Category: Highlights

May 2017 Highlights

On the first Monday of each month we highlight our top three books that are scheduled to be published that month.

Serena’s Picks:

31632115Book: “Triple Threat” by Gwenda Bond

Publication Date: May 1, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Kate and I have posted joint reviews for the first two books in this series, “Fallout” and “Double Down,” as our love of  all things Superman and Lois Lane is never-ending. While we’ve each begun to have some concerns about the longevity of the premise of this series (teenage Lois solves mysteries in Metropolis with the help of her “friend” SmallvilleGuy whom she knows only through virtual reality), I’m sure we’ll both end up reading and reviewing this one sometime in the near future!

23308087Book: “Flame in the Mist” by Renee Ahdieh

Publication Date: May 16, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I read and enjoyed both “The Wrath and the Dawn” and “The Rose and the Dagger” by this author, so I was excited to hear that she was starting a new YA series. Even more exciting, this book is being marketed as a similar story to “Mulan” and I love me some “Mulan.” Basically, any story about a girl dressing up as a man and becoming a badass warrior is a book that I will probably be checking out. The fact that it’s by an author who wrote a solid YA duology just increases the appeal.

8306741Book: “Thick as Thieves” by Megan Whalen Turner

Publication Date: May 16, 2017

Why I’m Interested: OMG OMG OMG! This is not only one of the books I’m most looking forward to that is being published this month, but it may be my most anticipated book of the entire year! The combination of it being the 5th in a series that I have absolutely adored and the fact that it’s been SEVEN YEARS since the last one came out….I’m so excited! What’s more, Whalen Turner has created such a complex world and changed up her narrator and storytelling style so many times throughout the series that I truly don’t even know what to expect from this. All I know is that, yes, I am excited.

Kate’s Picks:

33151805Book: “Into the Water” by Paula Hawkins

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I was one of those people who enjoyed “The Girl on the Train”, and I feel that Paula Hawkins has a pretty good chance of delivering another solid thriller novel. This one involves the body of a single mother being discovered in a lake, a fate that met a young woman in that town fairly recently before that. Now the daughter left behind has to adjust to a new life, and a new person in the form of her strange aunt. I’m sure that twists and turns will ensue. This sub-genre may wear me down and grate me a bit, but I’m looking forward to see what Hawkins brings us this time.

31752345Book: “Black Mad Wheel” by Josh Malerman

Publication Date: May 23rd, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I really liked Malerman’s novel “Bird Box”, and I was hoping that he would be coming out with something new. This one also has an incredibly intriguing and original premise, as a group of people have been recruited by the U.S. Government to go into an African desert and track down the origin of a dangerous sound. What they find is something that is far more complicated and dangerous than just one malevolent piece of audio, I guess, and honestly that sounds pretty freakin’ rad, premise wise. Malerman is so good at writing unsettling and uncanny stories, and I have high hopes that “Black Mad Wheel” will be a worthy follow up to “Bird Box”.

31554413Book: “The Boy on the Bridge” by M.R. Carey

Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This is the much anticipated sequel to Carey’s break out work “The Girl With All The Gifts”, the runaway zombie hit. While I didn’t particularly care for the execution of that one, the originality he gave to the zombie story did impress me to a certain degree. And therefore, even if I wasn’t too impressed by that one, I am more than happy to go back into this world that he has created. It seems that official promotions are being pretty tight lipped about the plot to this one, but the few things I have read has given me hope that the originality is still going to be there.

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

April 2017 Highlights

Serena’s Picks:

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Book: “Shadowcaster” by Cinda Williams Chima

Publication Date: April 4, 201720617636

Why I’m Interested: First off, I see what you did there, marketing company! Trying to make it look like the cover of the “Throne of Glass” books! This is a bad sign for the series, that the first book probably didn’t perform as well as they’d like, so they’re changing up the cover design to mimic a popular title. And…I kind of get it? I loved Williams Chima’s first series in this world, but the book that started off this sequel series, “Flamecaster?” A big “meh.” But I’ll give it another go still based on the strength of the first and my hope that the story can bounce back from a slow start.

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Book: “Red Sister” by Mark Lawrence

Publication Date: April 4, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This is another female assassin book, and as my quest for a good female assassin book continues, I’m including this on the list. For two references to “Throne of Glass” in one post, that is by far the most popular YA title of this type right now…and I kind of hate it. So it is with everlasting hope that I continue to search for a good one! Mark Lawrence is know for writing quality political fantasy fiction, but I haven’t read any of his books up to this point. This may be a good place to start!

