July 30, 2018

Review: American Panda by Gloria Chao

American Panda
Author: Gloria Chao
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Pages: 311
Format: Hardcover/Own

An incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her squeamishness with germs and crush on a Japanese classmate.

At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

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February 27, 2018

New Releases: Week of February 27, 2018

Everlife (Everlife #3)
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 27, 2018

STAND TOGETHER OR FALL ALONE.

THE FATE OF THE EVERLIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

At seventeen years old, Tenley “Ten” Lockwood had to make the ultimate choice—where to live after she died. Loyalty to her selected realm has not wavered…until now. The numbers-obsessed Conduit is out of time. Sacrifices must be made, and a terrible price must be paid. But is she too late?

As the Everlife descends into darkness, a single truth becomes clear: Troika and Myriad must unite at long last—or perish. In order to bring sworn enemies together, Ten must enter forbidden territory…and destroy the powerful Prince of Ravens. But there’s only one way inside—bonding with Killian Flynn, a deadly rival Laborer who sets her blood aflame.

When nothing goes as planned and betrayal leads to the edge of utter defeat, Ten and Killian will have to rebuild trust from the ashes of their hearts. Victory seems impossible; the odds stacked against them. In the end, how far will they be willing to go for the sake of their realms and the Everlife?

This Heart of Mine 

Author: C.C. Hunter

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

A new heart saved her life—but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless. An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living, took more courage than dying?

The Traitor's Game (The Traitor's Game #1)

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.

The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.

Jennifer A. Nielsen introduces us to an unforgettable new heroine in this epic tale of treachery and intrigue, love and deceit.

Heart Of Iron 

Author: Ashley Poston

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an outlaw by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called D09, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But D09—one of the last remaining illegal Metals—has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him.

Ana’s desperate effort to save D09 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all the answers. But at the last moment, a spoiled Ironblood boy beats Ana to her prize. He has his own reasons for taking the coordinates, and he doesn’t care what he’ll sacrifice to keep them.

When everything goes wrong, she and the Ironblood end up as fugitives on the run. Now their entire kingdom is after them—and the coordinates—and not everyone wants them captured alive.

What they find in a lost corner of the universe will change all their lives—and unearth dangerous secrets. But when a darkness from Ana’s past returns, she must face an impossible choice: does she protect a kingdom that wants her dead or save the Metal boy she loves?

Other New Releases This Week: 

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena (2/27/18) [Farrar, Straus, & Giroux]

Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #2) by Tricia Levenseller (2/27/18) [Feiwel & Friends

People Like Us by Dana Mele (2/27/18) [G.P. Putnam's Sons]

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (2/27/18) [Random House]

Cadaver & Queen by Alisa Kwitney (2/27/18) [Harlequin Teen]

This Tiny Perfect World by Lauren Gibaldi (2/27/18) [Harper Teen]

The Calculus of Change by Jessie Hilb (2/27/18) [Clarion]

To Right the Wrongs (Erin Blake #2) by Sheryl Scarborough (2/27/18) [Tom Doherty Associates]

Where I Live by Brenda Rufener (2/27/18) [Harper Teen]

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter (2/27/18) [Feiwel & Friends]

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February 20, 2018

New Releases: Week of February 20, 2018

Blood Of A Thousand Stars (Empress Of A Thousand Skies #2)
Author: Rhoda Belleza
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 20, 2018

Empress

With a revolution brewing, Rhee is faced with a choice: make a deal with her enemy, Nero, or denounce him and risk losing her crown.

Fugitive

Framed assassin Alyosha has one goal in mind: kill Nero. But to get his revenge, Aly may have to travel back to the very place he thought he’d left forever—home.

Princess

Kara knows that a single piece of technology located on the uninhabitable planet Wraeta may be the key to remembering—and erasing—the princess she once was.

Madman

Villainous media star Nero is out for blood, and he’ll go to any means necessary to control the galaxy.

