Waiting on Wednesday (54) | The Accidental Highwayman

Jun 11

Waiting on Wednesday

The Accidental Highwayman: Being the Tale of Kit Bristol, His Horse Midnight, a Mysterious Princess, and Sundry Magical Persons Besides by Ben Tripp

Book Cover The Accidental Highwayman Ben Tripp

The Accidental Highwayman is the first swashbuckling adventure for young adults by talented author and illustrator, Ben Tripp. This thrilling tale of dark magic and true love is the perfect story for fans of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride.

In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher “Kit” Bristol is the unwitting servant of notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. One dark night, Kit finds his master bleeding from a mortal wound, dons the man’s riding cloak to seek help, and changes the course of his life forever. Mistaken for Whistling Jack and on the run from redcoats, Kit is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders he thought the stuff of fairy tales.

Bound by magical law, Kit takes up his master’s quest to rescue a rebellious fairy princess from an arranged marriage to King George III of England. But his task is not an easy one, for Kit must contend with the feisty Princess Morgana, goblin attacks, and a magical map that portends his destiny: as a hanged man upon the gallows….

Fans of classic fairy-tale fantasies such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman and will find much to love in this irresistible YA debut by Ben Tripp, the son of one of America’s most beloved illustrators, Wallace Tripp (Amelia Bedelia). Following in his father’s footsteps, Ben has woven illustrations throughout the story.

I LOVE ALL THE THINGS about THE ACCIDENTAL HIGHWAYMAN. Look at it! A magical highwayman! Redcoats! Fairy princesses named Morgana! MAGICAL MAPS! And I can’t even with how much this reminds me of the Dread Pirate Roberts, with the way Kit dons his former master’s cloak and unwittingly becomes Whistling Jack. YES PLEASE.

Also, this cover is amazing. I love the red so much. I’m very much ecstatic about the illustrations as well. You don’t encounter many YA books with artwork inside, but the few I know of all feature outstanding images (I’m thinking right now of the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld and illustrated by Keith Thompson). But Ben Tripp illustrated this one himself and that just sounds perfect.

I’ll never, ever turn down a historical fantasy, friends. NEVER. I’m certainly not going to start with THE ACCIDENTAL HIGHWAYMAN.

THE ACCIDENTAL HIGHWAYMAN comes out October 14, 2014 from Tor Teen.

The Accidental Highwayman

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Waiting on Wednesday (53) | The Darkest Part of the Forest

May 21

Waiting on Wednesday

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Book cover The Darkest Part of the Forest Holly Black

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

First of all, even though I haven’t read many of Holly Black’s books, I’m constantly and consistently intrigued by them and I have basically all of them on my TBR. THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST–a middle grade story about siblings and faeries and a boy with HORNS all sleeping in a coffin like Snow White–sounds excellent, and right up my alley.

Plus, I’m really curious about this sibling angle going on. A brother and sister in love with the same faerie? Well, yes, I WILL read that, thank you. And any synopsis that mentions “shifting loyalties” and the “sting of betrayal” will instantly pique my interest. I’m beyond excited that THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST is going to be at BEA this year because I can’t wait to read it!

THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST comes out January 13, 2015 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The Darkest Part of the Forest

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Waiting on Wednesday (52): The Young Elites

May 14

Waiting on Wednesday

The Young Elites: The Young Elites #1 by Marie Lu

Book cover The Young Elites Marie Lu

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Guys, I am a die-hard, forever fan of Marie Lu’s Legend series. CHAMPION is one of the best concluding volumes of a series EVER. I’ve known that Marie Lu was writing another series, but when I saw the synopsis for THE YOUNG ELITES, I got incredibly excited. IT SOUNDS AMAZING. Like, I NEED IT. Survivors of a dangerous fever developing powerful gifts? The Inquisition Axis?? THE DAGGER SOCIETY?! Shut the front door. It’s got this fantastical Venice vibe to it that KILLS ME DEAD.