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Book: “Skullsworn” by Brian Staveley

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Speaking of female assassins, THIS is where my real hope for this type of book lies! And it’s mostly due to the fact that I’ve already met Staveley’s assassin, Pyrre, in his debut trilogy “The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne” and both it, and she, rocked! Staveley’s assassins are no joke. Their organization is a religion that worships death, yet somehow the author has side-stepped all the stereotypes that come with that set up and left us with a no-nonsense and tragic group of people. Pyrre’s past was hinted at in the first books, so I’m fairly sure this won’t be a hunky-dorey fun time, but she seems like the type of character who would be well-served by a prequel/spin off and I’m excited to see how her story unfolds!

Kate’s Picks:

32994321Book: “Final Girls” by Mira Grant

Publication Date: April 30th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I liked Mira Grant’s “Newsflesh” Trilogy because it was an interesting and fresh science-y take on zombies. A lot of tech is used in that series to explain some aspects of society after a zombie uprising, and it’s as fascinating as it is tense. Serena let me know that Grant had written a new novella that also takes on some cool tech themes, so I was definitely intrigued. “Final Girls” speaks of a therapy that puts people through a terrifying simulation, similar to a horror movie scenario, in hopes of either curing phobias, or repairing broken relationships. It, of course, probably goes completely wrong. So think “Westworld” madness meets questions about ethics in the psychological profession.

29939052Book: “Ararat” by Christopher Golden

Publication Date: April 18th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Survival horror stories that put people up against the elements and the awfulness of nature are great on their own. But when you add in the paranoia of an unseen possible monster, you get something all the more terrifying. “Ararat” goes in the tradition of “The Terror” and “Abominable” and puts two people in a blizzard on Mount Ararat in Turkey. Some people suggest that this is the mountain that Noah’s Ark ended up on after the flood. But when the climbers explore the inside of a strange ship, they find something that seems far less godly, and far more demonic. I’m here for that, as I’m sure you all know.

29422134Book: “Unearthly Things” by Michelle Gagnon

Publication Date: April 11th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: So it’s true that sometimes retellings of classic tales can be very hit or miss. I’ve read some that are pretty good, and some that are pretty… not? But I’m a sucker for anything that tries to tell “Jane Eyre” (remember “Jane Steele”?), even if it could be a total train wreck. “Unearthly Things” takes the “Eyre” story and puts it in modern day California, with orphan surfer girl Janie moving in with the rich Rochester family. She doesn’t really fit in with the upper class, but connects with John, the bad boy older son of the family. Though there are weird noises, perhaps even screams, coming from the attic of the mansion, and Janie may be stumbling upon a terrible secret in her new home. This book could either be just what I need, or terribly disappointing. I’m willing to gamble on it.

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

March 2017 Highlights

We could try to type out something in a really terrible Irish accent in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day this month, but let’s just skip it maybe? March is also notable as it marks the Library Ladies one year anniversary! So yay for that!

Serena’s Picks

29522966Book: “The Beast is an Animal” by Peternelle van Arsdale

Publication Date: March 7, 2017

Why I’m Interested: There have already been comparisons to “Uprooted” floating around (one of my favorite reads of the last few years), and this book seems poised to be another break-out original fairytale.Featuring a girl with a strange power who sets out to save her village from the fearful twin soul eaters and their Beast overlord only to find that she shares a unknown connection with them, this book sounds like just the type of dark, twisted folk tale I would love. Plus, just look at that beautiful, creepy cover and tell me you’re not intrigued!

30687916Book: “Silence Fallen” by Patricia Briggs

Publication Date: March 7, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This is the 10th book in the Mercy Thompson series. Tenth! That’s a lot of central Washington werewolf/shapshifter/vampire/fae action! While the series has been rather hit or miss for me with the last few books, I did enjoy the last book (which was good, because the one before that was a fairly large miss). But it is starting to feel like the stakes simply can’t be raised any higher and that this tale might be nearing its end. Through kidnapping shenanigans, this book drops Mercy into Europe where she must maker her way home on her own, which does sound interesting. A change of setting could be what the series needs. And as much as I love Mercy and Adam together, the strength of this series is Mercy herself and sometimes she’s best left to clean up messes on her own.

28449207Book: “Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor

Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I very much enjoyed Laini Taylor’s “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” trilogy. The fantasy elements were all very unique, her world building was extraordinary, and she wrote her teenage female protagonist in a believable and sympathetic way. So, on those strengths alone I would be interested in a new fantasy series by this author. But, as it happens, this one also features Lazlo Strange a junior librarian! The description of the story seems confusing, something about a world where dreams choose your path and a lost world and dead gods. But I’m pretty sure if I tried to explain the premise of “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” that would also sound very odd, so I’m going to have faith that Taylor once again knows what she’s doing.

