Waiting on Wednesday #779, April 15th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:

THE EMPEROR IS HERE. AND SHE MADE HIM WORSE.

Rae is a fantasy reader who's been transported to her favourite fictional world of swords and sorcery, castles and monsters. Playing the villainess, she thought she could change the narrative, but this version of the plot is far much more deadly than the one she knew.

Her friends are on the run: the Cobra shelters in an eerie manor haunted by dark secrets, while Emer and Lia stoke a revolution in the gutters. Undead armies roam the kingdom, raiders camp at the city gates, and the irresistible emperor - Rae's favourite character ever, now possibly the greatest monster in the land - wants her to be his evil queen.

What's a villainess to do? It's time for wicked bargains and fake engagements, in a fantasy where the most dangerous thing you can do is believe in someone.

All Hail Chaos is Sarah Rees Brennan's wicked, unmissable sequel to the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling Long Live Evil ('delicious, subversive' Leigh Bardugo).

Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:

A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Legacy of Desire by Larissa Ione

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

The Cupid Dilemma by April Asher

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

The Bone Door by Frances White

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

Broken Dove by Dani Francis 

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

The Hanging Bones by Elle Tesch

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

When the Light Returns by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

In the Blood by April Henry

Expected Publication: May 12th, 2026
From Goodreads:
d

Another week of excellent releases coming out in this week of May! I love these authors and series, and I can't wait to read them all! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Will the Time Come #751, October 23rd

Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!

Want to Join?

-Pick a book you have been meaning to read

-Do a post telling us about the book    

-Link the post up in the linky  

-Visit the other blogs

From Goodreads:

An intergalactic luxury cruise to a distant port is a world unto itself in this piercing short mystery by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth. Traveling faster than light, the transport ship Redundancy is cut off from communication as effectively as an ancient ocean liner. The isolation suits crew member Ace Vance just fine—she’s got nowhere else to be. But when a wealthy passenger turns up dead during a routine voyage, Ace will have to connect with the passengers and crew to uncover the truth. Tragedy will strike again—it’s only a matter of time. Veronica Roth’s Void is part of The Far Reaches , a collection of science-fiction stories that stretch the imagination and open the heart. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Why the time hasn't come yet...

I dunno, it's set of stories that are technically a series, but by various authors, and probably a theme and not connected stories besides that theme. Plus it's a novella. There's really no reason besides how many books that are on my TBR as to why I haven't gotten to it. What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Waiting on Wednesday #747, September 3rd

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 
 

Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

With the awakening of fire-breathing dragons, Among the Burning Flowers sees the first sparks of danger that threaten to consume the world in The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Take your first steps into the epic.

Yscalin, land of sunshine and lavender, will soon be ablaze.

It has been centuries since the Draconic Army took wing, almost extinguishing humankind.

Marosa Vetalda is a prisoner in her own home, controlled by her cold father, King Sigoso. Over the mountains, her betrothed, Aubrecht Lievelyn, rules Mentendon in all but name. Together, they intend to usher in a better world.

A better world seems impossibly distant to Estina Melaugo, who hunts the Draconic beasts that have slept across the world for centuries.

And now the great wyrm Fýredel is stirring, and Yscalin will be the first to fall . . .

A story of human resilience in the face of dire circumstances, Among the Burning Flowers leads readers through the gripping and tragic circumstances that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree.

Richly illustrated with magical artwork by Rovina Cai (@rovinacai).

The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE CRUCIBLE TRILOGY FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES, #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER, THE GAMES GODS PLAY

She has won the games of the gods, can she stand against the titans? Lyra may have survived the Crucible, but now she faces an even more dangerous test - a deadly race against time begins in Tartarus.

The games continue in the thrilling and highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling romantasy The Games Gods Play. Welcome to Tartarus!

I Killed the King by Rebecca Mix and Andrea Hannah 

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out—with beasts, murder, and magic—in this first book in a thrilling locked-room whodunnit YA fantasy duology by Andrea Hannah and New York Times bestseller Rebecca Mix.

