THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US by Kasie West will be released in the U.S. on July 2, 2013 in paperback and eBook formats.

It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by HarperTeen, the print edition is 320 pages.

It feels like I’ve been waiting for this Book Watch post forever, because ever since I read Kasie West’s PIVOT POINT I’ve been dying to get my hands on THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US. So when it came time to choose the book to watch for the week of July 2nd there was no other book I could dream of spotlighting but this amazing-sounding book.

I just love the way this author tells a story and develops her characters and I cannot wait to see how she weaves her words in this contemporary tale which has been described as “Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice.” And I can’t wait to see if Caymen and Xander are able to overcome the distance between them or if the divide is just too great.

Aside from the fact that Caymen is wary about those with money and that her mother has warned her against rich boys’ attention spans, the description hints that there’s something more than just her mother’s disapproval that Caymen “should’ve been worried about” or rather someone. Which makes me really curious to find out just who that is.

I love stories where the characters are from different worlds, especially ones that involve differences in socioeconomic status. I mean, who doesn’t love a Cinderella story or a love story where one of those in love is from the wrong side of the tracks?

There’s nothing quite like class distinctions or biases to keep two people apart… or at the very least put some pretty big obstacles in the way of a happily-ever-after. And I’m super curious to see if what else, if anything, comes between Caymen and Xander.

I loved “Pretty in Pink.” It’s one of my favorite films. And I even loved the book that was clearly based on an earlier version of the script with a very, very different ending. So, if the framework for this story is anything like that movie I just know I’m going to love the DISTANCE BETWEEN US, even if the ending is a bittersweet or tragic one.

Of course, if the story is nothing like that movie, I still couldn’t imagine not loving it. A cautious and biased main character. A persistent, charming and wealthy love interest. A disapproving parent. And a love story that’s far from insta-love. How could I not love it?

So… because of its awesomeness, because the author is amazing and because I’m just dying to read this book, even though there are some other fantastic-sounding books releasing the week of July 2nd, for me, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US is the book to watch this week.

Places to Watch

The author on TWITTER

The author on FACEBOOK

The author’s WEBSITE

The author on GOODREADS

About the Book

Goodreads description:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she’s beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Other Amazing Books to Watch

Here just a few of the other awesome books releasing the week of July 2nd:

SOME QUIET PLACE by Kelsey Sutton

THIS STRANGE AND FAMILIAR PLACE (So Close to You #2) by Rachel Carter

THE TWICE LOST (Lost Voices #3) by Sarah Porter

VORTEX (Insignia #2) by S.J. Kincaid

THIS IS W.A.R. by Lisa and Laura Roecker

FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SCREAM by R.L. Stine

BECAUSE OF LOW (Sea Breeze #2) by Abbi Glines

SHALLOW POND by Alissa Grosso

SHUTDOWN (Glitch #3) by Heather Anastasiu

STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Putnam Juvenile, the print edition is 384 pages.

STAR CURSED is the second book in author Jessica Spotswood Cahill Witch Chronicles. The third book in the series is currently untitled.

Note: This review is based on an ARC I received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads description…

** Slightly spoiler-y for book one **

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate’s friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn’t want to be a weapon, and she doesn’t want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood’s schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she’ll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess’s quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

STAR CURSED is the the incredibly exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking and utterly riveting second book in author Jessica Spotswood’s Cahill Witch Chronicles. It engages readers from the very first line, returning them to the author’s world of witchcraft and magic and to those who wish to destroy it, those who wish to keep it secret and those who are willing to go to war for it.

New characters are introduced, many existing characters return, there is a new setting to discover and layers have been added to the plot, the characters, the world. And with a story that delivers action and betrayal, a quick pace, an intriguing plot, compelling characters and a tension-filled build-up to a shocking conclusion, this second installment takes this series to the next level.

Talk of a new oracle has made the Brotherhood even more ruthless in their efforts to uncover and eradicate the witches. With more and more innocent girls being imprisoned, harsher restrictions being enforced and life becoming even more intolerable under their rule, there are those who are no longer willing to stand quietly by and just let it happen. There are even those ready to take action.

As tensions mount and as the Brothers’ desperation increases, even the Sisterhood comes under suspicion, creating dissension between those who wish to go to battle and those who want to find a less dangerous course of action. But with it still unclear as to who the most powerful witch of the prophecy is, going to war would put the Sisters at great risk. A risk that if they were to take and lose, could mean their end.

And if Cate Cahill is the prophesied witch, she’ll have to choose sides, she’ll have to be willing to step into the role of leader and she’ll have to make sacrifices, even ones that could cost her everything.

