Waiting On Wednesday: SEA WITCH by Sarah Henning (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme that used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I've missed posting these on a weekly basis and have decided to start doing them again. 

Waiting On Wednesday is where I/we get to "spotlight" the books that we are most looking forward to reading soon! 

Today's pick is... 

SEA WITCH

by Sarah Henning

Expected release date: July 31st, 2018

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins)

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy - Fairytale Retelling

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Everyone knows what happens in the end.

A mermaid, a prince, a true love's kiss.

But before that young siren's tale, there were three friends.

One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, thought the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn't so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes - and hearts - of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can't stay in Havenestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend's humanity, along with her prince's heart - harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

The rise of Hans Christian Andersen's iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits - to become a monster.

MY THOUGHTS

It's a sort of retelling of the Little Mermaid; more like a prequel - Ursula's story before she became an evil witch!!! You all must know by now that I will pretty much read anything fairytale and/or retelling of a fairytale, especially if it's about a villain!

Catchy key phrases from the summary are...

- "She can't stay... on two legs..."

- "... save her friend's humanity, along with her prince's heart..."

- "...harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love..."

Can't. Wait!!!

What are you excited about reading soon??? 

Waiting On Wednesday: BLANCA & ROJA by Anna-Marie McLemore (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme that used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I've missed posting these on a weekly basis and have decided to start doing them again. 

Waiting On Wednesday is where I/we get to "spotlight" the books that we are most looking forward to reading soon! 

Today's pick is... 

BLANCA & ROJA

by Anna-Marie McLemore

Expected release date: October 9th, 2018

Published by: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)

Genre: Young Adult Fairytale Retellings/Magical Realism

Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

SUMMARY

The biggest lie of all is the story you think you already know.

The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they're also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.

But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans' spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them.

Blanca & Roja is the captivating story of sisters, friendship, love, hatred, and the price we pay to protect our hearts.

MY THOUGHTS

First of all, it's another Anna-Marie McLemore book.

Do I really need to convince you as to why I need this book ASAP?!?!?

Okay then...

It's a SNOW WHITE AND ROSE RED and SWAN LAKE retelling!!!

You all know how I feel about fairy tales, retellings, and magical realism!

Key phrases that are making me all jumpy and SO excited to read this:

- "... generations-old spell..."

- "... a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan."

- "... magic lacing the woods..."

- "... the price we pay to protect our hearts."

Just rip my heart out now and give me this book!!!

Is this book on your list too???

What are you currently waiting for???

Cover Reveal: BRING ME THEIR HEARTS by Sara Wolf (YA)

I am SO overly excited to share the cover reveal to one of my most anticipated books for 2018!!! It is gorgeous! And I cannot wait to get my hands on it!!!

BRING ME THEIR HEARTS

By Sara Wolf

Expected release date: June 5th, 2018

Published by: Entangled Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

In a new series Publishers Weekly has listed as “one of the most anticipated YA's of 2018”, we're excited to share the cover for Bring Me Their Hearts! NYT bestselling author Sara Wolf delivers a fast-paced, gritty fantasy sure to thrill fans of Holly Black, Sabba Tahir, and Sarah J. Maas.

Zera is a Heartless - the immortal, unaging soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly.

Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum: if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy Zera’s heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles.

Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him—every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him—until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat.

So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all.

Winner takes the loser’s heart.

Literally.

Pre-order NOW!!!

Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kobo / Entangled Publishing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Sara Wolf

Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. 

She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.

LINKS

Goodreads / Twitter / Tumblr

Waiting On Wednesday #146: THE FORBIDDEN WISH by Jessica Khoury (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

THE FORBIDDEN WISH

by Jessica Khoury

Expected release date: February 23rd, 2016

Published by Razorbill (Penguin)

Genre: Young Adult Fairytale Retelling

SUMMARY

She is the most powerful Jinni of all. 

He is a boy from the streets.

Their love will shake the world... 

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years - a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. 

But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity - only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart? 

As time unravels and her enemies close in Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin. 

Why I'm waiting on THE FORBIDDEN WISH???

Yes, it's another Aladdin retelling!

BUT, the twist - the jinni falls in love with Aladdin!

And, of course, there are going to be complications... 

I can't wait!!!

What are you waiting for???

Blog Tour (Review and Giveaway): A WHOLE NEW WORLD (A Twisted Tale #1) by Liz Braswell (YA)

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

A Twisted Tale Series #1

by Liz Braswell

Release date: September 1st, 2015

Published by Disney Press

Genre: Young Adult Retelling (Aladdin)

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Format read: ARC from the publisher. 

SUMMARY

What if Aladdin had never found the lamp? This first book in the A Twisted Tale line will explore a dark and daring version of Disney's Aladdin.

When Jafar steals the Genie's lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.

A Whole New World (ARC) by Liz Braswell

MY REVIEW

A magical novelization of one of Disney's most loved movies, Aladdin! Full of what we love and expect from Disney - characters we love, surprising twists and giving us exactly what we want...

