Waiting on Wednesday: The Darkest Magic & The King Slayer

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 Darkest Magic

Spirits and Thieves #2

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Release Date: June 28th 2016

Publisher: Razorbill

In the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes's highly acclaimed Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, danger looms and the mystery deepens as two warring evils vie for possession of one elusive, powerful book.

Modern-day Toronto: Sisters Crystal and Becca Hatcher are reunited after reclaiming the Bronze Codex and narrowly escaping death. They have no one to trust but each other, and the only thing keeping them safe is the book that sent Becca's spirit to Ancient Mytica--the same book that their enemies would kill them for.

Ancient Mytica: Maddox grapples to keep his newly discovered powers under control, while the ruthless goddess Valoria hunts him down.

Modern-day Toronto: Farrell embraces his dark side as he unwittingly falls further under the spell of Markus, the mastermind leader of the nefarious Hawkspear Society, who will stop at nothing to find Crys and Becca--and the remarkable book in their possession.

New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes takes readers into exhilarating new high-fantasy territory with volume two of the Book of Spirits and Thieves series, an epic contemporary saga perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.

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The King Slayer 

The Witch Hunter #2

Author: Virginia Boecker

Release Date: June 14th 2016

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Magic, suspense, and political intrigue collide in this sequel to The Witch Hunter, perfect for fans of Graceling and the Grisha Trilogy.

Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He's readying for a war against those who would resist his rule--namely Elizabeth and the witches, wizards, pirates, and healers she now calls her friends.

Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth's strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she'll go to save those she loves.

In this sequel to The Witch Hunter, Virginia Boecker delivers a powerful story full of action, suspense, camaraderie, and romance.

Blog Tour: A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes + Interview

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A Book of Spirits and Thieves
Spirits and Thieves #1 
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: June 23rd 2015
Review Source: Razorbill

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.

What was the "spark" that inspired the premise of A Book of Spirits and Thieves?

There were so many ingredients to the recipe that is ABOSAT, but I can say the original spark was reading about the Voynich Manuscript, an ancient, handwritten book that no one has been able to decypher to this day. What language is it written in? I thought. What if it’s a language from…the Falling Kingdoms world? SPARKITY-SPARK!

Just as your novel will inspire future authors, what authors have inspired you to write?

Oh, so many! In my very early days as a reader, I loved the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew books my mother gave me. I adored Sweet Valley High and Judy Blume. As far as becoming a writer myself, I was probably most inspired by Stephen King, whom I voraciously read as a teenager!

The main characters in your novel are quite memorable, which of them do you relate to the most and why?

I would probably say I relate to Crystal Hatcher the most – and not just because she’s a girl who lives in Toronto. She’s tough but uncertain, jaded but hopeful, she loves photography and sushi (although her love of sushi is a bit more adventurous than mine is!). And she likes to take care of her younger sister. I also have a younger sister, but she mostly takes care of herself. ;)

What is your favorite scene in A Book of Spirits and Thieves? Do you have a favorite quote?

My favorite scene is one that takes place in a dungeon in Mytica, when Maddox meets a mysterious and dangerous someone who may become an ally. For all the direness of the situation, it’s a scene that made me laugh a lot.

“You and me, we’re going to get along just fine. We’re going to be good friends. And, um…friends don’t eat friends.”

In less than 140 words, how would you promote A Book of Spirits and Thieves on twitter?

ABOSAT is about two sisters, a secret society, an unreadable book, a faraway land of magic & forbidden love. Plus spirits AND thieves! Whee!

Thank you so much for visiting with us Morgan! I can hardly wait to meet you in person. Congrats on your new release!

Thanks so much! And ditto!!

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Morgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess -- the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, reality TV, and is an extremely picky, yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. Under another pen name, she’s a national bestselling author of many paranormal novels. Falling Kingdoms is her first high fantasy.

 

Book Review: A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

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A Book of Spirits and Thieves
Spirits and Thieves #1 
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: June 23rd 2015
Review Source: Razorbill

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.

So yeah, this book is PHENOMENAL! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! It has it all! ALL! From adventures to mystery to romance to OMG WHAT IS GOING ON! Oh, the betrayals! What a sweet taste! But the best thing about this book is the love for a family. What one is capable of doing for a crazy, annoying nerdy-like family member! The sacrifices one is willing to take. Truly love conquers all.

I usually read a book like there is no tomorrow but with A Book of Spirits and Thieves, I had to take my time. This book drew me in like no other book. The book. To read. A book filled with magic. A book filled with wonders.

The characters, they are all loveable. Even the one that is biwitched to follow an evil man. Knowing him, before this spell was cast upon him and seeing how it has affected him, you just want him to battle it out and conquer. Gosh, I loved them all. From the Crys, the girl that tend to ignore her younger sister, Becca. To the Grayson brothers. And who wouldn’t love Maddox?!

Can I just say this - READ A Book of Spirits and Thieves!! A must read! Trust me, you will be thanking me later.

Thank you Morgan Rhodes for sharing such a magical and epic tale. *hugs book* I cannot wait to read more! So GO ON and PURCHASE THIS BOOK NOW!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

Waiting on Wednesday

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

A Book of Spirits and Thieves

Book of Spirits and Thieves #1  

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Release Date: June 23rd 2015

Publisher: Razorbill

New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes takes readers into exhilarating new high-fantasy territory with A BOOK OF SPIRITS AND THIEVES. Written in alternating perspectives that shift between modern-day Toronto and the ancient kingdoms of Mytica, Rhodes masterfully weaves the dark, magical world of her Falling Kingdoms series into an epic contemporary saga that will leave you breathless.

Modern-day Toronto: A heavy leather-bound book written in an unrecognizable language is delivered to the Speckled Muse, the antique bookshop owned by Crystal and Becca Hatcher’s mother. When Becca opens it, she’s sent into a coma, leaving Crys behind to uncover a series of terrifying secrets.

Ancient Mytica: A merciless goddess hunts for the elusive treasure that will make her ruler not only of Mytica, but of all the unseen worlds that lay beyond it.

Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson finally has the chance to prove himself when the mysterious leader of a powerful secret society invites him into his fold.

Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso has always been different, but never remarkable. Everything changes the day he meets a pretty, unfamiliar girl from a faraway land, only to realize that he’s the only one who can see her.

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.