Countdown: 2012 Releases (22)

One of my very good friend's is getting married this weekend, so reading has been put on the back burner once again while I try to make sure everything else that I've got on my list of things to do gets done so that I can go to the wedding and reception and enjoy myself without having to worry about everything else that still needs to be done hanging over my head all weekend. So I'm back with another countdown filled with a few more books that I'm anxious to see hit the shelves! How is your Summer going so far? Have you had the chance to check out any of the books you've been counting down for yet? Luckily I've managed to squeeze some reading time in here and there in between all of the activities going on around me, but of course there are always other books that get added to my list, and these are just a few!

Countdown Pick #1: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr (09/04/2012)

In a city of daimons, the Carnival of Souls hosts a deadly competition. Once in a generation, every citizen can fight to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

In our own world, Mallory knows that her father—and every other witch—fled the daimons’ city long ago. She trains to be lethal because it’s only a matter of time until the daimons catch up with them.

While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans there for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, comes a brand-new tale of secrets, love, and the struggle to forge one’s own destiny.

We've got a contest for this one. Goodreads just recently posted the contest and there are ten books up for grabs, so head on over and check it out for yourselves if you haven't already. Melissa Marr's writing speaks for itself time and time again so I can't wait to see what she has in store for her readers this time around.

Countdown Pick #2: Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, #1) by Kresley Cole (10/02/2012)

Sixteen-year-old Evie Greene thought her horrific apocalyptic hallucinations were a sign that she was slowly losing her mind. But when her visions come true, decimating the world around her and killing everyone she loves, Evie is forced to accept that she was seeing the future.

Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she turns to wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate, the gorgeous and dangerous Jackson Deveaux for help. As Jackson and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have got the same call and discover that Evie is not the only one with special powers. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and as the battle between good and evil intensifies, it is not always clear who is on which side…

I just love Kresley Cole's writing! But I'll admit that I'm a little unsure of what to expect with this series. It's Cole's first try at gearing her writing towards the Young Adult crowd, and I'm crossing my fingers she brings the same magic to this series that she has with her adult series. I've read all of her adult books that I've gotten my hands on and they're great, but definitely far from what you would consider YA material, so I guess only time will tell if she can transition smoothly towards this audience as well.

Countdown Pick #3: Survive by Alex Morel (08/02/2012)

Hatchet meets Lost in this modern-day adventure tale of one girl's reawakening

Jane is on a plane on her way home to Montclair, New Jersey, from a mental hospital. She is about to kill herself. Just before she can swallow a lethal dose of pills, the plane hits turbulence and everything goes black. Jane wakes up amidst piles of wreckage and charred bodies on a snowy mountaintop. There is only one other survivor: a boy named Paul, who inspires Jane to want to fight for her life for the first time.

Jane and Paul scale icy slopes and huddle together for warmth at night, forging an intense emotional bond. But the wilderness is a vast and lethal force, and only one of them will survive.

I'm already tense and somewhat sad reading this short description. I've yet to read a single page and from the sounds of it, I'm going to be on an emotional roller coaster through this whole book. I hate knowing that they both won't make it, and I'm anticipating needing a lot of tissues for this kind of read. I'm of course not letting that stop me, but I'm hopeful that maybe Morel will give readers some kind of wicked twist in the end that changes the outcome for these characters in a good way.

Countdown Pick #4: Before You Go by James Preller (07/17/2012)

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her.

Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again.

Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel that will grip readers from the book’s dramatic first few pages to its emotional end.

Yikes! I'm not familiar with any of Preller's other work, but I'm planning on making this book my first impression. It sounds like it could be a great read, although super emotional for sure. If this description is anything to go by, Preller will have readers empathizing with his main character from the beginning and rooting for him all the way until the very end. I'm curious to see what kind of journey Preller will take us on.

Countdown Pick #5: Safekeeping by Karen Hesse (09/2012)

Radley just wants to get home to her parents in Vermont. While she was volunteering abroad, the American People's Party took power; the new president was assassinated; and the government cracked down on citizens. Travel restrictions are worse than ever, and when her plane finally lands in New Hampshire, Radley’s parents aren’t there.

Exhausted; her phone dead; her credit cards worthless: Radley starts walking.

Another dystopian novel added to the list, thank you very much! While this one has a similar sound to a lot of other dystopian novels that I've come to call my favorites, there's still so much mystery left for our imaginations as well, don't you think? I'm always curious to see what kind of governments or lack there of authors will portray in these kinds of titles, and how the people react to the authority or chaos around them, aren't you?