wasn’t Justin at all. 

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Why?: David Levithan is one of my favorite authors. He has an excellent voice that captures growing up and the complicated emotions associated with that universal experience. I absolutely loved Every Day. This book is written from Rhiannon's perspective so I am very intrigued. 

Expectations: Since this book is not from A's perspective, the sci-fi element of waking up in a new body and a new life every day won't be as present. But, we will get to see what it is like from the other point of view. How does Rhiannon react when her boyfriend is different for one day and then days later someone claims to be that same person. What makes her believe?

Judging a book by its cover: The cover is very similar to the Every Day cover with the added focus on the girl standing on the ground. Rhiannon is grounded. She has a steady linear life. But someone is falling from the sky into her world. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden - Paul's Pre-reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Del Ray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Star Wars: Dark Disciple
Author: Christie Golden
Recent Release Date: July 7, 2015

Synopsis: Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

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Why?: Christie Golden wrote some of my favorite Star Trek books, the Voyager: Homecoming duology! She also has quite the resume with Star Wars books, but I have not had the pleasure to read any of them. This book has been created from unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars animated series. It is also part of the new canon of books. The two main characters are Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Voss. The Clone Wars Darkhorse graphic novels are my favorite comic book form of Star Wars and they featured Vos prominently. There is absolutely no reason why I would not read this book.

Expectations: I'm expecting a high action story with two characters that are the very definition of gray. Quinlan Vos doesn't have much canon backstory before this book compared to his vast history in the old Expanded Universe. I'm interested to see how similar he is to his EU origins. 

Judging a book by its cover: Amazing cover. I loved it the first time I saw it. The colors are great. The way the facial tattoos pop is great. The yellow and green lightsabers are great. I need everything about this book! 


--PAUL

Another Day (Every Day #2) by David Levithan - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House Children's/Knopf Books for Young Readers on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Another Day (Every Day #2)
Author: David Levithan
Publication Date: August 25, 2015

My Every Day Review
Paul's Every Day Review
Paul's Six Days Earlier Review

Synopsis: The eagerly anticipated companion to David Levithan’s New York Times bestseller Every Day

In this enthralling companion to his New York Times bestseller Every Day, David Levithan (co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green) tells Rhiannon’s side of the story as she seeks to discover the truth about love and how it can change you.

Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up.

Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person . . . wasn’t Justin at all.

Why?: I really enjoyed Every Day, especially since it's kind of hard to find a good standalone novel nowadays. Everything is a duology or a trilogy or a series that seems like it will never end. But then, I heard that there would be a second, companion novel. And even though I liked Every Day as a standalone, I knew I was going to have to read Another Day. Especially since it's from Rhiannon's perspective! 

Expectations: I'm pretty much prepared for this book to break my heart, fix it, and then break it again. Every Day was such an emotional roller coaster, and I'm kind of expecting Another Day to be even worse. At least A had come to accept jumping from body to body, and only love was new to him. For Rhiannon though, I really think everything was overwhelming and that it will be really interesting to experience the whole thing from her side.

Judging a book by its cover: I love that this cover matches the one for Every Day. I hate when covers in the same series, even if they're not direct sequels, don't match. I also like the blue color, and how it still looks like a window. We're still just getting a glimpse into the lives of these characters. I also like the contrast of the circles on the cover of this book to the rectangles on Every Day. It just seems less harsh. It's pretty likely that I'd pick this book up based on the cover alone, since it's pretty unique.


--Ashley

The Suffering (The Girl From the Well #2) by Rin Chupeco - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Sourcebooks Fire on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Suffering (The Girl From the Well #2)
Author: Rin Chupeco
Publication Date: September 8, 2015

My The Girl From the Well Review
My The Girl From the Well Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Over the last year I've gone against faceless women, disfigured spirits, and grotesque revenants. Some people keep dangerous hobbies; skydiving and driving at monster truck rallies and glacier surfing. Me? I cast my soul into the churning waters of potential damnation and wait for a bite. 

It’s been two years since Tark Halloway’s nightmare ended. Free from the evil spirit that haunted him all his life, he now aids the ghostly Okiku and avenges the souls of innocent children by hunting down their murderers. But when Okiku becomes responsible for a death at his high school, Tark begins to wonder if they’re no better than the killers they seek out.

When an old friend disappears in Aokigahara, Japan’s infamous ‘suicide forest’, both must resolve their differences and return to that country of secrets to find her. 

Because there is a strange village inside Aokigahara, a village people claim does not exist. A village where strange things lie waiting.

A village with old ghosts and an ancient evil – one that may be stronger than even Okiku…

Why?: I really enjoyed The Girl From the Well, but I thought that it was a standalone. So when I found out there was a companion novel, I knew I had to read it ASAP. I loved Okiku (even though she can be pretty terrifying), and I loved the relationship between her and Tark. I'm excited to find out that happened after the end of The Girl From the Well and to learn more about Aokigahara. 

