Top Ten Tuesday | Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2020

Blimey! My book buying ban really went out the window during the lockdown; but my pre-order list is teeming with some fantastic, diverse fantasies that I cannot wait to sink my teeth into. So I'm saying this is a win-win. Today' I am going to be sharing my top 10 that are currently on my radar.

Top Ten Tuesday is the brainchild of The Broke and the Bookish and has since been taken over The Artsy Reader Girl. You can find upcoming topics, here.

From left to right:
1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
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Release Date | October 12th

2. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
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Release Date | September 15th

3. Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee 
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Release Date | July 1st

4. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
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Release Date | July 9th

5. The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson 
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Release Date | July 21st

From left to right:
6. Star Daughter by Shveta Thakra 
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Release Date | September 3rd

7.  Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron 
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Release Date | August 6th

8. The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinka
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Release Date | August 4th

9. The Bone Shard's Daughter by Andrea Stewart 
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Release Date | September 10th

10. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhouse 
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Release Date | October 13th

Are any of these books you are looking forward to? Have I missed any that you think I would love? Let me know and come join me in the comments!

Top 5 Wednesday| Fictional Fitbit

Top 5 Wednesdays is a book meme that was started by Laini from GingerreadsLaini and is now hosted by Sam over at Thoughts on Tomes.

If you ever want to join the fun, join the Goodreads group- here.

I believe this week is to do with routines that you wish you could achieve, either in agility, strength, gymnastics.. maybe even cooking!

A tricky one- and one that I've been thinking about since we were given these topics. I have chosen routines that would help me wield a weapon. Violent, I know. Yet, not all weapons are swords and guns.

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen

I have always been fascinated with archery. And I love the opening scenes where Katniss is hunting in the woods- the calming woods, in that focused manner.

2. Game of Thrones by George R.R.Martin

Jaime Lannister

Here me out. Jaime Lannister was known as not only as the Kingslayer, but one of the greater swordsmen of Westeros. What he is, is his hand. 

*spoiler for book3 and onwards*

The his hand went choppy chop, and he had to relearn that skill with his left. 

3. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff 

Kady Grant

Kady is a hacker. Well, at least good with computer code and using it to her advantage. I've always wanted to learn a bit of computer coding, but to get into others files would be handy. If a little bit illegal.

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena Sardothien

I specifying book one for this one. Celaena goes from a body that was strong and able to weak from slavery at the salt mines and then back again when she retrains throughout the book. I would love to be able to get myself from bad shape into bad-ass shape.

5. Nevernight  by Jay Kristoff

Mia Covere

I just want to go to a school for assassins. Train in the four arts. And seek my revenge!

Waiting on Wednesday| A Conjuring of Light

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

Now this is going to be a saddening post. Because, this will be, not only, the last WoW of 2016. But, the last one on ACityofBooks. Reasons should be clarified in other posts. At some point.

However, this week's WoW post is:

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3)
V.E. Schwab


Titan Books
28th Feb, 2017

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Synopsis for A Darker Shade of Magic:

Kell is one of the last travelers--magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes connected by one magical city. 

There's Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, and with one mad King--George III. Red London, where life and magic are revered--and where Kell was raised alongside Rhy Maresh, the roguish heir to a flourishing empire. White London--a place where people fight to control magic and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London. But no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red traveler, ambassador of the Maresh empire, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. 

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

[Bit detailed in my opinion- thanks Goodreads]

Thoughts:

V.E.Schwab is an author that I was aware about for a few years whilst as a viewer of BookTube. However, I never thought about picking up any of her novels as a matter of suiting my interests, until this year. 

I read.

And I fell in love.

Her characters are just so vivid and her world's completely captivated my eye as a reader. How she explores our depths of morals. Just- ergh!? 

And I don't think the final book of her Shades of Magic Trilogy will be no different. I have so much faith and admiration in her as she continues to write.  

This is why I think I should highlight V's most recent upcoming book as my final salute to this book blog meme. This year I have made some great friends. Met some wonderful humans. And read some FANTASTIC books. 

