Waiting on Wednesday: Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Born of Illusion by Teri Brown.
Publication Date: June 11th 2013

Born of Illusion - Balzer & Bray

Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

Synopsis from goodreads.com.

  

The 1920s and New York paired with magic - sounds like a great premise for an exciting story. Anna seems a fascinating character too: clever and talented, with a secret ability, even her mother doesn't know about. Then there's the father missing from the picture from whom she might have inherited that ability. I wonder who he might be and what happened that he's not around for his daughter. Also, to what end does a secret society study people's gifts? I'm not much of a historical fiction reader, but I make an exception for the Roaring Twenties, especially when there is a mystery involved. :)

Are you waiting on historical fiction this week as well? Leave us a comment.

Teaser Tuesday: How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski.

How My Summer Went Up In Flames
- Simon Pulse

I walk into the kitchen and begin opening cabinets in search of the perfect snack to calm me down. Let’s see. Temporary restraining order . . . I bypass the pretzels and head straight for the Double Stuf Oreos.
-- Page 5


“Sorry. Logan is just such a jerk. He’s pissing me off.”
“Yeah, that’s why you’ll be in love with him by the time we hit the Pennsylvania-Virginia border,” Matty half mumbles.
-- Page 52

I needed something funny this week and How My Summer Went Up In Flames seemed perfect. Main character Rosie's perky personality and dry humour makes me laugh. She already messes up the ridiculously tight road trip itinerary her three "dorky" travel companions came up with in chapter four, which tells me that there is more to come. Moreover, I wonder if Matty is right with his comment or if she may surprise even her best friend. I'm looking forward to see what this girl has up her sleeve that even she doesn't know.

What are you in the mood for this week? Leave us a comment along with your teaser.

Waiting on Wednesday: Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst.
Publication Date: August 27th 2013

Conjured - Bloomsbury

Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.

At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

Synopsis from goodreads.com 

I am simultaneously fascinated and spooked by this synopsis and there are few that left me guessing so much as well. Eve's powers (I wonder, if it's a speaking name here) sound incredible. Changing yourself so you can be anyone, go anywhere? But the price seems too high for using that power: memory loss and at a time when she needs to remember to stay alive. Novel, thrilling and unpredictable. I can't wait!

What are you waiting on this week? Tell us in the comments.

Teaser Tuesday: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Mind Games by Kiersten White.

Mind Games – Harper Teen

Because if he doesn’t die today, Annie will, and that is one death I cannot have on my conscience.
Why did he have to help the puppy?
— Chapter 2

“What are you doing?”
“Wondering if a fourteen-year-old who is an accessory to murder can be tried as an adult.”
— Chapter 12

Kiersten White immediately got my attention with her Paranormalcy trilogy. I absolutely loved Evie as a character and narrator. Mind Games is told from two points of view, Fia and Annie, whose individual characteristics create a really interesting blend and contrast narration for this clever story. Adding to this is the fact that the story is told in sections of present and back-flashes and you basically have four narrators. This could be more confusing than instructions on operating a space ship but this is thankfully not the case. I’m still trying to decide who of the two sisters is the deadlier one though ...

Let us know about your teasers in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Antigoddess by Kendare Blake.
Publication Date: September 10th 2013

Antigoddess - Tor Teen

 Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

Synopsis from goodreads.com 

Having read Kendare Blake's Anna series, I'm more than curious about what she can do with Greek mythology. Up until now, I've only ever read about the gods occasionally fading, when no one believed in them anymore. The idea of them losing immortality and dying like mortals is new to me. It also gives the story a dark feel, which I prefer now and then. Moreover, seeing the story played out from a goddess' perspective is going to be a fascinating experience; especially when the goddess is Athena, the godess of wisdom and strategy. I also can't remember ever reading fiction about the prophetess Cassandra and I wonder how she fits into it all.

Is this dark take on Greek mythology something you would go for? Leave us a comment with your Waiting on Wednesday choice.

Teaser Tueasday: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson.