Expectations: I have pretty high expectations for this book. I expect there to be a lot of pretty scary moments, terrible monsters/ghosts, and gorgeous writing. I;m actually just really excited to go back to Japan with Tark and Okiku and learn more about the legends and the horrors and the secrets there.

Judging a book by its cover: I actually really love this cover. It's creepy, but still beautiful. I love that Okiku is standing in front of a forest, and I'm really glad that it's all in black and white. It definitely has a The Ring or The Grudge feel about it, which is what I really liked about the first book. I also really like how the title is in red - it stands out and still adds to the whole creepy vibe of the book. I'd definitely pick this up if I saw it on a shelf somewhere!


--Ashley

Into the Dark by Caroline T. Patti - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Month9Books LLC as part of the blog tour*

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Title: Into the Dark
Author: Caroline T. Patti
Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Synopsis: A girl’s sweet sixteen party is supposed to be among the most memorable events of her life. But on the night of hers, Mercy Clare wakes in the waiting room of a hospital with no memory of how she got there. To make matters worse, she’s wearing something she’d never be caught dead in: her best friend Lyla’s clothes. 

Mercy’s nightmare is just beginning. The doctor arrives to tell her that it’s she who lies in the hospital bed waiting to die. A trip to the bathroom confirms Mercy’s fears, as Lyla’s face stares back at her and Lyla’s curvy figure pokes through her tight clothes. 

But finding out what’s really going on won’t be easy. Because if Mercy wants her body back, it might just cost her Lyla’s life. 

Why?: I've actually been on the fence about this one for a while, and I decided that it sounds creepy and weird enough that I should probably give it a try. I already have a lot of questions from just the synopsis, so I figured the only way I'd ever have those answered would be to just go ahead and read it! It really does sound like something that's right up my alley though, with the mystery and the horror aspects. 

Expectations: I really have no idea what to expect from this book other than a creepy mystery that may or may not have to do with paranormal/supernatural entities. I haven't really heard anything about this book, and I've never read anything from this author (not even a blog post), so I figure it ought to be interesting at the very least.

Judging a book by its cover: So part of the reason I spent so much time trying to decide if I really wanted to read this book was the cover. I don't really like it at all... The girl is a little too weird looking for my tastes, and her lips just look so messed up that I'm not sure if they're supposed to be on the side of her face like that or not. I do like the colors and how blurry the images are, but this just isn't a cover that I would get really excited about. I might pick it up, but I really don't think this is one I would absolutely have to have on my shelf.


--Ashley

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group / HMH Books for Young Readers on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Vengeance Road
Author: Erin Bowman
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Synopsis: When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.

In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.

Why?: I've heard really good things about this book, so I knew I wanted to read it ASAP! Plus, throw in the Wild West and I'm hooked! Basically everything about this book just sounds fantastic, and I'm so excited to have it in my greedy little hands.

Expectations: I have really high expectations for this book. Between the synopsis and the crazy amounts of press it's been getting, I think Vengeance Road has the potential to be an incredible book. I just hope that my expectations aren't too high, because that's pretty much the worst. 

Judging a book by its cover: I really like this cover! I love the colors, and I love how it definitely has a wild west feel without being too cheesy. I love all of the little details too, and I can't wait to find out their significance. One of my favorite things about this cover though is how unique it is - I'm glad there's no people on the cover. I would be pretty likely to pick this up based on the cover alone, and I'd love to have it on my shelf! 


--Ashley

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group/Clarion Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Mechanica
Author: Betsy Cornwell
Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Synopsis: Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home. 

But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.

Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.

Why?: I love a good retelling/reimagining, and I never get tired of reading stories based on Cinderella. I mean, I know it's over done. And I know there's not much more anyone can do with such a popular story. But Mechanica sounds like it will actually be unique and exciting, and I can't wait to find out why Nicolette decides she doesn't want a fairy tale ending. I'm also really excited about the steampunk element to this book!

Expectations: I've never read anything by Betsy Cornwell, but I have pretty high expectations for this book. Fairy tale retellings are pretty popular right now, so I think there has to be something really special about this book for it to be pretty much everywhere I look. I've also heard pretty good things about it, so I think that raises my expectations even more than they normally would be.

Judging a book by its cover: I absolutely love everything about this cover! The colors are gorgeous, and I love all of the little details. Every time I look at it, I find new things that make me even more excited to read the book. The gears and the steampunk feel of the title are pretty obvious, but I'm so excited to find out why there are so many little dragonflies around Nicolette. I want to know about the glass slipper she's holding and how it comes into play. I love the mechanical feel of the castle in the background, and how all of the vines and everything underneath her are chains or gears or other pieces of machinery. I really just want to hold this cover and stare it at forever. I would 100% pick this book up off of the shelf based on the cover alone!


