Waiting on Wednesday: The Queen of Blood & Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Waiting on Wednesday

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

The Queen of Blood

The Queens of Renthia #1

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Release Date: September 20th 2016

Publisher: Harper Voyager

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

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Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Author: Rosamund Hodge

Release Date: September 27th 2016

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . .

Book Review: Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst

Chasing Power
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Released: October 14th 2014
Review Source: Bloomsbury

Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind—things like credit cards and buttons on cash registers—and she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again . . . which would mean grave danger for them both.

When she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel—a boy with the ability to teleport—he needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family-and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive . . . or survive.

One thing that always fascinates me is the powers of a witch. Who wouldn’t like to have powers? When I am lazy, I wish I had the power to move things with my mind. When I am bored, I would love to fly off on my broom. Seriously, who wouldn’t like to have powers? I would love to chase power. Unfortunately, Chasing Power was a little too slow for my liking.

Chasing Power is about a witch named Kayla and she is able to control things with her mind. She uses this power to steal from the rich. Kayla is very clever at being disguise; after all, she and her mother are hiding from her father. Staying in hiding is their mission. Until she stumble upon one of her kind. Daniel is able to telekinesis but even with his power to travel everywhere, he's unable to locate his missing mother. In order to have Kayla help him, he blackmails her with evidence he has against her. Force to join Daniel in this quest, Kayla uncovers the truth of her past and faces danger.  

I have to admit I almost gave up on this story. I had a hard time staying focus, the storyline was moving slow but my curiosity got the best of me. I was suspicious of someone at the beginning and I needed to know if I was right. Along their journey, Kayla and Daniel discover the unexpected – a past that bound them. Learning the truth is hard but now they must fight together against others to stay alive.

Chasing Power may not be for everyone. Many may not enjoy it due to its slow pace but if you give it a try you may end up liking its adventures.

Book Review: Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

Conjured
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal/Magic
Release Date: September 3rd 2013
Review Source: NetGalley/Walker Childrens

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.

I tried my best to finish this book but hardly made it through. In my opinion this is a very slow read, not my cup of tea. The book is well written and very descriptive, yet leaves you with many unanswered questions.

The story is about a girl named Eve who doesn’t remember anything of her old life. Eve is in danger and in a witness protection program. The only way to remember is through dreams but getting her memory back may cause her life. Her dreams are very descriptive, she dreams of a circus, a very creepy circus that is.

The main character, Eve, is a bit confusing. I couldn’t connect with her, at all. I really never got the answer I needed to know in order to understand her. Most of the book she is just a lost as I was. This book should be about magic; however, I never received the magic! Every time she would perform anything extraordinary (which really wasn’t), she would faint and lose track of time. The only character I enjoyed was Zach. He was really cute and very lovable. He was sincere and just nerdy.

This book did not meet my expectation. There is no magic, the pace is off and I am still confuse about the main character.