Author Jessica Spotswood has followed-up her enchanting first book in the series with one that is just as magical but offers up an even more engaging, more suspenseful, more exciting and more heart-wrenching storyline. She has allowed readers to get to know her main character, Cate Cahill, along with a few of the supporting characters, even better. And she’s given readers even more reason to like or dislike them, trust or distrust them, sympathize with them, empathize with them or feel disdain toward them.

Readers with high expectations for this sequel will not be disappointed, it does not suffer from sophomore slump. The plot is more danger-filled, more complex. The love story more swoon-worthy, heartwarming, heartbreaking. The betrayal far more devastating. The build to the conclusion more nerve-wracking, more climactic. And the ending more surprising, more shocking, more heart-stopping.

All of which makes STAR CURSED a must read addition to the series.

Reviewer gives this book…

Like In-N-Out Burger‘s infamous secret menu this one deserves my off-the-menu 6 star rating.

On a personal note…

Oh. My. Gosh. I don’t even know where to begin. This book was so out-of-this-world good that there are no words to describe… okay, maybe there are a few words… maybe more than few.

But I think I have to begin at the end. Because that ending did kill me. I thought the ending for the first book in the series was torturous. But that was nothing compared to the ending for STAR CURSED. Nothing.

I mean, I knew something was going to happen. I may have suspected that something just like what happened would happen. The author teased, warned, foreshadowed, hinted, that something was going to happen. But it made it no less torturous. Knife to the heart.

And now I have to wait. A long time. I don’t have the next book in the series in hand. I don’t have any idea when it’s going to be released. STAR CURSED isn’t even out yet. And I’m just dying after what happened right there at the end.

But that wasn’t all that killed me. There was the build-up to the end. Talk about climactic. At some point during the read I started anticipating the “bad thing.” And the build-up filled me with fluttery nerves, nervous anticipation, angst.

I did end up setting the book down so that I wouldn’t have to reach that moment quite so quickly. But I couldn’t set it aside for long. Because as much as I didn’t want to have my heart broken, I just had to know. And now that I know, I want to pretend that I don’t, so that the next three hundred sixty-five and change days will pass that much more quickly.

If it were just the end and the build-up to the end, this story would have been awesome but it wouldn’t be one of the books that I consider off-the-charts. And this book is definitely one of those books that blew me away.

Before the build-up there was all that stuff in the middle and at the beginning. Stuff that made this story the amazing and compelling book it was. Stuff that kept me riveted. Stuff I’d really love to talk about in great detail, but I can’t. Because there is so much that’s so incredibly spoiler-y in this book. Talking about certain characters would be spoiler-y. Talking about certain character and storyline developments would be equally as revealing.

And I can’t even tease about the prophecy, the oracle, the visions. I can’t drop hints as to what happens with characters like Rory, Sachi, Brenna, Finn, Zara. I can’t reveal who I know to be trustworthy, who I know not to be and who I am still wary about.

I can’t talk about just what Maura gets up to. Whether she’s a character I now love or whether she’s one I loathe.

But maybe, just maybe, I can talk about Cate. Who was even more amazing in this book than she was in the last. She was every bit as compassionate and thoughtful. She was just as caring. But she was a little more decisive, a little more sure of herself and her abilities. And she wasn’t as afraid to take the lead when she needed to.

Things did not get any easier for Cate in this sequel. Things actually got quite a bit more difficult. Between what had happened to her in that first book to what was expected of her in this one, Cate had a lot to deal with. And that doesn’t even take into account the increased threat from the Brotherhood, the dissension within the Sisterhood or the fact that a wrong decision could very possibly be a deadly one.

And while I really, really want to talk about the choices she’ll have to make, the risks she’ll have to take, the side she ends up choosing and the allies that stand with her, I can’t. And I probably shouldn’t say anything more, except….

While I anticipated the author’s gorgeous writing, her lovable characters and the amazing world she created, she still managed to surprise me with her sequel. STAR CURSED is so much more suspenseful than its predecessor, there is quite a bit of action packed into the story, the betrayal goes so much deeper, the plot is far more complex. And the ending… shocking, heartbreaking, torturous to the nth degree.

And I just know the next book is going to be epic.

Favorite passage…

Because all of my favorite passages were too spoiler-y, I will not include one until after publication date.

***

This review is based on an ARC I received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood was released in the U.S. on February 7, 2012 in hardcover, audio and eBook formats. A paperback edition was released on January 3, 2013.

It is currently available to order online in all formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Putnam Juvenile, the print edition is 272 pages.