--Ashley

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Girl at Midnight
Author: Melissa Grey
Recent Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis: Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

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Why?: This cover is stunning and I've heard amazing things about it. I've been getting into contemporary fantasy YA novels recently. Magonia was excellent. Melissa Grey also seems very awesome based on her social media. You should totally follow her on twitter: @meligrey. 

Expectations: I'm expecting an fantastic story. An ancient race with feathers for hair. A mythical entity. An orphan thief. This sounds like it's going to be epic. 

Judging a book by its cover: I love this cover. The font is great. The color is beautiful. The dragon and swan both draw me in and lead to so many questions. 


--PAUL

The Cage by Megan Shepherd - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Balzer+Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Cage
Author: Megan Shepherd
Recent Release Date: May 26, 2015

Synopsis: When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

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Why?: This cover is beautiful. The story sounds so interesting as well. A group of teenagers waking up not knowing where they are or why they're there. 

Expectations: I'm expecting an interesting mystery with some sci-fi mixed in. I'd love a big twist that makes me flip out. 

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is gorgeous. I love the colors. The cage and vines surrounding the girl in a plane dress in a desert. I am so intrigued. 


--PAUL

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley - Paul's Pre Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Harper Collins via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Magonia
Author: Maria Dahvana Headley


Upcoming Release Date: April 28, 2015


Synopsis: Aza Ray is drowning in thin air. 

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. 

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia. 

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie? 

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Why?: I haven't read a lot of contemporary YA fantasy, but this book sounds so good. A teenager with a life-threatening illness discovers a world filled with flying ships in the clouds? Sounds excellent. 

Expectations:  I'm expecting the story to address death in an interesting way, considering the protagonist seems to have been dealing with the idea of it from a young age. I'm also expecting some awesome world building. 

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is breathtaking. The gold and blue feather turning into birds is beautiful. The starry night and setting sun set a cool mood. Just from this cover alone, I would definitely pick this book up off the shelves. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Lords of the Sith - Paul's Pre Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Lords of the Sith
Author: Paul S. Kemp

Upcoming Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis: On Ryloth, a planet crucial to the growing Empire as a source of slave labor and the narcotic known as “spice,” an aggressive resistance movement has arisen, led by Cham Syndulla, an idealistic freedom fighter, and Isval, a vengeful former slave. But Emperor Palpatine means to control the embattled world and its precious resources—by political power or firepower—and he will be neither intimidated nor denied. Accompanied by his merciless disciple, Darth Vader, he sets out on a rare personal mission to ensure his will is done.

For Syndulla and Isval, it’s the opportunity to strike at the very heart of the ruthless dictatorship sweeping the galaxy. And for the Emperor and Darth Vader, Ryloth becomes more than just a matter of putting down an insurrection: When an ambush sends them crashing to the planet’s surface, where inhospitable terrain and an army of resistance fighters await them, they will find their relationship tested as never before. With only their lightsabers, the dark side of the Force, and each other to depend on, the two Sith must decide if the brutal bond they share will make them victorious allies or lethal adversaries. 

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Why?: I've enjoyed every book in the new canon so far. I like how each little detail adds to the new canon universe, showing what of the old canon has been kept and what has been left aside. It is also nice how it is manageable. I have watched or read everything within the new canon. 

This book focuses on two of the greatest villains of Star Wars: Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. I'm interested to see their viewpoint and I hope they both still seem mysterious. Cham Syndulla is also featured. He was in The Clone Wars as well as being Hera, from Rebels, 's father.   

This is also the first appearance of an LGBT character in the new Star Wars canon. I'm interested to see how this new moff character plays out. 

Expectations:  I'm excited to see how this book blends the feel of the original trilogy, The Clone Wars, and Rebels. I'm expected a glimpse into out favorite Sith lords, while also bridging the gap between Episode III and IV. It'll be interested to see how much Darth Vader knows about his own past, and those around him as well. 

Judging a book by its cover: This cover is pretty hardcore. How much more badass can you get than Darth Vader's red lightsaber and force lightening? 


--PAUL

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows - Paul's Pre Reading

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Title: The Orphan Queen
Author: Jodi Meadows

Recent Release Date: March 10, 2015

Synopsis: Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

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Why?: I really enjoyed Jodi Meadows's first series. Her worldbuilding was awesome. And I really enjoyed the characters. This book seems more high fantasy than fantasy/sci-fi blend. I have followed Meadows on social media as she has been writing this book. I'm intrigued by how calligraphy will come into play. 

I'm excited to see a new world with a new magic system. Even if this wasn't by one of my favorite current YA authors, a princess with magic going undercover as a spy sounds interesting enough.

Expectations: I'm expecting awesome world building. Awesome magic. And awesome characters.  

Judging a book by its cover: I love the cover. I like the way the O and Q intermingle. The cool colors of the cover matched with the caped figure add an air of mystique to the cover. I'm intrigued. 


--PAUL