Review: Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

Rating: 4 stars

Release Date: August 28, 2018

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre: young adult fantasy/sci-fi

Format/Source: ARC, ALA annual conference

Status: book 1 of the Seafire trilogy

Summary:

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

Waiting on Wednesday: A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

A Reaper at the Gates
An Ember in the Ashes #3

by Sabaa Tahir

Coming April 24 May 22, 2018

Razorbill

Summary:

Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion—even at the cost of his humanity.

Why I Want It:

First of all, I love Helene so seeing my girl front and center on this cover? GIMME IT RIGHT EFFING NOW. I think she's even more stuck than the others—like obviously Laia wants to fight the Empire and she CAN outright rebel, and Elias is the golden boy so he just does whatever the heck he wants, but Helene... Helene already watched [spoiler: that Thing that happened in Torch] and she's just stuck being Blood Shrike for this total asshole douche of an Emperor. And Torch did NOT answer some questions I had burning from Ember and in fact, gave me MORE questions so DANG IT, I NEED ANSWERS. *bangs fist emphatically on desk*

Why I think you should want it:

This series is so cool. It's a Roman-inspired fantasy with dueling people, teen gladiators, a deadly Triwizard/Hunger Games-esque tournament where even the winners are losers, and lots of magic. Plus, it has one of the most evil and awful and fantastic love-to-hate-her villains since Voldemort/Bellatrix Lestrange. You've never rooted so hard for an evil bitch to get what's coming to her.

The Glittering Court Preorder Deal

Today I've got information about bestselling author Richelle Mead's upcoming series The Glittering Court and the special preorder bonus Penguin is offering to readers who register their preorder!

Pub Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: young adult fantasy
Status: Book 1 of the Glittering Court trilogy (each book can stand alone)
Summary: For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him. 

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

 

Preorder Links:

   

I'm not usually a fan of historical-esque fiction, but Richelle is one of my favorite authors and her books are always must-buy for me regardless of genre or age category. I can't wait to get my hands on The Glittering Court! Preorder the book to receive a welcome kit AND  enter to win the chance to skype with Richelle, gift cards, and more! 

^click on the banner to register your preorder!

Ember in the Ashes release day blitz

Today I'm really excited to participate in the release blitz for one of my favorite novels of 2015: Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir! Not only is Ember an incredibly compelling and unique fantasy novel, but Sabaa is absolutely delightful and super talented too! Give this book a shot, and you'll be dying for a second book just like the rest of us! Be sure to keep reading for a special note for Sabaa AND a blitz-only giveaway for signed copies of the book and amazing sword letter openers that come courtesy of Sabaa, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours!

Author: Sabaa Tahir
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: young adult fantasy
Status: HOPEFULLY book 1 of a series! *crosses fingers*

Summary:  Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

Laia is a slave.
Elias is a soldier.
Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Available from:

   

A letter from Sabaa Tahir:

Dear Readers,

Today, my “baby” AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is finally out in the world! From inception to pub date, this journey took eight years. And what a journey it was: writing, rewriting, revising, editing, querying, submitting; Meeting other debuts, bloggers, booksellers and librarians, and hearing their thoughts on EMBER. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the radness.

And now, the book is here! I am so excited to see it in the hands of readers. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. To celebrate release day, I’m giving away two signed, first-edition hardcovers of the book. Details below!

All my best,

Sabaa

Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Author Links:

    

Giveaway:

2 winners will receive a signed hardcover of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES. US only. 3 winners will receive a hardcover of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES and a Sword Letter Opener! US only. Ends on May 9^th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Silver Shadows
Bloodlines #5

by Richelle Mead

Coming July 29, 2014

Razorbill

Summary:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Why I want it:

Vampire Academy and its spinoff series Bloodlines are two of my favorite ya series and have been since 2008 when I was waiting for Breaking Dawn to be published, and I wanted to read about more vampires. I don't talk about VA or Bloodlines very much because they are so special to me, and I tend to keep quiet about sunch things. However, Fiery Heart totally destroyed me at the end, and I've spent the last...8-ish months in a state of emotional turmoil, thanks to Richelle. I want Silver Shadows because I need to have the current situation resolved, and I also need Richelle to raise the stakes even more to set up for a thrilling series finale in #6.

Why I think you should want it:

If you've ever read Vampire Academy or Bloodlines, no explanation is required. However, if you are somehow still living under a rock and haven't read any of Richelle's books (MAURA, I'M LOOKING AT YOU), this is why you should give Richelle a try: 1. Kickass heroines. Rose is the most badass ya protagonist I've ever read about, and she's one of my favorites. Bloodlines' Sydney is not the same physical presence that Rose is, but her intelligence and sense of fairness/justice/morality make her just as much of a rockstar as Rose. 2. Sexy love interests. From strong and serious Dimitri to goofy and lovable Mason, sexy and naughty Adrian to dependable and sweet Eddie, the boys of Vampire Academy/Bloodlines are also some of my favorites. Like the girls, they are dynamic and well rounded with complex motivations. 3. Swoons galore! You're bound to have some OTP ships, but that doesn't mean you won't totally love the chemistry between all the characters! Even when Richelle pairs the characters in ways you wouldn't expect, somehow it works. 4. Solid friendships. Yes, there's a lot of romance, but Richelle also focuses on friendships in the books. Whether BFFs Rose and Lissa are running around being twins at heart or Jill and Adrian (one of those unexpected combos) are doing some mind reading, the friendships portrayed in these series are pretty dang fantastic. 5. Drama, adventure, hijinks, and shenanigans! Richelle has a little bit of it all, from high school drama (school dances and dorm life!) to relationship issues (my-boyfriend-is-now-an-evil-vampire-and-I-have-to-kill-him) to parent issues to political drama, these series have something for everyone so if you do give it a try, the chances are definitely in your favor that you're going to love it.