V has become an automatic auto-buy author this year. 

And I hope she remains like that for the many writing years to come!

Waiting on Wednesday| Windwitch

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2)
Susan Dennard

UK Tor (Pan Macmillan imprint)

January 12th, 2016

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Synopsis:

Sometimes our enemies become our only allies

The Windwitch Prince Merik is presumed dead, following a lethal explosion. He's left scarred but alive and determined to expose his sister's treachery. Yet on reaching the royal capital, he's shocked to find it crowded with refugees fleeing conflict. Merik haunts the streets, fighting for the weak. This leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

Hunted by the Cleaved, Iseult is struggling to stay free while she searches for her friend Safi. When the Bloodwitch Aeduan corners Iseult first, she offers him a deal: she'll return what was stolen from him, if he locates the Truthwitch. Yet unknown to Iseult, there's a bounty on her head - and Aeduan intends to claim it.

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. They find themselves amongst pirates, where a misstep could mean death. And the bandits' next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

Thoughts:

If you didn't already know I was a part of the Truthwitch Street team last year in the lead up to the release. And have somehow said to yes to staying for Windwitch. 

WHY?

Well even though I'm busy with a lot of things, Truthwitch still remain up there with the best books I have read this year. (You'll have to wait to read the Top 10.) And so I WANTED to stay. It's the most fun I've ever had!

Saying that, I am just super pumped to jump straight into the next one! More so than I was with Truthwitch. 

Seriously, if you haven't checked Truthwitch out yet. Please do. 

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Waiting on Wednesday| Carve the Mark

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark #1)
Veronica Roth

HarperCollins
17th Jan, 2016

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Synopsis:

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not — their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power — something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuve, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive — no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive — or to destroy one another.

Thoughts:

Slowly I am falling into the pit of putting Veronica Roth on Auto-buy-ship. I really didn't like the ending of Allegiant and am hesitant to trust Roth with my heart again. BUT, I would really like to remove the two images of Divergent = V.Roth.

This book has been likened to Star Wars. And for that alone, that raises some expectations because STAR WARS?!

I want to see how she pushed herself as a writing who has become rather successful as a woman writer.

So, for that Carve the Mark has earned its place on this week's Waiting on Wednesday post.

Waiting on Wednesday| Caraval

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Caraval (Untitled #1)
Stephanie Garber

Hodder & Stoughton

31st Jan, 2017

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Synopsis:

Two sisters bound by love and a father they fear escape their tiny, secluded island for the wondrous performance of Caraval, where the audience plays along in a mysterious and magical game of determining what's real and what's fantasy. And where only one sister might be brave enough to win the ultimate prize of 'an impossible wish'...

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for lonely Scarlett, it represents freedom, an escape from her abusive father and from her own dark past.

Still, Scarlett is too scared of her father to leave Trisda. Until she is kidnapped by her wild younger sister Donatella and a dangerous yet oh-so-seductive sailor named Julian and taken to the mystical Isla de los Suenos, the site of this year's Caraval. When they arrive, her sister immediately disappears. Since protecting Tella is all she knows, Scarlett is forced to join forces with Julian and find her before the evil Master of Caraval does...

Thoughts:

I've had an ARC of this book for literally an age. 

BUT I HAVE YET TO PICK IT UP. 

It's one of those books that are slowly hype is beginning to build and it's making me nervous. Just like I was nervous with reading Truthwitch earlier this year. (Which I loved?! REVIEW.)

I planned to read this next month, so hopefully I will. If not, just batter me over on Twitter and peer pressure should help me out.

Waiting the Wednesday| Tales of Shadowhunter Academy

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy (Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #1-10)
Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, Robin Wasserman

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Synopsis: 

Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. The events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. Whomever this new Simon might be.

But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. At least Simon’s trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.

Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. Written by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, these moving and hilarious short stories are perfect for the fan who just can’t get enough of the Shadowhunters.

