Waiting on Wednesday (137): City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte

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

City of Dark Magic: A Novel
Author: Magnus Flyte
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publish Date: November 27, 2012
Amazon /Goodreads / The Book Depository

Publisher's Description 
Cosmically fast-paced and wildly imaginative, this debut novel is a perfect potion of magic and suspense.

Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.

 Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a four-hundred-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful U.S. senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.

City of Dark Magic could be called a rom-com paranormal suspense novel—or it could simply be called one of the most entertaining novels of the year. 

*Why I want to read this: Can I just list things the book contains? Prague, music, tantric sex, a dwarf, a prince, mystery...I want it! Here's hoping I get a review copy of this one. - Jessica

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Waiting on Wednesday (134): Shards and Ashes by Multiple Authors

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

Shards and Ashes
Author: Nine of them!  See below.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: February 19, 2013
Amazon / Goodreads / The Book Depository

Publisher's Description 
Gripping original stories of dystopian worlds from nine New York Times bestselling authors, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.

Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world.
 
Kelley Armstrong
Rachel Caine
Kami Garcia
Nancy Holder
Melissa Marr
Beth Revis
Veronica Roth
Carrie Ryan
Margaret Stohl

*Why I want to read this: Did you see the list of authors that have stories in this book?  I've read something from all but one (and her book is on my bookshelf TBR) and love them all! - Jessica

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Waiting on Wednesday (132): Asunder (Incarnate) by Jodi Meadows

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


Asunder (Incarnate)
Author: Jodi Meadows
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publish Date: January 29, 2013
Amazon / Goodreads / The Book Depository

Publisher's Description 
DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

*Why I want to read this: The ending of the first book in the Newsoul series has left me wanting to know more! - Jessica (Read my review on Incarnate here.)

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Waiting on Wednesday (124): A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

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


A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time)
Author: Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Tor Books

Publish Date: January 8, 2013

Publisher's Description
Since 1990, when Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time® burst on the world with its first book, The Eye of the World, readers have been anticipating the final scenes of this extraordinary saga, which has sold over forty million copies in over thirty-two languages.

When Robert Jordan died in 2007, all feared that these concluding scenes would never be written. But working from notes and partials left by Jordan, established fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson stepped in to complete the masterwork. With The Gathering Storm (Book 12) and Towers of Midnight (Book 13) behind him, both of which were # 1 New York Times hardcover bestsellers, Sanderson now re-creates the vision that Robert Jordan left behind.

Edited by Jordan’s widow, who edited all of Jordan’s books, A Memory of Light will delight, enthrall, and deeply satisfy all of Jordan’s legions of readers.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass.

What was, what will be, and what is,
May yet fall under the Shadow.
Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

*Why I want to read this:  I need to know how it ends.  I need to know who lives and who dies! - Chris

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Waiting on Wednesday (121): Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles) by Ellen Oh

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

Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles)

Author: Ellen Oh 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: January 2, 2013

Publisher Description
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

Why Jessica wants to read this: A girl in a stereotypical male role will get me every time.  Then add in some demon slaying and I think "I need to get my hands on it!"
 
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1000 Free Books from Author Kevin McGill

From author Kevin McGill:

Take The Ride: 1000 signed copies of my book, Nikolas and Company: The Merman and The Moon Forgotten, will be given away on July 6th.

I explain more in the announcement video: (Also, you can watch my book go into space!)



http://nikolasandco.com/taketheride

July 6th, Aero Studios will mail 1000 free, signed copies of my book, Nikolas and Company: The Merman and The Moon Forgotten to those who get their orders in first. You don’t have to pay for the book, or shipping and handling. To qualify: Be between the ages of 10 and 17 (If you know someone between 10 and 17, feel free to order for them) and live in the US (adults can also get a free digital copy).

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY NOW

Oh, and you also have to LOVE crazy, fantasy adventures about a fourteen-year-old boy being chased by monsters aboard a shuttle launch, automaton-legged mermen walking on land, and travelling down murky waterways deep underground…on the moon!