BORN WICKED is the first book in author Jessica Spotswood’s Cahill Witch Chronicles. The second book in the series, STAR CURSED, is slated for release on June 18, 2013.

Goodreads Description…

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word… especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Author Jessica Spotswood’s BORN WICKED is a beautifully written, incredibly engaging and simply magical read. It’s a story that, while fictional, addresses very real issues from  our history – the fear of witchcraft, the oppression of women and girls, the suppression of knowledge and freedom of speech, opinion, expression.

It’s a story that captivates with not only its interesting characters, their relationships, their motivations and their beliefs, but its mystery, its magic, its suspenseful storyline. And it’s a story that will keep readers guessing right up to its climactic conclusion.

Under the guise of keeping everyone safe from the threat of witches and witchcraft, the priests of the Brotherhood have established a dictatorial rule. One that is overly restrictive, unforgiving and deadly for those in opposition.

Which makes it even more important for no one to find out about the secret Catherine Cahill and her sisters are keeping – that they are witches, possibly even the prophesied ones. But with one sister who is curious about her abilities and another who can’t seem to control them, hiding who and what they are is becoming even more of a challenge.

And with time running out for Cate to decide on her future, one that will mean leaving her sisters behind, she’ll need to figure out a way to keep their secret safe, keep them hidden from the Brothers and keep them from drawing the attention of the Sisters. Because if they are the three sisters from the prophecy, then the danger to all of them will be greater than ever and will be deadly for one of them.

Cate Cahill is an incredibly likable and relatable main character. She’s been cast into the role of protector, forced to make sacrifices, and is faced with difficult decisions. Decisions that will either take her away from her home and family, leave her sisters unprotected, leave her heartbroken or break someone else’s heart.

She is compassionate and thoughtful, but not perfect. She is pretty but not the most beautiful of her sisters, smart but not the most clever. But her ability to see the good in people and recognize her own faults makes her endearing and makes her a character readers will want to know more about.

BORN WICKED is a breath of fresh air and an absolutely wonderful addition to the genre. It’s exciting, it’s surprising and it’s intelligent. With its diversity in its character archetypes, its nod to events in history and its atypical heroine and hero, this story stands out from the crowd.

And with its build up to a shocking finish, which will leave readers anxiously awaiting the sequel, BORN WICKED is an absolute must read first book in the series.

Reviewer gives this book…

On a personal note…

BORN WICKED may be a story of witches. But it’s no ordinary tale of witchcraft and spellcasting. And the witches are anything but ordinary.

I am not someone who gravitates toward books about witchcraft. And I’m definitely not someone who reads many books of witches around the turn of the century… the twentieth century, that is.

But from the moment I started reading BORN WICKED I was in love. With the main character, Cate Cahill, with the setting, with the world. Even though it was dark, oppressive, scary. Though I kind of think that’s exactly why I fell in love.

I couldn’t wait to learn more about the witchcraft and the prophecy the story talks of. I instantly wondered whether Cate was “the one” and if she was, what would happen to her, to her sisters. And if it wasn’t her but someone she cared about, I wondered what would she do to protect them.

There is something really beautiful about the writing and the way the story flows. Something magical. It took me surprise. I did not expect to love it as much as I did, given that it wasn’t one of my “go to” genres, given that it wasn’t a story with a lightning-fast pace, given that there were no deadly battles.

And yet the pages just flew by. The story held me captive. Cate’s predicament made me anxious. The Brothers made me angry. The Sisters made me wary. And Cate’s sister Maura made me want to throttle her.

I questioned everything. And everyone. Everyone was suspect. From Paul to Maura to Mrs. Corbett, to Sister Elena, to Sachi, to Rory. I didn’t know who could be trusted. Except maybe Finn and Tess. And even then, I wasn’t sure they wouldn’t betray Cate.

I didn’t know what anyone’s motives were. Except maybe the Brothers. Their motives seemed pretty obvious. I didn’t know when the “bad thing” would happen. The one that I just knew would happen. I didn’t even know what that “bad thing” would be. Which made this more than a little bit of a nail-biter.

Reading BORN WICKED was the perfect escape. The world was one I could easily imagine the characters in. It was one I was easily transported to. And it was one I didn’t want to leave.

Especially after that ending. Which was killer. Which would have killed me if I didn’t have the next book in the series to dive into immediately. I may have uttered a few expletives after reading that ending. Though I knew… I just knew… that something like that would happen.

While this book was such an amazing surprise, what was even more surprising was Finn. He’s not the typical character I would root for. Paul fits that description. But it was Finn that stole my heart. He was the good guy – sweet, rumpled, studious. And yet he was it for me.

