WoW: Nameless Queen (Rebecca McLaughlin)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Nameless Queen

Series: standalone
Author: Rebecca McLaughlin

Release Date: January 7, 2020
Publisher: Crown Books FYR

Summary:

One girl must make a name for herself--or die trying --in this royal fantasy where an unknown peasant becomes the ultimate ruler. But how long can she keep the crown if everyone wants her dead? Perfect for fans of Furyborn, Red Queen, and Everless.

Everyone expected the king's daughter would inherit the throne. No one expected me. 

It shouldn't even be possible. I'm Nameless, a class of citizens so disrespected, we don't even get names. Heck, dozens of us have been going missing for months and no one seems to care.

But there's no denying the tattoo emblazoned on my arm. I am to be queen. In a palace where the corridors are more dangerous than the streets, though, how could I possibly rule? And what will become of the Nameless if I don't?

Add to Goodreads

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: This has a more unusual twist to it that really intrigues me! I'm especially interested in the "palace where the corridors are more dangerous than the streets" - hoping they mean it literally instead of just politically (assassins ftw)!

So what book are you waiting on?

Review: Seriously Wicked (Tina Connolly)

Title: Seriously Wicked
Series: Seriously Wicked, Book 1
Author: Tina Connolly
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Told: First Person (Cam), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (kissing, minor innuendo, darker magic rituals, some animal harm)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

The only thing worse than being a witch is living with one.

Camellia’s adopted mother wants Cam to grow up to be just like her. Problem is, Mom’s a seriously wicked witch.

Cam’s used to stopping the witch’s crazy schemes for world domination. But when the witch summons a demon, he gets loose—and into Devon, the cute new boy at school.

Now Cam’s suddenly got bigger problems than passing Algebra. Her friends are getting zombiefied. Their dragon is tired of hiding in the RV garage. For being a shy boy-band boy, Devon is sure kissing a bunch of girls. And a phoenix hidden in the school is going to explode on the night of the Halloween Dance.

To stop the demon before he destroys Devon’s soul, Cam might have to try a spell of her own. But if she’s willing to work spells like the witch...will that mean she’s wicked too?

*          *          *

At just over 200 pages, Seriously Wicked is a quick and seriously fun story about a teen girl raised by a witch to be a witch but who refuses to become one. Forced to help the witch summon a demon so she can rule the town, hilarity ensues involving mannequins, dragons, algebra, unusual ingredients, and a cute boy (naturally).

Despite the more serious elements of wicked witches, darker magic, and soul-devouring demons, the story was upbeat and playful with an energetic pace and thrilling climax. Cam was a girl of conviction and I adored her strength of moral character and the way she cared about everyone, even if they didn't always deserve it, while best friend Jenah added a lighter aura to the colorful story. Devon was a total sweetie (when not possessed by a leering demon), and although his and Cam's romance was only the start of one (see: demon possession) it made satisfying progress in this book and I hope he'll stick around for the rest of the series. I've already ordered the second book, Seriously Shifted, from my local indie and can't wait to continue Cam's magical adventures!

Conclusion: Am I glad I read this? Heck yes! I wish I'd read it in 2015 when it first landed on my shelves. Do I recommend it? Most definitely. If you like your reads quick, fun, and full of magic, I cannot recommend Seriously Wicked highly enough.

For Fans Of: Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Series: This is the first book in the Seriously Wicked trilogy.

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (6/21/19)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Roar by Cora Carmack (ARC)

The street team challenges are starting and my sieve brain can barely recall the main character's name so it's time for my re-read! Just started last night so only on the first chapter, but I'd forgotten just how good it is - solid writing, engaging magic, I'm really going to enjoy this!

>> PAUSED <<

The Dire King by William Ritter (PBK)

I couldn't get into anything else earlier this week so I decided to finish this series, but while I really enjoyed the rest of the books I've surprisingly struggled with this one. I'm currently halfway through and most of it has been rather dull buildup to the climax with jumbled random bits and so much chatting/infodumping that I'm bored and don't feel like pushing through. I would like to finish someday but at the moment I don't care if I do so I'm setting it aside for other more immediately interesting reads.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Seriously Wicked by Tina Connolly (ARC)

4.5 Stars. This was a seriously fun read that I cannot believe I waited this long to devour! All magic and snark and a dragon in the garage. Already ordered the second book from my local indie and can't wait to read it soon. Review to come.