Also:

Young Elites

SHUT AAAAAAP. So awesome. In fact, go check out Marie Lu’s entire Pinterest board for THE YOUNG ELITES. Prepare to DIE. I legit can’t wait for this beyond-awesome-sounding book.

THE YOUNG ELITES comes out October 7, 2014 from Putnam Juvenile

The Young Elites

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Waiting on Wednesday (51): Stray

May 7

Waiting on Wednesday

Stray by Elissa Sussman

Book cover Stray Elisa Sussman

Princess Aislynn knows all about the curse. Its magic is a part of her, like her awkward nose and thin fingers. It’s also something she can’t control. And girls who can’t control their abilities have a tendency to disappear. So for her own protection, Aislynn is sworn into the Order of Fairy Godmothers where she must spend the rest of her life chaste and devoted to serving another royal family.

Tasked with tending to the sweet, but sheltered Princess Linnea, Aislynn also finds a reluctant friend in the palace gardener, Thackery, who makes no secret of his disdain for her former life. The more time they spend together, though, the more she begins to doubt the rules she has observed so obediently. As Aislynn’s feelings threaten to undo the sacred vows she has taken, she risks not only her own life but Linnea’s as well. With the princess engaged to a devoted follower of The Path, there are some who would do anything to keep Aislynn from straying.

WUTTTT STRAY sounds fantastic. I’m always going to be stoked to read books about magic. Fantasies with magic? Doesn’t get any better. But this? A girl with magic who is sworn to serve the Order of FAIRY GODMOTHERS?! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. But I’m also very intrigued by these forbidden feelings with the gardener. And what is The Path?? Sounds cultish and ominous, aka EXCELLENT.

STRAY comes out October 7, 2014 from Greenwilow

Stray

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Waiting on Wednesday (50) | Egg and Spoon

Apr 30

Waiting on Wednesday

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Book cover Egg and Spoon Gregory Maguire

A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.

Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years. One of her brothers has been conscripted into the Tsar’s army, the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. Her mother is dying, slowly, in their tiny cabin. And there is no food. But then a train arrives in the village, a train carrying untold wealth, a cornucopia of food, and a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg — a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. When the two girls’ lives collide, an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito, and — in a starring role only Gregory Maguire could have conjured — Baba Yaga, witch of Russian folklore, in her ambulatory house perched on chicken legs.

Just look at that first line: “A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.” STOP. IT. You only need to say “fantasy” and “Tsarist Russia” for me to be ALL IN. Those are two of my favorite things together in one book. Never mind that the author of this gem of a mash-up is written by Gregory Maguire, the author of WICKED and so many other amazing retellings. Also, BABA YAGA?! I can’t. I can’t wait for EGG AND SPOON.

EGG AND SPOON comes out September 9, 2014 from Candlewick

Egg and Spoon  

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Waiting on Wednesday (49): Hook’s Revenge

Apr 23

Waiting on Wednesday

Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schultz

Book cover Hook's Revenge Heidi Schultz

 

Captain Hook’s feisty daughter hits the high seas to avenge her father’s death at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile in Heidi Schulz’s spirited middle-grade debut.

Twelve-year-old Jocelyn dreams of becoming every bit as daring as her infamous father, Captain James Hook. Her grandfather, on the other hand, intends to see her starched and pressed into a fine society lady. When she’s sent to Miss Eliza Crumb-Biddlecomb’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, Jocelyn’s hopes of following in her father’s fearsome footsteps are lost in a heap of dance lessons, white gloves, and way too much pink.

So when Jocelyn receives a letter from her father challenging her to avenge his untimely demise at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile, she doesn’t hesitate–here at last is the adventure she has been waiting for. But Jocelyn finds that being a pirate is a bit more difficult than she’d bargained for. As if attempting to defeat the Neverland’s most fearsome beast isn’t enough to deal with, she’s tasked with captaining a crew of woefully untrained pirates, outwitting cannibals wild for English cuisine, and rescuing her best friend from a certain pack of lost children, not to mention that pesky Peter Pan who keeps barging in uninvited.