But I won’t say whether he was the boy for Cate, if Paul was more to her liking or if someone or something else held more of an appeal. Because that would be spoiler-y. And I don’t do spoilers.

BORN WICKED has been one of my favorite reads this year. And if magic were real, I’d say this story cast its spell on me. I was bewitched, enchanted, spellbound.

Favorite passage…

I actually had two clear favorites. One I would have loved to include but it is somewhat spoiler-y. So I’ve chosen to share my other favorite, which is rather scandalous given the time period.

I knot my fingers in his hair and pull his mouth back to mine.

His hands move over me, light as feathers, stroking my back, my hip. Tangling in the sash around my waist, anchoring me tighter against him. My body burns wherever he touches.

Book trailer…

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH by Kady Cross was released in the U.S. on May 28, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Harlequin TEEN the print edition is 384 pages.

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH is the third book in author Kady Cross’ The Steampunk Chronicles. An eNovella, THE DARK DISCOVERY OF JACK DANDY is due out in July.

Note: This review is based on an eARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Description…

*** Spoiler-y for this book***

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What’s left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends’ lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke’s sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him…and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel’s desolate alleyways to Mayfair’s elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist’s ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she’s to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn’t know she has….

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH is the utterly enchanting and wildly entertaining third installment in author Kady Cross’ Steampunk Chronicles. With its charming characters, fascinating inventions and imaginative storyline, this book will take readers on an exciting, if at times chilling, adventure.

Told from multiple points of view, readers will be privy to all the action, danger, romance and surprise twists the characters experience, making for an even more thrilling read. And it gives readers the edge when other characters are forced to remain in the dark.

After returning to London, things seem to be getting back to normal for everybody except Griffin. The connection he made with the Aether in New York has continued to plague him, making him withdraw from everyone, including Finley. And after what happened between them during their travels, she is not willing to stand idly by and do nothing.

But when Jack Dandy stops by mentioning a mysterious shipment containing a rather unusual automaton, trying to solve Griffin’s problems will have to wait. Because if someone is attempting to revive The Machinist’s work, they’ll have to find out who it is and stop them before things progress too far and it becomes too late to stop them at all.

Author Kady Cross has written yet another captivating story in her already delightful series. With a new threat, a new character and the unexpected return of a few characters, this third book in the series offers an even more riveting adventure than the last.

The author keeps readers engaged with her lovable characters, her fantastical creations, the easy flow to her writing, and a plot that is filled with danger, suspense, fiendish schemes, murderous spirits and a touch of romance.

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH moves the plot forward, answers a few burning questions, delivers two heart-warming love stories, reveals that not everything may be as it seems as regards one character and that there are things yet to be uncovered about another. It adds in an element of the unknown with the introduction of a new character and uncovers the shocking and gruesome plans of an existing one.

All of which will keep readers riveted to the story, keep them in suspense once the mystery presents itself and keep them wondering how it will all end and whether everyone will be able to reach that end unscathed.

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH is a must for fans of this series and for readers who enjoy a Victorian Era setting infused with steam-powered inventions, fierce, witty and incredibly likable heroines and charming, charismatic and incredibly stubborn heroes, and for readers who like to experience their stories from multiple perspectives or those who simply enjoy a fun, clever and exciting read.

Reviewer gives this book…

On a personal note…

The amazing thing about reading Kady Cross’ Steampunk Chronicles is that even when I’m reading for review it feels very much like a guilty pleasure read. Her characters are lovable and her stories exciting, enchanting and always a lot of fun. And this third book in the series is no exception.

In fact, the very first words in the very first line pulled me right in. Not every book can start off talking about a giant tentacle without making it feel ridiculously unbelievable or making me want to roll my eyes. Yet THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH completely pulled it off.

This latest adventure brings Emily, Sam, Griffin and Finley back to London. It introduces a new character who I’m not entirely certain I can trust. It clears things up about just who Finley prefers as between Jack and Griffin. And it offers not one but two swoon-worthy romances.

It also puts several of the characters in danger. On more than one occasion.

While I would love to talk about just why the characters were in danger, doing so would spoil the surprise… the really creepy surprise. And while I’d also love to talk about why I’m not entirely sure about the new character, saying anything about her, other than that it is a “her,” would be way too revealing.

What I can say is that it was just so easy to get caught up in the adventure, to follow along as Emily tried to extricate herself from the dangerous situation she was in. And to see just how Griffin handled his. It was so easy to get transported into this world of fantastical inventions, diabolical creations, Organites and the Aether.