Kate’s Picks

30687788Book: “Ill Will” by Dan Choan

Publication Date: March 7th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I’m always on the lookout for a good thriller that may take inspiration from true events, and “Ill Will” sure sounds like The Smiley Face Killer Conspiracy! You have a psychologist named Dustin who is haunted by his brother, a convicted murderer who is just now being let out of prison. Who was put into prison in the first place because of Satanic Panic and Dustin’s own testimony. Add that in with a crazy, unrelated theory one of his patient’s is tossing around involving a serial killer who covers his tracks by staging drownings, and  you have a book that has ME written all over it!!! This genuinely sounds like it could be a serious mind warp and I am totally here for that, just as I’m always here for disturbing psychological thrillers.


23447923Book: “The Inexplicable Logic of My Life” by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Publication Date: March 7th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I know it isn’t one of the genres that I usually focus on on this blog, but I absolutely cannot WAIT for this book!! First of all, the plot itself sounds like it’s going to be punching me right in the feelings, as a teenage boy is having a hard time coming to terms with his own identity and questioning whether he belongs or not. But most importantly, this is a book that is written by Benjamin Alire Saenz, who wrote the book “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”, which is hands down one of my very favorite YA books of all time!!!! So even though this isn’t the “Aristotle and Dante” sequel that I’m waiting for (not terribly patiently I might add), I love his writing and story telling, so I am VERY stoked to get my mitts on this book.

30753832Book: “The Fall of Lisa Bellow” by Susan Perabo

Publication Date: March 14th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Though it sounds like it’s less about the crime itself and more about the aftermath and damage done, “The Fall of Lisa Bellow” is on my list. When Meredith Oliver and her nemesis Lisa Bellow are getting lunch from a cafe, a masked man bursts in. He hesitates between the two, and picks Lisa to take with him. Now Meredith is trying to cope with her guilt, her trauma, and her life after the fact. This sounds like it’s probably going to break my heart, but I’m very interested in the concept of survivor guilt and how a town reacts to a crime like this. My guess is that this is going to be a book that needs tissues ready, but I’m up for it!

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

February 2017 Highlights

Winter is still here, but we’re dreaming of spring! And in the mean time, February is the month when all chocolate eating is justified and weight gain magically doesn’t exist! So yay for that! It also seems that the beginning of the year is ripe with tons of new releases. We both had a very tough time narrowing our list down to only three choices,  but here they are!

Serena’s Picks

16148435Book: “The Burning World” by Isaac Marion

Publication Date: February 7, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This is a very strange book in that it is a sequel to “Warm Bodies,” a novel that was published seven years ago now and has had a feature film released a few years ago on top of that. The timing is bizarre, to say the least. So this is listed based on the strength of the original that introduced us to “R” a zombie who wanted more from life and found it in his human love interest, Julie. Kate and I both read this for bookclub (check out the review here) and very much enjoyed it. But the book also felt fairly perfect as a stand-alone novel, so combine the question of “is there really more story to tell here?” with the delayed publication date…we shall see!

24763621Book: “Wintersong” by S. Jae-Jones

Publication Date: February 7, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This story features the tried and true story of a girl stolen away to an underground world by a Goblin King. But never let it be said that simply because we’ve read  one (or a million!) iterations of a story that there’s not still more than can be done if you have the right take and author. While the premises definitely sounds similar to “Labyrinth,” there also seems to be notes from “The Phantom of the Opera” with a musically inclined protagonist whose mentor is some type of Other. This is the second month in a row that has a book that references “Phantom of the Opera.” Is this a trend??

25670396Book: “Miranda and Caliban” by Jacqueline Carey

Publication Date: February 14, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I read and loved Jacqueline Carey’s three Terre d’Ange trilogies. I read and loathed her urban fantasy series. From everything I’ve heard, this book hearkens back to the former both in style and substance. A re-telling of “The Tempest,” this book focuses the tale on Prospero’s daughter, Miranda, a lonely girl who befriends Caliban, a wild boy that is taken into servitude by her father. This sounds like such an intriguing premises, and if Carey is back to form, than she is more than capable of bringing much beauty and heart to this strange tale.

Kate’s Picks

20600617Book: “Afterlife With Archie (Vol.2): Betty R.I.P.” by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Publication Date: February 14th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: As you all know, I absolutely LOVED the first collection of “Afterlife with Archie” comics. And finally, FINALLY, the second volume by Aguirre-Sacasa is coming out. When we left the Riverdale gang they ventured out into the zombie apocalypse, running from Jughead and his undead army. I’m still so tickled about it. I’ve just been dying to find out what happens next because I love what’s been done with these characters and I love how genuinely creepy Aguirre-Sacasa has written this story. I’m a bit worried about the collection title, because Betty is my girl and I don’t want to say goodbye to her yet!

