Teaser Tuesday: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

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 Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston.

The Rules for Disappearing –
Disney-Hyperion

I’m afraid he’s either one step from calling bullshit on my whole existence or asking me out on a date. Neither good.
— Chapter 7

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk—footsteps behind me. I turn around quickly and branches on a bush next to the sidewalk shake and there’s a snapping noise like someone stepping on dead leaves.
— Chapter 11

I’m not a hundred percent sure what to make of this one yet. And I’m already more than halfway through. Usually, this tells me that I most likely won’t find what I was looking for in the second half of the book either. But in some way, I’m still curious enough to find out what is happening to this girl and her family to keep reading ... Granted the concept isn’t the invention of the wheel, but the characters are likable enough and the writing is humorous but not overly trying to be hip. Although I sometimes wonder what a shallow person the girl must have been before everything happened to her.

Is the main character of your book a likable one? What makes you continue reading apart from a story's characters? Sound off in the comments and let us know about your teasers.

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.

Waiting on Wednesday: Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory

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
Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory
Publication Date: October 15th 2013

Reclaimed - 

Spencer Hill Contemporary

Jenna Oliver doesn’t have time to get involved with one boy, let alone two.

All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She's determined she'll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn't tainted by her family's past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets.

Ian McAlister doesn't want to start over; he wants to remember.

Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle.

The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget.

Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian's memory return.

Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Normally I go for more fairy and magic in a book, but this one woke my curiosity. I'm intrigued by how the lives of Jenna, Ian and Luke become intertwined trough a love triangle. Will they be able to help each other to confront their pasts? Also, what happened to Ian and why would Luke not tell him, when he himself is burdened with that particular secret? This story does not sound like a typical triangle drama and that makes it so appealing to me.

Which books are you currently waiting on? Tell us in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

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!

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers.

Dark Triumph – Houghton Mifflin
Books for Children

Would it hurt? I wonder, staring down at the jagged rocks below. Would I feel the moment of my landing? I close my eyes and imagine hurtling through space, rushing down, down, down, to my death.
— Chapter 1

That is when I realize I am still holding my knife, and it is all I can do not to plunge it into his gut. Instead, I move my hand as if to return the knife to its sheath, but I do not pull the blade back quite far enough.
— Chapter 6

Grave Mercy was another one of my lucky finds of 2012 and its sequel has quite a bit to live up to. However, as much as I liked Ismae I was really intrigued by Sybella and absolutely had to know more about her. So far, I’m getting my wish and also don’t get it. This is one of the many things that the author is really (and I mean really) good at: giving you what you want but making you realise that you probably want something else ... not knowing what that is exactly. The writing is just as spectacular as in the first book so I’m happily back in the historic world of those amazing assassin nuns.

Are you returning to a beloved fictional world this week? Share your teasers in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

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 Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black.
Publication Dates: UK September 1st 2013, US September 3rd 2013.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown –
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.
One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

The cover is so creepily awesome that I could stare at it for a considerable time ... not that I haven’t done so already. Just look at the detail of the veins being part of the title. Yes, I’m easy to please, but then again it’s neither a headless girl nor feet nor person from behind. Furthermore, it’s a Holly Black book and from what I’ve heard it will be vampires. I’m certain that Holly Black will give the whole thing her very own twist, which will either make people love it or say that they couldn’t get into the story. I absolutely loved The Curse Workers series, but I know enough people who didn’t and I can sort of understand them (even though I still think it’s a pity).

Do you have favourite authors who aren’t everyone’s cup of tea? Let us know about them in the comments and please share your waiting on choice of the week.

Teaser Tuesday: Hunted by Kevin Hearne

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!

Hunted by Kevin Hearne.

Hunted - Orbit

They took very different approaches to their famous virginity: Artemis’s complete lack of attention to her personal appearance meant she couldn’t care less what men thought of her, while Diana appreciated the tease of looking desirable yet untouchable.

-- Page 103

Insane as it sounded, I thought it best to risk the sleeping manticore.

-- Page 278

I'm re-reading this book because I didn't really get into the story as I confused it with the one before and expected a totally different narration.
This time, Atticus and his friends are being hunted by the Greek and Roman goddesses Artemis and Diana. You have to mess things up really well to make those pantheons work together though, which tells you a lot about Atticus. ;)
I love the humour and wit in this sixth instalment of The Iron Druid Chronicles as well as the mixture of myths portrayed. Furthermore, the second time around I'm more attuned to the story, which makes it a much more enjoyable read.

Are you immersed in a series this week? Tease us in the comments with your current reads.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason

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 Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason.
Publication Date: September 17th 2013

The Clockwork Scarab
- Chronicle Books

Two young women of similar age and standing have disappeared:
one found dead and the other still missing. The only clue to
connect them is a small Egyptian clockwork scarab. Only Miss
Stoker and Miss Holmes are well-positioned enough—similar in
age and stature as they are to the victims—to investigate. An
unlikely pair, the fierce Evaline Stoker and logical Mina Holmes must follow in the footsteps of their infamous families—Miss Holmes has inherited her Uncle Sherlock’s keen investigative skills, while Miss Stoker has accepted her family calling as a hunter of the undead. The partners must find a way to work together, while navigating the advances of a strange yet handsome American, a clever Scotland Yard investigator, and a cunning thief, to solve the mystery of the clockwork scarabs.

Set in steam punk London, steeped in Egyptian mythology
and literary references, with a surprising time travel twist and compelling romantic triangles, Colleen Gleason has crafted a fast-paced and romantic debut young adult novel.

Synopsis from goodreads.com

I admit it, I'm a wee bit obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. The thorougly read Holmes collection on my bookshelf might indicate that fact. So there's no way I could bypass a book with a Holmes relative in it. 

Stoker is a new field to me though and I think, I'll keep it that way and let myself be surprised by his sister. She and Miss Holmes seem striking women, quite fitting for a steam punk setting. With both of them working together, mystery is a given and mythology an added bonous. I only wonder why there have to be love triangles and time travels. The synopsis sounds suspenseful enough as it is. 

Do you (re-) read the classics before delving into stories based on them? Let us hear your views and Wednesday picks in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

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!

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins.

Sweet Peril – HarperTeen

I shuddered. Couldn’t Dad somehow teach them to knock? Anything less jarring than dive-bombing toward my face unexpectedly.
— Chapter 7

“As if you don’t know.” Ginger’s eyes narrowed with distrust as she studied me.
My stomach compacted into a firm ball of nerves. “I don’t know.” I looked over at Marna. “Tell me.”
— Chapter 8

Didn’t I recently say something about sequels and final books? So no worries there are enough unfinished series to go around. At the very least this one is straight forward and doesn’t for example change its main characters or locations ... well, technically speaking it probably does. It  suffers a little from what I call second-book-syndrome-of-absent-guy-and-possible-replacement-guy. Only not as badly as other series, and I also don’t want to smack the heroine around the head on a constant basis. I’m about a third in now, but I really hope that things will pick up soon, otherwise this could become a little tedious.

Have you been disappointed in a sequel recently? Sound off about it in comments and share your current read.

Waiting on Wednesday: Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey

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
Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey.
Publication Date: January 23rd 2014

Fragile Spirits - Philomel

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

Synopsis from goodreads.com. 

When it comes to series, I'm torn between wanting to delve back into the world I know - including the characters already presented (and loved) - or reading about totally new characters set in the same universe. Both ways can work well and I can't decide, which I prefer. I really liked Lenzi and Alden of Shattered Souls and would have loved to read about them again. However, the synopsis for the sequel Fragile Spirits promises interesting new characters, especially feisty Vivienne, lots of suspense and maybe a love story. 

Do you prefer changing characters in a series or rather keep the known ones? Share your opinion in the comments along with your waiting on choice.

Teaser Tuesday: Ink by Amanda Sun

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!

Ink by Amanda Sun.

