Waiting on Wednesday: The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh {116}

Title: The Rose & the Dagger
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Release date: April 26, 2016

I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

I'm totally late in coming to this party, but I'm so excited for this! I read The Wrath & the Dawn late last year and so enjoyed it, so my little hands need this, like, now. I can't imagine all of y'all who read it early waiting for it! :)

 So what are you guys waiting on this week? :)

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Release date: October 14, 2014
Author info: Tumblr | Twitter
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 416
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided for review through Edelweiss
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Though people's reports of how predictable Snow Like Ashes is put me off from reading it for a long time (I mean, it came out a year and a half ago--and I had it before publication!), one day, I got in the mood for it and read it nonetheless. And I liked it!

Honestly, there are plenty of things I could pick at in Snow Like Ashes. I thought some of the worldbuilding was a little lazy and obvious, and like I said, it was predictable--over and over again. Yet, I found myself pretty much glued to the page, flying through the book faster than I could have guessed. And there's nothing wrong with something being predictable and entertaining--you know?

In a lot of ways, I think Snow Like Ashes is fantasy-lite? As a huge fantasy reader, it's easy to see what Sara Raasch is trying to do, but it just never adds up to the epic fantasy I think it wants to be.

But I really liked Meira! I could feel her determination to be someone valued, to be someone relied upon--a true part of her country. At first, she seemed whiny, but it became really obvious she had reason to be upset, and I so liked that she kept pushing, kept making people listen to her. She was at times too headstrong and rushed off without considering consequences, but I could still get behind her most of the time.

So, if you're like me and want to read Snow Like Ashes but were iffy, I'd actually recommend it! I went in with lowered expectations, somehow ploughing ahead even though I expected not to like it, and I so enjoyed my reading experience, despite any problems I had.

About the author:

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.

Stacking the Shelves {145}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

Well hey there! Again! Whew, I'm trying to get myself back on the horse. It's not that I'm not reading, because I totally am, but blogging is the hard part. What I'm reading, though, is largely historical romance. I fell into that pool big, but I'm looooving it! So those are probably what you'll be seeing here quite a bit more than before. :) People who know me are actually tired of hearing me tell them about my romance novels. I will change them, though! :D And Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

For review:

How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

Purchased:

One Scandalous Kiss by Christy Carlyle
Falling Into Bed With a Duke by Lorraine Heath

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
One Night is Never Enough by Anne Mallory
Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden
Waking Up With the Duke by Lorraine Heath
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski
Flame of Sevenwaters (Sevenwaters #6) by Juliet Marillier
The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller

Books I read this week (or however long it's been since my last post!):
Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Falling Into Bed With a Duke by Lorraine Heath
The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

I'm currently reading:
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

So that's been my week! Well, I was trying not to get new books, but that kind of failed? I went to our local used bookstore, though, and got most of the romance books using credit we have there--that makes it better, right? But hey! I have jury duty tomorrow, so I'm desperately hoping to do so much reading, especially since I can't have any electronics with me.

Ooh, fun story! I've, obviously, been dying for The Winner's Kiss, and had been hoping it'd come in early at work. I'd even told my receiving manager multiple times what the book was, so I'd know ASAP. I'd been checking the carts several times a day for at least a week already when, Thursday, she comes over the intercom and says, "Your book is here!" Y'all. I ran and snatched it up in my hungry little hands and basically didn't put it down for the rest of my shift. If my coworkers didn't already think I'm crazy, they do now. :) 

Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous week!

Waiting on Wednesday: Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson {115}

Title: Like a River Glorious
Author: Rae Carson
Release date: September 27, 2016

After a harrowing journey across the country, Leah Westfall and her friends have finally arrived in California and are ready to make their fortunes in the Gold Rush. Lee has a special advantage over the other new arrivals in California—she has the ability to sense gold, a secret known only by her handsome best friend Jefferson and her murdering uncle Hiram.

Lee and her friends have the chance to be the most prosperous settlers in California, but Hiram hasn’t given up trying to control Lee and her power. Sabotage and kidnapping are the least of what he’ll do to make sure Lee is his own. His mine is the deepest and darkest in the territory, and there Lee learns the full extent of her magical gift, the worst of her uncle, and the true strength of her friendships. To save everyone, she vows to destroy her uncle and the empire he is building—even at the cost of her own freedom.

The second epic historical fantasy in the Gold Seer trilogy by Rae Carson, the acclaimed author of The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

Can we even comprehend how gorgeous this is going to look on the shelf next to Walk on Earth a Stranger?!? Not to mention how awesome it's going to be as well, of course. Rae Carson is queen in my mind and can do no wrong.

 So what are you guys waiting on this week? :)

Review: The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine

Release date: January 5, 2016
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 432
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided for review
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Sarah Fine cemented me as a fan after I read Of Metal and Wishes and Of Dreams and Rust, so when I read the synopsis for The Impostor Queen, needless to say, I got heck of excited. While this one won't unseat Of Metal and Wishes as my favorite book from Sarah, it's definitely a fascinating read that I couldn't put down--and I'll be at the front of the line for its sequel.

The world of The Impostor Queen was probably my favorite part. The magic system Sarah has set up is so fascinating to learn about (people have either ice or fire magic), and the system of a female ruler with the most powerful magic in the kingdom (the ability to control both in equal measures)--magic that transfers to her non-hereditary heir upon her death--is so cool. Of course, the governing system that sounds like such a good setup has its dark side, which Elli comes to know in the course of the story. Just you wait!

