Waiting on Wednesday #45 + WWW Wednesday #15

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.
It's a weekly meme about upcoming books we're excited about!

Sleep No More

by Aprilynne Pike

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Published By: Harper Teen

From Goodreads:

Charlotte Westing has a gift. She is an Oracle and has the ability to tell the future. But it doesn't do her much good. Instead of using their miraculous power, modern-day Oracles are told to fight their visions - to refrain from interfering. And Charlotte knows the price of breaking the rules. She sees it every day in her wheelchair-bound mother and the absence of her father. But when a premonition of a classmate's death is too strong for her to ignore, Charlotte is forced to make an impossible decision: continue following the rules or risk everything - even her sanity - to stop the serial killer who is stalking her town.

Why I'm Excited

Oracles, serial killers - sounds awesome! Maybe a little weird, but awesome, too! Initially, I was going to buy this book, but I think I'll wait and get it from the library. It could focus more on modern-day blather and less on the serial killer, and I would hate to waste my money on that.

The Luck Uglies

(Luck Uglies #1)

by Paul Durham

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Published By: HarperCollins

From Goodreads:

Strange things are happening in Village Drowning, and a terrifying encounter has Rye O'Chanter convinced that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned.

Now Rye's only hope is an exiled secret society so notorious its name can't be spoken aloud: the Luck Uglies. As Rye dives into Village Drowning's maze of secrets, rules, and lies, she'll discover the truth behind the village's legends of outlaws and beasts . . . and that it may take a villain to save them from the monsters.

Why I'm Excited

Another Middle Grade/early teen fantasy novel that sounds fun and interesting. I can't seem to get enough of these sort of books lately!

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation's chosen few, who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing - their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate, eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father's advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies: trust no one.

Surely, though, she can trust Tomas, he handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance. Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of The Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

I'm just halfway through it, and enjoying it well enough. It isn't the best book I've read - not even close. The world building feels half-hearted. And I can see why so many people were quick to accuse it of being a cheap ripoff of The Hunger Games. But so far, I like its similarities and it's a quick, amusing read.

What have you read recently?

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh's social events - right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it's the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea, and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She's determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city's many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana's father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose - and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

I gave this first book in a planned trilogy 3 out of 5 strawberries. Despite the synopsis not mentioning it - yes, there is a romantic interest, and yes, the romance does get focused on. The love triangle, though, is practically not there - but has complete potential to surface in later installments. The Falconer wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. Rather, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying it pretty well. The steampunk Edinburgh was awesome, I liked the Author's rendition of the fae, and Aileana at least knew how to fight, and had a temper that was consistent, and not just bitchy. I liked Kiaran - her love interest - but I do wish he hadn't been a romantic interest. He was intriguing and had a dark past, but he wasn't trustworthy, so Aileana looked a little foolish falling for him. But overall, The Falconer was enjoyable. But the series is walking a fine line, and I won't be surprised if it takes a tumble in the future.

What are you planning on reading next?

Hand in hand, the witch's children walked down the empty road.

When Kara Westfall was six years old, her mother was convicted of the worst of all crimes: witchcraft. Years later, Kara and her little brother, Taff, are still shunned by the people of their village, who believe that nothing is more evil than magic . . . except, perhaps, the mysterious forest that covers nearly the entire island. It has many names, this place. Sometimes it is called the Dark Wood, or Sordyr's Realm. But mostly it's called the Thickety.

The black-leaved trees swayed toward Kara and then away, as though beckoning her.

The villagers live in fear of the Thickety and the terrible creatures that live there. But when an unusual bird lures Kara into the forbidden forest, she discovers a strange book with unspeakable powers. A book that might have belonged to her mother.

And that is just the beginning of the story.

I'm still on a kick to read Middle Grade fantasy - mostly because I have so many ARCs I still have to get through (the pile is significantly smaller now, though!!). This one sounds awesome. It's a pretty thick book, but I think it'll be an easy one to get through.