Waiting on Wednesday: Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication date: 08/25/2015
Series: Blood of Gods and Royals
, #1

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn, and in their ashes, empires rise.

Alexander, Macedonia’s sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world but finds himself drawn to newcomer Katerina, who must navigate the dark secrets of court life while hiding her own mission: kill the Queen. But Kat’s first love, Jacob, will go to unthinkable lengths to win her, even if it means competing for her heart with Hephaestion, a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander’s unmet fiancée, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters.

Weaving fantasy with the salacious and fascinating details of real history, New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known: Alexander the Great, in the first book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series..

This book sounds so intriguing! It has a mashup of things that I love - court intrigue and fantasy. 


So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Review: The Revenant by Sonia Gensler

THE REVENANT by Sonia Gensler

Pub. Date: June 2011
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Format: Hardcover , 336pp
Age Range: 12
Source: Publisher (ARC)

When Willie arrives in Indian Territory, she knows only one thing: no one can find out who she really is. To escape a home she doesn't belong in anymore, she assumes the name of a former classmate and accepts a teaching job at the Cherokee Female Seminary.

Nothing prepares her for what she finds there. Her pupils are the daughters of the Cherokee elite—educated and more wealthy than she, and the school is cloaked in mystery. A student drowned in the river last year, and the girls whisper that she was killed by a jealous lover. Willie's room is the very room the dead girl slept in. The students say her spirit haunts it.

Willie doesn't believe in ghosts, but when strange things start happening at the school, she isn't sure anymore. She's also not sure what to make of a boy from the nearby boys' school who has taken an interest in her—his past is cloaked in secrets. Soon, even she has to admit that the
revenant may be trying to tell her something. . . .

Based on Indian Territory during the late 1800's, THE REVENANT brings mystery and ghostly suspense to the forefront. The setting is unique but has the familiar school setting of clique's and local gossip. The strange incidents shrouded in mystery kept me turning the pages to see what dark secrets would be uncovered behind the walls of the Seminary.

Willie, although brash and full of misconceptions at times, is finding out all about the Cherokee culture first hand. Their belief in spirits or ghosts is shrugged off by Willie as idiocy. Soon, Willie has no choice to rethink the tales surrounding the death of a student whom maybe haunting the school - especially after constant sleepless nights consisting of strange sounds and violent incidents involving students. There were quite a few things I enjoyed about this book. First, Willie's defiance to start a new life under the pretense of lies was enough to keep me wondering if her scam would be exposed. Her fondness for Eli Sevenstar also provided a spark of forbidden romance that kept me wanting more. Finally, the secrets surrounding the haunting death of a student was enough to keep me turning the pages.

THE REVENANT is spooky and entertaining read! This book is another ghostly page turner that you can sink your teeth into. With its lush setting and historical intrigue, I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who wouldn’t mind a dose of paranormal on the side.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Order THE REVENANT

Review: Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

WAKE UNTO ME  by Lisa Cach

Pub. Date: March 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Format: Paperback , 304pp

Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher (ARC)

Caitlyn Monahan knows she belongs somewhere else. It's what her dead mother's note suggested, and it's what her recurring nightmares allude to. Desperate to flee these terrifying dreams—and her small town—she accepts a spot at a boarding school in France. Only, when she arrives, her nightmares get worse. But then there are her amazing dreams, so vivid and so real, with visits from an alluring, mysterious, and gorgeous Italian boy from the 1500s. Caitlyn knows they are soul mates, but how can she be in love with someone who exists only in her dreams? Then, as her reality and dream world collide, Caitlyn searches for the real reason why she was brought to this school. And what she discovers will change her life forever.

Cach combines elements of historical fiction, paranormal, and time travel into a captivating page turner. Caitlyn finds herself drawn to Château De La Fortune, a boarding school in France. For reasons unknown to Caitlyn, other things are at work around her. Soon Caitlyn’s uniqueness launches her into a whirlwind of adventure across the ocean. There are plenty of elements at work in this novel. I enjoyed how Cach tied Caitlyn’s abilities with time travel. WAKE UNTO ME is definitely a fresh breath of air in the YA paranormal genre!

There were quite a few mysteries that kept my thoughts churning. I always enjoy when a book can keep me guessing. The mysteries hidden within Château De La Fortune were certainly intriguing, topped with a dose of eeriness. Cach’s descriptions of Château De La Fortune were so vivid - I felt like I was walking alongside Caitlyn. I remember thinking at one point this book reminded me of “The Sixth Sense.” It was one of those ah ha moments which I really didn’t see coming at all. I enjoyed all of the characters and learning about the history behind Bianca De’ Medici. Raphael was a joy and like Caitlyn, I wished I could see more of him.

As the pages wound down plus not having a clue how the book would end, I kept wondering if Cach was going to make this into a series. I would love reading more about these characters. Overall, this book took me by surprise. It has a little bit of everything within its pages which are enough to keep you turning the pages to find out how it all wraps up.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Review: Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

CATE OF THE LOST COLONY by Lisa Klein

Pub. Date: October 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Format: Hardcover, 336pp

Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

I enjoyed Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Klein and I wondered how she would craft Cate of the Lost Colony into a fictional work of art. Well, I didn’t have to worry because Klein pulled me into another beautifully written work of historical fiction built around events of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. It's astounding to read about some of these historical figures and the mysteries surrounding what actually happened to the Colony. The detail that was put into creating the characters piqued my interest even more as I read about the lives of three protagonists told in alternating viewpoints.

Throughout this book, I continued to wonder if the actual figures were like their fictional work. I was mesmerized by the politics and inner workings of the Queen's court but I was most intrigued with the characters. Cate, full of wonder and questions about the new world finds herself on a dangerous journey of the unknown after falling out of favor with the Queen. Sir Walter Ralegh was an interesting individual. I was always trying to discern his motives whether they were for the Queen's favor, Catherine's affections or just for monetary gain and fame. Manteo, the proud Indian was a delightful character. I enjoyed reading all about his views on his people and the English and how he was always trying to find ways to make peace between the two. Klein did a great job with the characters in this book!

Cate of the Lost Colony is a well crafted novel filled with political intrigue, adventure, and great characters. This book intertwines beautifully with fact and fiction. I think readers of historical fiction will enjoy this book just as much as Klein’s previous books. I look forward to reading more of Klein’s novels.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Monday Madness (62): Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

What is Monday Madness?

It’s the phenomenon affecting all book lovers as we count down the hours in hopes of getting our hands on highly anticipated books on release day. So, come join me throughout the week where I will be featuring Author Interviews, Reviews and Contests for great books.

CATE OF THE LOST COLONY by Lisa Klein

Pub. Date: October 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Format: Hardcover, 336pp

Age Range: Young Adult

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

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Take a Look Inside of  CATE OF THE LOST COLONY here.

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