29430798Book: “The Devil Crept In” by Ania Ahlborn

Publication Date: February 7th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: When Stevie Clark’s cousin disappears, memories and whispers in the community remind him of another disappearance he heard of, from years before. Not only did children disappear, but pets did too, and no one knows what happened. Stevie decides to try and find his cousin on his own, but maybe the truth is far worse than anyone ever expected. This sounds like a really creepy and suspenseful book, and while missing person books can be a bit heavy at times, this one has the potential to bring in more scares than melancholy. I really can’t wait to see what this is all about.

24382227Book: “Dreamland Burning” by Jennifer Latham

Publication Date: February 21st, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Though this one kind of functions outside of my usual genres, I have to say that I’m very intrigued by this book. It is a two perspective story in which a girl in modern times finds a skeleton on her property, and then nearly 100 years ago a boy finds himself in the middle of a community simmering with racial tension. The context of the story is Jim Crow Laws and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, and I am very interested to see what Latham does to interweave these two stories, and how she connects the past to the present in a number of ways.

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

January 2017 Highlights

Happy New Years everyone! Christmas is over and January has arrived, that time of year where we really should be in the gym working off the the cookies, but instead just want to curl up with all the new books we got for Christmas! And avoid the bitter, bitter cold. The year ahead looks great for new books, so let’s start things off right with our list for January.

Serena’s Picks

28962896Book: “The Cold Eye” by Laura Anne Gilman

Publication Date: January 10, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I haven’t reviewed it yet on this site, but the first book in this series, “Silver on the Road,” was one of my favorite reads in a long while. It’s essentially a fantasy western novel featuring a great heroine and unique magic system. The first book was almost a travelogue and had a very apprentice/mentor story line as Isobel learns her role as the Left Hand (pretty much a magical enforcer). I’m excited to see where the author takes this story! There were a lot of strings left hanging, especially with regards to her companion Gabriel’s back story.

28818314Book: “RoseBlood” by A. G. Howard

Publication Date: January 10, 2017

Why I’m Interested: This is a risky pick because it’s another one of those that is based on an original classic that I loved and so as all the more opportunity for disappointment. This time, a modern re-make of “The Phantom of the Opera” featuring a female Phantom? I think? I love this story, especially the musical version, so I’m intrigued by the idea of a young adult retelling of it. Of course, it could also be hugely disappointing based on these same high expectations and I’m also a bit unsure about its being set in the modern era? (Will there be texting and stuff??) But I can’t not check it out either, so we will see what comes of this!

30037275Book: “Heartstone” by Elle Katharine White

Publication Date: January 17, 2017

Why I’m Interested: I can’t help myself! Whenever I find a re-imaging of “Pride and Prejudice” I just have to read it, no matter that I’ve been burned so many times in the past! (And also, there are always exceptions like “Shades of Milk and Honey” that I mostly liked and the brilliant “Death Comes to Pemberley” that I very much liked). Anyways, this is yet another retelling somehow mixing Jane Austen’s classic tale with tons of magical beasts. Sounds kind of like “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” except insert gryphons, direwolves, and dragons in there instead of the zombies. Could be fun! Could be awful! Only one way to find out!

Kate’s Picks

29430791Book: “Little Heaven” by Nick Cutter

Publication Date: January 10th, 2017

Why I’m Interested: Nick Cutter is an author who has intrigued me, but i haven’t been able to read his last few books. With “The Troop” it was because it was parasite themed, and I am NOT here for that! With “The Deep” it was ocean horror based, and I’m not here for that either (unless sharks are involved, otherwise nope)! But now this one sounds like wilderness, paranoia horror, and THAT I am here for! He’s had a lot of good buzz, and so I’m finally stoked that my neuroses can be held at bay as I read this one.

29244734Book: “X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate” by Johnathan Mayberry

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2017

Why I’m Interested: BECAUSE DUH! It’s “The X-Files”! Also, it’s a story about Scully when she’s a teenager! I love both Mulder and Scully, but I think that of the two Scully is the more interesting one. One of the reasons for that is that she is a skeptical and grounded scientist, but she is also deeply religious. And this story goes back to her teenage years and tries to give origins to why she is a skeptic, with a backdrop of Satanic Panic and murder serving to set the scene. I am beyond excited for this. And not just this, because….