After a decade of war, the kingdoms of Avendell and Istellia have finally agreed to peace. As nobles and magic wielders from both countries arrive at remote Castle Avendell for a historic all-night masquerade to celebrate, King Costis summons an unlikely group to his the crown prince, his Istellian bride-to-be, his personal guard, a wild beast tamer, and the palace’s questionable new healer. But before Costis can reveal why he has gathered them, the castle goes dark.

When the lights come back, the king is dead—murdered with the princess’s knife, in a weak spot only his guard knew of, and with venom from one of the beast tamer’s monsters lacing the blade.

With no clear killer—and everyone a suspect—they make a risky Tell no one until the treaty is signed. But when a winter storm seals everyone inside and someone aware of the king's untimely death begins to pick off guests one by one, the six suspects must work together to discover who killed the king . . . before one of them is next.

The Summer War by Naomi Novik

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

In this poignant, heartfelt novella from the New York Times bestselling author of Spinning Silver and the Scholomance Trilogy, a young witch who has inadvertently cursed her brother to live a life without love must find a way to undo her spell.

Celia discovered her talent for magic on the day her beloved oldest brother Argent left home. Furious at him for abandoning her in a war-torn land, she lashed out, not realizing her childish, angry words would suddenly become imbued with the power of prophecy, dooming him to a life without love.

While Argent wanders the world, forced to seek only fame and glory instead of the love and belonging he truly desires, Celia attempts to undo the curse she placed on him. Yet even as she grows from a girl to a woman, she cannot find the solution—until she learns the truth about the centuries-old war between her own people and the summerlings, the immortal beings who hold a relentless grudge against their mortal neighbors.

Now, with the aid of her unwanted middle brother, Celia may be able to both undo her eldest brother's curse and heal the lands so long torn apart by the Summer War.

To Clutch a Razor by Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth pulls from Slavic folklore to explore family, duty, and what it means to be a monster in this sequel to the USA Today bestselling novella When Among Crows

A funeral. A heist. A mission born of desperation.

When someone in Dymitr’s family dies, he’s called back home for the Empty Night, a funeral rite intended to keep evil at bay.

The secret Dymitr is keeping from them makes returning home downright dangerous, but if he wants to get his hands on a book of curses that might appease Baba Jaga’s blood lust, he has no choice. And when that same funeral brings ferocious creature-of-legend Niko to town for his own bloody purposes, Dymitr’s charade becomes impossible to maintain.

Family gatherings can be brutal. Dymitr’s might just be fatal.

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

November 1933. London. Seven people receive mysterious letters. Someone knows their terrible secrets. They are summoned to a posh townhouse where one is stabbed right in front of the others, but somehow no one saw a thing. Can you help Scotland Yard solve the mystery?

A “delightfully witty interactive mystery packed with theatrical characters and exciting twists” (G.T. Karber, author of Murdle) from the bestselling author and illustrator of Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village

Dear Detective,

Surely you have seen the papers and read about the dreadful murder of the American novelist—stabbed while in a room with six other people, and yet no one went near him or saw the murder occur. The crime is so devious, so logistically impossible, that it seems to have been committed not by a person but by a disembodied hand.

I must confess that we are at a loss. Who wrote the poison pen letters that lured these seven people to this deadly gathering? A poet, an earl, an actress, a cook, a telephone operator, and a lothario . . . What do they have in common? And how could a man be stabbed in a room full of suspects, even though no one went near him or saw a thing?

We have had our best people on the case, Detective, and we still can’t make heads or tails of it. We are giving this case file to you. Can you decipher the clues, decode the witness statements, and identify the murderer? You are our last hope. Can you help us crack the Creeping Hand Murder?

Yours truly,

Detective Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police

We Met Like This by Kasie West

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Beloved author Kasie West's sparkling, seductive adult rom-com debut about a hopeless romantic falling for the one man she never expected. This deluxe paperback features beautiful designed edges; order now to receive it while supplies last!

Can a swipe right turn into swept away?

Margot Hart is a hopeless romantic. That’s why she wants to be a literary agent—to help bring romance books to the world. It’s also why she hates dating apps with all her romance loving soul. She wants her own love story to be just as much fun as the books she reads—a mixed up coffee order, a mistaken identity. She’s not going to tell the story that she swiped right on future husband’s shirtless pic for the rest of her life.

