Catching up!

Posted on May 14, 2020 by The Novel Girl

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while (aside from a review here and there). I hope that you’re all doing well! Things are still super busy here, but I have missed being able to talk books with you all so much! I’m going to try to get back to posting at least semi-regularly for now.

So, let’s catch up on the latest!! There are a couple of things that are coming up in the next few weeks/months that I’m super excited about, and a couple that have been announced but, sadly, no dates yet (so that I can pine away looking at my planner).

Let’s dive in!!

First, the long-awaited prequel to The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes releases on May 19!!I have been anxiously waiting for this day since Suzanne Collins announced that it was coming. As I said before, this is a prequel to The Hunger Games, so we’ll get to see what happened to make Panem the Panem that we came to know.

Next Up: Twilight news!! I never thought that I would be announcing that!! The book that we never thought was coming is coming out in August, y’all! If any of you are Twilight fans, you’ll remember the disappointment at the announcement that Midnight Sun would not be completed and released as the first chapters of it were leaked online. Many years later, we are being given the book from Edward’s perspective that we (yes we, I’m a fan, too- hate me!) have been wanting! It’s set to release on August 4.

Now, onto the fun news with no set dates:

AMC has acquired the rights to all 18 books in Queen Anne’s The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches and plan to develop a television series. Y’all, I freaked when this dropped yesterday!! It’s no secret that The Lives of the Mayfair Witches is one of my all-time favorite series. I mean, I have the Mayfair Emerald tattooed on my back! Anne and Christopher Rice will be executive producing the series, so hopefully AMC will do them justice. I can’t wait to see what becomes of this!

Finally, also announced recently (I only say it yesterday), Uncle Rick will be writing an Irish Mythology series…eventually! In a blog post, Rick Riordan let fans know that he is finishing up a Masters in Gaelic Literature at University College Cork in order to ensure that the details and the mythology in his books are accurate. So, fear not my demi-god brothers and sisters, there is plenty more RR to look forward to!

That’s all that I have for now! I’m glad to be back with you, at least part-time. What do you guys think about all of this news??!! Is there anything else coming up that you’re excited about? Let me know!!

Always,

-T

Most Anticipated Releases for the End of 2019

Posted on August 22, 2019September 10, 2019 by The Novel Girl

Hey everyone!

As we’re about to enter the last quarter of this year, I thought I would share with you some of the releases that I am most anticipating for the remainder of the year!

There are so many great books releasing at the end of this year, so this is just a portion of them. They are only in date order, not in order of anticipation!

1. Five Dark Fates (3 Dark Crowns, Book 4)- Kendare Blake- Releasing September 3

I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for the continuation of the series! I’m looking forward to finding out what happens following the events of book 3!

2. The Institute- Stephen King- Releasing September 10

In this new installment from Mr. King, children with special gifts are stolen away from their homes in the middle of the night after their parents are murdered. They are then taken to The Institute and placed in rooms that look just like theirs, except there are no windows, and no way to escape. The Institute’s aim: to steal the essence of their gifts. Luke is one of these kids, and he is desperate to escape the place that no one has ever escaped.

I love everything King (with the exception of IT– not a clown fan) so I am very pumped for this one!

3. The Testaments- Margaret Atwood- Releasing September 10

Taking place fifteen years after the van doors slammed on Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testamentstells the story that we’ve been waiting for: what happened to Offred and Gilead after those doors shut.

The Handmaid’s Tale is me second favorite Atwood (behind Alias Grace). I have loved the TV show, as well, and the take that it has taken on the events after the book, but I am looking forward to seeing Atwood’s vision for this second book.

4. The Tyrant’s Tomb (The Trials of Apollo, Book 4)- Rick Riordan- Releasing September 24

Taking place after the events of The Burning Maze, book four of The Trials of Apollowill take Apollo to Camp Jupiter, where the Roman demigods are making a last stand, and need his help. The problem lies in the answer to their needs- it’s in the tomb of a long dead Roman ruler.

I am always excited to see the next installment in one of Uncle Rick’s series’ coming out, and this is no exception! This book will take us back to Camp Jupiter, so we will get to catch up with Frank, Hazel, Reyna, Tyson, and Ella, so this should be a great story!

5. Full Throttle: Stories- Joe Hill- Releasing October 1

I know that I have said this so many times, but I am going to say it again (and again, and again…) I love short stories!! I also love Joe Hill, so this is a perfect combination and I am here for it!! This is one of my most anticipated reads of the Fall. They chose the perfect month for this release.

6. A Kingdom for a Stage (For a Muse of Fire, Book 2)- Heidi Heilig- Releasing October 8

At the end of For a Muse of Fire Jetta was on the run, wanted for treason, murder, sabotage, and for her unique power: she can use her blood to capture spirits and bring life to inanimate objects. Jetta is also afraid that using this power will cause her to go mad and tyrannical like her biological father. She may have the power to change the tide of the raging war, but she must decide if saving her country is worth the possibility of losing her soul.

If you were reading this blog at the end of 2018 you know that For a Muse of Firewas my best fiction read of last year, and I wholeheartedly stand by that! That being said, I have been anticipating this sequel since I finished reading the first! It feels like I have been holding my breath and waiting forever for this, and it is almost time!!!

