Waiting On Wednesday #2 : RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard

RED QUEEN 
by Victoria Aveyard


Publication date : February 12th 2015
Publisher : Orion
Genre : Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance
Available to order : Amazon UK

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

I have become a massive fan of YA Fantasy in recent years. It all starting with Throne of Glass series and only progressed with Remnant Chronicles. So I am very excited about this little adventure. Already pre-ordered, I am looking forward to hold in my hands ready to bite into the story. 

What are you Waiting on this Wednesday?

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, 

that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Mary E. Pearson : THE KISS OF DECEPTION (The Remnant Chronicles)

Warning! This book will take you by surprise! It will get under your skin, slowly and silently, and it will never let go...

THE KISS OF DECEPTION is the first book in The Remnant Chronicles written by the lovely Mary E. Pearson. It was published last year and quickly became book readers' favourite.

"Full of lush writing and rich, complex characters, The Kiss of Deception is a deeply satisfying, intricately plotted fantasy where no one - no one - is quite what they seem. " ROBIN LAFEVERS

"This is the kind of story I love - a heart-pounding tale of magic and murder, betrayal and romance set in a richly imagined fantasy landscape." CINDA WILLIAMS CHIMA

I, myself, have discovered this book while browsing through Amazon Book Department online. The first thing which caught my attention was the cover. It was beautifully mesmerising. And it has been catalogued and recommended for fans of Throne of Glass series, so of course I couldn't resist. I had to have it.

The Kiss of Deception tells a story of Princess Arabella Celestine Idris Jezelia, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan. But we all call her the name she prefers LIA. Lia flees her home on her wedding day to the Prince of Dalbreck. As you can imagine, she isn't a big fan of arranged marriage when she never had the opportunity to meet her future husband. She resists the old tradition and wants to leave her royal life behind. Her and Pauline, her faithful maid, run away to the town of their dreams and new beginnings Terravin. Her Lia and Pauline start to live their dream simple lives where they aren't the princess and the maid. They are two normal girls with fresh start. But of course, not everyone is happy about Lia's escape. There are her parents, who post a look-out with prize, an assassin who's duty is to kill like to help the Kingdom of Venda and The left-behind Prince who is curios about the princess who was more brave than him. Will Lia find her peaceful life she was looking forward to? Or will she have to stay up to her escape and face her punishment? Or is there more to her destiny that Lia first anticipated? 

Let's get over the formalities first. The edition. Hardback. 486 pages divided into 72 chapters. The author also included the lyrics of Songs from Venda and the extractions from The Last Testaments of Gaudrel which make the story more magical and intriguing. There is a beautiful picture on the front cover. A girl standing in the middle of meadow. The title is written in beautiful silver calligraphy. Such a beautiful edition. My heart and skin tingles when I'm looking at it. And you know that you are in long haul with a book or a story if a map of the fantastical country is printing on the insides of the book.

The story itself is written  from 3 points of view. Lia's - who is the main story-teller. The prince and The assassin. Now,  here is where the tricky, but very clever part comes in. At the beginning, we don't know who is who. We only know the names - Kaden & Rafe. They both took different identities when they arrived in Terravin so we don't know who is The Prince and who is The Assassin until 60% into the book.  And this makes you want to read the book even more.

But the best thing about this book is the story itself. Oh my world!! This book took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to like the story this much. But Ms Pearson managed to describe a wonderful fantasy world full of magic and adventure. Love and hate. Piece and war. I was more and more mesmerised as I read on. The talented author took her time and really thought this story through. There was the background history, the current state of affairs and the usual struggle with responsibility and duty. It reminded me so much of Throne of Glass series!!

And I fell under its charm. I just couldn't put it down. It was a thrilling ride. Exciting. Heart-shattering. Adventurous. Wonderful. Magical.. It was packed with twists and turns I couldn't see coming. An absolute perfection! And as you read on, you got more and more caught into the story. I love how the points of view and story-telling changes between the three main characters. I have enjoy the little attachments of lyrics of songs and stories from The Last Testament. It made so much more sense as you kept on reading.

And the characters? Well Lia is must have become my favourite female character. She is strong, kind, witty, full of compassion and love. And there is this fierceness about her spirit you just cannot help but admire. The Prince ( I won't mention the name not the spoil half of the fun for you) is strong, manly, kind and falls in love with Lia without even realising it. And The Assassin ... well he is one of the most intriguing characters. There is  more to him that he lets on. I sense a really interesting history in his past. And of course, I cannot forget to mention the lovely, always faithful and positive Pauline. The best girlfriend every girl needs. The one who goes to the ends of the world with you. I cannot wait to find out more. I need to know more.