The crocodile’s clock is always ticking in Heidi Schulz’s debut novel, a story told by an irascible narrator who is both dazzlingly witty and sharp as a sword. Will Jocelyn find the courage to beat the incessant monster before time runs out?

I am loving this Peter Pan retelling thing that’s going on, friends. I mean, I love that story, even though it isn’t my favorite Disney/classic out there. But mostly I love it because it’s so imaginative, plus it’s got pirates and THOSE I am always excited about. Take HOOK’S REVENGE, for example. The badass daughter of Captain Hook takes off after the crocodile that killed her father, but she must first fight against the structured life that young girls of her time are supposed to have.

Also. Peter Pan is in it. WORD.

Plus, can we leap for joy over this cover? It’s AMAZING. So bright and fun, and it’s illustrated. One of my favorite things about middle grade is that I can get unabashedly excited over illustrations. Based on this cover, I can’t wait to see what kinds of excellent images HOOK’S REVENGE contains.

HOOK’S REVENGE comes out September 16, 2014 from Disney-Hyperion

Hook's Revenge

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Waiting on Wednesday (48): Talon

Apr 16

Waiting on WednesdayTalon: Talon #1 by Julie Kagawa

Book cover for Talon by Julie Kagawa

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!! So, I’ve known about TALON for a little while now. It went instantly on my radar because HOLY DRAGONSSSSSS. Like, honestly, though: I will be instantly drawn to books that even HINT at dragons. When I heard that Julie Kagawa was writing a series about dragons, I basically lost it. Her Iron Fey series is really the only faerie series I’ve ever truly enjoyed, so my hopes for this new series are super high.

Plus, OMG, this book has dragonslayers. No. I can’t with all this. There’s a PLOT for dragons to TAKE OVER THE WORLD. Get me the smelling salts. Please. I’m feeling light-headed right now.

TALON comes out on October 28, 2014 from Harlequin Teen

Talon

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Waiting on Wednesday (47): Sacrifice

Apr 2

Waiting on WednesdaySacrifice: The Elementals Series #4 by Brigid Kemmerer

Book cover Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

OMG of COURSE I am DYINGGGGG for Michael’s book in Brigid Kemmerer’s Elementals series. He has been my favorite brother ever since I first read the prequel novella about him. The model on the cover of that book and this one look NOTHING alike, but I’m not complaining because OH HAI.

But what I’m really looking forward to the most is reading about Michael. He’s been in every book and is always my favorite presence in each of his brothers’ stories. I find his responsibility and loyalty and strong-but-silent attitude really admirable and special and touching. The main arc of this series has been growing in danger as well, so I’m eager to see how everything plays out. I just can barely wait for SACRIFICE. BARELY.

Check out my reviews of the first three books in The Elementals Series!

STORM | SPARK | SECRET

SACRIFICE comes out on September 30, 2014 from Kensington Teen

Sacrifice

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Waiting on Wednesday (46): Stitching Snow

Mar 19

Waiting on Wednesday

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

book cover Stitching Snow R.C. Lewis

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

So my first thought when I read the synopsis of STITCHING SNOW was, “sounds a little like The Lunar Chronicles.” But listen, that’s actually kind of awesome, because The Lunar Chronicles are AMAZING. Thankfully, though, R.C. Lewis’ debut sounds like it’s going to be fantastic in its own right.

I love the sci-fi fairy tale retellings because there couldn’t be two things more different in my mind. Also, let’s be serious, there’s a war and a king that seems evil and a queen that is evil and a crash-landed pilot. So many elements in this book are making me antsy with anticipation. What is this “fiery right for survival”?!?!? AHHHH!

STITCHING SNOW comes out on October 14, 2014 from Disney-Hyperion

Stitching Snow

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Waiting on Wednesday (45): The Wizard’s Promise

Mar 12

Waiting on Wednesday

The Wizard’s Promise: The Hanna Duology #1 by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Book cover The Wizard's Promise Cassandra Rose Clare

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