Book Birthday

Ahhhh so many amazing books released today!!! These are on my neverending TBR and I can’t wait to read them all. If only I didn’t have to adult every day and just go on a very long reading vacation… Wouldn’t that be nice?!?!

Happiest Book Birthday to these Beauties!!!!

The Language of Thorns

Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

Leigh Bardugo

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PUBLISHED BY  MACMILLAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, SHORT STORIES
PAGES: HARDCOVER 224
BUY AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLE
Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.
Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.
Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.
This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

An Enchanment of Ravens

Margaret Rogerson

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PUBLISHED BY Margaret K. McElderry Books SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
PAGES: HARDCOVER 300
BUY AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEBOOK DEPOSITORY
Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life.

Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There’s only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless.

Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.

 

Starfish

Akemi Dawn Bowman

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PUBLISHED BY  SIMON PULSE SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, MENTAL HEALTH
PAGES: HARDCOVER 320
BUY AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEBOOK DEPOSITORY
Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.

But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.

 

A Short History of the Girl Next Door

Jared Reck

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PUBLISHED BY Knopf Books for Young Readers SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE
PAGES: HARDCOVER 272
BUY AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEBOOK DEPOSITORY
The unrequited love of the girl next door is the centerpiece of this fiercely funny, yet heart-breaking debut novel.

Fifteen-year-old Matt Wainwright is in turmoil. He can’t tell his lifelong best friend, Tabby, how he really feels about her; his promising basketball skills are being overshadowed by his attitude on the court, and the only place he feels normal is in English class, where he can express his inner thoughts in quirky poems and essays. Matt is desperately hoping that Tabby will reciprocate his feelings; but then Tabby starts dating Liam Branson, senior basketball star and all-around great guy. Losing Tabby to Branson is bad enough; but, as Matt soon discovers, he’s close to losing everything that matters most to him.

Humorous and heart-wrenching, A Short History of the Girl Next Door is perfect for readers who fell in love with All the Bright Places’ Finch or Stargirl’s Leo.

Invictus

Ryan Graudin

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PUBLISHED BY Little, Brown Books for Young Readers SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, SCI-FI, TIME TRAVEL
PAGES: HARDCOVER 464
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Time flies when you’re plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far’s birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he’s ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past.

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

 

The Fire Queen

(The Hundredth Queen #2)

Emily R. King

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PUBLISHED BY  SKYSCAPE SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
PAGES: PAPERBACK 286
BUY AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEBOOK DEPOSITORY
Though the tyrant rajah she was forced to marry is dead, Kalinda’s troubles are far from over. A warlord has invaded the imperial city, and now she’s in exile. But she isn’t alone. Kalinda has the allegiance of Captain Deven Naik, her guard and beloved, imprisoned for treason and stripped of command. With the empire at war, their best hope is to find Prince Ashwin, the rajah’s son, who has promised Deven’s freedom on one condition: that Kalinda will fight and defeat three formidable opponents.

But as Kalinda’s tournament strengths are once again challenged, so too is her relationship with Deven. While Deven fears her powers, Ashwin reveres them—as well as the courageous woman who wields them. Kalinda comes to regard Ashwin as the only man who can repair a warring world and finds herself torn between her allegiance to Deven and a newly found respect for the young prince.

With both the responsibility to protect her people and the fate of those she loves weighing heavily upon her, Kalinda is forced again to compete. She must test the limits of her fire powers and her hard-won wisdom. But will that be enough to unite the empire without sacrificing all she holds dear?

Savage

(Dragonrider Legacy #1)

Nicole Conway

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PUBLISHED BY Month9Books, LLC SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY
PAGES: PAPERBACK 296
BUY Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks
Savage begins the Dragonrider Legacy series, a thrilling companion to the international bestselling Dragonrider Chronicles.

Never send a hero to do a monster’s job.

Forty years have passed since Jaevid Broadfeather brought peace to Maldobar and Luntharda. But that fragile truce will be tested as darkness gathers on the horizon. The vicious armies of the Tibran Empire have crossed the far seas and are threatening to destroy Maldobar completely. Not even the dragonriders can match the Tibran war machines. And after an attempt to awaken Jaevid from his divine sleep fails, the fate of Maldobar is looking grim.