And with the return of a few surprise characters from previous books in the series, this book was an utterly captivating read.

I’m so excited that there will be more books in this series and that the adventure will continue for these characters I adore. THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH leaves a number of questions unanswered and one or two secrets still to be revealed. And with a few rather major things left unresolved, including an ongoing threat, a potentially deadly affliction and a love story’s happily ever after, I am even more anxious and excited for the next book in the series.

THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH has everything that makes a story a must read for me. Action. Check. Adventure. Check. Romance. Check. Mystery… yes there is a bit of a mystery when it comes to the evasive Mr. Jack Dandy and also one as regards Finley, so…. Check.

And with dark secrets, evil schemes, suspicious and intriguing characters, fascinating inventions and an ending that leaves me desperate for more, THE GIRL WITH THE IRON TOUCH is not only a must read, but a must read again.

Favorite passage…

I had so many favorites. And not all of them involved Jack Dandy, though quite a few of them did.

And while my most favorite was one that involved Griffin and Finley, I thought it was just too spoiler-y to share. But I couldn’t resist sharing these two, much shorter passages.

“Jack manipulates with charm and power. He doesn’t lie so much as wrap the truth in temptation.”

“I can’t promise that I’ll never be an ass, or that I’ll never make you cry. I can’t promise that I won’t make you so angry you want to cosh me over the head with a brick. I can’t promise you forever, Finley. I’d love to, but I can give you right now. I can give you me in all my defective glory.”

This review is based on an eARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

SOLSTICE by P.J. Hoover will be released in the U.S. on June 18, 2013 in hardcover and eBook formats.

It is currently available to pre-order online in both formats at AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE.

Published by Tor Teen, the print edition is 384 pages.

There are a few books releasing the week of June 18th that look super cool, which made it really tough to decide which one to select as the book to watch this week. But the first line in the description was the deciding factor in why I chose SOLSTICE by P.J. Hoover as the book to spotlight.

A planet that’s heating up, threatening destruction. Gods and monsters battling it out in the Underworld. And a quest for answers to a secret kept from birth. Yes, this book sounds amazing.

I love that SOLSTICE mixes mythology with a dystopian setting. I love that the main character, Piper, is just a bit older. I love that there’s no mention of romance in the description.

It sounds like it will be an exciting adventure. One I can’t wait to take with the character. And as not all has been revealed in the description, I’m ever so curious about just what happens, what the secret is, and how it all will end.

Apparently SOLSTICE had been previously self-published. But I’m super thrilled that it found a new home with Tor. I love the new cover and cannot wait to discover this story when it releases on the 18th.

While I am incredibly excited for the release of STAR CURSED, as I am going to be reviewing it this coming week I wanted to spotlight a book that I’m dying to read. And while I am also super curious about PROXY, there is just something about SOLSTICE’s description that makes me incredibly eager to get my hands on it.

Fortunately there are less than three weeks until its release and I’ll be able to meet Piper, journey to the Underworld and get all my questions answered soon. Though at the moment it doesn’t feel soon enough.

Places to Watch

The author on TWITTER

The author on FACEBOOK

The author’s WEBSITE

The author on TUMBLR

The author on GOODREADS

The author on INSTAGRAM

About the Book

Goodreads description:

Piper’s world is dying.

Each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles that threaten to destroy the earth. Amid this global heating crisis, Piper lives under the oppressive rule of her mother, who suffocates her even more than the weather does. Everything changes on her eighteenth birthday, when her mother is called away on a mysterious errand and Piper seizes her first opportunity for freedom.

Piper discovers a universe she never knew existed—a sphere of gods and monsters—and realizes that her world is not the only one in crisis. While gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper’s life spirals out of control as she struggles to find the answer to the secret that has been kept from her since birth.

An imaginative melding of mythology and dystopia, Solstice is the first YA novel by talented newcomer P. J. Hoover.

Other Amazing Books to Watch

Here are some of the other awesome books releasing the week of June 18th:

STAR CURSED (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2) by Jessica Spotswood

PROXY (Proxy #1) by Alex London

TARNISH by Katherine Longshore

DEFY THE DARK by Saundra Mitchell, Malinda Lo, Myra McEntire, Tessa Gratton, Rachel Hawkins, et al.

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT by Lois Metzger

INTUITION (Transcendence #2) by C.J. Omololu

WITCH FIRE (Burn Mark #2) by Laura Powell

WINTER QUEEN (Fairy Queens #1) by Amber Argyle

TRIANGLES by Kimberly Ann Miller