Dahlia Adler’s introduction serves a great way to set the scene for the magical menageries of tales that are to follow. It reminds us of Shakespeare’s enduring influence and in our everyday language, but also acknowledges how the canon only represents certain groups, therefore through reimaginings, we can open our stories to be more diverse and inclusive. The timelessness of Shakespeare’s themes should be reflected in every reader being able to see themselves in his vast range of characters.

Kicking off the anthology is Severe Weather Warning by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, which is inspired by The Tempest. This was a cute, romantic tale with believable tensions and subplots worthy of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies. It’s such a human tale of miscommunication and squandered opportunities. Shipwrecked by Mark Oshiro then follows on and it’s inspired by Twelfth Night. I really loved the representation in this story and how Oshiro deftly wove the different narrators together. Yet again, the wish for communication and romantic entanglements were pulled off so well. This is a really funny, sweet and casually queer story. Next up was Taming of the Soul Mate by K. Ancrum, which was inspired by Taming of the Shrew. Ancrum had such a strong concept and unique way of reimagining the story. You’re left feeling like this is just the beginning of a new tale that would be amazing to see fully expanded in its own books someday.

Continuing this extremely strong anthology was King of the Fairies by Anna-Marie McLemore, which was inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As ever, their writing is just so gorgeous and ethereal. The discussion around colonialism, racism, and finding your own community was so impactful too. When the anthology was first announced, I was intrigued to see how The Merchant of Venice would be reinterpreted and I Bleed by Dahlia Adler is such a well-written reclamation of a tale that has roots in strong anti-Semitic ideology and Adler flips the tale on its head, allowing for more three-dimensional and nuanced Jewish representation. We Have Seen Better Days by Lily Anderson (inspired by As You Like It) was an interesting, entertaining, and moving coming-of-age story, while Some Other Metal by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy (inspired by Much Ado About Nothing) was both brilliantly cosmic and hopelessly human at the same time. Both perfectly captured the essence of the original story.

Brittany Cavallaro took a different approach with His Invention, which was inspired by Sonnet 147. This was a truly dark and disturbing story, reminiscent of an encased gem attempting to escape from the narrative. Kiersten White’s use of multimedia to convey her retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with an inspired title of Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow, was so interesting and really brought a modern feel to a timeless tale of forbidden love. Personally, Dreaming of the Dark by Lindsay Smith (inspired by Julius Caesar) was a blood-drenched, enthralling ,and dark story that left an indelible mark on my heart. It delved into death, magic, and vengeance in really unexpected and twisted ways.

The Tragedy of Cory Lanez: An Oral History by Tochi Onyebuchi, which was inspired by Coriolanus, was a powerful, timely story that sadly we’ve heard echoed over and over again in the media. The way we saw fragments of Cory through the narratives of others was thought-provoking and left the reader responsible for piecing it together.

Out of the Storm by Joy McCullough, inspired by King Lear, changes the entire narrative of the play from pitting women against each other to slowly exposing Lear as the abusive and controlling tyrant he was. There’s this bond of sisterhood that emerges slowly and cautiously, but it is undeniably there. From there, we dived into Hamlet in Elsinore by Patrice Caldwell, which was an epic, Gothic and empowering tale, complete with supernatural touches and even some vampiric creatures. Continuing the dark theme was We Fail by Samantha Mabry, inspired by Macbeth, which added a completely new dynamic to a story you know so well. Finally, Lost Girl by Melissa Bashardoust, inspired by The Winter’s Tale, was just a gorgeously written story that was beautiful in every way.

Overall, That Way Madness Lies exemplifies the brilliance of modern reimaginings of classic stories. Each tale is a gem in the glittering crown of this anthology, which is one of the best anthologies I’ve read.

That Way Madness Lies is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up That Way Madness Lies? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Fifteen acclaimed YA writers put their modern spin on William Shakespeare’s celebrated classics!

West Side Story. 10 Things I Hate About You. Kiss Me, Kate. Contemporary audiences have always craved reimaginings of Shakespeare’s most beloved works. Now, some of today’s best writers for teens take on the Bard in these 15 whip-smart and original retellings!