Vicious politics and high-stakes action culminate in an epic showdown that will determine the fate of the universe.

Ink, Iron, and Glass (Ink, Iron, and Glass #1)

Author: Gwendolyn Clare

Publisher: Imprint

Publication Date: February 20, 2018

Can she write a world gone wrong?

A certain pen, a certain book, and a certain person can craft entirely new worlds through a branch of science called scriptology. Elsa comes from one such world that was written into creation by her mother—a noted scriptologist.

But when her home is attacked and her mother abducted, Elsa must cross into the real world and use her own scriptology gifts to find her. In an alternative 19th-century Italy, Elsa finds a secret society of pazzerellones—young people with a gift for mechanics, alchemy or scriptology—and meets Leo, a gorgeous mechanist with a smart mouth and a tragic past. She recruits the help of these fellow geniuses just as an assassin arrives on their doorstep.

Other New Releases This Week:

Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda (2/20/18) [Feiwel & Friends]

Flight Season by Marie Marquardt (2/20/18) [Wednesday Books]

Hooper by Geoff Herbach (2/20/18) [Katherine Tegen]

Heart of Ash (Blood and Salt #2) by Kim Liggett (2/20/18) [G.P. Putnam's Sons]

The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg (2/20/18) [Harper Teen]

Mercy Rule by Tom Leveen (2/20/18) [Sky Pony Press]

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February 13, 2018

New Releases: Week of February 13, 2018

Shatter (Glitter #2) 
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: February 13, 2018

Danica planned to use beauty, blackmail, and a glittering drug to control her own fate. Her escape from the twisted world of the Palace of Versailles was perfectly orchestrated and paid for. Or so she thought.

Betrayed by the man who had promised her freedom, Dani is now married to the murderous King. It's a terrifying position to be in...and yet it's oddly intoxicating. Power may be an even stronger drug than Glitter--a drug Dani can't resist, in the form of secrets, manipulation, and sabotage.

In her new position at the head of the court, Dani must ask herself who she really is. Can she use her newfound power to secure her real love, Saber's freedom and a chance at a life together outside the palace? Or is being Queen too addictive to give up?

Honor Among Thieves (The Honors #1)

Authors: Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre

Publisher: Katherine Tegen

Publication Date: February 13, 2018

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

The Traitor Prince (Ravenspire #3) 

Author: C.J. Redwine

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: February 13, 2018

Javan Najafai, the crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at school, far away from his kingdom. He’s been eagerly awaiting his return home to his ailing father, but his journey there goes dangerously wrong. A mysterious imposter has taken his place—and no one will believe Javan is the true prince.

After barely escaping the imposter’s hitmen, Javan is thrown in the most dangerous prison in his kingdom—Maqbara. The only way to gain an audience with the king and reveal the truth is to fight his way out in the prison’s yearly tournament, which pits inmates against a coterie of the deadliest creatures in the world.

The one person who can help him is Sajda, a strong and secretive girl who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive—but she’s hiding something.

Together, Javan and Sajda will have to outwit the dangerous warden, outfight the hundreds of deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan before he can win—in order to fight for their freedom, and take down the imposter once and for all.

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)

Author: Susan Dennard

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: February 13, 2018

Set a year before Truthwitch, Sightwitch follows Ryber Fortiza, the last Sightwitch Sister as she treks deep underground to rescue her missing best friend. While there, she encounters a young Nubrevnan named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he wound up inside the mountain. As the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, and as they brave one close call after another, a tentative friendship forms between them—one that might one day grow into something more.

Sightwitch is told through Ryber’s journal entries and her sketches, as well as through supplementary materials (such as other journals, pieces of songs, clippings from history books, flashbacks, etc.). Though meant as a companion novella, this story serves as a set up to Bloodwitch as well as an expansion of the world.

