Waiting on Wednesday: The Lord of Opium {1}

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly awaiting!!

Title: The Lord of Opium (Matteo Alacran #2)
Author: Nancy Farmer
Release date: September 3, 2013

As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic House of the Scorpion, winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor.

Matt has always been nothing but a clone—grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age fourteen, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster—and hidden in Opium is the cure.

And that isn’t all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron’s sinister system of drug growing—people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human.

Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can’t even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him…and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator?

First, this is my first time participating in Waiting on Wednesday! I've, of course, seen just about everybody participating since I began blogging, but for whatever reason never started until now! I'm excited to start sharing the books I am biting at the bit to read! :)

So, I'm unbelievably excited for The Lord of Opium, since it's the sequel to The House of the Scorpion, which I read some time while I was in elementary school or junior high. Most of what I remember about the book is that is kind of BLEW MY MIND. Needless to say, when I saw there was finally going to be a sequel, I just about died of anticipation. I'm going to need a reread of the first book very badly, but that's no problem. :)

So what are you guys waiting on this week?