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire- Illustrated Edition- Releasing October 8

This really doesn’t need much in the way of explanation. The last illustrated edition, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, released in October 2017 so it has been a two year wait for this edition. I’m looking forward to seeing Jim Kay’s illustrations in this new edition.

8. Gravemaidens- Kelly Coon- Releasing October 29

Kammani and her family live in the walled city-state of Alu. She wants to be a healer, as her father was before her family was cast in to shame. When Abu’s ruler falls ill, her younger sister is chosen to join him in the afterlife. Her sister feels it’s an honor, but Kammani sees it as a death sentence. She sneaks in to the palace in order to heal the ruler, but finds much more than she bargained for. She is determined to find out the secrets of the palace, even if she must sacrifice her own life to do it.

This is the debut novel by this author, and it sounds like it is going to be a hit! This is going to be the first book in a duology, and is already getting some great reviews. I’m looking forward to reading it myself and reviewing it for you guys!

9. Rage (Rogue Team International, Book 1)- Jonathan Maberry- Releases November 5

An Island off of the coast of Korea is attacked by a bioweapon that drives everyone insane with murderous rage. The people behind the weapon want to either unify or destroy Korea, nothing in between. This is driving the United States, Japan, and China to the brink of war as terrorists are threatening to release the rage bioweapon in a way of destruction and slaughter. This is a job for Joe Ledger and his newly formed team of international troubleshooters. This is their first mission, as they work with agents from North and South Korea to stop this terror cell and prevent a war.

Joe Ledger goes International?! A bioweapon causing rage?! Yes, please!!! Thanks for the early Christmas gift Mr. Maberry!!!

10. Winterwood- Shea Earnshaw- Releases November 5

It is said that the woods surrounding Fir Haven are magical. Only Nora Walker knows for sure. She is rumored to be a witch and she and the women in her family have always had a connection to these woods. This connection leads her Oliver, the boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys in to the woods in the middle of a snowstorm. He shouldn’t have survived, but he did. She feels a shift in the woods at his presence and feels that she needs to find out more. Oliver has secrets that he’d prefer to keep hidden. Should we fear what’s hidden in the dark, dark, woods?

Earnshaw’a sophomore novel promises to be just as much magical fun as her debut novel, The Wicked Deep. Who doesn’t love a good haunting, witchy tale when the weather gets colder and the nights get longer? I sure do!

11. From Flame and Ash (The Elements of Five, Book 2)- Carrie Ann Ryan- Releasing November 19

Lyric lost everything when she found out what her calling is. Now she must put aside her pain to train to be the Spirit Priestess that she is prophesied to be. Just as she is starting to learn more about what her journey will entail, a Seer’s wish and the calling of the Lumiere kingdom calls her forth, and thrusts her in to another journey that will test her trust in order to survive and keep those that she loves alive.

Ryan’s debut YA Fantasy novel, From Breath and Ruin, was a wonderful feat of world building and character development with a unique story, and I am thrilled to see where this second book in the series goes.

Those are the books that I have for you right now! Are there any that you are particularly excited about? Any that I need to be on the look out for?

Let me know!!

#backlistboost Friday

Posted on August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 by The Novel Girl

Happy Friday, everyone!!! I hope you’ve all had a great week!!! It’s been a long one here, but we’ve almost made it to the weekend. Any big weekend plans?!

It’s that time again… Ready for today’s #backlistboost?!

Today I’m going to reach back to an original pub date of 2008 to bring you one of my favorite YA Fantasy books: Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Graceling is the tale of Katsa, who lives in the Seven Kingdoms. Certain people in the Kingdoms are born with a special ability called a Grace. Katsa is one of these people, and she was born with the Grace to kill. She is forced to use her Grace as an enforcer for her uncle, the King, until the day that she meets Prince Po and things begin to change.

I really enjoyed the beautiful writing and complex and descriptive world building by Cashore. If you’re a fantasy fan, give this one a try! If you like it, it has two companion books set in the same world, Fire and Bitterblue.

Find my original review here: Graceling (Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 1)

From Breath and Ruin (Elements of Five, Book 1)

Posted on June 3, 2019June 2, 2019 by The Novel Girl

Author: Carrie Ann Ryan

Series: Elements of Five

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Indie

Pages: 351

Lyric is a typical eighteen-year-old girl, who has no idea what direction her life is going to take. She hasn’t really thought tings out much, aside from attending college in the fall. For as long as she can remember, she has had nightmares about monsters and these two central figures that feel very real to her. She knows that they can’t be real, though, right?

The Maison Realm was torn apart hundreds of years ago in to warring factions of Elemental Wielders. Now factions of both light and dark have been sent to the Earth realm in an effort to find the Spirit Priestess who is prophesied to wield the Elements of Five that will bring the fractured kingdoms together. Rhodes and his sister, Rosamund, were sent from the light realm on this mission.

When an incident occurs while out on a hike, Lyric’s whole world is turned upside down. Everything that she thought couldn’t be true suddenly seems incredibly real and very dangerous. She is suddenly in a battle for her, and others’, survival.