Contributors include Dahlia Adler (reimagining The Merchant of Venice), Kayla Ancrum (The Taming of the Shrew), Lily Anderson (As You Like It), Patrice Caldwell (Hamlet), Melissa Bashardoust (A Winter’s Tale), Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy (Much Ado About Nothing), Brittany Cavallaro (Sonnet 147), Joy McCullough (King Lear), Anna-Marie McLemore (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Samantha Mabry (Macbeth), Tochi Onyebuchi (Coriolanus), Mark Oshiro (Twelfth Night), Lindsay Smith (Julius Caesar), Kiersten White (Romeo and Juliet), and Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (The Tempest).

The post Review: ‘That Way Madness Lies’ Anthology, Edited by Dahlia Adler appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Lost Coast is about Danny, who finds herself drawn to the town of Tempest, California, and it turns out she was actually summoned there by a group of friends who believe she has what they need to find their missing friend Imogen. Danny arriving there is the result of their last attempt at a spell. This group of queer witches are known as The Grays, and for someone like Danny, she’s starting to feel she has actually found her place and somewhere she belongs. They teach her about magic, but also guide her to what her own talents and gifts might be. Whilst figuring this out, she is also aware of her growing attraction towards one of the Grays but isn’t sure if her feelings will be returned. Their search for Imogen steers in different directions and there is a building eerie sense of something wrong.

The novel is certainly queer and uses the term on-page. Its diverse cast includes a lesbian character, bi characters, a non-binary character, and there is also some ace representation as well. The rep is what stands out for me as there are things in each character I can relate to, plus it’s always good to see more queer characters in the books we read. These characters are confident in their own identities and sexuality and encourage discussion about it: “So, what word fits in a way that makes you happy at this very moment?” I think part of their ability to be themselves is why Danny is so drawn to the group as she is finding people who understand her whilst also feeling free to be their true selves. They seem comfortable in their own skin. It’s been weeks since I finished this book and I’m already looking forward to reading it again as it left me with such a warm, fuzzy, positive feeling.

“I’ve found the heart of another secret: the Grays are always touching and kissing each other because so many before us couldn’t. Each kiss carries the weight of so many kisses that never were. Every touch is an invisible battle won.”

Did I mention this book is unapologetically queer?  I love how The Lost Coast has such a nice way of portraying intimacy and attraction. Before coming to Tempest, one of Danny’s main pastimes was kissing girls and whilst this was frowned upon by her mother, Danny wasn’t ashamed of it. The Grays kiss each other and touch each other because they are close and feel they are able to do so. The book does include a sex scene and it is good to see characters feeling comfortable with sex and their bodies as it gives off a sex-positive message.

I have seen reviews comparing The Lost Coast to The Raven Cycle, which is one of my most favourite book series, and I can see why such comments are made. There are similarities like making magic, the found family trope, the continuous trips to the woods, and the sense of “otherness” surrounding the trees etc, but for me, that’s where it ends. Plus, this is a standalone so I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to a series.

“The trees keep us company as we ride. They keep our secrets, and we never have to ask. …Maybe that’s why girls like us are always in the woods.”

When it comes to writing, the story felt more character-based than plot-based, however, there is still a sense of the mystery running through it that forms the base of the story, but overall I felt like the focus was on the prose and atmosphere. I love looking at trees and like the feeling of being on a good walk in the woods. I can see the woods from my window and The Lost Coast just made me want to put my shoes on and walk out into nature. I adore the writing in this and because of that, I think I’ll look at other books by Capetta. The story is told in a non-linear fashion but each chapter tells you who’s point of view it is from and which point in time. I feel this writing choice works really well at giving insights into the characters. It helped the town of Tempest feel like an important character in its own right, the trees feel like a character, and the ravens are a character (they get their own short chapters and viewpoint). I enjoyed the difference in chapters between The Grays which are narrated in the third person, and Danny’s chapters which are in the first person from her point of view. It was easy to get into the swing of things after a few chapters.

It’s definitely a whimsical and imaginative read, and some readers may find it slightly weird at the end, but if you think you like the sound of this then I’d absolutely recommend it. I think if you enjoy contemporary fantasy, queer stories, and dreamy writing, then you can’t go wrong with The Lost Coast. I would really love more people to pick up and shout about this book. It’s a beautiful, beautiful book. I think it’s really about finding your place or your people and the real difference and hope that can bring to a person.

