Waiting on Wednesday

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

 This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection from me is:

Moonglow (The Darkborn Legacy) by Michael Griffo, Kensington Books, 26^th Feb 2012 (UK)

From the author of the acclaimed Archangel Academy vampire trilogy comes a stunning new series about a girl determined to defy her fate--and reclaim her future. . .

Something strange is going on with Dominy Robineau. All her friends in Weeping Water, Nebraska, have noticed--and it's way beyond teenage blues. As weeks pass, Dom grows consumed by anger, aggression, and violence, and she seems powerless to stop it. Then she turns sixteen, and things get really dangerous.

When her best friend is murdered, Dominy's father is compelled to reveal the truth behind the darkness that threatens to both overtake and empower her. Her boyfriend, Caleb, swears they'll find a way to change her destiny. But others are hiding secrets too, and gifts that are far more terrifying than hers. And even as she struggles to control her new abilities, Dom must contend with an enemy who wants her to use the beast within to destroy all those she loves, before she destroys herself. . .

My second one is Fuse by Julianna Baggott, Feb 2013 (UK)  This is the second instalment in the Pure trilogy.

After a young Wretch is abducted by the Dome and "cleansed" of her fusings and imperfections, she is only able to repeat the Dome's latest message: "We want our son returned. This girl is proof that we can save you all. If you ignore our plea, we will kill our hostages one at a time." Willux will go to any lengths to get his son Partridge back, including murder. Partridge sacrifices himself and returns, in the hope of taking over the Dome from within, only to uncover more of his father's chilling, dark secrets.

Outside the Dome, Pressia, Bradwell, and El Capitan are decoding the secrets from the past - tucked away in one of the Black Boxes - to uncover the truth that might set the wretches free of their fusings forever. Those fighting Willux will be pushed over boundaries, both land and sea, heart and mind, in their quest - further than they ever imagined.

Both covers are from Goodreads, I couldn't find a cover for Fuse on Amazon UK, so not sure if this will end up being a different cover for us UK folks.

Pure Trailer (Julianna Baggott)

I really enjoyed reading Pure, so here's a quick link to the book trailer for it :)

Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Publisher: Headline

Published: 2^nd February 2012

ISBN: 9780755385485

Rating: 4.5/5

The cover on this ARC is pure white, as is the book title and author’s name on the spine – I know it makes sense for it to be white; however it makes it extremely hard to see both the title and author name – I’m not sure if this is the final book sleeve which will be published though. 

Pure is a post-apocalyptic novel – after the detonations the world is split in two; the Wretches and the Pures.  The Pures are those that were housed in the Dome before the detonations and are therefore unscarred by the full force of the blast.  The Wretches are those cut off from the Dome and living in poverty, people who survived and are fused together with whatever the detonations flung at them – metal, glass and animals. 

Pressia Belze is a Wrench, who dreams of safety of the Dome with the Pure.  Her grandfather is frail and does everything he can to protect her.  Partridge is the son of the leader of the Dome, and detests their regimented and forced way of life.  He remembers snippets of his childhood and wants more than the Dome can give him – he yearns for freedom.  Pressia and Partridge come from opposite sides of the fence, but together must unite and take action.

I adored the steam punk feel to some of these characters and the slightly dark element of people fusing with metals etc.  I can visualise all of this as a film, so I’m not surprised that Fox 2000 have already snapped up the film rights to it.  My favourite steam punk character was Freedle, Preesia's filigree metal insect.

I found this an addictive read, with some really unexpected twists at pivotal moments in the story.  The characters come into their own and my favourite is Bradwell, the seemingly fearless leader of a resistance type gathering who takes a stand and helps Pressia even though he doesn’t really know her.  My second favourite is El Capitain, who is fused to his brother Helmund which has made him a survivor with enormous strength and loyalty.  Pure is an imaginative read.  Just how far will those in power go to keep power and control everything they hold dear?

Pure is Part One of the Pure Trilogy due out next year – I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the following two parts.  I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!

Source – many thanks to Headline, a copy was received in return for an honest review. This review is based on the ARC.