Ink – HarlequinTeen

There’s a saying in Japan, and it has to do with cherry-blossom viewing — hana yori dango — Dumplings over flowers. It basically means that someone should value needs over wants, substance over appearance.
— Chapter 3

He was drawing a dragon, long and angular, and it wriggled on the page like a snake, like the scrap I had picked up that day. The sun glinted on its mouth full of shiny teeth and my whole body went cold.
— Chapter 10

I’m not an artist but I have seen drawings that looked real enough to jump right off the page. The idea that this could somehow happen is equal parts awesome and terrifying. What I really love about this book are all the distinctly Japanese references, customs, and habits that at least to me who has never been to Japan seem real and well-researched. Even if I wished that the Japanese glossary was more easily accessible when reading the eBook. And as a former cultural studies student I appreciate the "find your identity and define yourself via othering". But don’t worry it’s definitely not a case study situation but a really interesting story and refreshingly "other".

Would a setting in a culture that you possibly cannot relate to immediately make you hesitate to pick up a book or rather make you more interested in it? Sound off in the comments and share your Tuesday pick.

Waiting on Wednesday: Fake ID by Lamar Giles

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
Fake ID by Lamar Giles.
Publication Date: January 21st 2014

Fake ID - HarperCollins

Nick Pearson is pretending to be someone he isn’t. Not high school pretending. Witness Protection pretending. And the #1 rule is “stay low-key”. But, when his sole friend Eli dies in the school’s journalism room under mysterious circumstances, and Nick stumbles upon the conspiracy Eli planned on exposing, staying low-key takes a backseat to staying alive.

Newspaper Nerd Eli had a secret, an in-the-works story codenamed “Whispertown”. And it’s got a lot of folks interested. Like corrupt cops, the town’s shady mayor, and certain high-ranking government officials. Teaming with Eli’s estranged (and gorgeous) sister, Nick sets out to unravel the mystery and still maintain his cover. He’ll have to use all the deviant skills he’s gained from his racketeering dad, assassin godfather, and their Serbian gangster boss to find the truth. However, each clue brings him closer to answers he may not want. Whispertown is bigger than he could have ever imagined, and in its shadow stands a killer…a killer Nick fears may be his own father.

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

When I chanced across Fake ID on goodreads, I immediately wanted to throw my self-imposed no-buying-books-this-month rule over board. Fortunate for my purse, much less so for me, there's quite a wait for this book's release. The synopsis however promises a thrilling read with Nick trying to solve his best friend's murder whilst keeping his witness protection cover. Secrets, suspense and mystery all rolled into one; that's surely worth the wait.

Have you picked up a book you came across purely by chance lately? Tell us in the comments along with your waiting on choice.

Teaser Tuesday: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.

Anna and the French Kiss –
Dutton

Who sends their kid to boarding school? It’s so Hogwarts. Only mine doesn’t have cute boy wizards or magic candy or flying lessons.
— Chapter 1

I gesture at my pajama bottoms. “I’m not exactly dressed for it.”
“Come on, Anna. Do we honestly have to go through this again?”
I give him a doubtful look, and the unicorn pillow flies at my head.
— Chapter 7

I totally blame this one on the YA Crush Tournament over at the YA-Sisterhood, even if Étienne was voted out in the first round and even if my personal favourite is quite a different crush altogether (no, I’m not going to jinx it). Nevertheless, this is a really cute and fun read, which also helps in alleviating wanderlust if you don’t have a vacation planned in the near future.

Do you have your summer vacation planned (or winter if you happen to live in the southern hemisphere)? And if so, how many books are you taking?

Waiting on Wednesday: Indelible by Dawn Metcalf

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
Indelible by Dawn Metcalf.
Publication Date: July 30th 2013

Indelible – Harlequin Teen

Some things are permanent.

Indelible.

And they cannot be changed back.

Joy Malone learns this the night she sees a stranger with all-black eyes across a crowded room—right before the mystery boy tries to cut out her eye. Instead, the wound accidentally marks her as property of Indelible Ink, and this dangerous mistake thrusts Joy into an incomprehensible world—a world of monsters at the window, glowing girls on the doorstep, and a life that will never be the same.