29244700Book: “X-Files Origins: Agents of Chaos” by Kami Garcia

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2017

Why I’m Interested: BECAUSE THERE IS A SECOND ONE FROM MULDER’S SIDE! If I find Scully the more interesting of the two, I find Mulder to be the more relatable of the two (I am such a believer, or at least want-t0-believer). So of course I’m also going to read this book! Is this a cheat to pick both? NO. They’re totally different stories from different writers. The description for this one is just as vague as the one for Scully’s, but I don’t even care because I will be on board for this no matter what.

What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

December 2016 Highlights

Christmas is almost here! Christmas is almost here! This is both great (Christmas music!) and not so great (Christmas music EVERYWHERE!) But it is a month full of festivities and holidays, many others than just Christmas, so Happy Holidays to everyone! Here are some books that are being published this December that we are each looking forward to.

Serena’s Picks

32601233Book: “Upon a Time” by R. L. Stedman

Publication Date: December 1, 2016

Why I’m Interested: This collection of retold fairytales sounds intriguing. I’m always looking for new fairytale re-tellings, and these sounds like classics with twists: an assassin on a dealing, a “Charming Ball,” a fairy godfather (!) and sleeping beasts. Fairytale re-tellings have had a bit of a “moment” the last several years with decreasing returns it seems. Hopefully this book will prove that there is still new life to be breathed into these types of stories!

28943777Book: “A Want of Kindness” by Joanne Limburg

Publication Date: December 6, 2016

Why I’m Interested: It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted a historical book, and when I came across this one, it sounded right up my alley, telling the story of Queen Anne who ascended to the throne in 1702 and was the last of the Stuart line. I’ve read a good amount of Phillipa Gregory in my day (a staple in historical regency fiction, though she mainly focuses on the Tudors), and this sounds very similar. Mixing fact and fiction, Limburg re-creates the intrigue and tragedy that made up Anne’s life. While the potential for crying is high with this one, I’m excited to check it out!

31258177Book: “Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi” by John Scalzi

Publication Date: December 31, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Another short story collection, this one by the well-known sci-fi author John Scalzi. The collection spans the last 20 years of Scalzi’s work and features four new stories. I haven’t read a lot of Scalzi’s work, but he has won a Hugo award for his novel “Redshirts” and is known for mixing sci fi stories with humor featuring the absurd. Just look at a few of these stories’ titles to get an idea: “Morning Announcements at the Lucas Interspecies School for Troubled Youth,” “Your Smart Appliances Talk About You Behind Your Back,” and “The AI Are Absolutely Positively Without a Doubt Not Here to End Humanity, Honest.”

Kate’s Picks

31338724Book: “Paper Girls 2” by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang (Ill.)

Publication Date: December 6th, 2016

So I liked the first volume of “Paper Girls” a fair amount, and while I’m hesitant about the hard line Sci-Fi bent that it seems to be taking (just look at the cover…), I like the characters. I like them a lot. My hope is that even if it does go pretty deep into Sci-Fi that the girls keep me interested enough that I’ll want to keep going. I’m also hoping that a couple of the girls who didn’t get as much play last time around will get some more fleshed out characterizations. Given the huge hit that was “Stranger Things”, I hope that the love for 80s Nostalgia keeps going in this series, as obviously it has an audience. “Paper Girls” has that potential.

lostboys_cv3_previews_57db3bc8ca2d27-56283947Book: “The Lost Boys #3” by Tim Seeley, Scott Godlewski (Ill.)

Publication Date: December 12th, 2016

This is kind of a new thing, but it’s kind of the first time in awhile that I’ve started following a comic series as the issues come out. It probably doesn’t surprise anyone that the series I am doing this for is “The Lost Boys”!!!! This series picks up where the movie left off (and I’m guessing erases the two sequels from the canon), and it follows Michael, Sam, and the Frog Brothers as they deal with a new group of vampires. This time it’s a group of ladies called The Blood Belles, and BOY are they badass!!! I’m really enjoying this series, and I hope that it can keep the laughs and scares going.

20518817Book: “Normal” by Warren Ellis

Publication Date: November 29th, 2016 (a cheat, maybe, but it’s close enough to December)

Given that I’ve started a re-read of Warren Ellis’s classic “Transmetropolitan”, when I found out he’d written a techno thriller I was on board. Though I do kind of get nervous about the idea of techno-thrillers (man am I not a science or math person), I love Ellis and his stories, so I am more than willing to give this a chance. Plus, it sounds very strange, with strategists trying to prepare for ‘upcoming doom’ either by adapting technologies to stave it off, or by plotting about how to survive civil upheaval and chaos. One of the more positive strategists may have stumbled upon a vast conspiracy about the future and the doom that it predicts….. I’m a bit confused, but super intrigued too!

What upcoming books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!