As, I believe, that the majority of us has seen the movie, Aladdin, I am not going to go into a detailed summary of the book. The first part of the story reads just like the movie - I got reaquainted with Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. But once the twist of the story happens, it's all new territory. Cryptic, grim and unsuspecting. We get to see a different side to Aladdin, which I truly enjoyed.

Jafar is seriously dark and twisted, just like all of Disney's villains, this guy has some serious issues. He is such an intricate character. I'm really glad to have been able to see more of him, and get a better feel as to why Jafar is such a terrible person... if you didn't like him before, you'll despise him even more after what he does in this book.

As I have come to know and love, Disney's movies and books are heavy on visualization and world-building, I found the details amazing and capturing. But if I had just one wish, it would be that they would have given the secondary characters more depth. There were a few new characters, and a few cameos - I would have liked a few more pages with each and every one of them...

A Whole New World is exactly what I expected, and enjoyed it so much!... However, I do feel that the book reads for a younger audience. Even with its darker notes, it's not intimidating or frightening. 

A definite quick and enjoyable read for all Disney lovers! The ending is perfection!

You will not be disappointed!

*An ARC was sent to me from the publisher for an honest review.
All thoughts are my own.

GIVEAWAY

- FIVE winners will receive a FINISHED copy of A WHOLE NEW WORLD!!!
- U.S. only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Liz Braswell

After the sort of introverted childhood you would expect from a writer, Liz earned a degree in Egyptology at Brown University and then promptly spent the next ten years producing video games. Finally she caved into fate and wrote Snow and Rx under the name Tracy Lynn, followed by The Nine Lives of Chloe King series under her real name, because by then the assassins hunting her were all dead.  

She lives in Brooklyn with a husband, two children, a cat, a part-time dog, three fish and five coffee trees she insists will start producing beans any day.  

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/

A WHOLE NEW WORLD Tour Schedule: 

Week One:

8/24/2015- Adventures of a Book Junkie- Interview

8/25/2015-Book Briefs- Review

8/26/2015-Fiktshun- Guest Post

8/27/2015- Addicted Readers- Review

8/28/2015-Me, My Shelf and I- Interview

Week Two:

8/31/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-Tales- Review

9/1/2015- Nerdophiles- Guest Post

9/2/2015- Pandora's Books- Review

9/3/2015- Novel Novice- Interview

9/4/2015- A Backwards Story- Review

Waiting On Wednesday #141: THE SHADOW QUEEN by C.J. Redwine (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

THE SHADOW QUEEN

Ravenspire #1

by C.J. Redwine

Expected release date: February 23rd, 2016

Published by Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)

Genre: Young Adult Fairy Tale Retelling

SUMMARY

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. 

To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common - magic. She'll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen. 

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol's father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic - and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman... and bring her Lorelai's heart. 

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected - beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable - and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman - who she likes far more than she should - Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn't going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lost. 

Why I'm waiting on THE SHADOW QUEEN... 

First... don't you know me at all?!?!? 

It is a retelling of SNOW WHITE!!!

A darker retelling - with dark magic, ogres and dragons?!

Secondly... that bookcover is to die for!!!

Seriously! Everyone always uses a red apple, and I am loving the black dark vibe this has!

Lastly... it's a fairytale retelling!!! 

Don't you know me at all?!?!? lol

WHAT are you waiting for this week?!?!?

Waiting On Wednesday #138: A THOUSAND NIGHTS by E.K. Johnston

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

A THOUSAND NIGHTS

by E.K. Johnston

Expected U.S. release date: October 6th, 2015

Published by Disney Hyperion

Genre: Young Adult Retelling

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife.

When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong. 

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air. 

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster. 

Why I am waiting for A THOUSAND NIGHTS... 

First of all... which cover do you think is the prettiest??? 

Surprisingly, I am leaning towards the US cover... I feel that it suits the actual story much, much better.

Second... from the summary, it seems that the story is hardly a retelling. I'm curious to see what other changes, twists, etc. this author has done.

Lastly... it's one of my very few classic favorites! I'm really looking forward to it!!!

SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Waiting On Wednesday #137: MADLY by Amy Alward (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

MADLY
The Potion Trilogy #1
by Amy Alward
Expected release date: September 29th, 2015
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult 
Format: Hardcover, eBook 

SUMMARY

When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection. Oops. A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors traveling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.

Enter Samantha Kemi - an ordinary girl with extraordinary talent. Sam's family were once the most respected alchemists in the kingdom, but they've fallen on hard times, and winning the hunt would save their reputation. But can Sam really compete with the dazzling powers of the ZoroAster megapharma company?

Just how close is Sam willing to get to Zain Aster, her dashing former classmate and enemy, in the meantime?

And just to add to the pressure, this quest is ALL OVER social media. And the world news.
No big deal, then.