The Lost Coast is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Lost Coast? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The spellbinding tale of six queer witches forging their own paths, shrouded in the mist, magic, and secrets of the ancient California redwoods.

Danny didn’t know what she was looking for when she and her mother spread out a map of the United States and Danny put her finger down on Tempest, California. What she finds are the Grays: a group of friends who throw around terms like queer and witch like they’re ordinary and everyday, though they feel like an earthquake to Danny. But Danny didn’t just find the Grays. They cast a spell that calls her halfway across the country, because she has something they need: she can bring back Imogen, the most powerful of the Grays, missing since the summer night she wandered into the woods alone. But before Danny can find Imogen, she finds a dead boy with a redwood branch through his heart. Something is very wrong amid the trees and fog of the Lost Coast, and whatever it is, it can kill. Lush, eerie, and imaginative, Amy Rose Capetta’s tale overflows with the perils and power of discovery — and what it means to find your home, yourself, and your way forward.

The post Review: The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Infinity Son by Adam Silvera
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne
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Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?

But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself falling for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.

Honor Lost by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre
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Book 3 in The Honors Series. Start with the first book, Honor Among Thieves.

Space renegade Zara Cole may have finally met her match. Lifekiller—a creature that can devour entire planets is spreading terror throughout the universe, and it seems nothing can stand in the monstrous godking’s way.

Reeling from a series of battles, Zara and her wounded band of allies are going to need a strategy before they face Lifekiller again. Zara’s street smarts may not be enough when their enemy could be anywhere, destroying civilizations and picking his teeth with the bones.

And just when it feels like she’s reached a special place in her bond with Bea and Nadim, an ex from Earth with an ax to grind comes after her with nefarious intentions. With human enemies, alien creatures, and mechanical stalkers on her tail, it’s down to the wire for Zara to save the galaxy—and the people she calls home—before the godking consumes them all.

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Can a girl who risks her life for books and an alien who loves forbidden pop music work together to save humanity?

Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world’s population.

Seventeen-year-old Janelle “Ellie” Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. Deemed dangerously volatile because of their initial reaction to the invasion, humanity’s emotional transgressions are now grounds for execution. All art, books and creative expression are illegal, but Ellie breaks the rules by keeping a secret library. When a book goes missing, Ellie is terrified that the Ilori will track it back to her and kill her.

Born in a lab, M0Rr1S (Morris) was raised to be emotionless. When he finds Ellie’s illegal library, he’s duty-bound to deliver her for execution. The trouble is, he finds himself drawn to human music and in desperate need of more. They’re both breaking the rules for love of art—and Ellie inspires the same feelings in him that music does.

Ellie’s—and humanity’s—fate rests in the hands of an alien she should fear. M0Rr1S has a lot of secrets, but also a potential solution—thousands of miles away. The two embark on a wild and dangerous road trip with a bag of books and their favorite albums, all the while making a story and a song of their own that just might save them both.

The Life Below by Alexandra Monir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The sequel to The Final Six.

As Naomi lifts off into space and away from a rapidly deteriorating Earth, she watches the world fade away, and along with it Leo, a Final Six contestant she grew close to during training. Leaving Earth behind is hard, but what’s ahead, on Europa, could be worse. The International Space Training Camp continues to hide the truth about what happened to the last group of astronauts who attempted a similar colonization but failed mysteriously. With one shot—at this mission and to Europa—Naomi is determined to find out if there is alien life on Europa before she and her crew get there.

Leo, back on Earth, has been working with renegade scientist Dr. Greta Wagner, who promises to fly him to space where he can essentially latch on to Naomi’s ship. And if Wagner’s hypothesis is right, it isn’t a possibility of coming in contact with extraterrestrial life on Europa—it’s a definite. With Naomi unaware of what awaits, it’s up to Leo to find and warn her and the others.

With all the pieces of their journey finally clicking into place, everything else starts to fall apart. A storm threatens to interfere with Leo’s takeoff, a deadly entity makes itself known to the Final Six, and the questions the ISTC has been avoiding about the previous failed mission get answered in the worst way possible. If the dream was to establish a habitable domain on Europa… the Final Six are about to enter a nightmare.

