Most Anticipated YA Releases of August 2017

Most Anticipated YA Releases of August 2017!

           
It feels like this year has flown by! We're halfway through July, and there's been a ton of awesome releases this month, and there are a ton of incredible looking books coming out in August as well. I'm going to start a new series this month where I write a post of my featuring most anticipated reads of the upcoming month starting this month, so I hope you enjoy!

Wonder Woman: Warbringer By Leigh Bardugo

Synopsis: She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. . . .

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.
Reason why I'm looking forward to it: I absolutely adore Leigh Bardugo's writing, so I'd pick up any books she's involved in. Besides having Leigh Bardugo as the author, the Wonder Woman movie has had me craving more stories involving Diana since I saw it, and the synopsis of Warbringer has me hooked!

If you would like to pre-order Wonder Woman: Warbringer:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman

Synopsis: Kissing Max Holden was a terrible idea...

After his father has a life-altering stroke, Max Holden isn't himself. As his long-time friend, Jillian Eldridge only wants to help him, but she doesn't know how. When Max climbs through her window one night, Jill knows that she shouldn't let him kiss her. But she can't resist, and when they're caught in the act by her dad, Jill swears it'll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea.

With a new baby sibling on the way, her parents fighting all the time, and her dream of culinary school up in the air, Jill starts spending more and more time with Max. And even though her father disapproves and Max still has a girlfriend, not kissing Max is easier said than done. Will Jill follow her heart and allow their friendship to blossom into something more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden once and for all?

Reasons why I'm looking forward to it: I've already read and reviewed an ARC of Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman, and I love, love, LOVED it! (here's the link to my review) I can't wait for other people to get to read Max and Jill's story because it was such a fun, cute, contemporary read that I think everyone can enjoy

If you would like to pre-order Kissing Max Holden:

Book Depository, Barnes and Nobles, Amazon

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

Zenith (Book #1 of the Andoma Saga) by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Synopsis: Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader.

But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situationand at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past.

Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.

Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their shipor just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.

Reasons why I'm looking forward to it: SPACE PIRATES!!! Who wouldn't want to read about Space Pirates!?!? Hahahaha, besides Space Pirates, I'm really looking forward to this novel because I've been watching Sasha on her booktube channel, abookutopia, for about three years now, and I really enjoy all of the content she puts out, and I haven't read a good sci-fi book in a while now, so I'm hoping this is good!

If you would like to pre-order Zenith:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Synopsis: When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a demon—her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life—she finds the trade may have been more than she bargained for. And becoming “heartless” is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she could have ever imagined.

With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something grows between them amid an otherworldy ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give someone her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?

Reasons why I'm looking forward to it: I can't really put my finger on why this book captured my attention, but it just does! I don't think I've read a book with a similar plot before, and I'm hooked by the synopsis. It sounds like a fun, romantic, fantasy novel that I'll be able to get through in one sitting.

If you would like to pre-order The Hearts We Sold:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popović

Synopsis: All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love. 

But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line—but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?

Reasons why I'm looking forward to it: Wicked Like a Wildfire just seems like a truly beautiful book--and I'm not just talking about the cover. The synopsis is lovely, and a majority of the reviews I've read called Popović's writing some of the most beautiful writing they've ever read.

If you would like to pre-order Wicked Like Wildfire:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

The Dazzling Heights (The Thousandth Floor #2) by Katharine McGee

Synopsis: New York City, 2118. A glittering vision of the future, where anything is possible – if you want it enough.

Manhattan is home to a thousand-story supertower, a beacon of futuristic glamour and high-tech luxury… and to millions of people living scandalous, secretive lives.

Leda is haunted by nightmares of what happened on the worst night of her life. She’s afraid the truth will get out – which is why she hires Watt, her very own hacker, to keep an eye on all of the witnesses for her. But what happens when their business relationship turns personal?

When Rylin receives a scholarship to an elite upper-floor school, her life transforms overnight. But being here also means seeing the boy she loves: the one whose heart she broke, and who broke hers in return.

Avery is grappling with the reality of her forbidden romance – is there anywhere in the world that’s safe for them to be together?

And then there’s Calliope, the mysterious, bohemian beauty who’s arrived in New York with a devious goal in mind – and too many secrets to count.

Here in the Tower, no one is safe – because someone is watching their every move, someone with revenge in mind. After all, in a world of such dazzling heights, you’re always only one step away from a devastating fall….

Reasons why I'm looking forward to it: I really enjoyed the first book in the series, The Thousandth Floor, and I hope I like this one just as much! Also, I've met Katharine twice now (once when she visited my creative writing class at school and once at Teen Book Con), and both times she's been so nice and fun to talk to which makes me want to have her books even more.

If you would like to pre-order The Dazzling Heights:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Other Links: Author's Website, Publisher, Goodreads

That's it for my most anticipated YA releases of August 2017! I'd love to know which books you're looking forward to down in the comments! Hope you have a great day! 

-CG

My Links: Blogger, Wordpress, Bookstagram, Booktube

A Court of Wings and Ruin - Book Review

A Court of Wings and Ruin 

By Sarah J. Mass

DISCLAIMER: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Details:

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin

Author: Sarah J. Mass

Page Count: 699

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017

Synopsis:
      A nightmare, I’d told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places.(Goodreads summary)

My Review:  
             I honestly went in to ACOWAR thinking that Mass was gonna try to rip out my heart, then repair it, then rip it out again, step on it, roll it in some broken glass, and then throw it into a bucket full of lemon juice--and boy was I right.
             The book begins with Feyre causing havoc in the spring court as revenge for Tamlin siding with the King. I personally loved seeing the manipulative side of Feyre--especially when she used it to make Ianthe look like an idiot. I also loved how Lucien teamed up with her and became more of an interesting character than he was in the first and second books.
             Nesta and Elain are two characters who also develop quite a bit in this novel as well. We readers got a glimpse of what they were like when they were thrown into the cauldron, but Mass did a fantastic job with them in ACOWAR. Elain begins the book as a frail little thing who doesn't do anything other than mope around, but by the end she's holding Azriel's dagger on the battle field (...I kind of ship Elain and Azriel more than Lucien and Elain DON'T KILL ME PLEASE). Nesta, on the other hand, was a spitfire even before she was thrown into the cauldron, and that just intensified afterwards. She and Cassian are my new favorite ship, and I especially love the scenes where they just bicker back and forth. Both girls play a key part in ACOWAR, and I really can't see the novel being as good as it is without them.
            Though the inner circle has gotten bigger by adding Nesta and Elain, the original members are still going strong. Amren continues to be one of my personal favorites, and the sacrifice she makes at the end was really touching, and I'm so glad that she's still with them. Cassian and Azriel are still the best Illyrian warriors ever, and I think that they got a little bit more 'air time' so to speak in this book and I loved it. Now, Mor....I had some issues with her in this novel, but that can wait for a later paragraph.
             I can't believe I've gone this long without talking about everyone's favorite High Lord, Rhysand. I think we all went through an emotional roller coaster ride with Rhys in this novel--especially when Sarah ripped out all of our hearts by telling us that he had died. Of course it was only a momentary death before all of the high lords (yes, even Tamlin....I now consider him less of a prick) helped to resurrect him and bring Amren back to her human form. Also, Feyre and Rhysand's relationship develops so much 
            Aside from the Characters, I believe that Mass did a fantastic job in concluding the series. I know that there are going to be more books in the ACOTAR world, but this is teh last book with Feyre and Rhys as the main characters, and Mass ended their story well. The past two books have been leading up to the epic battle between Hybern and Prythian, and the battle itself did not disapoint. Mass also did well in displaying the politics side of war with the discussions of alliance and battle tactics between all the high lords. Almost every scene throughout the novel had me fully invested, and I can't wait to see what the next books have to offer.
             I'm glad that everyone's story had a somewhat happy ending (well....besides Hybern), but here is also where all of my happy thoughts about the book ends and I have to talk about everything I didn't like. Before I dive in on the deeper issues I just want to discuss some of the smaller things. Starting off, I think that bringing in Feyre's father as some pirate like figure was completely unnecessary and random. I get that Sarah had to get a ton of other troops to the battle field to help the good guys win, but Feyre's father was such a small character. Plus, he was only there for a chapter or two before he got killed so I really think it was not needed. Another minor complaint I have is that I think the sex scenes were a bit blasé compared to those in ACOMAF--if not a bit redundant.
             Now onto the bigger issue that I think a lot of people have been talking about--the lack of diversity. Honestly, before all these people started complaining about it, I didn't find any issue with it. Looking back on great series like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings there is a lack of diversity in those books as well, but it's not that big of a problem to me since it doesn't effect the content of the book itself. Don't get me wrong--I think it's important to have diversity and recognize different races, sexualities, etc. in literature, but I don't think it's good when it comes across as forced, and that's how I felt about it in ACOWAR. I think Mass was trying to overcompensate for the apparent lack of diversity in the other books by making Mor a lesbian and adding characters like Helion and co. She almost plays into the slutty bisexual stereotype with Helion, and if she had made Mor come out in the earlier books it could have made a stronger impact and would have felt much less forced. I just wish that Mass would've left her story alone and not let other people's criticisms effect her story as much, or that she could have at least waited to add some more diversity in the story in a smoother way.
           In conclusion, I give A Court of Wings and Ruin four out of five stars. I thought that despite some of the issues I had with the amount of diversity in the world and the way Mass addressed this, the story line, character development, and overall kick-ass-awesomeness that ensured outweigh the problems leaving the reading feeling completely satisfied. I highly suggest the ACOTAR series to anyone interested in fantasy at all as it is one of my absolute favorites.         

If you would like to purchase A Court of Wings and Ruin

Book Depository

Barnes and Nobles

Amazon

-CG