The problem is that her most consistent relationship over the last several years is with Oliver, a guy she keeps rematching with on the apps. They’ve only been on one date and it was a disaster…well, until the make out session in the car before parting ways. But, she keeps reminding herself, a make out session does not a relationship make. And so there will not be a date two regardless of how witty their app banter is.

When Margot gets fired from her job on the same day she meets Oliver again, her life becomes a veritable shit show. Her dream career is dying right before her eyes, and Oliver thinks she’s interested in only one thing: a repeat of the hot make out session they had three years ago so she can get him out of her system. And maybe that is all she wants from him, because she and Oliver are definitely not compatible—he doesn’t hit the snooze button, he runs five miles every morning, he reads nonfiction, and worst of all, she didn’t meet him in cute way! But in her scramble to keep her dream career alive, by opening her own agency, Oliver is there with his golden retriever energy, more steady and helpful than any man she’s ever dated. Just when she thinks she’s overcome her app bias, she realizes that maybe it’s not her who’s holding back, but him. And his reasons are more than she bargained for.

Kasie West's romantic and sexy adult debut is full of witty banter, meet cutes gone awry and, ultimately, true love.

Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason

Expected Publication: September 16th, 2025
From Goodreads:

Lady Bridgerton meets The Thursday Murder Club in the first of a charming, Victorian-set mystery series from bestselling author Colleen Gleason.

Lady Darling is a woman “of a certain age.” Fifty, to be specific—which, in the eyes of London society, makes her uninteresting, eccentric, and a little intimidating.

She’s a widow.

An empty-nester (all of her children very successfully married-off).

She’s titled, influential…and very, very rich.

Now she just wants to be left alone to enjoy her pets and her gardens and her books.

Until someone turns up dead at a dinner party, and Lady Darling is on the scene.

What’s a smart, responsible, capable woman to do?

Find the killer, of course!

A thrilling, witty romp of a mystery series, the Lady Darling books will find fans with readers of historical cozies, Bridgerton, and The Thursday Murder Club.

Oh, these is so many books that I'm so excited for coming out on the 16th! It's only 2 or so weeks away, and I can't wait for them all to be out! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #741, August 18th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #740
Teaser Tuesday #748
WWW Wednesday #748
WOW #744
Will the Time Come #741
Third Sentence Thursday #731
Random Reads #717
First Lines Friday #744
Book Blogger Hop #410

Monthly ARC's Update 127
The Reward Challenge Update #726
Wheel of TBR #273
How Well I Stuck to It #578
Wrote that Review Update #575

Week 33 Reviews:
Only Rogue Actions

Tarnished Empire

Dark Shores

Dark Skies

Gilded Serpent 

Land of Shadow

Dream True Things

To Clutch a Razor

The Inheritance

We Can Never Leave

The Unbroken

The Faithless

Thief of Night

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

Songlight 

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 

Update 53

Update 54

Update 55

Update 56

Update 57

Update 58

ARC August:

Update 10

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Update 17

Random:

C.L. Clark Author Page

OK, so I got 40 posts in 7 days, and it was another quiet week, the first full week without Jax, and it's hard, getting used to the new normal, because I really only saw him on the weekends, only had 2 nights where I could've, would've had him, but don't. But I've also laughed. Mainly, because I got to be there, I got to say goodbye, that's really helped, this is the first out of the 3 that I've gotten that. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read nothing planned! 

Week 33 Review: To Clutch a Razor

From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth pulls from Slavic folklore to explore family, duty, and what it means to be a monster in this sequel to the USA Today bestselling When Among Crows

A funeral. A heist. A mission born of desperation.

When someone in Dymitr's family dies, he's called back home for the Empty Night, a funeral rite intended to keep evil at bay.

The secret Dymitr is keeping from them makes returning home downright dangerous, but if he wants to get his hands on a book of curses that might appease Baba Jaga's blood lust, he has no choice. And when that same funeral brings Niko, a ferocious creature of legend, to town for his own bloody purposes, Dymitr's charade becomes impossible to maintain.

Family gatherings can be brutal. Dymitr's might just be fatal.

My Review:
I' so glad that we got this book! When I read the first one, I didn't know it was going to be a series, and now that it is, I'm glad, to spend more time in this world with these characters! 

Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Curse Breaker #2  
Read: August 12th, 2025  
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this world, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Expected Publication: September 16th 2025 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

ARC August Update 12

So I read my next book for ARC August, and it was To Clutch a Razor and I'll be reading We Can Never Leave next! 

My Reading Journey:

All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow

Started On: August 1st

Finished On: August 1st, 6:38 PM

Pages Read: 352

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda

Started On: August 2nd

Finished On: August 2nd, 6:39 PM

Pages Read: 352

Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause 

Started On: August 3rd

Finished On: August 3rd, 11:03 PM

Pages Read: 400

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox

Started On: August 4th

Finished On: August 4th, 7:34 PM

Pages Read: 336

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong

Started On: August 5th

Finished On: August 5th, 11:17 AM

Pages Read: 464

A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 2:29 PM

Pages Read: 128

A Touch of Treachery by Jennifer Estep

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 10:36 PM

Pages Read: 477

The Orc and the Innkeeper by Cora Crane

Started On: August 8th

Finished On: August 8th, 10:02 AM

Pages Read: 278

Only Rogue Actions by Jennifer Estep

Started On: August 9th

Finished On: August 9th, 1:03 PM

Pages Read: 220

Land of Shadow by Celia Aaron

Started On: August 11th

Finished On: August 11th, 11:37 AM

Pages Read: 410

Dream True Things by Marie Marquardt

Started On: August 11th

Finished On: August 11th, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 353

To Clutch a Razor by Veronica Roth

Started On: August 12th

Finished On: August 12th, 9:47 AM

Pages Read: 240

We Can Never Leave by H.E. Edgmon

Started On: August 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 320

Goals: 31
Read: 12
Pages Read: 3674

ARC August Update 11

So I read my next book for ARC August, and it was Dream True Things and I'll be reading To Clutch a Razor next! 

My Reading Journey:

All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow

Started On: August 1st

Finished On: August 1st, 6:38 PM

Pages Read: 352

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda

Started On: August 2nd

Finished On: August 2nd, 6:39 PM

Pages Read: 352

Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause 

Started On: August 3rd

Finished On: August 3rd, 11:03 PM

Pages Read: 400

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox

Started On: August 4th

Finished On: August 4th, 7:34 PM

Pages Read: 336

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong

Started On: August 5th

Finished On: August 5th, 11:17 AM

Pages Read: 464

A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 2:29 PM

Pages Read: 128

A Touch of Treachery by Jennifer Estep

Started On: August 7th

Finished On: August 7th, 10:36 PM

Pages Read: 477

The Orc and the Innkeeper by Cora Crane

Started On: August 8th

Finished On: August 8th, 10:02 AM

Pages Read: 278

Only Rogue Actions by Jennifer Estep

Started On: August 9th

Finished On: August 9th, 1:03 PM

Pages Read: 220

Land of Shadow by Celia Aaron

Started On: August 11th

Finished On: August 11th, 11:37 AM

Pages Read: 410

Dream True Things by Marie Marquardt

Started On: August 11th

Finished On: August 11th, 7:38 PM

Pages Read: 353

To Clutch a Razor by Veronica Roth

Started On: August 12th

Currently On: Page 0 of 240

Goals: 31
Read: 11
Pages Read: 3434

Waiting on Wednesday #675, April 17th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.

Pain is Dymitr’s calling. To slay the monsters he’s been raised to kill, he had to split his soul in half to make a sword from his own spine. Every time he draws it, he gets blood on his hands.

Pain is Ala’s inheritance. When her mother died, a family curse to witness horrors committed by the Holy Order was passed onto her. The curse will claim her life, as it did her mother’s, unless she can find a cure.

One fateful night in Chicago, Dymitr comes to Ala with a bargain: her help in finding the legendary witch Baba Jaga in exchange for an enchanted flower that just might cure her. Desperate, and unaware of what Dymitr really is, Ala agrees.

But they only have one day before the flower dies . . . and Ala's hopes of breaking the curse along with it.

Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Set sail for adventure and love in the next spicy fantasy romance from Katee Robert, the New York Times bestselling author of the TikTok smash hit Neon Gods .

As a bloodline vampire, Lizzie has never had a problem taking what she wants, and right now what she wants are the family heirlooms that were stolen from her and a portal home. Too bad even that short list is impossible to accomplish on her own—and her allies have bigger things to worry about.

When they rescue a selkie from captivity, it’s the perfect solution to her problem. Lizzie needs a guide through Threshold and the selkie needs someone to help her get her skin back.  Maeve didn’t choose to give up her skin—it was stolen from her. Now she’s in an uneasy partnership with a dangerous woman who seems more apt to kill than to share a kind word. It’s terrifying…and a bit alluring. Even though she knows it will end in heartbreak, Maeve can’t help being drawn to Lizzie and her all-too-pleasurable vampire bite. 

Unfortunately, the danger to Maeve’s heart is the least of her worries. The ship Lizzie’s chasing belongs to the Cŵn Annwn, and they don’t take kindly to people who steal from them. Not even Lizzie’s viciousness or Maeve’s selkie strength will be enough to save them if the Cŵn Annwn seek retribution…

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Christina Lauren, the instant New York Times bestselling and “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar), returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.

Blood & Fury by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Blood magic. Ancient fury.

Prepare for the gripping conclusion to the Chaos & Flame saga, the "fast-paced, action-filled fantasy that reads like a mix of Game of Thrones and The Last Airbender" (BCCB) from two beloved New York Times bestselling authors.

A single kiss set Chaos ablaze.

Picking up months after akiss transformed Darling into the long-lost Phoenix and every House regent into their empyreal form, Darling struggles to make sense of her destiny as a legendary creature. How can she, an orphan with no family, truly be the one to reunite the fractured houses and bring about peace, if she can't control the magic of her new Phoenix body?

Talon Goldhoard, still in love with Darling but wounded by her betrayal, is tasked with ending the vicious war that his family instigated. With the Phoenix reborn, Talon is hopeful that the bloodshed will end swiftly. Instead, the kingdom grows more fraught, with the threat of violence ever present – especially from dark, conniving forces within the walls of his own House Dragon.

As Chaos reigns, Talon and Darling must find their way back to each other to not survive but save the kingdom. Can Darling harness the power of the ancient magic that runs through her blood to bring about a new peace? Or will the fury that House Dragon fueled for a hundred-year war be too strong to break?

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.

Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.

1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.

When Iseul's and Daehyun's fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever

Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off.

Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and—most importantly—leave her alone.

What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor?

Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected.

And it might just be getting a little too real.

The House that Horror Build by Christina Henry

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

A single mother working in the gothic mansion of a reclusive horror director stumbles upon terrifying secrets.

Harry Adams loves horror movies, so it’s no coincidence that she accepted a job cleaning house for horror-movie director Javier Castillo. His forbidding gray-stone Chicago mansion, Bright Horses, is filled from top to bottom with terrifying props and costumes as well as glittering awards from his career making movies that thrilled audiences—until family tragedy and scandal forced him to vanish from the industry.

Javier values discretion, and Harry always tries to keep the house immaculate, her head down, and her job safe. Then she hears noises from behind a locked door, noises that sound remarkably like a human voice calling for help. Harry knows not asking questions is a vital part of keeping her job, but she soon discovers that the house may be home to secrets she can’t ignore.

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

Expected Publication: May 14th, 2024
From Goodreads:

Four teens. Three henchmen. Two thousand acres of remote forest. One very bad man. And a whole lot of new secrets to unearth. The unmissable, thrilling follow-up to The Girls I've Been (soon to be a Netflix film).

High school is over, but Nora O’Malley’s life isn’t, which is weird now that her murderous stepdad Raymond is free. Determined to enjoy summer before her (possibly) imminent demise, Nora plans a ten day backpacking trip with Iris and Wes. Her plans hit a snag when Wes’s girlfriend tags along. Amanda is nice, so it’s not a huge issue—until she gets taken. Or rather,  mis taken…for Nora. All because of a borrowed flannel.

Now Raymond has a hostage. Nora has no leverage. Iris has a spear and Wes is building boobytraps. It’ll take all of their skills   to make it out of the forest alive.

There are three Someone is lying. Someone is keeping secrets.

And someone has to die.