Twisted Fates by Danielle Rollins
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Book 2 in the Dark Stars Series. Read the first book, Stolen Time.

One past. Two girls. Infinite futures.

As far as anyone in New Seattle knows, Dorothy has disappeared. The stowaway from 1913, the girl that Ash maybe—possibly—could’ve loved: she’s gone. And in her place is bloodthirsty Quinn Fox, silver-haired and vicious. But even though he saw her fall through the anilon their last ill-fated mission through time, Ash can’t stop himself from looking for Dorothy around every dark corner. What he doesn’t know, though, is that the girl he fell in love with is the very same one who is fated to kill him.

As Ash and his friends grow increasingly desperate searching for a way to head off the devastating earthquake threatening to tear down New Seattle for good, Quinn and Roman are working to take down mob boss Mac Murphy, who is attempting to use them to control time travel for his own selfish purposes. When they collide, can they change the course of the future entirely?

Sword in the Stars by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this epic sequel to Once & Future, to save the future, Ari and her Rainbow knights pull off a heist… thousands of years in the past.

Ari Helix may have won her battle against the tyrannical Mercer corporation, but the larger war has just begun. Ari and her cursed wizard Merlin must travel back in time to the unenlightened Middle Ages and steal the King Arthur’s Grail—the very definition of impossible.

It’s imperative that the time travelers not skew the timeline and alter the course of history. Coming face-to-face with the original Arthurian legend could produce a ripple effect that changes everything. Somehow Merlin forgot that the past can be even more dangerous than the future…

Between Burning Worlds by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Les Misérables meets The Lunar Chronicles in the out-of-this-world sequel to Sky Without Stars that’s an “explosion of emotion, intrigue, romance, and revolution” (Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series).

A thief. An officer. A guardian. All from different backgrounds, but sharing one same destiny…

The planet Laterre is in turmoil. A new militant revolutionary group has emerged calling themselves “The Red Scar” and claiming responsibility for a spate of recent bombings. The infamous rebels known as the Vangarde believe that in order to bring about a peaceful revolution, their charismatic leader, Citizen Rousseau must be freed from prison right away. Otherwise the bloodshed will only escalate.

Soon Marcellus, Chatine, and Alouette all find themselves pulled into battle with extreme consequences.

Marcellus is determined to uncover his corrupt grandfather’s plan to seize Laterre—even if that means joining the Vangarde. Aloutte, trying to unearth the truth about her past, becomes a captive of Marcellus’s grandfather, the general. Chatine, who is serving time on Bastille, hopes to escape the brutal and horrifying reality of the prison moon.

But the failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison launches Aloutte, Chatine, and Marecellus into the middle of a dangerous war for control of Laterre. And in the midst of it all is the legend of a secret and dangerous weapon that could mean complete and absolute power to any that wields it.

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
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The first novel written for an adult audience by the mega-selling author of the Divergent franchise: five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons–and reconsider what it means to be a hero … by destiny or by choice.

A decade ago near Chicago, five teenagers defeated the otherworldly enemy known as the Dark One, whose reign of terror brought widespread destruction and death. The seemingly un-extraordinary teens—Sloane, Matt, Ines, Albie, and Esther—had been brought together by a clandestine government agency because one of them was fated to be the “Chosen One,” prophesized to save the world. With the goal achieved, humankind celebrated the victors and began to mourn their lost loved ones.

Ten years later, though the champions remain celebrities, the world has moved forward and a whole, younger generation doesn’t seem to recall the days of endless fear. But Sloane remembers. It’s impossible for her to forget when the paparazzi haunt her every step just as the Dark One still haunts her dreams. Unlike everyone else, she hasn’t moved on; she’s adrift—no direction, no goals, no purpose. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, a new trauma hits the Chosen: the death of one of their own. And when they gather for the funeral at the enshrined site of their triumph, they discover to their horror that the Dark One’s reign never really ended.