Maybe This Time by Kasie West (ARC)

4 Stars. Like Sophie with Andrew I didn't get along with this book at first, but as they grew on each other so did they grow on me and I'm now very glad I read it. You can read my full review here.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Rage by Cora Carmack (ARC)

I was lucky enough to trade for an ARC so I'll probably go straight into the sequel once I finish my first book re-read!

So what are you reading this week?

Review: Maybe This Time (Kasie West)

Title: Maybe This Time
Series: standalone
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person (Sophie), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (kissing)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?

Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year's Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.

Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn't so bad after all . . .

Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

*          *          *

Like Sophie with Andrew, I didn't get along with this book at first. I was put off by their antagonistic banter, defensive personalities, and strained parental situations. Although it had the easy style and engaging plot Kasie West is known for, her signature banter was too sharp to be fun for me - inflicting pain instead of encouraging play - and unexpectedly heavier contemporary elements weighted the story.

But as Sophie and Andrew grew on each other so did they grow on me, not only as messy and therefore realistic characters but as a cute couple. And as the heavier elements brought realization to the struggling teens, they added a lot of character depth that I've found missing in Kasie's last few books. I still wasn't a complete fan of Sophie (or Andrew), but I became fully invested in their lives was very satisfied with their sweet end.

Conclusion: Was I glad I read it? Heck yes. And while these weren't my favorite characters, thanks to some strong character depth I'm once more excited to continue reading every book Kasie puts out. Would I recommend it? Definitely, especially if you enjoy hate-to-love relationships and like your contemporary romances a little heavier on the contemporary.

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Release Spotlight: Shadow & Flame (Mindee Arnett)

Today I spotlight the second and final book in the Rime Chronicles duology by Mindee Arnett: SHADOW & FLAME! Pitched as "Pitch Black meets Pony Express," I highly recommend it for fantasy and action lovers. If you haven't yet heard of this epic title, check it out below!

And be sure to check out the Blog Tour as well, where you can win signed copies of the duology + swag! Just head here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Shadow & Flame
Author: Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Balzer & Bray (HarperCollins)
Release Date: 6/4/19

From acclaimed author Mindee Arnett comes the thrilling conclusion of the stunningly epic, action-packed, and romantic fantasy adventure about a powerful girl possessed of strange magic, the outcast prince she loves, and the kingdom that has torn them apart.

Kate and Corwin are on the run, desperate for allies in a new world of war among the kingdoms of Rime. As the book opens, Kate suffers a massive loss, one that will shape the struggle for freedom of all wilders and magic folk—that is, if Kate can learn to control her own power.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository

Check out the first book!

Book 1: Onyx & Ivory

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Review: Truly Madly Royally (Debbie Rigaud)

Title: Truly Madly Royally
Series: standalone
Author: Debbie Rigaud
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Release Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person, Present Tense
Content Rating: Young Teen (kissing)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She's excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she's definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who's an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming...and undeniably cute. Zora can't ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother's big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora's not sure it's something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that's like The Princess Diaries for a new generation.

*          *          *

The Good: True to the playful cover, Truly Madly Royally is a sweet interracial romance between a philanthropist girl from New Jersey and a teen prince from a small European country during a college-prep summer program. It had cute puns and banter, fun college exploration and Taco Tuesdays, and a much appreciated innocent relationship with barely even kissing despite the couple being 17-18 years old.

The Not So Good: But despite the adorable dates, enthusiastic fundraisers, and royal wedding, the odd rhythm of the story made it a struggle to relate to on an emotional level. A lot happened in this only 304-page novel and to insure that it was all at least mentioned, the scenes were heavily abbreviated and many details omitted - details that really would've helped me connect with Zora and Owen better. Instead, Zora came off as somewhat aloof in non-philanthropist situations, and doting and groveling Owen was a bit too "girl's ideal" which made him a little bland. Their romance was also rather erratic and confusing with Zora flip-flopping like crazy and Owen not only accepting it but taking the blame for anything that needed apologizing for (like her taking his phone). They did make a cute couple, I guess, but the flow of their relationship baffled me. Finally, most of the jokes, references and slang were region- and culture-focused, and without explanations I didn't get most of them, sadly excluding me from much of the humor.

Conclusion: Was this the cute, playful romance the cover promised? Yes. Was I glad I read it? Sure, although I did have to push through the last third or so. Would I recommend it? I don't see why not, especially for someone who enjoys interracial relationships, royal romances, and puns. 

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles