Waiting on Wednesday #3

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

So, I am trying to revive this blog a little bit, and maybe some of my creativity. This really is my third waiting on Wednesday...

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson:

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.

My thoughts: So a girl who can sense gold during the gold rush, that is completely insane. People were gold crazy as it was, they killed even for the smallest bit. The premise is different, and I am looking forward to the story.

Description and picture from Goodreads

Spelled by Betsy Schow

Spelled by Betsy Schow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spelled by Betsy Schow
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads:

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.

Yeah, no thanks. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks—like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the brooding prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Talk about unhappily ever after.

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called "Kansas." Now it's up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse...before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

What I liked:

I like retelling of fairy tales period, so this one was right up my alley. However it was the backwards version of the Wizard of Oz, Dorthea doesn't live in Kansas, she lives in the emerald kingdom. The characters were all interesting, I really didn't have a favorite, even though I think a prince that becomes a chimera is pretty cool.

If someone was even remotely aware of any fairy tale or popular princess movie, I am sure that they will get the references throughout the book. I really liked though that the author used a character that I only remember from the movie Return to Oz. One that totally freaked me out when I was little. I am not going to say who it is because I don't think the movie gets the credit that it deserves.

What I didn't like:

There were little things, sometimes the main character annoyed me, sometimes I think one could lost in all those references.

Who I would suggest this too:

Anyone who liked the Half Upon a Time series, anyone who likes fairy tales and anyone looking for a quick fun read.

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Review: Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For one thing, I really liked this book. The writing was amazing, so descriptive and detailed.

This is a retelling in a way, you can see the similarities to Phantom of the Opera. Yet, I think is a better story, it doesn't leave any guesses on what happens.

Wen is a fascinating character, she is clever yet innocent, curious to a fault. The setting is an interesting choice, sort of gruesome, and does not have the opulence of an opera house. Bo is another interesting character, what he has done in his seven years is surprising, and as the ghost of the factory, he has the eyes and ears to everything.

I am curious to see what happens in the second book, I think Wen's choices may be the opposite of what everyone thinks.

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Review: Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was a little surprised about this one, but in the end enjoyed it.

I love the cover by the way, it makes the book intriguing.

Without giving the story away, because truthfully it is a little different. The main character is Kai, who has this special ability. She goes on a search for her missing brother with one of her friends.

And I can't forget to mention...the gargoyles. I really think people often wonder about gargoyles, and not just because they are scary looking.

I am looking forward to the second book in the series, and what happens next to the main characters.

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Review- The Binding Stone by Lisa Gail Green

The Binding Stone by Lisa Gail Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book by the author for an honest review.

My likes:
Some of the supporting characters- Sophie was an cute and innocent addition to the cast. And even though I didn't like Gabe at the beginning of the book, he became a good character by the end (and then man...why do you have to do that was there any point)

The story concept about a Djinn isn't one commonly used. I really think the author did some research into some of the legends.

I really liked how Jered wasn't one of those power-hunger kind of characters, he didn't like hurting other people and really cared for others. (But way to trusting and naive, even with a friend like Gabe)

My In-betweens

Leela- She was a character that I maybe I could like, but maybe I could hate, I am still up in there air about her.

My Dislikes

The flashback sequences: They became to distracting, and I know they were there for the back story, but I think there might have been one to many.

I was kinda wondering why she brought back Cepheaus in the end, what exact purpose did it serve other then to torture her main character.

And speaking of torture...I think it went on a little to long, and well it seemed to be a gap filler.

And then the big one of the person she killed at the end of the book, I mean why what point was there in doing that...


I am all for giving a new series a second chance, so if there is another one, I would probably read it. However as a recommendation it would depend on the person, but there is potential here I think.

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Review- Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So this was pretty much an easy read, I knew how much I loved and didn't expect any less from this one by Marissa Meyer.

I really thought she integrated the new characters well into the story of what had already happen to Cinder in the first book. And lucky me I actually read about Wolf in the story entitled it gives a little more insight into his character.

Now to get down to the story, Scarlet's grandma is missing and Scarlet thinks she has been kidnapped, while others think she just ran away. Some think that Grandma is a little loopy in the first place (I don't think she is loopy, maybe just eccentric). After a interesting scene in a bar, she meets Wolf, a true Alpha, I think its really hard to tell if Wolf is a trustworthy person or not, and this takes a few twists and turns in the book.

We also find the return of Cinder and Kai from the first book, and while I feel really conflicted about their relationship because if Kai really understood Cinder from the beginning then how could he believe anything bad about her. She lied about being a cyborg, but I think he looked past that, but the other thing...please how could you compare Cinder to the Lunar Queen. I hope all turns out well for them in the end.

I can't wait to read the third book in this series, and what an amazing cover

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Review- Streaks of Blue by Jack Chaucer

Streaks of Blue: How the Angels of Newtown Inspired One Girl to Save Her School by Jack Chaucer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book on NetGalley,

I have to be honest, this book was amazing, it touched my heart and yes even made me tear up at the end. Nikki is one of the characters that is a true gem, a person who sees the good in all people.

It is a little hard to read a book like this remembering the incident at Newtown, I remember that day and truly awful it was to watch the news and think about the children and teachers who lost their lives. It especially hit home with me because I work in a school. I wonder from time to time if something like this could happen. I loved Nikki's courage that took her across the cafeteria to befriend someone who was different then her.

As a girl who was always different, I am glad for the friends I did have and still do have. They are truly a blessing. I would encourage not only adults to read this book but students as well. I think middle schoolers especially could get encouragement from this one. I hope somewhere, someone reads this and thinks about making a new friend, a boy or girl that needed that friend at that moment.

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