Elli is interesting because she's so entrenched and so believes in the system she's a part of. The Valtia is more than her queen, and she's unwilling to believe anything negative of the people she's grown up around. Needless to say, when she doesn't get her magic, it's a jolt, and she has to come to terms with not being the person she was raised to be. At first, she's not the most interesting character. But as she learns to live a new life and she comes to realize that she's going to have to fight for her people, she comes out of her shell and becomes such a fascinating character.

If you like fantasy with compelling magical systems and are willing to invest yourself into a character a little bit before it pays off, The Impostor Queen will be a book for you.

About the author:

Sarah Fine was born on the West Coast, raised in the Midwest, and is now firmly entrenched on the East Coast. She’s a clinical child psychologist and the author of the Guards of the Shadowlands series and Of Metal and Wishes. She is also a co-author of Scan and Burn.

Stacking the Shelves {144}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

Well hey there! Long time, no see, y'all! I have no excuses--except to say I'm lazy? Does that work? I've worked to keep myself from making blogging stressful, and I've certainly done a good job of that, having not posted, like, at all. It definitely keeps stress down! :) Anyway, I've got some fun books to show y'all!

For review:

Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Firstlife by Gena Showalter
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell

The coolest thing was the package Pax came in! I tried to get it set up and take a picture, but you can see how well that worked...

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Siren's Song by Mary Weber
And I Darken by Kiersten White

Purchased:

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (and it's signed! Whee!)

Books I read this week (or however long it's been since my last post!):
Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little (DNF)
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I'm currently reading:
Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

So that's been my week! And that's it, in terms of books! It's been several weeks, and I feel like I'm doing pretty well not adding too many books to my shelves. I'm trying so hard. Oy. None would be better... But quitting cold turkey would be too awful. :)

Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous week!

Blog Tour: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman {Review + Playlist + Giveaway}

Release date: February 9, 2016
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided for review
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

Pirates! We're all fascinated--so of course I knew reading Blackhearts, an imagining of the origin of one of history's most famed pirates, Blackbeard, was a must. (I actually visited the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum this summer and it was awesome. Not cheesy, like you'd expect, and learned quite a lot! There's even an interactive cannon--and then you can cross the street to the Castillo de San Marcos and see an actual cannon demonstration. So cool, y'all. Anyway...) While there's so little pirating it's almost criminal, Blackhearts is an engaging and creative take on Blackbeard's origin that'll most definitely leave you wanting more.

We're introduced to Anne and Teach, who seem as if they couldn't be more different when they meet, but as they come to know one another, we can see just how alike they are. While Anne is of mixed race and was raised in the odd situation of not quite being recognized as her well-off merchant father's child but also not treated as a servant, she's headstrong and determined, speaking her mind when she shouldn't. But she longs for freedom--to leave behind the imposition of other's wills and to venture off and find the side of her family she's never known. Teach is the well-regarded son of another merchant, but he was raised with the expectation that he could marry into the nobility, securing his father's dream--without any regard for his own. All Teach wants to do is get away from his father, and that dream comes in the form of the open seas. When the two meet, however, priorities change as they realize they've each found their match in the other.

As I said, the pirating was only teased in Blackhearts. It's an obvious threat, but what we're treated to is how Blackbeard came to be. Why he's sailing in the first place. And why his ship is named the Queen Anne's Revenge. And because almost nothing is known about the real pirate, giving him a romantic backstory is quite a treat. While we don't ever see him being a pirate, you can totally understand where he goes from the end of the book. (And fair warning, cliffhanger ending that is likely not to be resolved, as there is no sequel contracted as of now! I didn't mind the ending, since we can go in with a lot more knowledge than your average book.)

If you're at all intrigued by the background of pirates (and who's not, really? You're lying if you say you're not. I don't accept that you might not be!), Blackhearts is going to be enjoyable. Besides seeing Teach become Blackbeard, you get to know Anne, who is everything you could hope for in a character: strong, determined, a dreamer, and a fighter. You'll love Teach. You'll love Anne. You'll love them together.

Nicole was lucky enough to come with her very own best friend...she has a twin sister who can read her mind and finish her sentences for her.

At the age of 13, she went to Europe for the first time and it changed her life. She loves learning about different people, languages and cultures and speaks fluent German. She knows enough Spanish to get herself into trouble and can still read the Cyrillic alphabet from when she studied Russian.

She received her B.A. from Brigham Young University and has lived in Germany, Austria and two different places called Georgia. One is located on the Black Sea. The other is the state of Georgia where she now lives with her handsome husband and two beautiful children who continue to amaze her.

I have to explain a couple of these, rather than give them to y'all without any input. I love putting together playlists for books, because I love finding connections to books I love in music I love. Nine times out of ten, the music I've selected is something I listen to regularly and only saw its relevance to the book while I was looking.

Pirates of the Caribbean music is obvious. What's less obvious is this track, because it's not the squashbuckling theme you've doubtless heard a hundred times. This is the romantic track, the one that makes me feel, the one that suggests the pain and loss of the lives those characters lead. "A Coward No Longer" is here, first, because it's beautiful. (I can admit that.) But it's also raw, and also written to evoke a certain determined feeling. To me, it seems that it takes Anne to make Teach stand up to his father--and almost rightly so, but in that, he's not afraid of him any more. And "Promise" is so perfect lyrically it's crazy: "And promise me this / You'll wait for me only", "Who am I, darling for you? / Who am I? / Could be a burden in time, lonely / Who am I, to you?". A few lines sound like they came straight from Anne's mouth.

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