Will you be picking up any of these releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 9 Sci-Fi Books To Get Your Yearly Reading Goal Off the Ground appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Ari Helix may have won the battle, but there’s still a larger war to be won against the Mercer corporation. Along with Merlin and crew, they travel back in time to the middle ages to try and steal King Arthur’s grail. It’s of utmost importance that they not mess up anything in the timeline to alter the course of history. However, when they come face to face with the original legend, they may not have any choice but to change everything forever…because Merlin forgot that the past can be more dangerous than the future.

This sequel begins very closely to where we left off in Once & Future. We keep that alternating perspective between Merlin and Ari. I will admit that I enjoyed Merlin’s perspective more than Ari’s, but they both have pretty significant character development. There’s so much that I want to talk about with these two but I don’t want to spoil anything! Just make sure to pay VERY close attention to what’s going on while they’re doing their time travel…you’ll see what I mean.

In terms of pace, the story moves quite quickly, but there’s definitely lots to keep track of. It got a little confusing at times because readers will have a lot to keep track of. I think that’s what tends to happen when you’re having to keep track of past and present timelines, as well as what’s going on with each character because of the timeline. There are a few time travel things that I am not completely sure that I understood, but maybe other readers will understand. There was also a reveal that happened in the story that I was not a fan of, but it was because I felt like there might have been a better way for it to be handled. Instead, it felt like it added unnecessary painful character development.

My favourite part of this book really boils down to the romances that continued to develop from the first book. They’re sweet and there’s so much love between them. I definitely did a little happy dance when I got to see a few of my favourite characters get to see each other again. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Ari and Gwen! *heart eyes*

One of the most fascinating things that I enjoyed exploring in this book was the fact that everyone was having to deal with the backwards, misogynistic, and sexist ideologies of a different time. Some of those scenarios aren’t handled in a great manner (depending how you feel about murder), but overall, I truly enjoyed seeing our characters handle these situations with power and grace.

Again, there were aspects of the time travel bits of the story that I didn’t understand, but I did love most everything else. I encourage everyone to read this, because it promotes a world of inclusivity, and taking down corporations that only seek to oppress and enslave. The Arthurian legend was creatively woven in the fibres of this story, and I couldn’t be happier with the way the story ended. I feel like most questions were answered, and readers are treated to a very special moment in the epilogue. I won’t say more, but I definitely encourage you to look out for it. I’m rating this a 7/10. Add it to your TBR, because you won’t want to miss it!

Sword in the Stars is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up Sword in the Stars? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

In this epic sequel to Once & Future, to save the future, Ari and her Rainbow knights pull off a heist… thousands of years in the past.

Ari Helix may have won her battle against the tyrannical Mercer corporation, but the larger war has just begun. Ari and her cursed wizard Merlin must travel back in time to the unenlightened Middle Ages and steal the King Arthur’s Grail—the very definition of impossible.

It’s imperative that the time travelers not skew the timeline and alter the course of history. Coming face-to-face with the original Arthurian legend could produce a ripple effect that changes everything. Somehow Merlin forgot that the past can be even more dangerous than the future…

The post Review: Sword in the Stars by Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hey Nerds, content contributor Holly here, keeping you in the loop of my reading with the Mid Year Book Freakout tag! As of the end of June, I have read 67 books out of my 75 goal for the year of 2019, which is a total of 23,981 pages! Here’s what I recommend based on what I have read so far in 2019!

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2019?

• Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn: Completely and utterly disturbing. Perfect for the horror lover! Go into this novel with a tough stomach. MAJOR TW FOR CUTTING AND VIOLENCE.
• Misery by Stephen King
• Pet Sematary by Stephen King: Do you notice a trend? We at the Nerd Daily are fascinated by the macabre.

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2019

Kingsbane by Claire Legrand: Killer, kickass, magical queens. What more could you want?

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

• Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
• Inspection by Josh Malerman

Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2019

• Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren: I’m complete and utter trash for this duo.
• Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier: Thanks to The Nerd Daily, I’ll be reading an ARC and uploading a review soon!
• American Royals by Katharine McGee
• The Institute by Stephen King
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
• And like every other person on this planet… The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Biggest Disappointment?

• Ruin & Rising and Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: Sorry, I just don’t understand the hype. After finishing this series, I said hello to a MAJOR book slump. The trilogy just could not live up to the hype.
• Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy: nothing happened… never in a book have I experienced so much talk of action but no actual action. I was so hyped to get an arc but it had to be one of the largest disappointments so far.
• Fire & Blood by George R R Martin: Um this was a as boring as a history textbook. Can we just get Winds of Winter already?!

