WoW #203: Mirage (Mirage #1) by Somaiya Daud

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 

Mirage

(Mirage #1)

by Somaiya Daud

August 28, 2018
320 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon.But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place.

As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.
 

I've had this book on my GR shelf since early 2017 and it's finally coming! There's lots of hype surrounding Mirage, I hope it lives up to it!

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Review: Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

Legendary
(Caraval #2)
by Stephanie Garber

May 29, 2018

416 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

Stacking the Shelves #195

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.

It's a contemporary kind of bookhaul! I won two ARCs from Sourcebooksfire and then two review copies from Scholastic Canada and PRHCanada came. Many thanks to the publishers <3

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Review: Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

 

Listen to Your Heart

by Kasie West

May 29, 2018
352 pages

Goodreads    Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere.

WoW #202: Rule (Rule #1) by Ellen Goodlett

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 

Rule

(Rule #1)

by Ellen Goodlett

September 11, 2018
384 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Three Dark Crowns meets Pretty Little Liars in this sensational and striking new fantasy from debut author Ellen Goodlett.

Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.

Zofi has spent her entire life traveling across the Reaches. Just when her freedom matters most, the king's men arrive and drag her away from her fellow Travelers to bring her to the capital--Kolonya.

Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a ladies' maid at court. She dreams of being a noble herself one day, but being ominously summoned to the king's courtroom after a misdeed isn't exactly what she had in mind.

Akeylah was raised by an abusive father in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by brewing insurrection. She'd do anything to escape her family, even accept the invitation of a king who has every reason to despise her.

Each girl hides a dangerous secret--the kind that could get her killed for treason. But when the girls are brought before King Andros expecting an execution, instead they learn the truth: the king is dying and they are his only living heirs. Now the three of them must live at court and compete for the chance to rule. But someone in Kolonya knows the girls' secrets, and they'll stop at nothing to keep them from the throne.
 

I am super intrigued why three princesses would be raised as commoners/servant?? And that cover is just killer!!!

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Review: Bright Burns the Night (Dark Breaks the Dawn #2) by Sara B. Larson

 

Bright Burns the Night

(Dark Breaks the Dawn #2)

by Sara B. Larson

May 29, 2018
320 pages

Goodreads    Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

Ten years ago, King Lorcan of the Dark Kingdom Dorjhalon defeated Queen Evelayn and cut her conduit stone from her. Since then, he has kept her trapped in her swan form. With the loss of balance between Dark and Light, winter has descended and the Draíolon of Éadrolan lose more power every day. But once a year, Lorcan transforms her back to her Draíolon form and offers a truce. And every year Evelayn refuses -- for he requires her to Bind herself to him for life.

But now, with an Ancient power bearing down upon them, everything may change. Evelayn will learn that the truths she once believed have shattered, and that she may need her enemies even more than her allies. Lorcan and Evelayn become partners in a desperate quest to return the balance of power to Lachalonia. How far will this partnership go? Can friendship -- perhaps even love -- bloom where hatred has taken root?

Sara B. Larson delivers a thrillingly romantic and hauntingly satisfying end to this extraordinary duology.

Stacking the Shelves #194

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.

Today is a sleepy bookhaul since the cat refused to open his eyes for this photo lol... I picked up some exciting review copies from Raincoast Books, thank you!!! Then I got a surprise copy of The Smoke Thieves in the mail, thank you PRHCanada! No time to sleep for me cause I gotta read read read ;)

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Review: The Game Can't Love You Back by Karole Cozzo

The Game Can't Love You Back
by Karole Cozzo

May 15, 2018

320 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's focused on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be.

But when a freak accident forces her high school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—even worse, to a girl.

As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?

WoW #201: Wrong in All the Right Ways by Tiffany Brownlee

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 

Wrong in All the Right Ways

by Tiffany Brownlee

July 17, 2018
336 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Everything in Emma's life has always gone according to her very careful plans. But things take a turn toward the unexpected when she falls in love for the first time with the one person in the world who’s off-limits–her new foster brother, the gorgeous and tormented Dylan McAndrews.

Meanwhile, Emma’s AP English class is reading Wuthering Heights, and she’s been assigned to mimic Bronte’s style in an epistolary format. With no one to confide in, she’s got a lot to write about. Emma and Dylan try to constrain their romance to the page–for fear of threatening Dylan’s chances of being adopted into another home. But the strength of first love is all-consuming, and they soon get enveloped in a passionate, secretive relationship with a very uncertain outcome.
 

That title! A forbidden romance! Letters! I'm in~

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Indigo SPOTM Summary



 

 

Hi guys! Today I wanted to show off some teen book picks from Indigo. Back in September last year Chapters Indigo introduced a new program called Indigo Teen Staff Pick of the Month. Since December I've been sharing each month's selection as a photo on my Instagram account. I wanted to summarize the picks from the past few months on the blog today.

 

Click on the picture to be directed to more information on each book :)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you read any of these? Are any of these titles on your TBR? Check out the hashtag #IndigoStaffPicks on social media to see more!!

 

And did you guys know Indigo.ca started a book box?!! It's so exciting! The first one which is from last month, featured Veronica Roth. May's box is Victoria Aveyard. For more information, go to the Indigo website and search 'book box'!

