Hi Cara,
Happy New Year! New Year, New Decade and lots of books to look forward too.
7th January 2020
Book: A Heart So Fierce and Broken
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
ISBN13:9781681195117
Synopsis: Find the heir, win the crown.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumours circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.
Win the crown, save the kingdom.
Rumoured to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen–until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?
Gem’s Thoughts: I luckily got hold of an ARC of A Heart so Fierce and Broken and loved the story, my review can be found HERE. I have even bought the Fairyloot edition.
Book: Nameless Queen
Author: Rebecca McLaughlin
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Reader
ISBN13:9781524700263
Synopsis: 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 a queen. In a palace where the corridors are more dangerous the streets, though, how could I possibly rule? And what will become of the Nameless if I don’t?
Gem’s Thoughts: The premise of the book really interests me. I am interested in how she is chosen.
9th January 2020
Book: Chosen
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK
ISBN13:9781471183270
Synopsis:Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Now that Nina has turned the Watcher’s Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she’s still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they’re not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher’s Council member and Leo’s mom.
And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there’s also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up everywhere, in connection with Sean’s demon drug ring as well as someone a bit closer to home. Because one near-apocalypse just isn’t enough, right?
The darkness always finds you. And once again, it’s coming for the Slayer.
Gem’s Thoughts: Slayer brought me back into the Buffy universe and I can’t wait to see what Nina gets up to in Chosen.
Book: The God Game
Author: Danny Tobey
Publisher: Gollancz
ISBN13:9781473224476
Synopsis: You are invited!
Come inside and play with G.O.D.
Bring your friends!
It;’s fun!
But remember the rules. Win and ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.™ Lose, you die!
With those words, Charlie and his friends enter the G.O.D. Game, a video game run by underground hackers and controlled by a mysterious AI that believes it’s God. Through their phone-screens and high-tech glasses, the teens’ realities blur with a virtual world of creeping vines, smouldering torches, runes, glyphs, gods, and mythical creatures. When they accomplish a mission, the game rewards them with expensive tech, revenge on high-school tormentors, and cash flowing from ATMs. Slaying a hydra and drawing a bloody pentagram as payment to a Greek god seem harmless at first. Fun even.
Gem’s Thoughts: I am always drawn to books that deal with virtual reality, this one has the added element of AI. I love how it futurist it is but closer than we think.
14th January 2020
Book: Infinity Son
Author: Adam Silvera
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children UK
ISBN13: 9781471187803
Synopsis: Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.
Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.
Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.
Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.
Gem’s Thoughts: I recently finished reading Infinity Son, I enjoy the book and interested to see where the series will go. A review will come sometime in January.
21st January 2020
Book: A Queen in Hiding
Author: Sarah Kozloff
Publisher: Tor Books
ISBN13: 9781250168542
Synopsis: Orphaned, exiled and hunted, Cérulia, Princess of Weirandale, must master the magic that is her birthright, become a ruthless guerilla fighter, and transform into the queen she is destined to be.
But to do it she must win the favor of the spirits who play in mortal affairs, assemble an unlikely group of rebels, and wrest the throne from a corrupt aristocracy whose rot has spread throughout her kingdom.
Gem’s Thoughts: I can’t say no to a book that deals with princes that need to become a fighter to get her crown back.
23rd January 2020.
Book: This Vicius Cure
Author: Emily Suvada
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN13:9780241407240
Synopsis: Though the outbreak has been contained, a new threat has emerged—one that’s taken the world to the brink of a devastating war. With genetic technology that promises not just a cure for the plague, but a way to prevent death itself, both sides will stop at nothing to seize control of humanity’s future.
Facing her smartest, most devastating enemy yet, Cat must race against the clock to protect her friends and save the lives of millions on the planet’s surface. No matter the outcome, humanity will never be the same.
And this time, Cat can’t afford to let anything, or anyone, stand in her way.
Gem’s Thoughts: The first two books in This Mortal Coil series gripped me from beginning to end. I will be sad to see this series end but I am excited to see what happens.
28th January 2020
Book: Blood Countess
Author: Lana Popovic
Publisher: Abrams Chronicle
ISBN13: 9781419738869
Synopsis: In the 17th century Hungary, Anna Darvulia has just begun working as a scullery maid for the young and glamorous Countess Elizabeth Báthory. When Elizabeth takes a liking to Anna, she’s vaulted to the dream role of the chambermaid, a far cry from the filthy servants’ quarters below. She receives wages generous enough to provide for her family, and the Countess begins to groom Anna as her friend and confidante. It’s not long before Anna falls completely under the Countess’s spell—and the Countess takes full advantage. Isolated from her former friends, family, and fiancé, Anna realizes she’s not a friend but a prisoner of the increasingly cruel Elizabeth. Then comes the murders, and Anna knows it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Countess turns on her, too.
Gem’s Thoughts: I won an ARC of this book on Twitter and I am excited to read a retelling of Dracula with Dracula being a Countess.
What book are you looking forward to this month?
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Thanks for reading,