Biggest Surprise?

The Test by Sylvain Neuvel: Short and sweet. You’ll never quite know what to expect with this one.

Favourite New Author?

Stephen King… yes. I know, I am the last on the very large bandwagon. So much horror, so much weird fiction.

Newest Fictional Crush?

Saying hello to a girl crush: Daisy Jones from Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is so screwed up in so many ways but powerful, resilient and kickass at the same time.

Newest Favourite Character?

An odd one coming your way…. Annie Wilkes from Misery by Stephen King. Is it any surprise that I’m choosing a villain? Probably not LOL. I mean don’t you sometimes want to kidnap your favourite writer and force them to rewrite a book so they don’t kill your favourite character? Yeah me too…

Book That Made You Cry?

Now, I’m not a crier but I felt all the feels with Michelle Obama’s Becoming. She is a lawyer, mother, political advocate and can now add author to the list. This book was written so beautifully she could be a best seller even without being the famous ‘Michelle Obama’. I would die for another piece of her writing. So well done.

Book That Made You Happy?

Colourless Tsukuru Tazak by Haruki Murakami: ALL the nostalgia from my time living in Tokyo. Also beautiful writing, a new author I would love to read more of.

Favourite Book To Screen Adaptation You Saw This Year?

The Handmaid’s Tale

Favourite Review You’ve Written This Year?

Favourite and hardest review to write this year…. Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman! I wanted to spoil and gush the entire review so it was so hard to keep it spoiler free! However, such an amazing opportunity to interview the author himself! So thankful to Jimmy Patterson books, the Nerd Daily and Derek himself for a great book, review, and experience!

Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year?

UK edition of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson! This book looks like literal magic… hopefully it lives up to the hype of such a talked about fantasy author.

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?

• The Dark Half by Stephen King
• The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
• Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
• Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
• Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

Have you read any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Holly’s Reads: Mid-2019 Book Freak Out Tag appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

March 2019 sees a few retellings hitting the shelves with Maid Marian taking over from Robin Hood in Sherwood, while Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy pen a new King Arthur story with a teenage girl being the newest reincarnation of Arthur. What else is instore for you? Brave an alien attack in Laura Pohl’s The Last 8, join a secretive boarding school in Killing November, follow the journey of a young scientist with powers in K.K. Pérez’s The Tesla Legacy, or be enchanted by dark faeries in Sarah Porter’s Never-Contented Things

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading of them!

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From debut author Justin A. Reynolds comes The Opposite of Always, a razor-sharp, hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose and the moments that make life worth reliving. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and John Green.

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A high-stakes survival story about eight teenagers who outlive an alien attack—perfect for fans of The 5th Wave

Never-Contented Things by Sarah Porter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A new YA standalone novel about dark faeries with surefire appeal by Sarah Porter, the critically-acclaimed author of Vassa in the Night and When I Cast Your Shadow. 

Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
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Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this start to a thrilling, subversive near future series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young about a girls-only private high school that is far more than it appears to be.

Sherwood by Meagan Spooner
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Fans of Danielle Paige, Marissa Meyer, and Alex Flinn will devour New York Times bestselling author Meagan Spooner’s next fierce fairy tale-inspired story, which Illuminae author Amie Kaufman calls “a kick-ass, gender-flipped feminist retelling.”

The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess
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Victoria Parker knew her dad’s behaviour toward her was a little unusual, but she convinced herself everything was fine—until she found herself locked out of the house at 3:00 a.m., surrounded by flashing police lights. Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her college dreams . . . all while keeping her past hidden.

Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
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Killing November by Adriana Mather
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch comes a thriller set at a secretive boarding school where students are trained to carry on family legacies that have built–and toppled–empires.

The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
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Pan’s Labyrinth meets The Hazel Wood in this novel about a girl with terrifying visions and a wish-granting witch whose lives collide in the most unexpected of ways.

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott
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Author David Elliott explores how Joan of Arc changed the course of history and remains a figure of fascination centuries after her extraordinary life and death.

