Waiting on Wednesday: Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel
Publication Date: March 2014

Daughter of Chaos - Month9Books

Witches must choose the path they will follow, and Darlena Agara is no exception. She’s been putting it off long enough, and in her case, ignoring it has not made it go away. In a moment of frustration, Darlena chooses to follow Red Magic, figuring she had outsmarted the powers that be, since there’s no such thing as Red Magic. But alas, Darlena’s wrong (again) and she becomes a newly declared Red Witch. 

Her friends are shocked and her parents horrified by the choice Darlena has made. As a Red Witch, she now governs one third of the world’s chaos. She is the walking personification of pandemonium, turmoil, and bedlam, just as the patrons of Red Magic would have it to be. 

But Darlena believes there must be more to Red Magic than chaos and destruction, and she sets out on a journey to achieve balance. Only doing so puts her at odds with the dark goddess Hecate, who simply will not allow Darlena to quit. She encourages Darlena to embrace who and what she is and to leave good magic to the good witches. If only Darlena could, life would be simple, and she would not be the Daughter of Chaos.

Synopsis from goodreads.com 

I've just seen an excellent display of a witches' power in Wicked and don't seem to be able to swerve off topic today. :) Daughter of Chaos sounds compelling. How do you govern chaos? And doesn't there have to be some balance in a person to be able to do so? 

Moreover I wonder what Hecate's position is in this story and which mythology she represents here. I'm fascinated by the goddess and have only seen her in a few books before. Is she good or bad here, when she encourages Darlena to embrace being a Daughter of Chaos? 

Which books are you waiting on this week? Leave us a comment.

Teaser Tuesday: The Rise of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson.

The Rise of the Hotel Dumort –
Margaret K. McElderry Books

“These mundies, see, they’re trying to raise
a demon ... .”
“Mundanes do that all too frequently,” Magnus said, moving a misplaced bottle of gold rum that had been put in with the spiced. “Right now, they also enjoy sitting on the top of flagpoles and walking on the wings of airborne biplanes. This is the age of stupid hobbies.”
— Chapter 1

What are you?
The voice came from nowhere. It was in the room. It was outside. It was in Magnus’s head.
— Chapter 2

In honour of having returned from London and from watching the Mortal Instruments: City of Bones I thought I’d share some Magnus with you. Since his role is a rather small one in the book he’s also more of a minor character in the movie. But he still manages to make a lasting impression. And the Bane Chronicles are a real treat to read and thus let you get to know Magnus a little better. I also enjoy that the co-authors Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan manage to add their own special brands of humour and style to the short stories while not straying from Cassandra Clare’s voice of the Shadowhunter universe. The monthly releases also help passing the time until City of Heavenly Fire is released ... Please be aware that this is already book five in this series of shorts. The print version with all ten stories will be published in September next year.

In case you were wondering: Diana and I liked the movie and can issue an unconditional viewing recommendation. Caveat 1: You’re a 100% book purist and think that nothing at all should be changed. Caveat 2: You’re planning on taking your 4-year-olds, who will run around screaming during the movie. In the first case you will probably be disappointed. In the second case ... well let’s just say that we had an issue with a bunch of not-quite-toddlers severely diminishing our viewing pleasure.

Have you seen the City of Bones movie? What were your thoughts? Or share your overall thoughts on turning books into movies along with your teasers.

Waiting on Wednesday: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill.
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013.

All Our Yesterdays – Disney Hyperion

“You have to kill him.” Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.
Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.
Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

The little question of “what if”can lead to the most amazing thing. I believe that it can also drive you completely and irreparably insane. The human mind is a curious thing and will keep asking. At least I think that there are few decisions that are never called into question. Apart from the “No, thanks, I’d rather not go swimming with box jellyfish” decisions. Anyway, stories that play around with time and decisions and their outcome have always intrigued me and this one sounds complex while at the same time seeming to be quite straightforward. And yes, I’m aware that it has already been published in the UK ... I like this cover better though. Go and watch the prequel web series if you want to find out more.

Which decision have you recently called into question? Feel free to share them along with your Wednesday book of choice.

Teaser Tuesday: The Savage Blue by Zoraida Córdova

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Savage Blue by Zoraida Córdova.