Tiger Lily – Harper Teen

This is a love story, but not like any you’ve heard. The boy and the girl are far from innocent. Dear lives are lost. And good doesn’t win. In some places, there is something ultimately good about endings. In Neverland, that is not the case.
— Chapter 1

But Tiger Lily didn’t have to track her way back to Peter Pan. Four days later, she was invited.
— Chapter 11

This book has been waiting for me for far too long. When I got it I decided to read it when I needed a “mostly-certain-to-enjoy” book. I haven’t been disappointed. I especially like that the story is told from within the action, but not from the main character, which offers an interesting and at times surprising perspective. The other great thing about this book its absolute lack of sugarcoat fairytale happiness. As sad as it is, it is also very much grounded in reality. Even if the setting is not.

Do you have books that you save for later? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan.
Publication Dates: UK – August 29th 2013, US – September 24th 2013

Untold – Simon & Schuster UK

Free from bonds, but not each other
It’s time to choose sides … On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.
But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?

Synopsis from goodreads.com

There are few authors that can tease/torture their readers like Sarah Rees Brennan ... and not too surprisingly, those authors more or less all belong to the same writing group. I suspect that this is not so much a writing group but rather an evil-authors-club. But I love their work anyway. And I can hardly wait to find out what Kami is up to next. And Jared. And Holly, And Rusty. And Ash. And ... You get the idea (at the same time I’m also completely terrified by what might come to pass). I adored the cover design of Unspoken, but apparently this is a minority opinion since the upcoming paperback and this sequel are taking a completely different approach. It probably fits the mysterious part of the story, but to me it also looks slightly more generic. Just my two cents. Feel free to disagree (and yes, I’m aware of that horrible rhyme).

Question for the comments: What do you think about changing cover designs in the middle of a series? Or is this no concern for you at all?

Teaser Tuesday: Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

Coraline – HarperFestival

There was nothing in the corner. Nothing but the old door that opened onto the brick wall. She was sure that her mother had shut the door, but now it was ever so slightly open. Just a crack.
— Chapter 1

In danger? thought Coraline to herself. It sounded exciting. It didn’t sound like a bad thing. Not really.
— Chapter 2

Neil Gaiman has got a way of intertwining myths so closely with reality that you sometimes don’t know where one ends and the other begins. I discovered this, reading all of his novels, besides Coraline. So I finally thought it was time to pick up the book about this small, inquisitive girl, who is ready to explore the world.
I’m not deep into the story yet, but I already like Coraline’s clear way of seeing the world around her. When she finds a doorway to another reality and starts scouting it out, I just want to go exploring with her and see what hides behind it, never mind the danger.

Do you have a favourite author, whose every book you (want to) read? Leave us a comment along with your teaser.

Waiting on Wednesday: Red by Alison Cherry

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

This week’s can’t wait to read selection is
Red by Alison Cherry.
Publication Date: October 8th 2013

Red -
Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Felicity St. John has it all—loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent. And she’s right on track to win the Miss Scarlet pageant. Her perfect life is possible because of just one thing: her long, wavy, coppery red hair.

Having red hair is all that matters in Scarletville. Redheads hold all the power—and everybody knows it. That’s why Felicity is scared down to her roots when she receives an anonymous note:

I know your secret.

Because Felicity is a big fake. Her hair color comes straight out of a bottle. And if anyone discovered the truth, she’d be a social outcast faster than she could say "strawberry blond." Her mother would disown her, her friends would shun her, and her boyfriend would dump her. And forget about winning that pageant crown and the prize money that comes with it—money that would allow her to fulfill her dream of going to art school.

Felicity isn’t about to let someone blackmail her life away. But just how far is she willing to go to protect her red cred?

Synopsis form goodreads.com.

I'm fond of red hair since reading Anne of Green Gables years ago, which is one of my favourite classics and the reasons Red caught my eye. In Felicity's life, everything you can acomplish depends on your hair colour. So trying to be accepted into that society with the help of hair dye is understandable. But is it really worth it to not be your true self for society? And shouldn't her family and friends love her regardless, even without the red hair? Also, who's the blackmailer and what's the motivation? I like that mystery spin to the story and wonder what Felicty will do about it. Maybe it's time, she showed her true colours.

Which books are you waiting on this Wednesday? Leave us a comment.