The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie
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Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched trilogy, returns with an intricately crafted and emotionally gripping story of one young woman’s journey to move beyond the grief and anger that control her and find the inner strength to chart her own course.

The Tesla Legacy by K.K. Pérez
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An action-packed, young adult coming-of-age adventure, K. K. Perez’s The Tesla Legacy follows a precocious young scientist named Lucy Phelps whose fateful encounter in the Tesla Suite of the New Yorker Hotel unlocks her dormant electrical powers.

Will you be reading any of these books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post March Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In fantasy is more your speed, Destiny Soria will delight with Beneath The Citadel, you’ll find a combination of mafia and magic in The Brilliant Death, or perhaps a new tale of Ichabod Crane and Sleepy Hollow will intrigue you with The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel.

Read on to discover our favourites and tell us in the comments below which one you are most excited for!

Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson
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American Fred Fredericks is making his first trip, his purpose to install a communications system for China’s Lunar Science Foundation. But hours after his arrival he witnesses a murder and is forced into hiding. It is also the first visit for celebrity travel reporter Ta Shu. He has contacts and influence, but he too will find that the moon can be a perilous place for any traveler. Finally, there is Chan Qi. She is the daughter of the Minister of Finance, and without doubt a person of interest to those in power. She is on the moon for reasons of her own, but when she attempts to return to China, in secret, the events that unfold will change everything – on the moon, and on Earth.

Beneath The Citadel by Destiny Soria
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In the city of Eldra, people are ruled by ancient prophecies. After the last infallible prophecy came to pass, growing unrest led to murders and an eventual rebellion that raged for more than a decade. In the present day, Cassa, the orphaned daughter of rebels, is determined to fight back against the high council, which governs Eldra from behind the walls of the citadel. Her only allies are no-nonsense Alys, easygoing Evander, and perpetually underestimated Newt, and Cassa struggles to come to terms with the legacy of rebellion her dead parents have left her — and the fear that she may be inadequate to shoulder the burden. But by the time Cassa and her friends uncover the mystery of the final infallible prophecy, it may be too late to save the city — or themselves.

Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
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The rite has existed for as long as anyone can remember: when the prince-who-will-be-king comes of age, he must slay a fierce dragon, and rescue a damsel to be his bride. When Ama wakes in the arms of Prince Emory, however, she knows none of this. She has no memory of what came before she was captured and knows only this handsome prince. Ama comes with Emory back to the kingdom of Harding, however, as soon as her first night falls, she begins to realise that not all is as it seems, that there is more to the legends of the dragons and the damsels than anyone knows.

Street Freaks by Terry Brooks
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“Go into the Red Zone. Go to Street Freaks.” his father directs Ashton Collins before the vid feed goes suddenly silent. The Red Zone is the dangerous heart of the mega-city of Los Angeles; it is a world Ash is forbidden from and one he knows little about. But if he can find Street Freaks, the strangest of aid awaits—human and barely human alike. As Ash is hunted, he must unravel the mystery left behind by his father and discover his role in this new world.

In The Night Wood by Dale Bailey
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American Charles Hayden came to England to forget the past. Failed father, failed husband, and failed scholar, Charles hopes to put his life back together with a biography of Caedmon Hollow, the long-dead author of a legendary Victorian children’s book, In the Night Wood. But soon after settling into Hollow’s remote Yorkshire home, Charles learns that the past isn’t dead. In the primeval forest surrounding Caedmon Hollow’s ancestral home, an ancient power is stirring. The horned figure of a long-forgotten king haunts Charles Hayden’s dreams. And every morning the fringe of darkling trees presses closer.

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
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One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish. Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
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The war is over, and army priest Tomas Piety finally heads home with Lieutenant Bloody Anne at his side. When he arrives in the Stink, Tomas finds that his empire of crime has been stolen from him while at war. With his gang of Pious Men, Tomas will do whatever it takes to reclaim his businesses. But when he finds himself dragged into a web of political intrigue once again, and is forced to work in secret for the sinister Queen’s Men, everything gets more complicated.