Don’t know what I mean? Well, here’s a little teaser video for The Merman and The Moon Forgotten:


What do the reviewers think? Click here.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY NOW

- Take The Ride
Kevin McGill

Waiting on Wednesday (113): Dodger by Terry Pratchett

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

Dodger by Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: September 25, 2012

Publisher Description

A thrilling new tale of adventure, bravery, and wit from the beloved, multi-award-winning New York Times bestseller Sir Terry Pratchett!

In an alternative London, ruled by the young Queen Victoria, an enterprising lad can find adventure and opportunity-if he is very smart, and very, very lucky. Dodger has the brains, the luck-and the cheek-to scrape by on his own.

Everyone knows Dodger, and everyone likes Dodger. Which is a good thing, because life for a boy on the streets is anything but easy. And it's about to get seriously complicated as a simple haircut turns momentous when Dodger unknowingly puts a stop to the murderous barber Sweeney Todd.

From Dodger's encounters with fictional villains to his meetings with Darwin, Disraeli, and Dickens, history and fantasy intertwine in a breathtaking tale of adventure and mystery, unexpected coming-of-age, and one remarkable boy's rise in a complex and fascinating world.

Beloved and bestselling author Terry Pratchett writes at the height of his powers, combining high comedy with deep wisdom, to the delight of fans old and new.

Why Jessica wants to read this: I've always heard great things about Terry Pratchett and I love alternative worlds!

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Waiting on Wednesday (111): Thieftaker (The Thieftaker Chronicles) by D.B. Jackson

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

Thieftaker (The Thieftaker Chronicles) by D.B. Jackson
Publisher: Tor Books
Publish Date: July 3, 2012

Publisher's Description

Boston, 1767: In D.B. Jackson's Thieftaker, revolution is brewing as the British Crown imposes increasingly onerous taxes on the colonies, and intrigue swirls around firebrands like Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. But for Ethan Kaille, a thieftaker who makes his living by conjuring spells that help him solve crimes, politics is for others…until he is asked to recover a necklace worn by the murdered daughter of a prominent family.

Suddenly, he faces another conjurer of enormous power, someone unknown, who is part of a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of power in the turbulent colony. His adversary has already killed—and not for his own gain, but in the service of his powerful masters, people for whom others are mere pawns in a game of politics and power. Ethan is in way over his head, and he knows it. Already a man with a dark past, he can ill afford to fail, lest his livelihood be forfeit. But he can't stop now, for his magic has marked him, so he must fight the odds, even though he seems hopelessly overmatched, his doom seeming certain at the spectral hands of one he cannot even see.

Why Jessica wants to read this:  This one sounds like it has a nice mix of a historical with magic.  Plus the main character is a thief P.I. of sorts, I love books that follow a problematic person! (Updated after a visit from the author - how freaking cool is that!)

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Waiting on Wednesday (91): Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson

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

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson 
Publisher: Tor Books

Publish Date: April 10, 2012

Publisher's Description
As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco’s job involves a lot more potion-mixing and pixie-retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal were-creatures. Her boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond. Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans’ fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters. While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the other world crumbled. Now, the Undead and the Restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering soldiers sent to help the city recover. Gerald St. Simon has gone missing, the wizards’ Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ’s new partner, and an undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and the killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love serves up one bitter gumbo.

Check out this free read set in the world of Royal Street at Suzanne's blog:  Pirate's Alley

*I'm from New Orleans, so knowing how much love Suzanne Johnson has for the area is a big bonus!  The world Suzanne has created has everything - wizards, were-animals, vampires, pirates (that are undead) - a fully immersed world is my favorite!  Can't wait! - Jessica

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Waiting on Wednesday (25): The Clockwork Three

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby.  It's due out October 1, 2010 from Scholastic Press.

Book Description

Three ordinary children are brought together by extraordinary events. . .

Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom.

Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes and her father can no longer work. She learns about a hidden treasure, which she knows will save her family -- if she can find it.

And Frederick, the talented and intense clockmaker's apprentice, seeks to learn the truth about his mother while trying to forget the nightmares of the orphanage where she left him. He is determined to build an automaton and enter the clockmakers' guild -- if only he can create a working head.

Together, the three discover they have phenomenal power when they team up as friends, and that they can overcome even the darkest of fears.

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

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