This is the first book in a new YA Fantasy series out from author Carrie Ann Ryan. She is multiple best selling author of many series in the adult arena, but this is her first foray in to the YA world. Let’s dive in! Ok, the premise: Honestly, it can be very difficult to come up with something in the YA Fantasy world that isn’t tropey or hasn’t been done and re-hashed before. Guess what- she found it! This felt fresh and not overdone. This didn’t feel like something that I have read over and over again, and I really enjoyed it. The pacing was great. It slowed a little in a couple of parts, but that happens in the first books of multiple book fantasy series when building the foundation, and it picked right back up. The characters were engaging and fleshed out well. I enjoyed learning their stories and she gave me someone to root for. The world building was wonderful! Now, this is not something new for this author. She writes PNR in the adult arena (also, if you read PNR check hers out), but this is much more detailed world building and she did a lovely job of it. I’m hoping that it keeps building even more in the books to come. Overall, I would say that Ryan’s venture in to the YA Fantasy world is a success, so far!

The Next book in the series, From Ash and Flame, is due out in mid November & I can’t wait!

Here There Are Monsters

Posted on May 17, 2019May 16, 2019 by The Novel Girl

Author: Amelinda Berube

Genre: YA Fantasy/Thriller

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 352

Skye has grown up being the protector to her younger sister, Deirdre. Deirdre was always caught up in her games of queens, castles, and knights, and drug Skye in to them with her. She named Skye the Queen of Swords, the one that would protect her against everything, and that’s what she became. She also became an outcast because of it, the weird girl’s weird sister. When they moved to their new home, far away from their previous residence, Skye felt it was time for a new start. When they arrive, Deirdre is delighted that their new home is surrounded by woods and swamps to explore and create new kingdoms in. Skye, however, is done playing Deirdre’s games and makes a new circle of friends to call her own. Left to care for Deirdre while their parents are out one evening, Skye falls asleep and is awoken by her mother frantically looking for Deirdre. Deirdre is gone. Rescue crews continue searching to no avail, until Skye knows that she is the one who must go and find her. She must become her sister’s protector and play the games once again.

Let’s start with the cover of this book. How creepy and beautiful is that?! It’s very fitting with the tone and story, and I just love it. Now that I got that out of the way, on to the book itself. It started out a bit slow for me, so I was a bit anxious that I wasn’t going to like it and I was not happy about that, as I went in to this very hopeful (this is definitely my kind of read!). Fortunately, it did pick up after a bit and I got in to it. The story is told in alternating time periods, as it flashes back between earlier in the girls’ childhood and present day. I did enjoy that as it gives a clearer picture as to what may have led up to the present day situation. The characters, especially the main characters, were well developed. The two main characters, Deirdre and Skye, however, were not particularly likeable characters in my opinion. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the main characters do not have to be likable for a book to read well. I do know that some readers are put off by this, so I wanted to throw it in in case this is a sticking point for you. There are some supernatural elements that come in to play as the book moves on, and this was a fun element. It is a very atmospheric book, which I believe may have been my favorite thing about the writing of this book. The author did a wonderful job of building the world/atmosphere and making it fit the story well. Where the beginning of the book suffered from a bit of a slow start, the end could have used a bit of a slow down. It felt a bit rushed to tie everything up, and left me feeling like a may have missed something. Overall, though, it was a solid read and if the author were to write something else in the same genre, I’d pick it up.

This book will be released on August 1.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to review this.

Circle of Shadows

Posted on February 6, 2019 by The Novel Girl

Author: Evelyn Skye

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Pages: 464

Sora and her gemina, Daemon, are apprentices in the Society of Taigas- warriors who are chosen by the goddess Luna and trained in magic and the fighting arts to protect Kichona. The kingdom has been relatively free of violence since the Blood Rift Rebellion a decade before, when the now Empress Aki had to fight her twin, Prince Gin, to the death for rule of Kichona. He was letting the power go to his head and was set to lead the kingdom in a dangerous direction. While on a scouting mission in the time leading up to their graduation, Sora and Daemon come up on an encampment that seems a bit off. They make a decision that may change Sora’s life and the life of everyone’s life around her forever.

This is the first book in a new duology from the phenomenal Evelyn Skye (you’ll remember her from my gushing about The Crown’s Game duology!)!! This book was beautiful! I mean that in every way. The cover was beautiful, the writing was beautiful, the plot was beautiful, you get the point. Let me break it down for you, though. Obviously, you can see the cover, and it is even prettier in person (I’m a sucker for a pretty hardcover). The characters were all so well developed. The two main characters, Sora and Daemon, were obviously the most fleshed out, as they are the focal point of the story. The secondary characters, however, also have great stories, were incredibly well developed through the story, and a couple of them actually ended up being some of my favorites. The plot is fresh and new, which is something that I was looking for. It moved along at a great pace, so this long book really read quickly. Honestly, The Crown’s Game duology is one of my absolute favorite series (one that I recommend very often), so I was a little afraid. Trust me when I say that I was not disappointed in the least! I’m just sad I have to wait for the next one to find out what happens now. If you’re looking for a new, fun YA fantasy give this one a try!