November 2016 Highlights

October seemed to fly by, and now we really are staring down the barrel of winter (yes, we know we obsess about weather changes in these summaries…but we’re in Minnesota, you’d understand if you lived here!) But with the new month (and probably/hopefully not/maybe snow) comes our new list highlighting books that are coming out this month! Let’s see what we’re most looking forward to.

Serena’s Picks

22567184Book: “Den of Wolves” by Juliet Marillier

Publication Date: November 1, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Look, I’ve had my copy of this book pre-ordered basically from the first moment it was possible. Juliet Marillier is one of my favorite authors, I own every single one of her books, and I’ve already pre-reviewed the first two in this series (which I loved). So….obviously. In other news, it seems that the original contract with this publisher was only for three books, so maybe (please say no!!!) this might be the last in the series, which would be a real travesty since it seems clear that Marillier set up the series to be longer-running than that. We’ll see how she handles that situation in writing this story!

18584855Book: “Heartless” by Marissa Meyer

Publication Date: November 8, 2016

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Why I’m Interested: Catherine is loved in all of Wonderland and destined to marry the King of Hearts, but instead she dreams of becoming a baker and falls in love with the wrong man: a jester. You can see where this is going…Yes, a prequel to “Alice in Wonderland” telling the story of the fabled Queen of Hearts!

27414369Book: “Flashfall”by Jenny Moyer

Publication Date: November 15, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Featuring Orion, a miner on Outpost 5, this story sounds vaguely like “Red Rising,” which I loved. Both are sci-fi stories featuring mining on another planet with unknown factors about the world becoming slowly more clear to our protagonist. But it does seem to be more of an exploration novel, and less “Hunger Games in space,” like the other way. Either way, I’m always interested in a new sci fi novel, especially one feature a female lead character!

Kate’s Picks

31138734Book: “Lovemurder” by Saul Black

Publication Date: November 17th, 2016

I read Black’s “The Killing Lessons” last year, and I had no idea that it was going to the the start of a new series! But then I found out about “Lovemurder”, and I was pretty darn thrilled! I love the very troubled homicide detective Valerie Hart, the protagonist from “The Killing Lessons”, and she’s back for more angst and bleakness. This time Hart has to go back to one of her most notorious cases, as bodies are turning up and they may be related to a woman Hart put on Death Row. Oh yeah, I’m here for this. “The Killing Lessons” was harsh and graphic, and I have a feeling that “Lovemurder” will be too.

21897920Book: “Dead Girls Society” by Michelle Krys

Publication Date: November 8th, 2016

I like a good mystery about secret societies, so when I looked a bit more into “Dead Girls Society” my interests were piqued. You have a girl named Hope who has cystic fibrosis, and all she wants to feel is normal and not totally fragile. Enter a strange group calling itself “the Society”, who invites Hope to join in a game that could win her some money and get her heart racing. What could possibly go wrong? This sounds like it has some promise, and I do love a fun and soapy YA thriller!

29633042Book: “Gotham Academy (Vol.3): Yearbook” by Brendan Fletcher (cover not final, apparently. Okay, werk.)

Publication Date: November 8th, 2016

The fun boarding school set series “Gotham Academy” is a fun and quirky comic that I’m really enjoying. It follows a group of teens going to the prestigious Gotham Academy, having to deal with school, friendships, and the usual nonsense and crime stuff you’d expect from Batman’s home city. This is more a collection of vignettes that Olive, Maps, and all their friends have had through the first year of school, and that is just fine by me! I love how fun and spunky this series is, and can’t wait for the next installment!

What books are you guys excited for that are coming out this month? Let us know in the comments!

October 2016 Highlights

Fall is here. We have to admit it. While Serena dreads it, Kate lives for it! This month is Kate’s month, where she’ll be reading nothing but horror in her annual Horrorpalooza! (Serena will stick with her less traumatic genres, but might get a few spooks in here and there). But with the new month comes our list of Highlights of books that are coming out! Let’s see what we’re most looking forward to.

Serena’s Picks

23302838Book: “Goldenhand” by Garth Nix

Publication Date: October 4, 2016

Why I’m Interested: This is the most recent book in Nix’s “Abhorsen” series that started back in 1995 with the first book “Sabriel,” which was, and remains, one of my favorite fantasy books from my childhood. It’s always thrilling (and terrifying) when authors continue a series that has a lot of nostalgia attached to it. I read the second and third book in the series and was a bit less enamored, but as this features the same characters, I may need to do a re-read for this blog in preparation for this!

