Never fear, Tess is here! (Brownie points for the rhyme? No?)
Instead of a book review, I thought it would be more fitting to showcase some of the YA new releases, just in time for holiday gift shopping. So without further ado, I give you... popular YA new releases from the months of November and December!
Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
by Laini Taylor
Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.
My Thoughts: This book has been out for a month, but I can't not put it here. I looooove the way Laini Taylor writes; seriously, her books can be a study on prose. This has wonderful cross-over appeal and shows that YA books can be both beautifully written AND have a kick-butt plot.
The Friday Society
by Adrienne Kress
Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.
It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.
My Thoughts: Woowee! This book sounds SO good! Totally up your alley if you're a steampunk/historical fan or just an advocate of Girl Power, really, because this book seems to promote exactly that.
Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms #1)
by Morgan Rhodes
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined.
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
My Thoughts: For fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling books and Julie Kagawa's Iron Fae series. I want to say this could be like Game of Thrones for the YA set, but I don't want to be too optimistic before I've actually read it.
The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1)
by Alexandra Bracken
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her--East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
My Thoughts: Yes, it's a dystopia, and even though that genre has been bludgeoned to death in YA, this book got really great reviews on Goodreads. I haven't read any of Bracken's books, but her debut novel, Brightly Woven, was very well-received. Probably great for fans of the TV show Heroes.
Burned (Pretty Little Liars #12)
by Sara Shepard
It's spring break, and the pretty little liars are trading in Rosewood for a cruise vacation. They want nothing more than to sail into the tropical sunset and leave their troubles behind for one blissful week. But where Emily, Aria, Spencer, and Hanna go, A goes, too. From scuba diving to tanning on the upper deck, A is there, soaking up all their new secrets.
Emily is smooching a stowaway. Aria's treasure-hunting partner is a little too interested in her booty. Spencer's going overboard trying to land a new boy. And a blast—or rather, a crash—from Hanna's past could mean rough waters ahead for everyone.
The liars better tighten their life jackets. A perfect storm is brewing, and if they aren't careful, A will bury them at sea. . . .
My Thoughts: This book needs no introduction. But wow! I had no idea there are 12 books in the series! Anywho, for fans of Sara Shephard, obviously.
Opal (Lux #3)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.
My Thoughts: Now, forgive me if I've been living under a rock, but I've never heard of Jennifer Armentrout or the Lux series before. From what I know, it's a sci-fi/paranormal romance concerning aliens, which immediately made me go: *ears perk up* "Roswell?" In any case, it's the #1 most popular book published in December on Goodreads, and even though I personally think the cover is cheese-ball on a stick, it has a lot of rave reviews to back it up.
Meant to Be
by Lauren Morrill
Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.
It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.
My Thoughts: This one's been around since November, too, but amid all the fantasies and dystopias, this fun, contemporary romance seems like a breath of fresh air! For a debut novel, it certainly seems like it has potential!
Love and Other Perishable Items
by Laura Buzo
Love is awkward, Amelia should know.
From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15.
Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?
Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.
My Thoughts: As a diehard fan of Sarah Dessen, my eyes bugged out when I saw this book. First of all, the title. How brilliant is that title?? And secondly, though the premise is nothing new (younger girl falls for older guy), it's a story most of us can relate to, and when executed well, can really pack a visceral punch.
Your Turn: Which books are on YOUR holiday wishlist? Any of the books listed above catch your eye?
1 comment:
Thanks so much for stopping by! I'd love to hear back from you, so please feel free to leave a comment. By leaving a comment, you're also giving me the chance to visit your blog and discover new books, so YAY to win-win situations! (And if you chose to follow me, then it's safe to say that I am doing a spirited jig in your honor right now<3)