The Queen's Library (10)

Purchased for Kindle

Possess by Gretchen McNeil 

Free AudiobooksThe Woman in White by Wilkie Collins Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (my review)
These Kindle deals are too good (and too tempting) lately...Thanks to Sync for the audiobooks! 

What did you get this week? 

Inspiration/Credit

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

(Mini-Review)

Born Wicked 
Jessica Spotswood
Released: February 7th, 2012Pages: 330 (hardcover)Publisher: Putnam JuvenileSource: Unsolicited - Publisher

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave. 
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. 
If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood -- not even from each other.

The three Cahill sisters are witches, and only one mistake away from revealing themselves as such to society and the Brotherhood. Cate, our narrator, tries to keep her sisters safe and out of the public eye, but it can be tricky when her younger siblings seem to enjoy flaunting their magic for fun. Spotswood's writing excels with the Cahill sisters and their relationships with one another, and with the mysteries in the story. Each scene springs to life, and intriguing characters make this story all the more fascinating. Born Wicked is a wonderful debut with a surprising conclusion that will undoubtedly leave readers breathless and curious about the sequel. 
Highlights: One very intriguing twist at the end. The world Cate lives in seemed wonderfully developed alternate setting. Many characters (the Cahill sisters, Finn, Elena, Sachi, and Rory) in this story were intriguing enough to keep me invested in the story. The tension in the story - romantic tension, fearful tension - also made it difficult to stop reading. 
Lowlights: Slow start. Almost entirely predictable¹, and the romance seemed a bit rushed (but I did like the guy, so it didn't bother me too much). 
Rating: 

1 I tend to unravel how a book will end very early on. So, other people might find certain aspects more surprising than I did. 


Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Nobles / The Book Depository 
Image + Summary from Goodreads

Awesome Book Trailers

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Holbrook Academy's website

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.
But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.
Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

I love how true to the story this trailer is. 
***

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. 
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. 
If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Book trailers are so amazing lately...
Both books are going to be released by Putnam Juvenile on Februrary 2nd and February 7th, respectively.

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

For more information on how to participate in Top Ten Tuesday and this week's topic, visit The Broke and Bookish for details!
Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter
1. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood - I think I might have died when I got this one in the mail. The gorgeous cover! And it's about witches! It can't go wrong. 
2. Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne - Odd occurrences, red stained hands, mysteries...I'm totally in.  
3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - I really want to see what all the fuss is about, because it seems like everyone is raving about this book. Deadly water horses? Beautiful prose? It just sounds amazing. 
4. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - Aylee's review convinced me to buy it, and the Printz Honor award on the cover was pretty convincing too, so it's sitting impatiently on my shelf until I get to it.
5. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons - I have very high hopes for this one, so I hope it manages to be unique in a sea of dystopians. 
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have read and reviewed this trilogy already, but with the upcoming movie, I feel like I need a refresher before spring. 
7. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - Yet another reread I want to do, especially with a series I already adore. Magic, surprises, great world building and fantastic characters...you can't go wrong with a JK Rowling book. 
8. Forgotten by Cat Patrick - I love the sound of the plot, very Memento-like. I can't wait to see what happens.
9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore - I only vaguely remember this book, so I think it's time it got bumped up in my TBR pile (especially since Cashore's newest book will be out in the summer). 
10. Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle - After reading Melissa's review, this book got pushed up much higher on my TBR list. Any story with a great protagonist automatically gets me interested.

In My Mailbox 61

Hi everyone! I've been absent from blog this month due to some personal reasons (as well as more technical issues - my laptop stopped working, and I have thankfully gotten it fixed), but the blog will have a few posts this week and YA Book Queen should be completely back on track by December :)

So now, IMM from the last few weeks....

***

For Review (requested & unsolicited)Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie ViguieShatter Me by Tahereh MafiA Million Suns by Beth RevisImmortal City by Scott Speer Born Wicked by Jessica SpotswoodRadiant Days by Elizabeth HandTruth by Julia Karr The Right and the Real by Joelle AnthonyHarbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne
BoughtThe Scorpio Races by Maggie StiefvaterThe Monstrumologist by Rick YanceyBirthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (for Kindle)
WonThe Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (signed!) + Mad Libs The Death Cure by James DashnerForgotten by Cat Patrick
Extras in Born Wicked package

Extras in Harbinger package 

I honestly wasn't expecting many of the books I received, so it was quite a surprise to see all the packages! Many thanks to whomever I won Forgotten from (I cannot believe that I don't remember who I won it from, but thank you so much!), Jay Asher + Carolyn Mackler, Goodreads, Amazon Vine, and the lovely folks at Penguin USA for all of the surprise packages!

Waiting on Wednesday (times two!)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Spell Bound

by Rachel Hawkins

Release: March 13th, 2012

Summary:  

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident. 

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

So cannot wait, especially after the cliffhanger at the end of Demonglass! I'm glad the cover theme is still the same too, it'll look great next to the previous titles... 

***

Born Wicked
by Jessica Spotswood
Release: February 17th, 2012
Summary:

Cate Cahill and her sisters are considered eccentric bluestockings—a little odd, a little unfashionable, and far too educated for their own good. The truth is more complicated; they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it could mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before their mother died, she entrusted Cate with keeping them safe and keeping everyone, including their father, in the dark about their powers. When her father employs a governess and Cate begins to receive notes from her missing, presumed-mad godmother, her task becomes much more difficult. As Cate searches for answers in banned books and rebellious new friends, she must juggle unwanted proposals, tea parties, and an illicit attraction to the new gardener. Cate will do anything to protect her sisters, but at what cost to herself?

Can you tell I'm a sucker for magic and witch stories? This one is most definitely high on my wishlist :)

What are you waiting on?