The Savage Blue –
Sourcebooks Fire

I put my hand on his chest and press him against the mast. “Don’t. Call. Me. Lord. Sea.”
He looks down at my hand and smirks.
— Chapter 2

That’s what’s important to you. In the end, the secrets are what’s going to do you in.
— Chapter 7

Show of hands, how many of you have seen or know The Little Mermaid? I always wondered what it would be like if the guy fell into the water and had to find his way around her world rather than the girl playing fish out of water ... This is a little like fulfilling that thought, but (of course but) also not quite since our hero Tristan still has very land-bound ties. I enjoyed the first book The Vicious Deep and look forward to (careful, bad pun following) diving right back into the story.

Are you picking up a new series this week or returning to one? Maybe your book is a stand-alone? Let us know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.
Publication Dates: UK August 29th 2013, US September 17th 2013.

The Screaming Staircase –
Doubleday Children's Books

Hauntings are our business ...

Ghosts crowd the streets and houses of London. Anthony Lockwood, with his slightly grumpy deputy George, and his junior field operative Lucy, make up LOCKWOOD & CO, the small, shabby yet talented ghost-hunting agency.

After a series of calamitous investigations into the supernatural go awry, the team are desperate to prove themselves. Their opportunity comes in the form of a terrifying ghost, the Red Duke. But little do they know what perils lie in store for them at the haunted Bliss Hall ...

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Ghost-hunters! in London! In a story from Jonathan Stroud! Sorry, but this warrants multiple exclamation marks. The Bartimaeus series was and still is an absolute favourite of mine since I can’t resist well-written snarky characters. And Jonathan Stroud definitely is a master of snark. I’ll admit that I’ve already had a look at an early copy (and wasn’t allowed to take it home, sadness) and from the bits I saw it’s promising to be great, Really great.

 Let us know about the books you are excited about this week in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Infinityglass - EgmontUSA

He wore a huge pair of wayfarer glasses, and was so Anthony Head, circa Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that it was all I could do not to call him Giles.
-- Chapter 8

“I have a green light, then?” Because now that we were finally here, holding back might kill me.
“It's fluorescent. Blinking. Spinning.
-- Chapter 13

Part three of the Hourglass series is in my hands and I can finally find out how everything comes together. The story is told from the POVs of Hallie and Dune. Hallie's a whirlwind of a person and Dune the quiet opposite. While trying to figure out the Infinityglass' secrets before anyone else beats them to it, they get to know each other quite well. The dynamic between them is great with lots of snappy dialogue and teasing. :) Nevertheless, I miss the Hourglass crew, which has not appeared much so far, as the setting is New Orleans and not Ivy Springs this time. I hope they appear later to help.

Which book's secrets do you want to discover this week? Leave us a comment along with your teaser.

Waiting on Wednesday: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: February 4th 2014

Cress - Feiwel and Friends

Rapunzel's tower is a satellite. She can't let down her hair - or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.  

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker – unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.  

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

Synopsis from goodreads.com 

I've read the first two books in the Lunar Chronicles series in February. I loved the heroines, especially Scarlet from book two and wanted to know, what would happen next. So naturally, I was thrilled to see the cover and synopsis for book three and cannot wait to get my hands on Cress.
Rapunzel has been playing a small part in Scarlet already and I want to see her freed from Levana's clutches. But who pays the price for her freedom and will the three fairy tale girls be able to thwart the queen? I'm looking forward to return to the world of cyborgs and technology, meeting old and new characters in this fairy tale retelling.

Tell us in the comments, which books you are (not so patiently) waiting on this week.

Teaser Tuesday: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

The 5th Wave – Putnam Juvenile

It’s been a long time since humans were prey animals. A hundred thousand years or so. But buried deep in our genes the memory remains: the awareness of the gazelle, the instinct of the antelope. The wind whispers through the grass. A shadow flits between the trees. And up speaks the little voice that goes, Shhhh, it’s close now. Close.
— Chapter 3

Today a longer passage from a single scene will have to do. For one because the scene is pretty much set by this short bit. And also because I’m only a couple of pages past this part as I’m writing this. Which I plan to change soon. I’ve heard of people who skip prologues, which I can’t understand. Especially if the prologue is anything like in this book, because that page? Had me from the very first line: “There will be no awakening.” Haunting and just the right amount of scary. I’m really looking forward to the rest of it.

Which book completely hooked you from the very start? Let us know in the comments and share your teasers.