Review: Ash Princess (Ash Princess #1) by Laura Sebastian

Ash Princess
(Ash Princess #1)
by Laura Sebastian

April 24, 2018

432 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

Stacking the Shelves #193

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.

I received a surprise package of a tote, some bookish swags and these two beauties from HCCFrenzy. Thank you so much for spoiling us!!

 

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Review: The Other Lady Vanishes (Burning Cove #2) by Amanda Quick

The Other Lady Vanishes
(Burning Cove #2)
by Amanda Quick

May 8, 2018

368 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Knew Too Much sweeps readers back to 1930s California--where the most dazzling of illusions can't hide the darkest secrets...

After escaping from a private sanitarium, Adelaide Blake arrives in Burning Cove, California, desperate to start over.

Working at an herbal tea shop puts her on the radar of those who frequent the seaside resort town: Hollywood movers and shakers always in need of hangover cures and tonics. One such customer is Jake Truett, a recently widowed businessman in town for a therapeutic rest. But unbeknownst to Adelaide, his exhaustion is just a cover.

In Burning Cove, no one is who they seem. Behind facades of glamour and power hide drug dealers, gangsters, and grifters. Into this make-believe world comes psychic to the stars Madame Zolanda. Adelaide and Jake know better than to fall for her kind of con. But when the medium becomes a victim of her own dire prediction and is killed, they'll be drawn into a murky world of duplicity and misdirection.

Neither Adelaide or Jake can predict that in the shadowy underground they'll find connections to the woman Adelaide used to be--and uncover the specter of a killer who's been real all along...
 

WoW #200: Courting Darkness (His Fair Assassin #4) by Robin LaFevers

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 

Courting Darkness

(His Fair Assassin #4)

by Robin LaFevers

February 5, 2019 

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Death wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning…

Sybella has always been the darkest of Death’s daughters, trained at the convent of Saint Mortain to serve as his justice. But she has a new mission now. In a desperate bid to keep her two youngest sisters safe from the family that nearly destroyed them all, she agrees to accompany the duchess to France, where they quickly find themselves surrounded by enemies. Their one ray of hope is Sybella’s fellow novitiates, disguised and hidden deep in the French court years ago by the convent—provided Sybella can find them.

Genevieve has been undercover for so many years, she struggles to remember who she is or what she’s supposed to be fighting for. Her only solace is a hidden prisoner who appears all but forgotten by his guards. When tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands—even if it means ignoring the long awaited orders from the convent.

As Sybella and Gen’s paths draw ever closer, the fate of everything they hold sacred rests on a knife’s edge. Will they find each other in time, or will their worlds collide, destroying everything they care about?
 

Hella yessss! More from my favourite historical fiction series!!!

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Review: Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick and Thomas Taylor

Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter
by Marcus Sedgwick and Thomas Taylor

April 3, 2018

208 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Scarlett Hart, orphaned daughter of two legendary monster hunters, is determined to carry on in her parents’ footsteps—even if the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities says she’s too young to fight perilous horrors. But whether it's creepy mummies or a horrid hound, Scarlett won’t back down, and with the help of her loyal butler and a lot of monster-mashing gadgets, she’s on the case.

With her parent’s archrival, Count Stankovic, ratting her out to T.R.A.P.E.Z.E. and taking all the monster-catching rewards for himself, it’s getting hard for Scarlett to do what she was born to do. And when more monsters start mysteriously manifesting than ever before, Scarlett knows she has to get to the bottom of it and save the city . . . whatever the danger!

In his first adventure for middle-grade readers, acclaimed YA author Marcus Sedgwick teams up with Thomas Taylor (illustrator of the original edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) to create a rip-roaring romp full of hairy horrors, villainous villains, and introducing the world’s toughest monster hunter—Scarlett Hart!
 

Stacking the Shelves #192

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.

I've been meaning to get myself a copy of this book for a long time and I finally did! It was a hard choice between having matching paperbacks or seeing my blurb on the back of the hardcover. Seeing my name won out lol. It's so neat! Thank you Elise for using my review!

 

I also received these two beauties from PRHCanada, thank you so much!

 

 

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Review: Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne

Brightly Burning
by Alexa Donne

May 1, 2018

400 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.

But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.
 

WoW #199: The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 

The Art of French Kissing

by Brianna R. Shrum

June 5, 2018
256 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Carter Lane has wanted to be a chef since she was old enough to ignore her mom's warnings to stay away from the hot stove. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: a prestigious scholarship competition in Savannah, where students compete all summer in Chopped style challenges for a full-ride to one of the best culinary schools in the country. The only impossible challenge ingredient in her basket: Reid Yamada.

After Reid, her cute but unbearably cocky opponent, goes out of his way to screw her over on day one, Carter vows revenge, and soon they're involved in a full-fledged culinary war. Just as the tension between them reaches its boiling point, Carter and Reid are forced to work together if they want to win, and Carter begins to wonder if Reid's constant presence in her brain is about more than rivalry. And if maybe her desire to smack his mouth doesn't necessarily cancel out her desire to kiss it.
 

That cover is adorable and I've heard of this author but never read any of her books before. Seems like a good one to try! Bonus that there's food involved ;)

What are you guys waiting on this week?