Waiting on Wednesday: Icons

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My choice for the week:

Icons
by
Margaret Stohl

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

Book blurb from Goodreads.

Ms. Stohl is the co-author of the Caster Chronicles. I already know I like her writing from having read the first two books of that series. (I'm so behind!) This book sounds really interesting, and I've been on a bit of a science fiction kick lately, so this is perfect for me. ^_^

Release Date: 7 May 2013

In My Mailbox V

In My Mailbox is a weekly book-sharing meme hosted at The Story Siren. Each week, you talk about books received the previous week, not necessarily in the mail. Posts can include library books, borrowed books, as well as purchased books.

I know I just did one of these near the end of last week. Then I went to the library and checked out seven - count 'em, seven! - books! ^_^

Library Books:

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl, #4), Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (Artemis Fowl, #5), and Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, #6) all by Eoin Colfer - Having read the first three Artemis Fowl books in two days, I think it's safe to say I'm addicted. ^_^

The Good, the Bad and the Undead (Hollows, #2) by Kim Harrison - Checked out for a July reading challenge. Probably won't read it until August, though (at this point). *shrugs* I tried. (Sort of. Not a fan of her writing thus far, so...)

Warrior Queen:The Story of Boudica, Celtic Queen by Alan Gold - I checked this out of the library earlier this year, but didn't get around to reading it then. I really want to read it, though. I mean, it's BOUDICA! ^_^

The Luxe (Luxe, #1) by Anna Godbersen - This one has interested me since its release. So I'm finally going to read it.

The Scarecrow (Jack McEvoy, #2) - Also checked out previously, and read the first chapter. I'm determined to finish it this time. It starts off really well; I didn't finish it before only because the due date sneaked up on me! (And then it was constantly checked out by others for about three months. Argh!)

Not Your Father's Elves

I don't read military fantasy. I've never been so glad to have made an exception.

From the first chapters, I loved the main characters: Konowa Swift Dragon and Visyna Tekoy. Between their rather obvious attraction to each other and ongoing verbal sparring, I often forgot I was reading military fantasy.

Then Yimt, the sole dwarf, would come onto the scene and remind me again. I think he's my favorite character. I adore him, even with his inapproriate ways. Maybe because of them.

Though the books are called the Iron Elves series, they have few actual elves in them. Most of the characters are human, with only two members of the Iron Elves regiment being actual elves.

Throughout both A Darkness Forged in Fire and The Light of Burning Shadows, both by Chris Evans, the three characters named above kept me hooked. The action didn't hurt. A good bit of fighting, lots of character interactions, lots of colorful characters, and maybe a hint of romance are what you have to look forward to in these books. Both are good reads, though not necessarily quick ones. The prose is gorgeous and poetic.

My only complaint is the relatively short length of book two. Hopefully, the third Iron Elves book - due summer 2010 - will be longer. Please?

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Source: I own A Darkness Forged in Fire in paperback. The Light of Burning Shadows was checked out from the local library.

Where to Buy: Darkness: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Light: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million

Southern Magic: Better Than Twilight*

In the tiny town of Gatlin, South Carolina, nothing ever changes. At least, not from the perspective of 16-year-old Ethan Wate. He was already making plans to leave after graduation, never to return.

Then Lena Duchannes moves to town. And Ethan's world gets turned on its ear.

He had no idea the girl who'd haunted his dreams really existed.

Not only does she exist, she exposes all Gatlin's secrets for him to see. Magic is real. Also really practiced in this little town. As the struggle between good and evil comes to a head, Ethan and Lena discover their places in the ages-old battle.

Can their fledgling love survive? Love between Casters and Mortals is strictly taboo, forbidden.

But maybe even that restriction can be circumvented. Lena does have a thing for changing the rules.

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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl enchants. This beautifully crafted story drew me in from the very start.

I grew up in the small-town South. How well I remember thinking things never changed. Or so it seemed back then. I know better now, of course. Though I haven't seen quite the changes Ethan saw.

I only wish I had been able to read the book in one sitting. In hindsight, starting it during my lunch break at work may not have been the best idea. But how was I to know it would prove so enthralling? So much so that I was almost late in returning to work.

Good thing I work in a bookstore. The boss lady, and my co-workers, understands such things.

Since I finished reading the book, I have talked the ears off all my co-workers. Just talking about this one book. I think I've convinced them all to read it, even those who don't normally like fantasy.

I can not wait for this book to release! December first seems too far away. I am sure I will walk around the store carrying this book all day that day. Probably the rest of the week as well.

*Disclaimer: My opinion only. Yours may vary. No flames, please.

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Source: I own an ARC of this book, which I requested from the publisher after seeing an advert in Publisher's Weekly (read at work).

Where to Buy: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million