Reigh has never known what it means to be a normal human. Raised amongst the gray elves in the wild jungle of Luntharda, he’s tried everything to fit in. But the dark power within him is bursting at the seams—refusing to be silenced. And while his adoptive father, Kiran, insists this power must be kept secret, Reigh knows he’s running out of time.

As Maldobar burns, the world is desperate for a new hero. Destiny has called, and one boy will rise to answer.

 

Anyway, hope you’re all having a wonderful day! If you’re following me on my Instagram, then you may have read that I’m been feeling under the weather lately. I’m not that bad so I’m still working 8 hours a day. However, I haven’t had the energy to read or work on finishing some of my reviews. I’m just hoping that I can fight this cold/cough. I’ve been drinking fluids, vitamin c, and sleeping early. Being sick is definitely no fun…

Have you read any of these or plan on reading them? Leave your thoughts and comments down below. Have a wonderful day!

Sincerely Karen Jo

Review

Kalifus Rising

(Legends of Orkney #2)

Alane Adams

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5 ★ – A Marvelous and Magical Adventure
PUBLISHED BY SPARKPRESS SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
GENRE(S) MIDDLE GRADE, FANTASY, MYTHOLOGY
PAGES: PAPERBACK 384
BUY BARNES AND NOBLEAMAZON, BOOK DEPOSITORY

Sam Baron just freed Orkney from the ravages of the Red Sun–but now, imprisoned by Catriona, leader of the Volgrim Witches, Sam finds the darker side of his half-god, half-witch heritage released, and he fears he might destroy what he saved. Unable to resist the witches’ enchantments, Sam has become their most potent weapon, and is leading an army of monstrous men against Skara Brae. Sam’s only hope for salvation lies with his three best friends and a mystical artifact known as the Moon Pearl. Keely travels north in search of the pearl, while Howie prepares for the gathering onslaught. Leo seeks a powerful artifact in the underworld, and faces an ancient evil that could be an even greater threat than Catriona and her cronies. As Sam’s friends rush to save him, other forces are at work in Orkney’s shadows–forces that could help free Sam, or condemn him to the darkness forever.

It is sooo good to be back in Orkney! I’ve forgotten how much I miss this place and the super lovable characters!

Kalifus Rising follows Keely, Howie and Leo as they try to save Sam and ultimately all of Orkney. Alane Adams definitely amps up the adventure, the thrills, the twists, the humor and really everything else. Her writing is beautiful, vivid, and incredibly imaginative. Once again, I found myself being carried away into this magical world. The plot is engaging and full of surprises that I never really knew what was going to happen. Just when I thought I figured something out, Adams would throw another curve ball and I absolutely loved it! The mythological aspect was utterly captivating and creative. The characters are just the best and I honestly have mad love for all of them. This book is just full of so much awesome and excitement that you’ll be reading way past your bedtime and dreaming about Orkney.

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The character development in this installment is amazing. Adams writes with a tremendous heart and you can feel how much she cares about the characters that you can’t help but care about them too. You’ll cheer them on, feel for them and the whole nine yards. I truly enjoyed watching Sam, Keely, Howie, and Leo go on fun adventures, deal with impossible situations, figure out and solve problems, and grow into their roles. I don’t want to reveal too much, but this quirky group of kid heroes… well they are absolutely charming and so fun and I seriously love them! I do have to mention that Keely is definitely my favorite throughout the story. She’s determined and so badass and I adored her with all my heart. Oh and I also really liked the side characters like Mavery (gosh I miss that little imp so much), Rego, and Teren… the old and new and yes even the villains like Catriona and Endera. They’re  unique, interesting and delightful in their own ways.

IMG_6911Kalifus Rising is without a doubt one of the best sequels I’ve ever read. I love the characters, the mystery, the adventure, and everything else in between. I love the themes Adams weaves into this crazy FUNTASTIC tale (self-discovery, courage, loyalty, family, friendship, forgiveness and so much more). You’ll definitely be walking away with a smile on your face, a happy heart, and a chest full of life lessons. Definitely go check this out right now and add it to your TBR.

 As I’m writing this review, I’m more than 70% done with the third and final book. I’m totally dreading the end, but I can’t wait to see how Adams concludes this series.

Huge thanks to Alane Adams for sending me all three copies (and they’re signed too) of this marvelous series. I will treasure them and Orkney forever.

 

Follow and Connect with Alane Adams: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Hope you enjoyed this review!
Sincerely Karen Jo