WWW (36) and Waiting on Wednesday (April 17th, 2013): CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas and A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY by Susan Dennard

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I've been a really slow reader lately, so I haven't had much to share.  With Spring upon us, I've had loads of work to do in my garden, softball season for my girls, and have had to go to wok on top of it.  Reading has, sadly, not been super-high on the priorities list.  That said, I've recently read some amazing books, so I had to take the time to do this week's WWW...

What are you currently reading?

The Rules by Stacey Kade~ So far, this one's pretty good.  It's intriguing, and there are enough questions that I'm turning the pages at a pretty good clip.  Stay tuned.  It releases next week, so my review will be up soon.

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden~ This one is shaping up to be quite funny.  I've just started it, so I can't give a solid opinion just yet, but I have a good feeling about it.




What did you recently finish reading?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo~ OMG, ya'll!  This book is freaking amazing!  If you liked Shadow and Bone, you are in for a serious treat!  If you haven't read Shadow and Bone, well, I just feel sorry for you.

The Program by Suzanne Young~ As a fan of her other books, I was really eager to read this one.  It was good, but not as good as I had hoped it would be.  Look for my review this week or next.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch~ Another win.  I was blown away by the range of emotions this book evoked.  If you are a fan of issue-driven Contemporary YA, this is a must-read.  Check out my review HERE.

Mind Games by Kiersten White~ Again, an author whose prior stuff I've loved.  This one, just okay for me.  It was good enough that I will read book number two, but I wasn't blown away like I had expected to be.  Read my full review HERE.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare~ All I can say is... TEARS!  What a beautiful, unexpected, and bittersweet ending.  As soon as I can think of it without tearing up, I will post my review.

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald~ A cute, modern retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. An easy, fast day and a half read that was perfect after the tears of Clockwork Princess.  Full review to come.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys~ Um.  This was a book club pick that I would have otherwise never read.  Can I just say?  Effing AMAZING!  Thank you to whomever chose this for April, because I adored it!  Review coming soon.

What do you think you'll read next?

Icons by Margaret Stohl~ I'm so excited to read this.  I can't wait to see what she can do without Beautiful Creatures writing partner, Kami Garcia.  Plus, she's so amazingly nice, and this book seems pretty dark, so I'm intrigued!  It releases May 7th, so look for a review next week or so.

Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy~ I've professed my adoration of Terra's writing before, so I'm, of course, excited to read this.  It' a stretch from her standard YA Contemporary fare though, so I'm doubly excited!  Stay tuned.  It also releases May 7th, and I will probably do a signed giveaway with my review.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

I'm giving you not one, but two WoW books today.  I will call it The BFFs Edition, since the authors of my two featured books are buds.  I had the opportunity to meet both this past summer at DBF, and they were both so great, and since I loved each of their debuts, I am SO waiting on their book number twos!  So without further ado...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.

But her heart never wavers. 

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I adored the first installment of this series, Throne of Glass, and have eagerly been awaiting the next.  I will undoubtedly be begging someone for an advance copy of Crown of Midnight, because August is far too far away for me.  I need me some more Celaena NOW.  Read my review of Throne of Glass HERE.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date:  July 23rd, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

I really enjoyed book one in this series, Something Strange and Deadly, and expect I will enjoy book number two even more now that all the pesky set-up is done.  You just can't go wrong with steampunk, zombies, and mysterious hotties.  This one releases on my daughter's birthday so I will have to celebrate by buying myself a finished copy (because I fully intend to beg, borrow, or steal an advance copy), because that cover is absolutely to die for, and I need to have it on my shelf.  Read my review of Something Strange and Deadly HERE.

So that was my BFFs Edition of Waiting On Wednesday!  What are you Waiting On?  Leave your link, so I can check it out!