TOUR / REVIEW: Jade War by Fonda Lee

**I received a finished copy from the publisher (thank you, Orbit Books!) for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

Jade War by Fonda Lee

Release Date: July 23, 2019

My Rating: 5 stars

Summary: In Jade War, the sequel to the World Fantasy Award-winning novel Jade City, the Kaul siblings battle rival clans for honor and control over an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.

Beyond Kekon's borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon's most prized resource, could make them rich - or give them the edge they'd need to topple their rivals.

Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival - and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.

Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.

REVIEW: Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan

**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, Jimmy Books!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan

Release Date: November 5, 2019

My Rating: 4.25 stars

Summary: In this mesmerizing sequel to the New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire, Lei and Wren have escaped their oppressive lives in the Hidden Palace, but soon learn that freedom comes with a terrible cost.

Lei, the naive country girl who became a royal courtesan, is now known as the Moonchosen, the commoner who managed to do what no one else could. But slaying the cruel Demon King wasn't the end of the plan---it's just the beginning. Now Lei and her warrior love Wren must travel the kingdom to gain support from the far-flung rebel clans. The journey is made even more treacherous thanks to a heavy bounty on Lei's head, as well as insidious doubts that threaten to tear Lei and Wren apart from within.

Meanwhile, an evil plot to eliminate the rebel uprising is taking shape, fueled by dark magic and vengeance. Will Lei succeed in her quest to overthrow the monarchy and protect her love for Wren, or will she fall victim to the sinister magic that seeks to destroy her?

LIST: if you like to all the boys i've loved before

READ ON MY NEW BLOG!!!

With the P.S. I Still Love You film somewhere on the horizon, I thought it was time to do another IF YOU LIKE post, this time with To All the Boys I've Loved Before! I adore TATBILB for many reasons, and these are books that I loved for some of the same reasons. Some of these fit into more than one category, just so you know, and I've tried to list representation as needed.

Much like my posts for if you like The Cruel Prince or the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I even made a quiz for you to find your next read or to narrow down your choices! I will say that with so many possibilities, the result might not be entirely accurate, so be sure to check out the rest of the list before or after you take the quiz. Always and forever, Michelle💙

REVIEW: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

Release Date: August 6, 2019

My Rating: 5 stars

Summary: The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.

In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.

With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.

But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.

The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.

LIST: most anticipated 2019 releases (pt. 2)

As we're approaching the middle of the year, I thought it was time to (finally) do a part two to the list of my most anticipated 2019 releases. Of course, these aren't all of the releases for the rest of the year; rather, these are just the ones I'm looking forward to! Now, only to catch up on my tbr lists before all these great releases come out . . .

REVIEW: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

**I received an ARC from a giveaway (thank you BookishHQ and PenguinTeen!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Release Date: June 25, 2019

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary: A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He's drawn to her anyway.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.

#waitingonwednesday: girls of storm and shadow

Today, I'm #waitingonwednesday for Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan! Girls of Paper and Fire was one of my favorite books of 2018, and I am so, so excited for the sequel. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the publisher (thank you Jimmy Patterson Books!), and let me tell you, it is a stunning sequel. Girls of Storm and Shadow releases on November 5, so don't forget to preorder it / request it from you library / add it to your tbr list!

TOUR: Stronger than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan

**I received an ARC for this tour, and I was not compensated for this post.**

Stronger than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan

Release Date: June 11, 2019

Summary: When a powerful viceroy arrives with a fleet of mechanical dragons and stops an attack on Anlei’s village, the villagers see him as a godsend. They agree to give him their sacred, enchanted River Pearl in exchange for permanent protection—if he’ll marry one of the village girls to solidify the alliance. Anlei is appalled when the viceroy selects her as a bride, but with the fate of her people at stake, she sees no choice but to consent. Anlei’s noble plans are sent into a tailspin, however, when a young thief steals the River Pearl for himself.

Knowing the viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.

