Waiting on Wednesday: Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

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

Publication Date: September 26th 2017
Publisher: Macmillan
Genre: YA, Fantasy 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ TBD

Synopsis: Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves. 

Until Midnight by Melissa Landers

Series: Alienated #1.5
Publication Date: December 23, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Don't miss the *free* romantic holiday story that connects ALIENATED and INVADED! 

Cara and Aelyx only have one day to spend together before he returns to earth and she travels to Aelyx's home planet, L'eihr. Homesick and worried about the upcoming year apart, Cara is desperate to make these final hours count. Worst of all, Cara is missing Christmas, stuck on board an alien spaceship. When Aelyx learns that Cara is forgoing her favorite holiday, he tries to recreate Christmas in space by researching traditional earth customs…but a few things get lost in translation.

Coming December 23rd, this FREE short story will include multi-chapter excerpts of both ALIENATED and the sequel, INVADED.

My Rating: 4/5 stars

My Review: Until Midnight is the short story that links Alienated with Invaded. 

As Cara and Aelyx spend their final hours together, Aelyx decides to bring Christmas to Cara since she is far away from Earth and her family. 
In a very short story, we get a small touch of the old Cara and Aelyx where we left off from the first book. They have not changed one bit, and still have that burning romance flowing as strong as ever. 

This novella is perfect if you're in the holiday mood and want to read a cute and heartwarming Christmas story, or if you're planning on starting Invaded, the second book in the series and need a fresh reminder.

Keep in mind that this novella is FREE on amazon and other ebook retailers.

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass # 0.1 - 0.5
Publication Date: March 4th 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: If you've read Throne of Glass and loved it, you have to read Assassin's Blade. And if you haven't read Throne of Glass.. what are you still doing here? Go read it!

The Assassin's Blade was the best book of short stories I have ever read. In the past I've stept away from books like this, but after reading The Assassin and the Pirate Lord,I knew I had to have this book and continue reading the rest.

I wont go over every single short story because they were all fantastic and I was so very impressed with all of them. I must say that The Assassin and the Desert was my favorite by far!! And my least favorite would have been The Assassin and the Underworld. But it's still absolutely amazing to read.

In reading these short stories you get to learn the reason behind some of the things Celaena does in the series, I wont spoil them for you, but you definitely get the sense of "OH so that's why she does this," and things like that.

You also get to meet Sam! And even though he's not Chaol, I was really impressed with him. And since I know what happens with him in the future, I was cheering him and Celaena on!!

If you haven't started the series. I would recommend reading Throne of Glass first, then this book of novellas and then continuing on with the rest of the books.

Thanks for reading,
Aneta

Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne

Series: Midnight Thief # 0.5
Publication Date: September 24th 2013
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Goodreads Summary: James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison. Poison dance is approximately 14,000 words, or 54 printed pages.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: Poison Dance is the prequel to Midnight Thief. It's about James, a young and skillful assassin. When he hears news that his Guildleader is dead, he knows that the Assassins Guild is falling apart. And when a mysterious dancer named Thalia asks for his help, he has to decide whether to fight and become the new leader, or flee away from the possible danger.

This novella was way better than I expected. I absolutely love characters like James! He's hot, smart and he can fight. He is a natural born leader, with his loyal friends following his every move. Even though hes an assassin, he isn't heartless like you'd expect a killer to be. And lets not forget Thalia, not only is she a beautiful dancer, but shes also dangerous and mysterious! I honestly fell in love with the characters in a heartbeat! 

I am actually pretty sad that the main story isn't in James point of view, but if the actual book is as good as this novella then its definitely a book worth reading! If you're a fan of Throne of Glass or Grave Mercy, this is a book and novella you definitely have to read!

I better see lots of James in the actual book! Or else! 

Happy Reading!

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Goodreads Summary : Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly.

From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear

My Rating : 2/5 stars

My Review : A collection of short stories written by Melissa Marr.

I had different opinions about each short story, but most of them were pretty bad. The short ones were either too long, or so short that i didn't know what was going on. The longer ones weren't that good, i don't know if it was the lack of story for me, but i just couldn't get into it. Would not recommend if you don't like short stories, or Melissa Marr's writing.