Now, Joy must pretend to be Ink’s chosen one—his helper, his love, his something for the foreseeable future...and failure to be convincing means a painful death for them both. Swept into a world of monsters, illusion, immortal honor and revenge, Joy discovers that sometimes, there are no mistakes.

Somewhere between reality and myth lies…

THE TWIXT

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Sure, who doesn’t want to meet their potential significant other by way of them almost cutting out your eye and disfiguring your face in the process? There are certainly worse methods ... I think ... As you can probably guess, I’m not too sure about this one, but somehow I kept thinking about it and finally added it to Mt. TBR. It’s an interesting base to start from and I’m quite curious how the author fared with the execution.

Any strange ways of meeting people in your books? Share the books you’re curious about this week in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Faking It by Cora Carmack

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!

Faking It by Cora Carmack

Faking It -
William Morrow

“My name is Cade Winston—MFA student, volunteer, mom-hugger, and your boyfriend for the next twenty-four hours. It’s nice to meet you.”
-- Page 36

A laugh pushed its way past the pain that lived in my lungs, and escaped from my throat. “Golden Boy and Angry Girl.”
“We should make a comic book about our adventures.”
-- Page 132

This is book two in a series and focuses on a minor character from the first book, Losing It. Cade is a twenty-two-year-old drama school student, who gets talked into becoming Max's boyfriend for the time her parents are in town. Naturally, that is not as easy as it sounds. I really like Cade the Golden Boy and Max the Angry Girl and totally support the comic book idea! ;) The chapters alternate between their different points of view, which makes it easier for the reader to see their motivations.It is beautiful to see the contrast between what they think the other is like and how they really are.

Which books are you reading right now? Leave us a comment along with your teaser.

Waiting on Wednesday: Pushed by Corrine Jackson

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
Pushed by Corrine Jackson.
Publication Date: November 26th 2013



Pushed - Kensington Teen

She didn’t know how far she’d go—until she was pushed.
Remy O’Malley was just learning to harness her uncanny healing power when she discovered the other, darker half of her bloodline. Now she lives trapped between two worlds, uneasy among her fellow Healers—and relentlessly hunted by the Protectors.
Forced to conceal her dual identity, and the presence of her Protector boyfriend Asher Blackwell, Remy encounters a shadow community of Healers who will put her loyalties to the test.
Pushed to the limit, with the lives of those she loves most on the line, Remy must decide whether to choose sides in a centuries-old war—or make the ultimate sacrifice and go to a place from which she may never return.

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

The first book in the Sense Thieves series, Touched, had me staying up all night and wanting more. It got quite complicated in the end and I didn't see a future, where Remy and Asher could be together without threatening exposure or war. So, I'm very curious how their story will unravel and which complications will make Remy want to sacrifice everything in this second instalment. Which books are you eagerly anticipating this Wednesday? Leave us a comment.

Teaser Tuesday: Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

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!

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith.

Wild Awake -
Katherine Tegen Books

But there’s a crazy little hope-squirrel running around inside my head, chattering, What if it’s real? What if it’s important? and it won’t shut up no matter what I do.
-- Page 39

I play the first and second movements of the Italian Concerto, a thirty-page baroque extravaganza that Bach apparently wrote to amuse himself while waiting in line to buy a Wiener schnitzel.
-- Page 108

I started reading Wild Awake a few days ago and I think, the title fits perfectly. Kiri Byrd is a very wild girl, getting stoned with her best friend, playing piano until she falls off the bench and meeting up a with a complete stranger to get her dead sister's things back. And all this time she won't sleep. She's on a mission to find out, how her sister lived and died. Falling in love might be the least crazy thing for Kiri at this time. I like her quirkiness and her unusual toughts and just hope for a non-fairytale ending.