Other New Releases This Week:
Nexus (Zeroes #3) by Scott Westerfeld (2/13/18) [Simon Pulse]

The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5) by Kresley Cole (2/13/18) [Valkyrie Press]

Hamilton and Peggy!: A Revolutionary Friendship by L.M. Elliott (2/13/18) [Katherine Tegen]

The Rogue Queen (The Hundredth Queen #3) by Emily R. King (2/13/18) [Skyscape]

Active Memory (Mirador #3) by Dan Wells (2/13/18) [Balzer + Bray]

Break Us (Nikki Kill #3) by Jennifer Brown (2/13/18) [Katherine Tegen]

Interlude by Chantele Sedgwick (2/13/18) [Sky Pony Press]

The Precious Dreadful by Steven Parlato (2/13/18) [Simon Pulse]

#Prettyboy Must Die by Kimberly Reid (2/13/18) [Tor Teen]

Don't Forget Me by Victoria Stevens (2/13/18) [Farrar, Straus, & Giroux]

Read more »

February 06, 2018

New Releases: Week of February 6, 2018

American Panda
Author: Gloria Chao
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 6, 2018

An incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her squeamishness with germs and crush on a Japanese classmate.

At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

Shadowsong (Wintersong #2)

Author: S. Jae-Jones

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her. 

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

Immortal Reign (Falling Kingdoms #6)

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

As two lethal elemental gods set out to destroy Mytica, sworn enemies must become allies in the final fight to save the kingdoms.
Jonas continues to willfully defy his destiny, but the consequences of plotting his own course are drastic. As the fight for Mytica rages on, he must decide just how much more he's willing to sacrifice.

Lucia knows there's something special about her daughter and she'll do anything to protect her, even if that means facing Kyan alone.

Amara is called back home to Kraeshia. Grandma Cortas has her own plans for Mytica's future. She promises Amara power, revenge, and dominance if she agrees to be part of her scheme.

Magnus and Cleo's love will be put to the ultimate test. Dark magic is causing widespread destruction throughout the kingdom. Enemies across the sea are advancing. And unrest is stirring throughout the land. Is their love strong enough to withstand the outside forces tearing them apart?

Tempests and Slaughter (The Numair Chronicles #1)

Author: Tamora Pierce

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

Arram. Varice. Ozorne. In the first book in the Numair Chronicles, three student mages are bound by fate . . . fated for trouble.

Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness–and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the “leftover prince” with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie. 

In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom’s future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

Other New Releases This Week:

The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle Clayton (2/6/18) [Disney-Hyperion]

The Queen's Rising (Untitled Trilogy #1) by Rebecca Ross (2/6/18) [Harper Teen]

Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia (2/6/18) [Imprint]

Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi (2/6/18) [Viking Books]

All We Can Do Is Wait by Richard Lawson (2/6/18) [Razorbill]

Assassin of Truths (Library Jumpers #3) by Brenda Drake (2/6/18) [Entangled: Teen]

The Greed (The Cruelty #2) by Scott Bergstrom (2/6/18) [Feiwel & Friends]

By A Charm & A Curse by Jamie Questell (2/6/18) [Entangled: Teen]

The Dragon's Curse (Transference #2) by Bethany Wiggins (2/6/18) [Crown Books]

Fourth Dimension (The Rule of Three) by Eric Walters (2/6/18) [Penguin Teen]

Layover by Amy Andelson & Emily Meyer (2/6/18) [Crown Books]

When My Heart Joins The Thousand by A.J. Steiger (2/6/18) [Harper Teen]

Fade To Us by Julia Day (2/6/18) [Wednesday Books]

Winterfolk by Janel Kolby (2/6/18) [Harper Teen]

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December 06, 2017

Can't-Wait Wednesday [#6]

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight the books we are eagerly awaiting. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

American Panda

Author: Gloria Chao

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: February 6, 2018

An incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her squeamishness with germs and crush on a Japanese classmate.

At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

I think this book sounds really good. I definitely can't wait to read it. And that cover is very pretty as well!

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