Thoughts:

We all know that I am a sucker for anything that has been written and co-written by Cassandra Clare, much to all your dismay. And this is no different. This is a collection based in the aftermath of the events of the final The Mortal Instrument book-- City of Heavenly Fire-- and follows Simon Lewis' essentially becoming a Shadowhunter. 

I know spoiler but I'm sorry, not sorry. It's been almost three years-- and if you've read Lady Midnight than it would matter. 

I will FOREVER be counting down the releases of Cassie's books, they are just as much of my identity as the genetics of my DNA.

PREORDER YOUR COPY:

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Waiting on Wednesday| Gemina

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Gemina (The Illuminae Files 0_2)
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

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Synopsis:

Hanna Donnelly is the station captain’s pampered daughter and Nik Malikov is the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. Together they struggle with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, blissfully unaware that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall with news of the Kerenza invasion.


My thoughts: 

So... I did request a copy of Gemina from the UK publicists Rock the Boat but, got turned down due to obvious limited supply. 

If did end up receiving a copy I would love to review this for everyone before the 18th Oct, 2016 (**Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge**). Illuminae if you haven't read it (where have you been?) is a YA Sci-fi told with a twist. Expect fast paced action told in the most bizarre way, yet, in the best way possible. 

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Top 5| Book I Never Want to Re-read

Before I left for University we were having loads of boot sales in order to raise some money for me to get up here. It was a lot of work but, the one thing that I did end up doing was getting rid of some books that were no longer a priority nor ones I held any connection with.

This left me thinking of all the books that I would like to consider never reading again. 

This is a quick pointer of my top 5.

DISCLAIMER: This is all subject to personal matter. If you like the book, good for you but, I refuse to apologist. Also, this is in now way in order to preference, I disliked all these pretty much the same just for different reasons.

Let's go!

5.

Go Set a Watchman (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Harper Lee

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Remember the hype that was built around this novel?

How I wish I had never bothered. This didn't really add anything to one of my favourite novels and was in turn pointless as a novel. In fact in some parts this novel detracted ideas I had developed, as well as tainting my view of some characters. If only I could go back.

4.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #1)

Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith

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Yeah, I was really excited about this becuase I knew there was a book to movie adaptation coming out earlier this year.
Loved the movie, hated what this book standed for. 

If this was rewritten by a female author this would have stood better on my own view of woman and where this could have been taken.

3.

Matched (Matched #1)
Ally Condie

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I thought this was such an interesting concept and picked it up in my local bookstore after hearing some postive reviews on booktube- my regret.

WHY DID I PAY FULL PRICE?

2.

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Maggie Steifvater

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Okay, so we all know that I loved Maggie's The Raven Cycle books, this one just- gah!

I did enjoy it just it went down hill really quickly in terms of plot and keeping my interest by the third book.

1.

The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)
James Dashner

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I WENT THROUGH SO MUCH CRAP WITH THIS BOOK?!

I was reading these shortly before and during my first error of being homeless, (The error being entirely my mother's.) But, I think being in that situation changed my view on the things I was reading and felt at the end highly disappointing.

I felt cheated in a way.

Waiting on Wednesday| The Midnight Star

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3)
Marie Lu

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Synopsis:

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She's turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but the darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy everything.

When a new danger appears, Adelina must join the Daggers on a perilous quest in order to save herself and preserve her empire. But this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger . . .

My thoughts:

Look at the pretty!! Look! Look!

Talk about not judging a book by it's cover and this is the soul reason why 'The Midnight Star' has made it to this week's Waiting on Wednesday post. I haven't read this trilogy yet, nor finished the Legend Trilogy. 

We'll see-- although, it would be nice if Penguin was like-- here have these because we see that you are interested. 

I hate no having an infinite bank account.

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Books I Have Taken To Uni With Me!

As you are all aware I moved to Bangor, Wales on the 18th September in the attempt of my actually studying and pushing myself in the art of writing. And here I am, practically friendless and making it worse by how hard I am finding it to socialise. 

I am so socially awkward that Dan Howell looks like the most sociable man in Britain.

But, in the hopes of pretending that I am not alone, I thought I would share in the glory that is my minuscule bookshelf.

