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Waiting on Wednesday (31): Fairytales for Wilde Girls

Jul 31

Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near

A deliciously dark bubblegum-gothic fairytale from a stunning new Australian talent.

‘He’s gone the same way as those little birds that bothered me with their awful songs! And you will too, you and your horrible heart-music, because you won’t stay out of my woods!’

There’s a dead girl in a birdcage in the woods. That’s not unusual. Isola Wilde sees a lot of things other people don’t. But when the girl appears at Isola’s window, her every word a threat, Isola needs help.

Her real-life friends – Grape, James and new boy Edgar – make her forget for a while. And her brother-princes – the mermaids, faeries and magical creatures seemingly lifted from the pages of the French fairytales Isola idolises – will protect her with all the fierce love they possess.

It may not be enough.

Isola needs to uncover the truth behind the dead girl’s demise and appease her enraged spirit, before the ghost steals Isola’s last breath.

First of all, WHAT IS A BUBBLEGUM-GOTHIC FAIRY TALE. I’ve never heard of it before, but it sounds so damn interesting. Also, Aussie debut? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.

Aside from those two things, though, FAIRYTALES FOR WILDE GIRLS just sounds so much like an Amy book: Any kind of fairy tale retelling at all is going to set off all my bells, and this one sounds just weird enough to be totally intriguing. I have no idea when or if this book is coming out in the US, but it’s officially on my radar and my WANT list.

Goodreads

FAIRYTALES FOR WILDE GIRLS is out in Australia now from Random House Australia

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (30): Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson

Jul 3

Magic Marks the Spot: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1 by Caroline Carlson

Pirates! Magic! Treasure! A gargoyle? Caroline Carlson’s hilarious tween novel The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society.

Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of being a pirate. She can tread water for thirty-seven minutes. She can tie a knot faster than a fleet of sailors, and she already owns a rather pointy sword.

There’s only one problem: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates refuses to let any girl join their ranks of scourges and scallywags.

But Hilary is not the kind of girl to take no for answer. To escape a life of petticoats and politeness at her stuffy finishing school, Hilary sets out in search of her own seaworthy adventure, where she gets swept up in a madcap quest involving a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn’t exist, a talking gargoyle, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous—and unexpected—villain on the High Seas.

Written with uproarious wit and an inviting storyteller tone, the first book in Caroline Carlson’s quirky seafaring series is a piratical tale like no other.

Pirates! Magic! Treasure! AND a gargoyle?! Psh. THIS SOUNDS SO AWESOME I CAN’T EVEN. First of all, any time there is even the HINT of pirates in a book, I’m immediately in. Second of all, look at all the other equally excellent stuff in this book! Historical fiction where a young girl wants to ditch her fancy dresses to join a gang of pirates, whereupon she also encounters magic, a treasure map and A FREAKING QUEST? Yup.

A MG/young YA historical fiction with pirates is something we need more of in the world. Also, I’m really looking forward to meeting Hilary. She sounds confident and determined and just the little bit of description we get of her is putting me in mind of one of the great, strong girl characters I’ve recently read, Deryn Sharpe from Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series. Granted, I don’t think Hilary has to dress up like a boy the way Deryn did, but still. The comparison is a BIG compliment, and it sounds worthy.

MAGIC MARKS THE SPOT comes out on September 10, 2013 from HarperCollins Children’s Books

Amazon || Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipatio, Harper Collins Childrens, middle grade, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (29): The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

Jun 26

The House of Hades: Heroes of Olympus #4 by Rick Riordan

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Guys, I am so in love with Percy Jackson. You know, in that “aww, what an ADORABLE teenager!” kind of way. I’ve been in his corner since I read the first Percy Jackson book while I was in library school. In the Heroes of Olympus series, Percy is growing up FAST, friends, and book 4 (of 6) sees our young made-of-awesome hero trapped in the very depths of mythological hell with his also-made-of-awesome girlfriend, Annabeth. THEY ARE MY FOR REAL FAVORITES. LOOK AT THEM ON THAT COVER!

THE MARK OF ATHENA was one of my favorite books in this new series, so I’m beyond excited–and, if I’m being honest, worried–about where things are going in THE HOUSE OF HADES. Spoiler: things did not end on a happy note at all in TMoA. And, like Leo in that synopsis, I am wondering how Percy and Annabeth will escape Tartarus. The one thing I’m not worried about? Loving this book. That’s basically written in stone already. #nobrainer

THE HOUSE OF HADES comes out October 8, 2013 from Hyperion Books

Amazon | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, middle grade, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (28): Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

May 15

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that’s left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

Alexandra Coutts’s TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.