Oh, there's so many books coming out in the second week of May, and I'm so excited, I love these authors and series! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #671, April 15th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #670
Teaser Tuesday #678
WWW Wednesday #678
WOW #674
Will the Time Come #671
Third Sentence Thursday #661
Random Reads #647
First Lines Friday #674
Book Blogger Hop #340

22 Books to Read in 2022 Update 17

Monthly ARC's Update 68
The Reward Challenge Update #656
Wheel of TBR #203
How Well I Stuck to It #508
Wrote that Review Update #505

Week 15 Reviews:
These Shallow Graves

Obsidian and Stars

A Novel Love Story

Lies and Weddings

Chosen Champion 

The Hemlock Queen

Rule of Wolves

The Lilies

When Among Crows

The Devil You Know

Grey Sister

Set in Stone

A Wilderness of Stars

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

The Girls I've Been

Starfall

Starlight

We We Liars 

Timekeeper

Oculta

The Lost World

Magical Readathon: Orilium:

Update 32

Update 33

Update 34

Update 35

Update 36

Update 37

Update 38

Update 39

Update 40

Update 41

Update 42

Update 43

Update 44

Update 45

Update 46

Update 47

Update 48

Update 49

OK, so I got 52 posts in 7 days, it was a pretty great week, besides what turned out to be a sinus migraine, which lasted for 3 days when I figured out what it was and was able to deal with it. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Cast in Atonement. 

In the City of Elantra, only one holds the key to peace—or eternal darkness.

At the end of three long wars, Bellusdeo is the last of her kind, the sole surviving female Dragon in the City of Elantra. When she appears one evening on the doorstep of her former roommate, Corporal Kaylin Neya, her demeanor is dreadful—more so than what's expected of the Dragons' notoriously tempestuous temperament. Kaylin's new roommate, Mrs. Erickson, is quick to see the reason for Bellusdeo's despair—the eight ghosts of the Dragon's dead sisters, chained to her and unseen. Pleading for release, revenge and, above all, peace.

Now Kaylin and Mrs. Erickson must embark on a perilous journey, from the hallowed halls of the Academia to the depths of forbidden magic, to confront the very essence of mortality itself. Can Kaylin help release the untapped power within Mrs. Erickson to save Bellusdeo's sisters…or will unlocking the past plunge the realm into an unfathomable darkness forever?

Week 15 Review: When Among Crows

From Goodreads:

Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.

Pain is Dymitr's calling. To slay the monsters he's been raised to kill, he had to split his soul in half to make a sword from his own spine. Every time he draws it, he gets blood on his hands.

Pain is Ala's inheritance. When her mother died, a family curse to witness horrors committed by the Holy Order was passed onto her. The curse will claim her life, as it did her mother's, unless she can find a cure.

One fateful night in Chicago, Dymitr comes to Ala with a bargain: her help in finding the legendary witch Baba Jaga in exchange for an enchanted flower that just might cure her. Desperate, and unaware of what Dymitr really is, Ala agrees.

But they only have one day before the flower dies . . . and Ala's hopes of breaking the curse along with it.

My Review:
I had such a great time reading this book! I love Veronica Roth's writing, and this sounded like a really great read, and boy, it was! The synopsis had me intrigued, and I had to know what was going to happen next-especially since there was the time crunch of the life of this flower! 

This world of various monsters from folklore, especially Slavic, was really interesting, that they were known to the world, which is why people could call in the Holy Order to deal with monsters. I hope this becomes a series because I want to see more! 

Oh, man, Dymitr and Ala. They both have things weighing them down, Dymitr that he's a knight, but he wants the destruction of one knight, Ala that she has this family curse. I loved reading about them, getting to know them, they were tortured and I had to follow along with their story! 

I loved that reveal of what the plan was, that was just amazing! And how things actually went down, that was just so fantastic to read! I loved how it turned out, though I would've loved to see a bit more of the aftermath, because I always want more! 

This was such a good book and I can't wait to read more by Veronica Roth! 

Author: Veronica Roth
Read: April 10th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Expected Publication: May 14th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 36

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium, and it was When Among Crows which was for the prompt Shapeshifting, and I'll be reading Grey Sister next!

My Reading Journey:

Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription

Started On: April 1st 

Finished On: April 1st, 4:31 PM 

Pages Read: 192

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart 

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:12 PM

Pages Read: 336

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:15 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:17 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:19 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:21 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:23 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:25 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Reread the Legend of Dia

Prompt Fulfilled: Lore

Started On: April 1st

Finished On: April 1st, 9:27 PM

Pages Read: N/A

The Martian by Andy Weir

Prompt Fulfilled: Astronomy

Started On: April 2nd

Finished On: April 2nd, 1:40 PM

Pages Read: 384

Picture of The Martian 

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 2nd

Finished On: April 2nd, 1:45 PM

Pages Read: N/A

The Witch Queen of Halloween by Kresley Cole

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration

Started On: April 2nd

Finished On: April 2nd, 10:17 PM

Pages Read: 182

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Prompt Fulfilled: Conjuration

Started On: April 3rd

Finished On: April 3rd, 2:58 PM

Pages Read: 446

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration

Started On: April 3rd

Finished On: April 3rd, 9:13 PM

Pages Read: 527

Picture of King of Scars

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 3rd

Finished On: April 3rd, 9:17 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 11:28 AM

Pages Read: 387

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

Prompt Fulfilled: Restoration

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 2:51 PM

Pages Read: 368

Picture of Sex and Vanity

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 2:55 PM

Pages Read: N/A

A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair

Prompt Fulfilled: Inscription

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 9:46 PM

Pages Read: 592

Picture of A Touch of Chaos

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 4th

Finished On: April 4th, 9:50 PM

Pages Read: N/A

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher 

Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology

Started On: April 5th

Finished On: April 5th, 12:13 PM

Pages Read: 656

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh

Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy

Started On: April 5th

Finished On: April 5th, 4:41 PM

Pages Read: 400

Picture of Ivory and Bone

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 5th

Finished On: April 5th, 4:44 PM

Pages Read: N/A

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence 

Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies

Started On: April 5th

Finished On: April 5th, 10:43 PM

Pages Read: 477

Picture of Red Sister

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 5th

Finished On: April 5th, 10:47 PM

Pages Read: N/A

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Prompt Fulfilled: Apothecary Keeper 1

Started On: April 6th

Finished On: April 6th, 7:57 PM

Pages Read: 482

Obsidian and Stars by Julie Eshbaugh

Prompt Fulfilled: Alchemy

Started On: April 7th

Finished On: April 7th, 12:18 PM

Pages Read: 368

Picture of Obsidian and Stars 

Prompt Fulfilled: Check it Out Under Direct Sunlight

Started On: April 7th

Finished On: April 7th, 12:20 PM

Pages Read: N/A

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Prompt Fulfilled: Animal Studies

Started On: April 7th

Finished On: April 7th, 4:27 PM

Pages Read: 384

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

Prompt Fulfilled: Spells & Incantations

Started On: April 7th

Finished On: April 7th, 8:50 PM

Pages Read: 448

Chosen Champion by Elise Kova

Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies

Started On: April 8th

Finished On: April 8th, 10:42 AM

Pages Read: 338

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah F. Whitten

Prompt Fulfilled: Elemental Studies

Started On: April 8th

Finished On: April 8th, 10:20 PM

Pages Read: 480

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination

Started On: April 9th

Finished On: April 9th, 4:47 PM

Pages Read: 592

The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado

Prompt Fulfilled: Demonology

Started On: April 9th

Finished On: April 9th, 10:07 PM

Pages Read: 336

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

Prompt Fulfilled: Shapeshifting

Started On: April 10th

Finished On: April 10th, 9:23 AM

Pages Read: 176

Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence 

Prompt Fulfilled: Psionics & Divination

Started On: April 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 427

Prompts Left: Alchemy, Spells & Incantations, Art of Illusion, Conjuration, Elemental Studies, Shapeshifting, Astronomy, Astronomy, Animal Studies, Demonology, Spells & Incantations, Astronomy, Art of Illusion, Psionics & Divination, Conjuration, Restoration, Shapeshifting, Art of Illusion, Psionics & Divination

Read: 36

Pages Read: 8451

WWW Wednesday #678, April 10th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently listening to When Among Crows, and it's so good! 

I'm also reading Grey Sister, and I'm just loving it! 

I read The Lilies, and it was just an amazing read!

I'm going to be reading Set in Stone, and I can't wait, I just love this series so much! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!