Waiting on Wednesday: Lord of Shadows

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Date: May 23, 2017
The Dark Artifices #2

"Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again?

And the faerie courts are not silent. The Unseelie King is tired of the Cold Peace, and will no longer concede to the Shadowhunters’ demands. Caught between the demands of faerie and the laws of the Clave, Emma, Julian, and Mark must find a way to come together to defend everything they hold dear—before it’s too late." - From Goodreads

Cassandra Clare's novels have always been some of my favorite stories.  I can't wait to dive back into the world of the Shadowhunters!

May TBR

Spring is in full bloom, and I could not be more excited to finally get out and enjoy the weather!  We have the windows open while I'm writing this, and the cats enjoy chattering at the birds that stop by.

My TBR for May is quite short.  I have a lot of wedding stuff to do (almost three months to go!).  All three books have a release date of May 2, and I've preordered all of them!  I love that all of my favorite authors have books coming out!

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan 

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

I'm not including audiobooks in my TBR this month.  I'm still working on the Throne of Glass audios, and I've got a lot imported from the library.  I have plenty to choose from when I'm finally done with ToG.

What are you reading in May?

Leave me a link or list in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Names They Gave Us

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Date: May 16, 2017

"Lucy Hansson was ready for a perfect summer with her boyfriend, working at her childhood Bible camp on the lake. But when her mom’s cancer reappears, Lucy falters—in faith, in love, and in her ability to cope. When her boyfriend “pauses” their relationship and her summer job switches to a different camp—one for troubled kids—Lucy isn’t sure how much more she can handle. Attempting to accept a new normal, Lucy slowly regains footing among her vibrant, diverse coworkers, Sundays with her mom, and a crush on a fellow counselor. But when long-hidden family secrets emerge, can Lucy set aside her problems and discover what grace really means?"- From Goodreads

I love love love Emery Lord!  Her characters are always so rich and complex.  I can't wait to read her newest book.

TTT: Things That Will Make Me Instantly NOT Want To Read A Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is things that will instantly make me NOT want to read a book.

1. Vampires
I read Twilight before it got super hyped.  But the vampire craze that followed?  No thank you.

2. Anything that is super hyped.
50 Shades of Grey and Girl on the Train come to mind.  I like to read my own things, not to follow the crowd.

3. Horror.
I hate anything that is super gruesome and bloody.  Some blood and gore is fine, but not if that is the entire point of the book.

I have a short list this week!  I give pretty much anything a chance.
What's on your list?
Leave me a list or link in the comments!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in May 2016

Another review from the Cassie's Babblings archives!  I re-read this series in anticipation of book 3 coming out May 2.  I forgot how much this book tore my heart out.  I may have had something in my eye at the end of this book... I hope you enjoy!

"Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
There are no words to describe all 626 pages of this book. It left me quivering like a pool of jelly on the floor. Sarah J. Maas really knows how to dig into the reader's chest and rip out their heart.

When I first started seeing the #TeamRhys hashtag, I thought "Oh noo. That is not going to happen to me."  Well. It did. I am 100% #TeamRhys. Especially while I'm over here in the corner bawling my eyes out. The next book cannot come fast enough.  If you like kick ass female characters with amazing world building, this series is for you.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.