Why I'm waiting for MADLY...

The UK Paperback Edition

First... it's an original modern-day fairytale!!!

It is being compared to The Princess Bride!...
(I have to be brutally honest, that is a really hard book to live up to. So. I have decided to ignore that comparison and not force this book to be something that it may not be. Just saying!)

Next... did you see the bookcover? Did you see the UK edition???
Hard to choose!!!
Although, I am a hardcover kinda girl... hmmm...

Lastly... I just know it's probably going to be a fun, cheesy, adventurous and magical kind of book! I really can't wait to read it :)

SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Waiting on Wednesday #136: A WHOLE NEW WORLD (Twisted Tales #1) by Liz Braswell (YA)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Twisted Tales #1

by Liz Braswell

Expected release date: September 1st, 2015

Published by Disney Press

Genre: Young Adult Fairytale Retelling

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Welcome to a new YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways!

Each book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was changed???

This dark and daring version of ALADDIN twists the original story with the question: 

What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie?

When Jafar steals the Genie's lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish. To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next?

A Street Rat becomes a leader.

A princess becomes a revolutionary.

And readers will never look at the story of ALADDIN in the same way again.

Why I'm waiting for A WHOLE NEW WORLD...

FIRST of all!... a whole new Disney series from Disney reinventing classic Disney movies/stories?!

Yes, please!!!

Second of all!... this is a dream come true for me!!!

I have always imagined all of the 'what ifs' since I was a kid!!! And someone is finally giving me the twists that I've always longed for!

Lastly!... isn't that a gorgeous cover!!!

P.S... I am wondering if there will be multiple authors for this series...??? 

That would be an added bonus, am I right?!

SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Book Tour (Excerpt and Giveaway): SPELLED by Betsy Schow (YA)

SPELLED

by Betsy Schow

Expected release date: June 2nd, 2015

Published by Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Young Adult Fairytale Retelling

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.

Yeah, no thanks. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks — like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the brooding prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Talk about unhappily ever after. 

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called "Kansas." Now it's up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse... 

before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon / B&N / BAM / !ndigo / IndieBound / Kindle / Nook

EXCERPT

Most of the crowd had dispersed. The final few stragglers looked at me with the all­too-common look of fear mixed with trepidation. Pix ’em. They were just servants. It wasn’t like their opinion mattered.

Only one remained, watching me with open curiosity. He looked to be in his late teens or was magically enhanced to appear so. He could have been a hundred for all I knew. I’d never seen him before in my life. He was handsome enough, for a commoner, even in his worn leather pants and cracked work boots. A foreigner, his hair was unruly and dark auburn, which complemented his tanned but dirt-smudged complexion, though the tall, dark stranger vibe was ruined by his piercing pale blue eyes.

Well, I’d had enough of being a sideshow for the day. “If you’re the new gardener, the hedges are overgrown and in need of a trim.” I pointed in the direction of my father. “While you’re there, you can help the king with the wisps.”

The young man’s expression clouded over, but he didn’t move.

I stamped my foot and pointed more forcefully. “Off with you. Courtyard’s that way. Be sure to clean those awful boots before coming back in.”

“Someone told me I’d find a princess of great worth here. One with the strength to be the hero this realm needs.” He stared at me with those unsettling blue eyes. They were cold, like ice water—made me shiver from head to toe. Then his gaze seemed to search even deeper. Finally, he looked through me, like I was nothing.

In brisk steps, he strode across the marble to the courtyard. But before crossing the threshold, he turned back to glare at me with his lip curled ever so slightly. “It seems she was mistaken.”

Just like that, I had been sifted, weighed, and found wanting.

I felt my own lip curl in response. How rude! Who the Grimm was this peasant to judge me? I was wearing a Glenda original. Original! Not some fairy-godmother knockoff worn by those servant girls turned royal. I was a crown princess, for the love of fairy, and no one dismissed me.

Before I could put the boy in his place—down in the dirt, where he belonged—a clatter came from behind, making me nearly jump out of my shoes. I checked and was relieved that Sterling had simply dropped his sword. By the time I looked back, the gardener was gone.

After stowing his blade, Sterling held up his shield, not in defense of the entrance but so he could look at his reflection. “Clearly he’s blind and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

I didn’t ask for Sterling’s opinion, but it made me feel better.

Until he opened his mouth again.

“Worth, pffft. I mean, look around at all the jewels. Your palace has everything you could ever want. Honestly, I don’t know what you’re fussing about. Why would anyone want to leave?”

Because a cage is still a cage, no matter how big or glittering the bars are. And I would find a way free, no matter the cost.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Betsy Schow

Betsy Schow is the author of the memoir Finished Being Fat, and has been featured on The Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal. She lives in Utah, but travels the country with Color Me Rad 5k, and partners with nonprofits to teach kids creative thinking and how to reach their goals.

Website / Twitter