28321033Book: “One Was Lost” by Natalie D. Richards

Publication Date: October 4, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Ok, so this is verging into the “creep zone” for me, calling up memories of “The Blair Witch Project.” Several teens go on a hiking/camping trip into the wilderness, only to wake up one morning dazed and confused with their supplies, chaperone, and half their group missing and mysterious words scrawled on their wrists. What’s worse? Creepy dolls! Creepy dolls! This sounds like a bizarre hodgepodge, but I’m a sucker for stories set in the woods, so give me a cozy blanket and a cat, and I’ll attempt it!

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Book: “Yesternight” by Cat Winters

Publication Date: October 4, 2016

Why I’m Interested: This book is billed as a mystery, but I can also see why it is set to be published in October with some decidedly creepy elements. Set in 1925, the main character is a psychologist who travels to Oregon to work with school children. All does not goes as planned when she runs into a genius child who claims to be living a second life after dying decades earlier. I love books that cross-genres, as this one seems to be doing. History? Good. Mystery? Good. Creepy children?…um, good?

Kate’s Picks

Book: “Last Seen Leaving” by Caleb Roehrig 25036310

Publication Date: October 4th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Teen mysteries and thrillers can be a dangerous game to play. While I have loved some of them, like “We Were Liars”, there have been real clunkers as well. But “Last Seen Leaving” sounds like it has some promise. Caleb’s girlfriend January has disappeared, and everyone thinks that he did it. He’s determined to prove his innocence, but is also hiding a big secret from everyone, possibly including himself. Okay, I’m sold. It sounds intriguing, and if it’s good it could be very very good.

29102955Book: “The Secret History of Twin Peaks” by Mark Frost

Publication Date: October 18th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Well, for starters, “Twin Peaks” just happens to be my FAVORITE TV SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF EVER!! I was stoked enough when it was announced that it was coming back to TV, but when I found out there was going to be a book to get everyone caught up with what was going on in town in the past 20 years, I could have died. I love the show and I hope that Mark Frost (one of the producers) has some good fates for my favorite characters (Audrey Horne in particular).

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Book: “Feedback” by Mira Grant

Publication Date: October 4th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Grant’s “Newflesh Trilogy”, about two blogging siblings who find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy in a post zombie-apocalypse society, is a very original and fun zombie series. While I was happy with how it all wrapped up for Georgia and Shaun Mason, when I heard that another series set in the same universe and on the same timeline was coming out, well, I was very interested. This series is apparently going to follow some of their competition, other reporters who may be finding other secrets of their own. I’m totally willing to dive back into this high tech zombie universe.

What books are you guys excited for that are coming out this month? Let us know in the comments!

September 2016 Highlights

Happy Labor Day! The end of summer is here, and in Minnesota we are saying goodbye to the State Fair and hello to the reality of autumn heading our way. But with the new month comes our new list of Highlights of books that are coming out! Let’s see what we’re most looking forward to.

Serena’s Picks

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Book: “Vassa in the Night” by Sarah Porter

Publication Date: September 20th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Set in a fairytale version of Brooklyn, NYC, and based on the Russian fairytale “Vassilissa the Beautiful,” this book looks right up my alley! I always love fairytale retellings and am even more intrigued by one based on a story that I’m not as familiar with. (Having read a million Cinderella retellings, I’m up for something new!) Also, it features a version of Baba Yaga as the villain. Which…I love Baba Yaga!

23203252Book: “A Shadow Bright and Burning” by Jessica Cluess

Publication Date: September 20, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Henrietta Howel (first plus: awesome name!) is the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years. Further, she is being told that she is the Chosen One who will defeat the demons terrorizing the country. Or is she really? Set in an alternative Victorian London, I’m intrigued by the concept of playing with the “chose one” mythology and, hopefully, turning it on its head. Either way, a fantasy novel set in Victorian London featuring a protagonists similar to the “Human Torch” sounds just about perfect to me!

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Book: “Magic Binds” by Ilona Andrews

Publication Date: September 20, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Another classy cover for the “Kate Daniels” series by writing duo, Ilona Andrews. *sigh* But oh well, I’ve come to expect a certain amount of cheese from my urban fantasy covers…but really, the lion staring off into the middle distance?? The last book in this series saw the rising threat of Kate’s god-like father Roland threatening not only her own peace, but the safety of her claimed territory, Atlanta. The struggle continues, but this time Roland and gone one step further, kidnapping Kate’s on-and-off friend Saiman to gain more power. This series can be a bit hit and miss, but I’m hoping for a hit with this one!

Kate’s Picks

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Book: “Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (Vol.1)” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze (Ill.)

