Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. A spin-off of the meme called "Can't Wait Wednesday" is now hosted at Wishful Endings. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Fire & Heist

by Sarah Beth Durst

hitting shelves December 4th, 2018  

from Crown Books for Young Readers

In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of turning into a dragon.

Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother, who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community.

With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.  

My thoughts: Sarah Beth Durst has held her place among my favorite authors for a long, long time. Such creative stories and always so unique. So, obviously when I heard she was writing this story about a girl from a crime-family of were-dragons embarking on her first treasure heist---OMG the anticipation may kill me. Is it December yet??

 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins {review}

The Dragon's Price
by Bethany Wiggins
♦publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
♦release date: February 21st, 2017
♦hardcover, 304 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Transference, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

When two warring kingdoms unified against a deadly menace laying waste to both their lands, they had to make a choice: vow to marry their heirs to one another, or forfeit their lives to the dragon.

Centuries later, everyone expects the sheltered princess Sorrowlynn to choose the barbarian prince over the fire-breathing beast—everyone, that is, except Sorrow, who is determined to control her own destiny or die trying.

As she is lowered into the dragon’s chamber, she assumes her life is over until Golmarr, the young prince she just spurned, follows her with the hopes of being her hero and slaying the dragon. But the dragon has a different plan. . . .

If the dragon wins, it will be freed from the spell that has bound it to the cave for centuries. If Sorrow or Golmarr vanquish the dragon, the victor will gain its treasure and escape the cave beneath the mountain. But what exactly is the dragon hiding?

There are no safe havens for Sorrow or Golmarr—not even with each other—and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they risk everything to protect their kingdom.

Review: The Dragon's Price was one I really enjoyed, despite turning out to be a completely different story than I expected! It was pretty fast-paced (though there was a bit of falter in the middle), imaginative, and a fun twist on heroism.  

Because of an age-old spell over their two kingdoms, Princess Sorrowlynn must make a choice between an arranged marriage to what she assumes is a barbarian prince or being fed to the fire dragon. After meeting her supposed betrothed (and his first wife) she sets her mind to facing death in the dragon's lair.  What she doesn't realize is that the kinder, more charming son, Golmarr, has plans to step in, but by the time he makes it known, it's too late and her choice has been made.  So down to the dragon she goes...and down he goes after her. 

I really enjoyed these two characters, and how they interacted. They definitely had a funny sort of chemistry going on from the beginning and I loved watching that grow, watching them each dispel misconceptions about each other's kingdoms, and watching as Sorrow hilariously tries to cling to her royal ideals of modesty.  I felt so much compassion for Sorrow and how she was treated so poorly by the King and Queen and it was really satisfying to see her go on this journey, growing in confidence and bravery.  

There were some great twists. I was initially expecting to see a story where the dragon was more physically involved, but it was an interesting twist and concept that makes the reader realize what the Dragon's Price truly was and what challenges it meant for Sorrow and Golmarr. 

While the storytelling was great and the world was vividly crafted, there were times when I found the writing and mostly the dialogue seemed a little off to me...maybe a little too simplified? And some of the descriptives a little too "telling not showing". Hard to explain, but it was almost like the casual style didn't fit the story at times. 

Aside from that, I was so enchanted by this wonderful fantasy and it's spin on dragon lore. The ending was so heartbreaking but hopeful, and I will be eager to get book two into my hands so I can find out what happens next!!

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Bethany Wiggins is the author of Stung and Shifting. She started writing on a dare and dove headfirst into the world of writerly madness. She lives in the desert with her husband, four quirky kids, and two very fluffy cats. Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid student. Seriously! She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn’t until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction. Since then she has penned SHIFTING (2011), STUNG (2013), and CURED (2014).

WEBSITE   •   TWITTER   •   GOODREADS

Purchase the book:   Indiebound   •   BookDepository   •   Amazon

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

The Dragon's Price

by Bethany Wiggins

hitting shelves February 21st, 2016

from Crown Books for Young Readers

When two warring kingdoms unified against a deadly menace laying waste to both their lands, they had to make a choice: vow to marry their heirs to one another, or forfeit their lives to the dragon.
 
Centuries later, everyone expects the sheltered princess Sorrowlynn to choose the barbarian prince over the fire-breathing beast—everyone, that is, except Sorrow, who is determined to control her own destiny or die trying.
 
As she is lowered into the dragon’s chamber, she assumes her life is over until Golmarr, the young prince she just spurned, follows her with the hopes of being her hero and slaying the dragon. But the dragon has a different plan. . . .
 
If the dragon wins, it will be freed from the spell that has bound it to the cave for centuries. If Sorrow or Golmarr vanquish the dragon, the victor will gain its treasure and escape the cave beneath the mountain. But what exactly is the dragon hiding?
 
There are no safe havens for Sorrow or Golmarr—not even with each other—and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they risk everything to protect their kingdom.

My thoughts:  A princess choses death by dragon over an arranged marriage, and the prince goes after her---but the dragon turns the tables on the both of  them! I looove the sound of this one and can't wait to see where it will lead and what the dragon is hiding!

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?