Waiting On Wednesday #34 - Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken, Champion by Marie Lu, & Allegiant by Veronica Roth

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

I have 3 this week again that I can't wait to read as they are continuations of series that I have started. 

Title: Never Fade

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Series: The Darkest Minds, #2

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dystopian

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Title: Champion

Author: Marie Lu

Series: Legend, #3

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion? 

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

Title: Allegiant

Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Devergent, #3

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Are you looking forward to any of these? What's your Waiting on Wednesday pick this week?

Top Ten Favorite New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic discusses what Favorite New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2012

This is actually kind of hard as nearly every book I've read this year was a new author to me and there were very few books out of those that I didn't like. 

This is the first ten that come to mind, though I know there are others that I loved.

Honourable mentions: Suzanne Young, Hannah Harrington, Kat Zhang, Sarah J. Mass, Lissa Price, Rebecca Lim and Meagan Spooner.

What is your top ten this week? Leave me a comment so I can visit yours. =) 


** All book covers link to their goodreads page if you would like more information on them**

Waiting On Wednesday #4 - Prodigy by Marie Lu

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

Expected Publication: 29 January 2013


Jan. 4. 1932 Hours.

Ocean Standard Time

Thirty-Five Days After Metias’s Death

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?- Goodreads

I recently finished reading Legend (my review is here) which I think is awesome. Now I can't wait for the sequel to see what happens. 

What's your Waiting on Wednesday book this week? 

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher:   Razorbill/Penguin Group 
Publication: 29 November 2011
Series: Yes 
Genre: Young Adult - Dystopian
Obtained From: Library


Read from September 29 to October 07, 2012

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. - Goodreads  

 Ah, another dystopian. This one is set in futuristic Los Angeles in a typical dystopian set up - Evil government, children/teens fighting to survive. But you know what? This was one of the better YA dystopians out there, and I loved it. 

This is a compelling tale of June and Day trying to uncover the truths of their world. It's told in the POV's of both June and Day. 
June is a prodigy at the military academy living a rich life. She was conceited which is why she annoyed me so much in the beginning.
Unlike Day, who is street smart and goes around sabotaging the governments military actions. Day is brave and compassionate - caring for his sick brother and risking himself do to so. 

The world building was good. There were holes in the world building, but to be honest, I didn't notice or at least it didn't faze me while I was reading, nor now. You can put that down to either I was so happy to be reading a novel instead of a textbook that I didn't pick up on it, or Lu is a great writer and it didn't feel relevant to the story so it didn't feel like it was missing. 

The pacing was fast and next to no slow points. It made for a irresistible read along with Lu's ability to write well. 

Two little niggles, I wondered why no one questioned the Republic, or the plague or vaccines. Especially June who was meant to be so smart. 
The other thing was the semi insta- love. 
None of that really bothered me though. 

Once again, let me say, I loved this. I'm now annoyed that I read it without the sequel being released yet, because now I have to wait..... and I really want to know what happens!

★★★★★ 

It Was Amazing