So this debut is all APOCALYPSE NOW, friends, and I am READY FOR IT. I’ve been seeing it around lately, and it’s been hovering in my brain for a while. It’s like freaking Armageddon, one of THE epic movies of my teenage years, except minus the rough-around-the-edges oil riggers and the astronauts. BUT! They live on an ISLAND!! Like Lost! Yes, please, to all of these things.

Plus, I am always a fan of books that examine things like seizing the day or living life to the fullest or cramming as much STUFF into a short period of time, and HELLO! That is the entire premise of TUMBLE & FALL. This is a debut I’m anticipating like CRAZY. Also, I love this cover. It’s so pretty with the sparkles!

TUMBLE & FALL comes out September 17, 2013 from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Amazon | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, apocalyptic YA, debut 2013, waiting on wednesday, WANT

Waiting on Wednesday (27): Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Apr 10

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I love it because it is basically a squee-fest where book lovers can choose one book that they are DYING to get their hands on. Check it out!

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

Amazon | Goodreads

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

Or will she just go on living inside somebody else’s fiction?

DO NOT TEASE ME with this fanfiction story, Rainbow Rowell. DO NOT. As a nerd, that angle appeals to me endlessly. But if ELEANOR & PARK is any indication, Rainbow Rowell knows how to pack an emotional punch, and look at all the goodies jammed into that synopsis: sisters, a mother leaving, not wanting to/being afraid to let go of childhood comforts, being in a new place, boys. But what strikes me the most is that little bit about Cath’s dad. I am an absolute sucker for dad stories. I can’t wait to see what other touching and lovely things Rainbow Rowell gets up to in FANGIRL.

(FANGIRL is coming out on September 10, 2013 from St. Martin’s Press)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: anticipation!, contemporary YA, Rainbow Rowell, St. Martin's Press, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (26): All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry

Mar 27

All Our Pretty Songs

by Sarah McCarry

Amazon | Goodreads

The first book in an exciting YA trilogy, this is the story of two best friends on the verge of a terrifying divide when they begin to encounter a cast of strange and mythical characters.

Set against the lush, magical backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, two inseparable best friends who have grown up like sisters—the charismatic, mercurial, and beautiful Aurora and the devoted, soulful, watchful narrator—find their bond challenged for the first time ever when a mysterious and gifted musician named Jack comes between them. Suddenly, each girl must decide what matters most: friendship, or love. What both girls don’t know is that the stakes are even higher than either of them could have imagined. They’re not the only ones who have noticed Jack’s gift; his music has awakened an ancient evil—and a world both above and below which may not be mythical at all. The real and the mystical; the romantic and the heartbreaking all begin to swirl together, carrying the two on journey that is both enthralling and terrifying.

And it’s up to the narrator to protect the people she loves—if she can.

GUYS. THIS BOOK sounds so freaking intriguing and wonderful, right? I’m completely taken with this talk of mystical goings on, mythical creatures, a talented musician, ancient evils, romance, heartbreak, AND MORE. Also, it’s a debut. AND AND! What is the deal with the narrator being nameless in this summary? Methinks this is a THING, no? One more little thing that endears this book to me: ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS takes place in the Pacific Northwest, home to bands like Nirvana. The title of this book is a lyric from my favorite Nirvana song, In Bloom. Quite frankly, it’s the only Nirvana song I like (always had a softer spot for Pearl Jam), but the title reminds me of when I was a youngster and Nirvana was new and cool, not classic rock like it is now. It makes Sarah McCarry‘s book strike another chord with me.

ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS by Sarah McCarry comes out on July 30, 2013 from St. Martin’s Griffin

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, debut 2013, paranormal YA, Sarah McCarry, St. Martin's Griffin, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (25): Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Feb 20

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

by April Genevieve Tucholke

Amazon | Goodreads

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery…who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

YOU GUYS. I am looking forward to this debut SO HARD. First of all, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA takes place…well…near the ocean. I’m a big sucker for books with seaside settings. But I’m mostly loving the kind of dark and twisted vibe I’m getting from this summary. I’m intrigued by this River character, who may or may not be the Devil himself. Usually beach reads are kind of fluffy and light…this one sounds like the exact opposite. BRING IT, April Genevieve Tucholke!!

BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA is coming out August 15, 2013 from Dial.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, April Genevieve Tucholke, debut 2013, devil, paranormal YA, vampires, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (24): The Outside by Laura Bickle

Feb 6

The Outside: The Hallowed Ones #2

by Laura Bickle

Amazon | Goodreads

After a plague of vampires is unleashed in the world, Katie is kicked out of her Amish community for her refusal to adhere to the new rules of survival. Now in exile, she enters an outside world of unspeakable violence with only her two “English” friends and a horse by her side. Together they seek answers and other survivors—but each sunset brings the threat of vampire attack, and each sunrise the threat of starvation.

And yet through this darkness come the shining ones: luminescent men and women with the power to deflect vampires and survive the night. But can these new people be trusted, and are they even people at all?

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, it’s up to one Amish girl to save her family, her community, and the boy she loves . . . but what will she be asked to leave behind in return?

Friends, Laura Bickle‘s THE HALLOWED ONES was legit one of the creepiest, most interesting books I’ve read in a long time. I absolutely loved the time we spent in Katie’s Amish community, and I loved how that increased the tension between their world and the outside (heyo!), where the evil, EVIL vampires lurk in the night. Chills, friends. CHILLS.

To say that I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel, where Katie is forced out of the only life she’s ever known into the vampire-infested world, is an understatement. THE OUTSIDE sounds like it’s going to bring the fear and take it up a notch. Also, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Katie and Alex. One of my favorite aspects of THE HALLOWED ONES was the Amish setting, so I’m curious about what is going to take the place of that environment, but I’m confident that Laura Bickle is going to BRING IT.

THE OUTSIDE is coming out September 3, 2013 from Harcourt Children’s Books.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: Amish, anticipation!, Harcourt Children's, Laura Bickle, paranormal YA, vampires, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (23): Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Jan 23

Dirty Little Secret

by Jennifer Echols

Amazon | Goodreads

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

SHUT UP, FIDDLER. I can’t even deal with the fact that Jennifer Echols is taking on music right now. She’s gotten me to read about cops (DUH love them), swimmers, horses, pilots, and now musicians. Is there anyone out there who thinks she’s not going to knock DIRTY LITTLE SECRET one out of the park, too? And I’m loving that this has a sister vibe going on, too. I really enjoy reading about siblings, especially when there’s drama.

Honestly, though, let’s just cut to the chase: Sam. First of all, he’s in a band. Second of all, he’s the guitar player. Third of all, he lives in Nashville, which is one of those cities that I would LOVE to go to. I’m swooning over the little bits we get of him in just the two sentences up there in the synopsis. I can’t even IMAGINE how swoony he’s going to be in DIRTY LITLE SECRET. Am I the only Nashville watcher who is getting Gunnar and Scarlett feels from this synopsis??? AHHH YAY!! Love Jennifer Echols so much!

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET is coming out July 16, 2013 from MTV Books.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, contemporary YA, Jennifer Echols, MTV Books, music, Romance, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (22): Poison by Bridget Zinn

Jan 16

Poison

by Bridget Zinn

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

I am ALWAYS on the lookout for solid-sounding new fantasies, friends, and POISON by Bridget Zinn sounds like exactly that. The story of Kyra sounds not only full of fantasy goodness, but also emotional stress and complicated relationships, what with former best friends who are current heirs to the throne and ex-boyfriends who hang around. ALSO ALSO ALSO!! THERE’S A CUTE PIG!! AHHH! First of all, the little piggy is on the cover. Love it. Second of all, he also merits a mention in the synopsis, which means there’s a great chance of some important piggy moments in the book. (I love pigs. I think they’re adorable, especially baby ones.)

In fact, the only bummer about POISON is the fact that it’s the first and last book that we’ll likely ever get from Bridget Zinn–she passed away last year. Epic sad face. But her debut effort sounds wonderful, and I can’t wait to read it.

POISON is coming out March 12, 2013 from Disney Hyperion.

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday (31): Fairytales for Wilde Girls

Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near

Waiting on Wednesday (30): Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson

Magic Marks the Spot: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1 by Caroline Carlson

Waiting on Wednesday (29): The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

The House of Hades: Heroes of Olympus #4 by Rick Riordan

Waiting on Wednesday (28): Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Waiting on Wednesday (27): Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell