12.31.2014

The Best Fantasy Coming In 2015!

1.

01/06/15
IGNITE
Defy, Book Two
ISBN-13: 978-0545644747
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
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Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

*Got an ARC of IGNITE and it is wonderful people. If you think that Alexa and Damian can be in such close proximity and not be together, then you are crazy. You are also crazy if you think that they are at all safe for more than 15 minutes in the book. Since I read the ARC that means the wait for book 3 in 2016 will be that much more painfully slow.

2.


02/10/15
THE RED QUEEN
ISBN-13: 978-0062310637
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 400
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Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with red and those with silver. Mare and her family are lowly Reds, destined to serve the Silver elite whose supernatural abilities make them nearly gods. Mare steals what she can to help her family survive, but when her best friend is conscripted into the army she gambles everything to win his freedom. A twist of fate leads her to the royal palace itself, where, in front of the king and all his nobles, she discovers a power of her own--an ability she didn't know she had. Except . . . her blood is Red.

To hide this impossibility, the king forces her into the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks her new position to aid the Scarlet Guard--the leaders of a Red rebellion. Her actions put into motion a deadly and violent dance, pitting prince against prince--and Mare against her own heart.

From debut author Victoria Aveyard comes a lush, vivid fantasy series where loyalty and desire can tear you apart and the only certainty is betrayal.

*This cover is bring it folks. I'm totally judging it and getting crazy excited by my exorbitant expectations.

3.


02/24/15
SHADOW STUDY
Study Series, Book Five


ISBN-13: 978-0778317401
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 384
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New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance… 

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek. 

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers. 

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous… 

*I got a copy for Netgalley and devoured it- it's soooo good! For fans of the Study Trilogy and the Glass Trilogy will go nuts. All of our favorite characters are back, and the danger is as it has ever been, extreme. I loved every single word. 

4.


04/07/15
EMPIRE OF NIGHT
Age of Legends, Book Two
ISBN-13: 978-0062071279
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 432
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The second book in a big, breathtaking new trilogy that blends fantasy, romance, horror, and pulse-pounding action, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong. 

Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least, they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now, they are all but prisoners in court, forced to watch and wait while the Emperor decides whether to help the children of Edgewood, who remain hostages of the treacherous Alvar Kitsune.

But when the emperor finally sends the girls on a mission to rescue the children--accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of men--the journey proves more perilous than any of them could have imagined. With lies and unrest mounting in the empire, Moria and Ashyn will have to draw on every bit of influence and power they possess to unite their people and avert an all-out war.

*Gavril, you twist me up inside! I NEED redemption for you in Empire of Night. You CANNOT be evil. You can't.

5.


05/05/15
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES
A Court of Thornes & Roses, Book One
ISBN-13: 978-1619634442
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 432
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A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristen Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!


6.

05/19/15
LION HEART
SCARLET, BOOK THREE
ISBN-13: 978-0802736161
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 304
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The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

*This series brings the pain. If you want to have an author twist up your heart and punch you repeatedly in your feels, this is the BEST series to read. I KNOW that this will be the most painful of all- A.C. Gaughen has pretty much told me so.


7.


06/02/15
HIDDEN HUNTRESS
Malediction Trilogy, Book Two
ISBN-13: 978-1908844996
Publisher: Angry Robot
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Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.

Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.

To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

*Tristan! I'm totally coming to save you!! This was THE heartbreak and joy of 2014, after Strange Chemistry closed it's doors- taking ALL it's wonderfulness with it, there was terror struck into readers hearts at the thought of not getting to finish certain series they published. THIS was THE most important of all the Strange Chemistry catalog that I NEEDED to have a Lazarus Pit moment. And it did, thanks Angry Robot. 

8.

06/09/15
THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING
The Queen of the Tearling, Book Two
by Erika Johansen
ISBN-13: 978-0062290397
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 480
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In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Kelsea and her realm

With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.

But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.

In this dazzling sequel, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine.

*Queen of the Tearling was such an unexpected jewel in 2014, I LOVED that Kelsea wasn't at all the conventional YA heroine, but more in the line of Elisa from Rae Carson's Fire & Thorns oeuvre. I also enjoyed the plethora of super hot guys & yet it wasn't at all a romance- so far.  

9.

07/0715
THE HEART OF BETRAYAL
The Remnant Chronicles, Book Two
ISBN-13: 978-0805099249
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 496
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Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape . . . and even less of being together.

Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar's interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.

Meanwhile, the foundations of Lia's deeply-held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to her, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people . . . and her own destiny.

*Kiss of Deception was one of the most unique stories of 2014!For more than half the book, readers do not know who is the Prince and who is the Assassin (I guessed totally wrong BTW) and I'm so looking forward to Heart of Betrayal! Talk- about being left on a cliffhanger! 

10.
10/06/15
SIX OF CROWS
The Dregs, Book One
ISBN-13: 978-1627792127
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Pages: 320
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Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price--and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

*Because we cannot say goodbye to the Grishverse yet.


11. 
Cover Reveal TBD
09/01/15
QUEEN OF SHADOWS
Throne of Glass, Book Four 
by Sarah J. Maas
ISBN-13: 978-1619636040
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 384
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Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

12. 
10/13/15
THE IMMORTAL HEIGHTS
The Elemental Trilogy, Book Three
ISBN-13: 978-0062207357
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 432
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More info coming closer to the publication date.



13. 
10/13/15
ICE LIKE FIRE
Snow Like Ashes, Book Two
by Sara Raasch
ISBN-13: 978-0062286956
Publisher: Blazer + Bray
Pages: 432
Amazon, B&NGoodreads
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Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “A new society, a grand adventure, and a first romance, all rolled into one big fantasy epic.” (Booklist)

Details coming soon.... I hope!


14. 


Fall 2015
OUR LADY OF THE ICE
Publisher: Saga Press
Goodreads
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Hope City, Antarctica. The southernmost city in the world, with only a glass dome and a faltering infrastructure to protect its citizens from the freezing, ceaseless winds of the Antarctic wilderness. Within this bell jar four people–some human, some not–will shape the future of the city forever:

Eliana Gomez, a female PI looking for a way to the mainland.

Diego Amitrano, the right-hand man to the gangster who controls the city’s food come winter.

Marianella Luna, an aristocrat with a dangerous secret.

Sofia, an android who has begun to evolve.

But the city is evolving too, and in the heart of the perilous Antarctic winter, faction will clash, dreams will shatter, and that frozen metropolis just might boil over…

*Because she created Annana and Naji and that is all that needs to be said. Ever.

15. 


09/22/15
WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER
The Goldscryer Saga, Book One
by Rae Carson
ISBN-13: 978-0062242914
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 432
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
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A teenage girl whose magical ability to find gold puts her in a dangerous position during the American Gold Rush.

*Because characters like Elisa and Lord Hector came from the same brain that has created this series, I will buy anything Rae Carson writes.