Can’t Wait Wednesday — 7/31/19

Can’t Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday by Breaking the Spine. In this weekly post people share a book that they’re excited about being released.

I have always loved reading these posts, looking forward at books that people can’t wait for. But I always find that I want a list and it is just one book. So I decided I would share three books that I can’t wait for. If you click on the title of the book it will take you to the book’s Goodreads page.

The King’s Questioner by Nikki Katz

Publication Date: January 14th, 2020

From the author of ‘The Midnight Dance’ comes an epic YA fantasy featuring royal drama, dark magic, and a secret that could topple a kingdom.

Kalen has been cursed with a gift: he’s a mental picklock, able to access a person’s memories and secrets by touch. His skills make him the perfect questioner to the king, and he spends his days interrogating prisoners of the crown.

But when Kalen’s estranged childhood friend, Prince Cirrus, falls into a sudden coma, the king begs Kalen to intervene. By accessing Cirrus’ mind, Kalen saves his life—and uncovers a terrifying secret. The prince has a sister, banished long ago, and she is the key to the destruction or survival of the kingdom.

With the help of Cirrus and a silver-haired thief named Luna, Kalen must find the princess and bring her home. Or risk death at the hands of his king.

If you’ve been following my blog closely or read my Top 5 Books about Royalty that I Want to Read post then you might have already heard about how excited I am for this book. I love court settings and when you also add secrets being uncovered and a character who is a thief, The King’s Questioner skyrockets to the top of my wish-list. I just picked this title up from Edelweiss, but also have my fingers crossed that I can get my hands on a physical ARC as well.

Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda and Valynne E. Maetani

Publication Date: January 28th, 2020

Kira Fujikawa has always been a girl on the fringe. Bullied by her peers and ignored by her parents, the only place Kira’s ever felt at home is at her grandfather’s Shinto shrine, where she trains to be a priestess.

But Kira’s life is shattered on the night her family’s shrine is attacked by a vicious band of yokai demons. With the help of Shiro—the shrine’s gorgeous half-fox, half-boy kitsune—Kira discovers that her shrine harbors an ancient artifact of great power . . . one the yokai and their demon lord, Shuten-doji, will use to bring down an everlasting darkness upon the world.

Unable to face the Shuten-doji and his minions on her own, Kira enlists the aid of seven ruthless shinigami—or death gods—to help stop the brutal destruction of humankind. But some of the death gods aren’t everything they initially seemed, nor as loyal to Kira’s cause as they first appeared.

With war drawing nearer by the day, Kira realizes that if this unlikely band of heroes is going to survive, they’re going to have to learn to work together, confront their demons, and rise as one to face an army of unimaginable evil.

This YA fantasy is set in Japan and seems to be heavily inspired by Japanese culture and myths, as it is filled with ghosts, demons, death gods, kitsune and also has a good versus evil theme. I absolutely love cultural fantasies and am very excited for this one. As soon as I saw the cover I knew I needed to check this one out, but once I read the description I was absolutely sold.

Heart of Flames by Nicki Pau Preto

Publication Date: February 11th, 2020

To avoid spoilers of Crown of Feathers I decided to share the synopsis of the previous book instead.

I had a sister, once…

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

I promised her the throne would not come between us.

Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

A lot of you may have heard me rave about Crown of Feathers already. (If you haven’t you should go read my review!) This book is the sequel to one of my favorite books that I read so far in 2019. Nicki Pau Preto’s debut absolutely blew me away and I am so excited to read the sequel and return to these characters and the world of Phoenix Riders. Now that Heart of Flames has a cover I am finding myself extremely anxious to get my hands on it.

 

Let’s Chat!

Are you looking forward to any of these titles?  What upcoming books are high on your wish list? Are there any upcoming sequels you are dying to get your hands on? Have you heard of these titles? Did my post make you add of these books to your TBR? Make sure to comment below so we can chat about the books you can’t wait for!