With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.

DISCUSSION: the gilded wolves vs six of crows

(from my tweet)

READ ON MY NEW BLOG!!!

(redirects to my new blog)

#waitingonwednesday: crier's war

This week's #waitingonwednesday is Crier's War by Nina Varela. I first heard about this book from Twitter, and it immediately captured my attention. I mean, that cover! That plot! That f/f relationship! You can pick this book up on October 1st!

LIST: 2019 lgbtq+ ya releases

READ ON MY NEW BLOG!!!

Happy pride month, lovelies! Last year I wrote a list of all the LGBTQ+ ya books I could think of, but for this year, I didn't want to just add onto the list because it wasn't that thorough honestly.

So to celebrate this year, I compiled (with the help of Charlotte, who co-runs readsrainbow, a blog dedicated to LGBT media) a list of all the LGBTQ+ ya releases in 2019. This was as thorough as I could make the list, and I hope you all enjoy!

I have a Ko-fi account now! If you like this list and want to support me, feel free to donate.

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In addition to Charlotte and Anna's blog, LGBTQ Reads (run by Dahlia Adler) is a great resource if you're looking for more books, in other genres and published in any year.

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As always, I am only human and I make mistakes. If you see any mistakes here, please let me know, and I'll amend it as soon as I can! I tried to note representation as specific as possible, but I haven't read much of this list and it was difficult to glean specific rep from reviews sometimes. Let me know if there's something on-page that's not noted here! Also, there are trigger and content warnings for many of these books that I haven't noted, so please be aware of that.

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REVIEW: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Release Date: July 9, 2019

My Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

LIST: if you like... popular sff books edition

Have you been looking for something new to read? Something to add to your (I'm sure) never-ending tbr pile? Well, look no further because I have the list for you. Here's a list of book recs based on popular science fiction/fantasy YA novels.

REVIEW: Jade City by Fonda Lee

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Release Date: November 7, 2017

My Rating: 5 stars

Summary: Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.

REVIEW: The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, I Read YA!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Release Date: May 14, 2019

My Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Azad's debut YA fantasy is set in a city along the Silk Road that is a refuge for those of all faiths, where a young woman is threatened by the war between two clans of powerful djinn.

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population -- except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.

But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.

Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.

REVIEW: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Release Date: May 1, 2018

My Rating: 5 stars

Summary: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

LIST: books + kacey musgraves's golden hour

Hey, hey, hey, I'm back with another book rec list, and this time, this post is inspired by Kacey Musgraves's album Golden Hour. I did a similar post for Melodrama, and I wanted to do another one. Golden Hour seemed the next natural choice because I was listening to it on repeat and so many books have this same vibe. This time, I have three books per song, so even more recs! Also, btw, I made the song banners using my own pictures! Hope you like them💙

LIST: books + lorde's melodrama

I have a very musical mind, and since I read so much, I associate a lot of books with certain songs. So I decided to do the opposite and find some books that fit certain songs! Melodrama was one of my favorite albums of 2017 (if you don't love it then...who even are you). Here are some books paired with songs off the album! These are really just books that have the same ~vibe to me; there's not an exact correlation to some of these tbh. Also! I've included some graphics I made (originally posted here) a ways back. Hope you like them 😊

TOUR / REVIEW: The Fever King by Victoria Lee

**I received an ARC of this book for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

Release Date: March 1, 2019

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary: In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia.

The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous,and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear.

Caught between his purpose and his heart, Noam must decide who he can trust and how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of the greater good.

MINI-REVIEW: Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi

**I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. These are my honest opinion, and in no way as I compensated for this review.**

Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi

Release Date: April 16, 2019

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Summary: Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling author Roshani Chokshi and her sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time.

Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love's bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn't playing Cupid. Instead, they're turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren't bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn't find the arrow by the next full moon, she'll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good. But, for better or worse, she won't be going it alone. Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they'll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn't at all who they expected.