I have been having serious withdrawals since finishing the book. All I do is google pictures, reviews, tumblr posts.. It has taken over my life. I have already pre-order the second instalment in this trilogy - THE HEART OF BETRAYAL, which is due to be released July 7th 2015. I am counting down the days.

So well done Ms Pearson!! Your story and its brilliant writing got under my skin and won't let go. And I couldn't be more happier about it.

FEBRUARY READING CHALLENGE

So we have successfully survived the first 31 days of 2015.  The cold weather, snow, rain and horrible wind made sure that I have spent a lot of time indoor wrapped up in a blanket, cup of gingerbread green tea in my hand and book in the other. So I smashed the JANUARY READING CHALLENGE!! 

And since January has ended, it's time to welcome February - the shortest member of his family. But February is special in its own way. February 14th aka VALENTINE'S DAY is celebrated all over the world. People in love spend awful amount of money on chocolates, flowers and gifts. 

So since, I am one of those people who are still single, I have decided to spend my February reading love stories!!!  7 books, 6 beautiful love stories. Now, I now what you might think.. 7 books but only 6 love stories? Well, it all becomes clear when you see the list. I promise. 

And of course one of these love stories will be this month's read for #ZCbookclub ! So keep reading the blog and keep checking mine ( @zuzvystrcilova ) and Sara's ( @carpelibrumgirl ) Instagram account for updates. 

*****

So let me share with you my pink & purple TBR list for February 2015. 

FEBRUARY READING CHALLENGE

A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE by Kody Keplinger

Sun, Sex and...Step-Brothers. 

Another sizing story from Hamilton High. 

Whitley's dream summer of shopping, partying and tanning on the beach has just turned into a nightmare. Because her Dad didn't tell her he doesn't live by the beach any more, or that he's got himself a fiancee. A fiancee whose son just happens to be what's-his-name from last week's drunken graduation party hook up. Awkward much?

As if the summer couldn't get worse, Dad seems to forget Whitley's even there. She doesn't fit in with his perfect new country club family, and Whitley does what any girl lucky enough to go all summer unsupervised does: she parties. Hard. 

So hard that she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose...

TO ALL THE BOY I'VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

Lara Jean's love life is about to go from imaginary to out of control. 

Lara Jean Song keeps love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her - one for every boy she's ever loved. She can say anything she wants, because the letters are for her eyes only. Until the day they're sent out...

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

All her life Elise Dembowski has been an outsider. 

Starting a new school, she dreams of fitting in at last - but when her best attempts at popularity fail, she almost gives up. Then she stumbles upon a secret warehouse party. There, at night, Elise can be a different person, making real friends, falling in love for the first time and finding her true passion - DJing. 

But when her real and secret lives collide, she has to make a decision once and for all : just who is the real Elise?

FAMOUS IN LOVE by Rebecca Serle

Fame comes before a fall...

When Paige Townsen gets picked to star in the movie adaptation of the blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month she's thrown into a world of gossip, rumour and deceit. The only people who know what she's going through are her two male costars, but her feelings for them are getting complicated. Paige knows it's a mistake to fall in love on the set of a movie, but days of on-screen romance start to change her mind. The question is, can she keep what happens behind the scenes a secret when the world is watching her every move?

DREAMLESS by Josephine Angelini

Their love could last forever, if it doesn't destroy them first. 

Heartbroken and forbidden from being with Lucas, Helen has been tasked with breaking the curse that keeps them apart by killing the Furies. She spends her nights wandering the Underworld in search of them and, tormented by her worst nightmares made real, she's beginning to suffer from extreme exhaustion on top of her heartbreak. 

One night, Helen meets another person down in the shadowy Underworld: Orion, descended from Adonis and with the power to control desire. Still in love with Lucas but drawn to this seductive stranger, Helen must make a choice that could save her life but break her heart...

GODDESS by Josephine Angelini

She must rise or they will fall...

She wrapped her arms around his chest and let the tears come... for Orion, for herself and for Lucas. She had power over the most magnificent forces on Earth, but she still didn't feel like she had power over the most important thing of all - her own heart. 

Helen's powers are increasing - and so is the distance between her and her mortal friends. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a dangerous traitor is lurking among them ,and all fingers point to Orion. Still unsure whether she loves him or Lucas, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision or risk all-out war. 

WHERE RAINBOWS END by Cecelia Ahern

Rosie and Alex - best friends or soul mates?

Since childhood, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But suddenly, they're separated, when Alex and his family move from Dublin to America. Their magical connection remains but can their friendship survive the years and miles?

Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart - until now. But will they gamble everything - including their friendship - on true love? And what twists and surprises does fate have in store for them this time?

*****

So what stories are on your TBR list this month packed with love? What love stories are your favourite read? I always love to hear your suggestions. 

Otherwise, have a wonderful February and keep and eye on the blog for more book reviews and book suggestions.