Will you be picking up a copy of Silver Shadows on Tuesday like I will? Have you had your copy pre-ordered for months? Tell me your thoughts and your own WoW picks in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: Earthquake by Aprilynne Pike

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Earthquake
Earthbound #2

by Aprilynne Pike

Coming July 15, 2014

Razorbill

Summary:

Tavia Michaels has discovered that she’s an Earthbound—a fallen goddess with the power to remake the Earth—and that a rival faction of Earthbounds, the Reduciata, has created a virus that is literally wiping swaths of the planet out of existence.

Tavia is captured and imprisoned before she can act on this information, along with her eternal lover, Logan. Huddled in a claustrophobic cell, they lose track of the days, their attempts to escape proving as ephemeral as Tavia’s newly gestating powers. But then Tavia and Logan are mysteriously rescued. . . .

They’re brought to the underground headquarters of the Curatoria, another group of Earthbounds that Tavia doesn’t fully trust. There, she’s told that she can save the Earth before it disappears. She agrees.

Tavia quickly realizes that she isn’t like other Earthbound, and as her abilities continue to awaken, they begin to threaten her centuries-long relationship with Logan. When Benson—Tavia’s former best friend and romantic interest—appears at Curatoria headquarters, Tavia will again have to make a choice about who to be with even as she tries to stop the virus that is destroying the world and uncover the truth about the two Earthbound organizations that have her tangled up in their webs.

Why I want it:

I really enjoyed Earthbound! I think it's a cool twist on immortals, and I really would like to see what's going to happen now that Tavia more-or-less knows what's going on and Logan has been introduced.

Why I think you should want it:

Mmm, so much swoon! Benson is truly delicious, you guys. I mean, really, he's just spectacular. But there are also swoony flashbacks with an immortal hottie, and now Logan is in the mix, which means it's just going to be Swoon City! At least I hope so. In all seriousness, as I said above, the Earthbound series has a really interesting twist on immortals, and it's got a cool mystery going with the how's and the why's. Add some running for your lifes coupled with the swoony we might die any second so why shouldn't we make outs, and this series is pretty dang addicting!
 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4)

by Richelle Mead

Coming November 19, 2013

Razorbill

Summary:

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Why I want it:

 In a word: Sydrian. This ship gives me all the feels. I loved Vampire Academy since the first time I read book #1 back in 2008. I am an Original Fan of the series, here since the beginning, and although I totally love Rose and Dimitri, I've always had a special place for our favorite messy-haired rascal of an imbiber, Adrian Ivashkov. The fact that he has a chance to be happy in the series makes me feel all the warm fuzzies. Sydney has taken some getting used to, that's for sure. I doubt she will ever be able to replace Rose as my favorite heroine, but she and Adrian complement each other well, whereas Adrian and Rose simply enabled one another (as hot as all their scenes were). Plus, guys, the table scene. *turns on a fan* WOWZA!

Why I think you should want it:

Here's the thing: I don't talk about VA or Bloodlines on my blog very much in detail, and I'll tell you why. It's one of my absolute favorite series Of All Time. I hate the thought of someone seeing me freak out about it and dismissing it based on that or thinking it's cheesy or a Twilight ripoff. But it's not. It's NOT. It's so much more than that. Ignore all that "Mean Girls with vampires" crap they're pitching for the movie. The reason you should go read Vampire Academy and then move on to Bloodlines is because they are crazy good series. Richelle Mead created this amazing world out of Romanian and Russian mythology, and her vampires are awesome and scary like the old-school Draculonian kind, but also unique and magical. So, 1. world. 2. BAMF girls. I'm serious. Rose Hathaway is a serious badass of the first degree. She's tough. She's loyal. She's funny. She's sexy and fun and oddly vulnerable and just crazy enough and pretty much everything I'd ever aspire to be. Lissa is even-keeled and thoughtful. Sydney is smart and relatable in her self-consciousness. These girls are wicked. 3. Sexy guys. And they're often shirtless but always for a good reason, not just randomly half-naked (even though those can be good too). 4. The feels. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll curse Richelle's name a million times over. 5. The plot. You'll be excited for the action and the paranormal going-on, but you'll also feel like you know these characters and understand what they're going through with the real life stuff too. 6. The romance. TOP-FREAKING-NOTCH. Be it hot and steamy moments *cough*thenecklacescene*cough* or the sweet and subtle scenes like standing on top of the roof of a ski lodge, you'll find something you like.

So, really, if you are waiting for Fiery Heart too, you're waiting for all the same reasons I am. But if you haven't read any of the books, run, don't walk, to your nearest book source, be it the internet, library, or bookstore, and grab Vampire Academy because Fiery Heart is the fourth book in Bloodlines, but the tenth book overall in the world, and you really don't want to miss out.

Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Rating: 5 stars!!
Pub Date: January 8, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group)
Genre: young adult, sci fi, romance
Format/Source: Hardcover, borrowed from the library
Status: Book 3 of the Across the Universe trilogy (aka The End)

Summary:

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

YOU GUYS. If you haven't read Across the Universe and A Million Suns, RUN to your local bookstore or library and get them now if only so you can grab Shades of Earth, part three TODAY. I am hard pressed to think of a series finale that left me so satisfied as this one. While I have several beloved series, none of the endings have ever felt as complete and, well, final as this one. I think that may be because while I enjoyed (greatly) the first two books in the trilogy, I didn't obsess over the ending like I did with others (although I've spent the last six months in great anticipation), and I think that really improved my experience reading Shades. So if you haven't read the first two, you may not want to hop under the cut, just because some parts of the previous books will be spoiled.