Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #302: Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

from Goodreads:

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing—a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.

But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell ... and Earth.

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith is due to be released October 1st, 2019 by Ace Books. So, there isn't a long wait at this point. This is set to be the first book in the Hell's Library series.

Why am I waiting on this one? I generally enjoy books about books. This one sounds different and interesting. I wonder why unfinished books should be in Hell. And what would happen if a character finds its author? And how will they alter the borders/boundaries between Heaven, Hell, and Earth?

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Light Is the Shadow by Alex A. King

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

(Grandma can handle Volos, she said. It's Agria she can't stomach.) Ha. Nothing special. Of course it's special - they're in Greece. (34% through on my Kindle)

Light Is the Shadow by Alex A. King is the fourth book in the Women of Greece series. It was published October 1st, 2014 by Citizen A Press.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card

Ezekiel Bliss aka Ezekiel Blast is a teenager with a special gift - he can find lost objects and return them to their owners. Unfortunately, this has gotten him in trouble in the past and labeled as a thief by classmates and some police officers.

One day on his walk to school, he is approached by a fellow high school student named Beth who asks him about being a thief. This opens a dialogue between the two that continues over several days and builds into a friendship.

With the help of his guidance counselor, Ezekiel is referred to a group of young people who have similar small talents that they refer to as micropowers. Some of their talents are more useful than others.

Ezekiel is approached by a police officer to help find a missing girl. But, he doesn't believe his talent can be used that way. After discussing it with Beth though, he gives it a try. It requires a change in how he thinks about his talent and with his talent.

The first half of the book is about Ezekiel and his growing friendship with Beth. Also, it is about his growing and changing thoughts about his micropower of finding things. After the first part of the book, the second is somewhat predictable.

The topic of micropowers is interesting. The ability, say to make someone yawn, seems pretty useless. But, it is still something that the general population doesn't have. And you can see where having a micropower like Ezekiel's could be both a liability and a gift at times.

 Ezekiel and Beth have interesting conversations. There is a lot of snark and wit involved. This is both good and bad. It is entertaining to read, but it seems a little over the top and in some cases it seems like it would be exhausting if all of their conversations really were like this.

This is definitely a YA and older book because of some of the subject matter. There are times that some of the writing seems to be at a lower level, but the subject matter trumps that - the missing girl and what her fate might be.

It is a dialog heavy book. That's just an observation. It was a fast read for me. I wanted to see the resolution of both the first and second halves of the book. There is no technical division between halves, but there seems to be a division nonetheless.

Overall, it's a good book. I gave it 3 stars out of 5. The amount of dialog can make it heavy on the tell vs. show. And I thought that the problems were solved a little quickly. It seemed to me that a whole book could have been made from either the first part or the second part. Still, the dialog was good. The characters of Ezekiel and Beth are interesting. And the idea of micropowers is worth exploring. It is definitely worth a read.

Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card was published September 10th, 2019 by Blackstone.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Book Review: Crypt Suzette by Maya Corrigan

Crypt Suzette by Maya Corrigan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Suzette Cripps lives in a spare bedroom in the home Val Dennison shares with her grandfather Don Meyer. One morning when she is out running, Suzette is killed in a hit and run. The more Val finds out about her, the more convinced she becomes that her death was no accident.

The author builds suspense nicely. There are plenty of suspects between Suzette's writing group and her work. A few red herrings are added in expertly to muddy the waters. And the author does a good job connecting Val's investigations into Suzette's death with the grandfather's investigations into ghosts and possible thefts.

The plot moves along nicely. The author makes good use of the Halloween theme including things like a costume contest and a haunted house. There is also a hint of romance for both Val and her grandfather.

This is the sixth book in the series, but I felt it was easy to jump right in. There were enough references to previous books to explain and help flesh out the characters. This can be read as a standalone, but it might intrigue you enough to further explore the series.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a well-plotted cozy. I didn't figure out who the killer was before the reveal. I enjoyed how the Halloween theme was incorporated into the story. And for those who enjoy cooking, there are some yummy sounding 5 ingredient recipes included.

Crypt Suzette by Maya Corrigan was published August 27th, 2019 by Kensington.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This has not affected my opinions.



View all my reviews

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #301: The Night Country by Melissa Albert

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

The highly anticipated sequel to Melissa Albert’s beloved, New York Times bestselling debut The Hazel Wood!

In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang.

With Finch’s help, Alice escaped the Hinterland and her reclusive grandmother’s dark legacy. Now she and the rest of the dregs of the fairy tale world have washed up in New York City, where Alice is trying to make a new, unmagical life. But something is stalking the Hinterland’s survivors―and she suspects their deaths may have a darker purpose. Meanwhile, in the winking out world of the Hinterland, Finch seeks his own adventure, and―if he can find it―a way back home...

The Night Country by Melissa Albert is expected to be published January 7th, 2020 by Penguin.

Why am I waiting on this one? It's the sequel to The Hazel Wood. I'd like to know what happens next to Alice and Finch. Can Finch find a way back home? And will Alice survive? I want to see how this part of the fairy tale wraps up.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Isabelle Angelfield was odd.

Isabelle Angelfield was born during a rainstorm.

It is impossible to know whether or not these facts are connected. But when, two and a half decades later, Isabelle left home for the second time, people in the village looked back and remembered the endlessness of the rain on the day of her birth. (14% through on my Kindle)

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield was published September 12th, 2006 by Atria Books.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #300: The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor, Morgan Baines, is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie, who is terrified by the thought of a killer in her very own backyard.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. It’s their eerie old home, with its decrepit decor and creepy attic, which they inherited from Will’s sister after she died unexpectedly. It’s Will’s disturbed teenage niece Imogen, with her dark and threatening presence. And it’s the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan’s death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica is expected to be published February 18th, 2020 by Park Row.

Why am I waiting on this one? It sounds both creepy and suspenseful. Sounds even a little Gothic. I wonder what she has to lose if the truth comes to light. And what is the truth? 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Cupid Caper by Larissa Reinhart

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He wasn't stupid, but could he be that naive?

One way to find out. Someone needed to keep an eye on Mark.

Lex wouldn't be happy about my change in plans, but I couldn't sit around waiting for this to come crashing down on our heads. (52% through on my Kindle)

The Cupid Caper by Larissa Reinhart was published April 24th, 2018 by Past Perfect Press. 

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Sassy, Sexy, Southern Suspense

She uses her criminal past to catch crooks. He wants her back. In the grift. And in his life. Can Finley Goodhart convince Lex that doing good is the greatest hustle of all?

Ex-grifter Finley Goodhart may try to stay on the straight and narrow, but walking that thin line becomes wobbly when she believes her friend Penny was murdered. The last thing she wants is to work with her ex-partner (and ex-boyfriend), the brilliant (brilliantly frustrating) British con artist, Lex Leopold. However, when it appears Penny's demise might be related to an exclusive matchmaking service for millionaires, Fin needs Lex's help to pull a long con to get the goods on Penny. 

Romance is in the air for hustlers, gangsters, and their marks. Unfortunately for Fin and Lex, infiltrating the racket doesn't make for a match made in heaven. This Valentine swindle could stop their hearts for good.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!