Which books are you currently reading? Tease us in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

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
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas.
Publication Dates: UK – August 15th 2013, US – August 27th 2013

Crown of Midnight –
Bloomsbury Childrens

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt. But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king’s contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade – while pretending to do the king’s bidding – will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she’s given a task that could jeopardize everything she’s come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon – forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Chances are I’m cheering for the “wrong” team in this one. Again. I’m putting that in quotation marks since I firmly believe that there is no really wrong team in a book. At least as long as the author knows what they’re doing and the characters are not just page-fodder. This is no concern with this book. At all. I loved Celaena from the very start in Throne of Glass and I’m really looking forward to reading how her story continues.

Which character’s story can’t you wait to dive (back) in again? Let us hear from you in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

Shadow and Bone –
Henry Holt BYR

I was so furious I wanted to smack him on the back of his head. And if I hadn’t seen him cut a man in half, I might have done just that. I settled for glaring at the space between his shoulder blades as I followed him up the hill.
— Chapter 5

And there’s nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk.
— Chapter 12

So, why am I teasing from this book when the sequel, Siege and Storm, has just been published? Firstly, because I have not yet read enough of it to pick any page in the book without potentially spoiling myself. And secondly, because I really enjoyed the first book and on the off-chance that you haven’t heard of it yet, I wanted to introduce you to the trilogy without sending you right towards the synopsis of book two, which is highly spoilery in itself. You can get a look at the writing style and the general mood of this setting by reading this tale, which is set in the same universe but not directly related to the main plot. And a confession: I’m really glad that I’ll only have to wait between book 2 and book 3 now. The end of book 1 is not a nasty cliffhanger per se, but there are just so many (even kind of) cliffs a girl can hang from.

Share your teasers in the comments and let us know what you’re reading this week.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Night Itself by Zoë Marriott

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 Night Itself by Zoë Marriott.
Publication Date: July 4th 2013

The Night Itself - Walker Books

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio is saved by Shinobu, a mysterious warrior boy. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword. 

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

I'm not very familiar with Japanese stories outside of a manga or anime, so this book will be new territory for me and I'm so very, very curious. The synopsis sounds promising: ancient Japanese monsters prowling the modern world, a sword with incredible power and a love story. Moreover I like the mix of ancient history and a modern setting. The setting being London is just the icing on the cake.

Do you like a mix of ancient and modern in your books as well? Leave us a comment with what you're waiting on this week.

Teaser Tuesday: Goddess by Josephine Angelini

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!

Goddess by Josephine Angelini.

Goddess –
Macmillan Children’s Books

She’d been married to the guy once, and from the snippets that Helen could vaguely recall, neither of them had been too happy about that fact even though they had tried their best to make it work. Sort of like being permanently handcuffed to someone that you love, but who also really annoys you.
— Chapter 5

“You brought yourself here. I can’t make you come here; all I can do is leave the door open for you.”
— Chapter 11

I just realised that I internally referred to 2012 as “the year of sequels”. Consequently, this year deserves a similar moniker, but somehow “the year of final books in trilogies” doesn’t have the same ring to it. (I’m open for suggestions). And I finally managed to complete a trilogy with all three books in the same format/size/cover design. This doesn’t seem like much of an achievement, but I somehow managed to collect the oddest mixtures in all my other series. So ... minor yay. Notice how I’m not talking about the book? Final book in trilogy and therefore spoiler minefield mindset. I think the end is on par with the rest of the series and provides a great source of entertainment. Maybe not if you asked Homer or Sophocles ... but the opinion of long-dead Greeks is often overrated anyway.

Are you finishing up a series this week? Share your teasers in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

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
Born of Illusion by Teri Brown.
Publication Date: June 11th 2013

Born of Illusion - Balzer & Bray

Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

  

The 1920s and New York paired with magic - sounds like a great premise for an exciting story. Anna seems a fascinating character too: clever and talented, with a secret ability, even her mother doesn't know about. Then there's the father missing from the picture from whom she might have inherited that ability. I wonder who he might be and what happened that he's not around for his daughter. Also, to what end does a secret society study people's gifts? I'm not much of a historical fiction reader, but I make an exception for the Roaring Twenties, especially when there is a mystery involved. :)

Are you waiting on historical fiction this week as well? Leave us a comment.