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris
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Set in a fractured United States, in the southwestern country now known as Texoma, this is a world where magic is acknowledged but mistrusted. Battered by a run across the border to Mexico, gunslinger Lizbeth Rose takes a job offer from a pair of Russian wizards. The Dark Tower meets True Blood in this gritty and wildly entertaining tale of Gunnie Rose. A woman fighting unimaginable odds to keep her people alive after the disintegration of America, this is a surefire hit for fans of The Walking Dead or Westworld.

Light Years by Kass Morgan
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Reeling from the latest attack by a mysterious enemy, the Quatra Fleet Academy is finally admitting students from every planet in the solar system after centuries of exclusivity. Hotshot pilot Vesper, an ambitious Tridian citizen, dreams of becoming a captain – but when she loses her spot to a brilliant, wisecracking boy from the wrong side of the asteroid belt, it makes her question everything she thought she knew. Growing up on the toxic planet Deva, Cormak will take any chance he can get to escape his dead-end life and join the Academy – even if he has to steal someone’s identity to do it.

A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland
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In a bleak, far-northern land, a wandering storyteller is arrested on charges of witchcraft. Though Chant protests his innocence, he is condemned not only as a witch, but a spy. His only chance to save himself rests with the skills he has honed for decades – tell a good story, catch and hold their attention, or die. But the attention he catches is that of the five elected rulers of the country, and Chant finds himself caught in a tangled, corrupt political game which began long before he ever arrived here. As he’s snatched from one Queen’s grasp to another’s, he realizes that he could either be a pawn for one of them… or a player in his own right.

Finding Baba Yaga: A Short Novel In Verse by Jane Yolen
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A harsh, controlling father. A quiescent mother. A house that feels like anything but a home. Natasha gathers the strength to leave, and comes upon a little house in the wood: A house that walks about on chicken feet and is inhabited by a fairy tale witch. In finding Baba Yaga, Natasha finds her voice, her power, herself….

The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders
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In the near-future United States, a one-child policy is ruthlessly enforced. Everyone follows the Rule of One. But Ava Goodwin, daughter of the head of the Texas Family Planning Division, has a secret—one her mother died to keep and her father has helped to hide for her entire life. She has an identical twin sister, Mira. For eighteen years Ava and Mira have lived as one, trading places day after day, maintaining an interchangeable existence down to the most telling detail. But when their charade is exposed, their worst nightmare begins. Now they must leave behind the father they love and fight for their lives.

Kill The Queen by Jennifer Estep
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Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta
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For Teodora DiSangro, a mafia don’s daughter, family is fate. All her life, Teodora has hidden the fact that she secretly turns her family’s enemies into decorative objects. After all, everyone in Vinalia knows that stregas—wielders of magic—are figures out of fairytales. Then the Capo, the land’s new ruler, sends poisoned letters to the heads of the Five Families that have long controlled Vinalia. Enter Cielo, a strega who can switch back and forth between male and female as effortlessly as turning a page in a book. Teo and Cielo journey together to the capital, and Teo struggles to master her powers and to keep her growing feelings for Cielo locked in her heart.

Thin Air by Richard K. Morgan
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On a Mars where ruthless corporate interests violently collide with a homegrown independence movement as Earth-based overlords battle for profits and power, Hakan Veil is an ex–professional enforcer equipped with military-grade body tech that’s made him a human killing machine. But he’s had enough of the turbulent red planet, and all he wants is a ticket back home—which is just what he’s offered by the Earth Oversight organization, in exchange for being the bodyguard for an EO investigator. It’s a beyond-easy gig for a heavy hitter like Veil . . . until it isn’t.

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo
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When Ichabod Crane arrives in the spooky little village of Sleepy Hollow as the new schoolmaster, Katrina Van Tassel is instantly drawn to him. When romance gives way to passion, Ichabod and Katrina embark on a secret love affair – all while praying they do not catch sight of Sleepy Hollow’s legendary Headless Horseman. That is, until All Hallows’s Eve, when Ichabod suddenly disappears, leaving Katrina alone and in a perilous position. Enlisting the help of her friend – and rumored witch – Charlotte Jansen, Katrina seeks the truth of Ichabod Crane’s disappearance, investigating the forest around Sleepy Hollow using unconventional – often magical – means.

Check out what else is coming out this month on our Goodreads list!

What book are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post October Book Releases: Fantasy + Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.