Publication Date: September 13th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Though I’m not really a Marvel Girl, I am VERY interested by the new iteration of Black Panther. Partially because I liked him in “Captain America: Civil War,” but mostly because Ta-Nehisi Coates is writing for the character now. As someone who was deeply moved by “Between the World and Me,” I think that it’s absolutely fabulous that Coates was tapped to take on the story of Black Panther. His ruminations on race in this country will no doubt have some influence on this character, and that really excites me.

28367592Book: “The Women in the Walls” by Amy Lukavics

Publication Date: September 27th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Lukavics’ “Daughters Unto Devils” was one of my favorite horror novels last year, as the raw and brutal story of demonic doings in the prairie land scared the piss out of me. I’m really hoping that her next one, “The Women in the Walls,” has the same atmospheric and feminist terror that her previous novel had. Especially since it will be coming out just in time for Halloween season. This one sounds more like a haunted house tale as opposed to demonic possession, but that just makes me more excited. I love a good haunted house story.

28449150Book: “And the Trees Crept In” by Dawn Kurtagich

Publication Date: September 6th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Another haunted house story!! Honestly, when late September comes around I’m gathering a list of horror novels to read, and this one sounds like it has some promise to it. As anyone who has seen “The Evil Dead” movies knows, trees can be super horrible and creepy when they want to be, and the idea of trees moving in for the kill and surrounding a mansion really just gives me the willies. I haven’t read anything by Kurtagich, but if this one tickles my fancy I will have to seek her out some more!

What books are you guys excited for that are coming out this month? Let us know in the comments!

August 2016 Highlights

We have entered the Dog Days of summer, everybody, and as such it is time for our highlights and choices we’re most excited about for the month! Let’s see what we are looking forward to!

Serena’s Picks

26114291Book: “Ghost Talkers” by Mary Robinette Kowal

Publication Date: August 16th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Set in an alternate-Earth where a Psychcorp division of the military helps with the war efforts in World War I, this unique stand-alone definitely seems worth checking out. The lead character, Ginger Stuyvesant, is a medium who becomes caught up in the war efforts and the possibility of a traitor in their midst when her fiance is sent to the front line. This has the potential to be very tragic, but I’m willing to risk it!

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Book: “The Obelisk Gate” by N.K. Jemisin

Publication Date: August 16th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: This is the second in Jemisin’s “The Broken Earth” series, and alas, I haven’t even gotten to the first one, “The Fifth Season,” yet! But I have read other works by this author and love them all, and she’s a highly praised name in the fantasy community right now. Featuring her trademark world building and incredibly high stakes (see: a world with repeated apocalyptic events), the release of this book just highlights the fact that I need to prioritize this series pronto!

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Book: “The Swarm” by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Publication Date: August 2nd, 2016

Why I’m Interested: “Ender’s Game” is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi books. I’ve read sporadically within the rest of the series and spin offs with mixed feelings. This story is essentially a prequel, and features Mazer Rackam, Ender’s mentor in the original, during the second second war with the Formics. This seems to be the first in a trilogy set during this period of time and is also a first pairing for Card and Johnston. I’m curious to see how the authors merge their styles and how this series will hold up against the original.

Kate’s Picks

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Book: “The Smaller Evil” by Stephanie Kuehn

Publication Date: August 2nd, 2016

Why I’m Interested: Stephanie Kuehn is one of my favorite YA authors writing today, as I love her book “Charm and Strange” and quite enjoyed both “Complicit” and “Delicate Monsters”. Now she’s back with a new one, which is sure to be as tense as her others. This one seems to deal with a strange group that is leading a self help retreat in the remote Big Sur mountains, and the teenage boy who has found himself in it’s fences. I smell a cult story, and I love a good cult story.

28815474Book: “The Couple Next Door” by Shari Lapena

Publication Date: August 23rd, 2016

Why I’m Interested: This book sounds like it has it all: a seemingly perfect family, a terrible crime, and secrets and lies that are about to come out. I wanted something like this when I read “The Magpies” by Mark Edwards, but didn’t quite get it, so hopefully “The Couple Next Door” will fill my insatiable need for terrible things happening to suburban bliss. It seems to have some pretty okay hype, so I am looking forward to this.

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Book: “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Book 1” by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack (Illustrator)

Publication Date: August 16th, 2016

Why I’m Interested: So you know how the Archie Comics are kind of getting a more edgy and darker make-over, or have had some darker themes at least? Apparently the same can be said for Sabrina the Teenage Witch!! I loved the show when it was on and I liked the comics when I was little, so seeing that it’s been given the horror treatment makes me so relentlessly excited I can’t even begin to contain my excitement!! This has the potential to bring in some fun witch themes to an old favorite.

What books are you guys excited for that are coming out this month? Let us know in the comments!