The first two on the list are both of the same series:

A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows (A Darker

Shade of Magic #1&2)

V.E.Schwab

Find on Goodreads

I bought these during my "Summer Holiday"- my copy of ADSOM is actually signed by Vee.

I asked her if she would write a little message in order to stop me procrastinating about everything. Which really is what I am doing by writing this post- procrastinating about making friends.

The Bone Clocks 
David Mitchell

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Currently, I am on page 262 out of 613 pages and I started this a long long while back. I thought it would be best if I brought it with me so I can finish it.
That hasn't worked so far.

But, at least it has made my shelf look nicer. Seriously.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Sarah J. Maas

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Another one that I had started before I left but never finished because, I had so many other books to finish before I left otherwise I would have had to bring another 4 books.

Real not good.

No spoilers either please.

Caraval (Untitled #1)

Stephanie Garber

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I received an advanced readers copy of Caraval back in June,  and still haven't been able to pick it up and read it.

Of course, it had to come.

Out: 31st Jan, 2017

Frostblood

Elly Blake

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Another ones of those amazing ARC's that I have been sent by Hodder & Stoughton to review. I have no clue really about what his book is about but hopefully I'll get to find out soon and share all my new knowledge with you guise.

Sabriel
Garth Nix

Find on Goodreads

Mum bought me this for my 18th birthday after writing her a small list of books that were at the top of my radar in terms of what I wanted to read next.
So at least I got a small piece of mum with me.


Sort of.

The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton

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I bought this with me the last time I was in Wales on a writers retreat back in February. I only ended up reading 50 or so pages due to staying up way past our bedtimes in order to talk and get to know everybody.

Let's hope it doesn't sit on my shelf until I go back to London in July of 2017, aye?

Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Day #1)
Susan Ee

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I got a copy of this after winning a giveaway some point in the summer last year and like many others was never got to. Although, a couple months later my friend ended up buying me the whole trilogy for cheap in the The Works.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

Laini Taylor

Find on Goodreads

I read this some point last year and never did finish this trilogy despite what I thought of Laini's beautiful writing. I did try and start the third and final instalment this summer and just didn't understand where the story was at. So time for a reread.

This is all in prayers that I get this trilogy read and reviewed before Laini's new book is released next year in March. EEEEEK! I'm so excited.

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1)

Phillip Pullman

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This is another one that has been on my TBR in like forever; if it weren't for Georgina (*wink wink* Yeah, you!!) I probably would have left it on there for a little bit longer.

Also, let's all thank Ma seeing as she's the one who made the official purchase.

A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5.5)

George R.R Martin

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I had such determination to read ADWD but, GRRM has just left me in a waiting mood. Seriously, just write the god damn books. I don't like the thought of finishing this one and never getting the next. At least now it's suspended as there will always be one to read.

Fine. Fine. I'll read it okay?

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1)
Melinda Salisbury

Find on Goodreads

Tried reading this one earlier this year and couldn't quite get into it. It was Karen over at ASimpleCupofTea that has made me want to give this another go.

Samantha Shannon seems to be a fan of the books as well so maybe?

The Lie Tree

Frances Hardinge

Find on Goodreads

Don't know a great deal about this one except that it won the Costa book awards for 2015...

So, there you go. All the book that I have taken with me. I will say that already since writing this post that I have gone and purchased four more books. FML, I am just book trash. Whoops.

Waiting on Wednesday| Heartless

Waiting On Wednesday is a book meme set up Breaking the Spine where all those who participate share weekly those book releases we are dying to get our hand on as soon as they are released.

This week's WoW post is:

Heartless
Marissa Meyer

Synopsis:

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Thoughts:

I remember awhile back that I wrote that I wanted to complete the Lunar Chronicles before the end of the summer seeing as I am now away at University. As you can guess I did no such thing.

But I am really excited about this retelling, based on the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. My main hope is that it takes on a rather dark part of the Red Queen's origin story. We will see.

Out: 8th Nov, 2016

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