Review: The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding

Title: The Storyteller's Muse

Author: Traci Harding

Published: 1st February 2016
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Harper Collins Australia in return for an honest review
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: *****

My Review:

The day I received this from Harper Collins, I was in the middle of reading something else and I had decided to  be good and finish my it before starting this one but I opened to the first page and before I knew it I was 20 pages in and completely of the understanding that there was no way I was going to finish any other read till I finished this one, which I was pretty sure would be later that day.

I should have known this because how does one have a new book from their favourite author of all time and not read it straight away?

The short answer is that it isn't possible especially when a novel is as good as the Storyteller's Muse.

This book is definitely a one sitting kind of read and I absolutely flew through it.  Traci is a master story teller. This is one of the constants of Traci's books. You always know you are going to be swept into a strong spellbinding story that won't let go of you until the end.  I loved that this book kept me guessing. Some of the threads and twists I guessed early and marvelled at skill of the writing that kept these secrets hidden until the right moment for them to be revealed.  Other developments completely took me by surprise which was even more thrilling. There were a number of different threads and stories running through this book but all flowed seamlessly together.

There are three main stories being told in this book.  There is the story that main character Peter is transcribing for renowned but previously retired author Penny Whitman , the story peter then feels compelled to write and the story revolving these two writers and their friends linking al, three stories and time frames together. Each of the three stories whilst standing well by themselves are made stronger by the linking of the three of them together.

The story itself is a departure from the previous fantasy trilogies and is a fresh, new standalone story completely removed from previous series and worlds.  That being said, having been a fan for many years,  I could totally see how much of what Traci has written and researched in the past have led to this story being written with the vein of paranormal and elements of esoteric woven in.

But one of the bests things about this read is that one does not have to be a previous fan of Traci nor read any of her previous works to be able to enjoy this novel.  If you love mysteries or books about writers or artists of any type or if you just love a story that will keep you guessing and engaged from beginning to end, then pick up this book and enjoy the ride.

This is Traci Harding at her best and I give this book 5 stars!

Sapphired Dragon xx

About The Book:

 

The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding

 

Bestselling author Traci Harding moves into commercial fiction with a story of intrigue and deception. A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.

Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel. When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.

Publication Date: 1st February 2016
Purchase: Angus & Robertson Bookworld  | Order A Signed Copy! | Harper Collins Australia | Amazon

Teaser Tuesday #115: The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding #teasertuesday

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. 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!)

4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My current read is The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding and my two lines are from page 124 of 372

You avoided this story all through your career! You had to wait for the very last moment, didn't you?

The Storyteller's Muse by Traci Harding

Bestselling author Traci Harding moves into commercial fiction with a story of intrigue and deception. A bitter writer, an enthusiastic protege and a story that must be told.

Peter is a young nurse and aspiring author whose professional dreams have come true - a patient in his care, Penelope, needs someone to transcribe her final story. Revolving around four friends sharing an apartment where they hone their artistic and musical skills, Peter soon realises there is more to the story - another presence is lurking in the building, an intriguing, creative, temperamental force that goes by the name Em Jewel. When tragedy strikes, Peter and his charming co-worker Gabrielle must finish Penelope's story before it ruins both their lives. With the help of a motley group of authors, Peter and Gabrielle are swept up into a world of art, intrigue and deception. They must choose whether to follow their heads or their hearts - with life-altering consequences.

Purchase: Angus & Robertson Bookworld  | Order A Signed Copy! | Harper Collins Australia | Amazon

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Stacking the Shelves #25

Welcome to Stacking The Shelves! Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga Reviews and is a meme to share those books, both print and e-book, that have been added to your shelves in the last week/s.

So all the parcels that didn't arrive last week, DID arrive this week with a parcel nearly every day from Monday through Friday.  I am expecting a couple more next week but then that will probably be it for a little while.  However in general this was a week for the print book rather than the e-book

Review - Print ARCs (with thanks to Bloomsbury Sydney)

Written by the author of the Throne of Glass series, this book looks like it is going to be an awesome read.

A Court of Thrones and Roses (A Court of Thrones and Roses #1) by Sarah J Maas

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

Purchased - Print Books

As mentioned earlier, lots of pretties arrived this week :-)

I actually got this next book in e-book version for christmas but it is the kind of series with covers made for hard cover editions so I ordered the first in the series a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this week :-)

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I was so excited to receive this pre-order this week. It is the last book in a series by one of my most favourite authors, Traci Harding, and I raved about it a couple of weeks ago on this Waiting For Wednesday Post. Needless to say I cannot wait to read this!

AWOL (The Timekeeper Trilogy #3) by Traci Harding

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

Fate is open to intervention.

The timekeepers return to the Astro-Marine Institute Explorer (AIME) to stop their nemesis interfering with the departure of an otherworldly being currently residing on Oceane. They agree to regroup one week before the interference is due to take place - but one team member seems to be taking an unofficial detour.

An opportunity to prevent the incident altogether arises four years before the rendezvous. But to revisit this instance would be seen as a betrayal to many of the timekeepers and set them at war with one another.

To end all the ancient curses at the route of the disputes between star systems, to pave the way for psychic freedom and achieve AMIE's primary objective, one team member will break the principal rule of Timekeeping and quantum jump into their history alone.

I fell in love with this next hard cover edition when it was released by PenguinTeen Australia recently and knew I wanted to own this series in this hard cover edition. I started with Lola as I have not yet read it and will order Anna and the French Kiss later this year. Isla and the Happoly Ever After is not yet available in this edition so I will have to wait till later in the year to get it also.

Lola and the Boy next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Penguin Australia

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit – the more sparkly, more wild – the better. And life is pretty close to perfect for Lola, especially with her hot rocker boyfriend.

That is, until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket return to the neighbourhood and unearth a past of hurt that Lola thought was long buried. So when talented inventor Cricket steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally face up to a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. Could the boy from Lola's past be the love of her future?

Fall in love with the international bestseller from queen of young adult fiction, Stephanie Perkins.

So yeah, I am not so good at the whole waiting thing so when I found I had some extra credit on my Dymocks card, I used it to pick this up. It's the paperback edition but it means I will be ready to read it once I finish Lola :-)

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Dymocks

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

Purchased - E-Book/Audio Book

I bought my first audio book this week.  I generally have never really been a fan of the audio book as my listening attention span was all but non existent but this first book was on special this week and then the whispersync audible version was just a couple more dollars to get so i figured I would give it a try to listen to at work.

As it seemed to work quite well, I got a couple more to go with e-books I already had and to further the series :-)

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J Maas

Goodreads | Amazon  

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam.
When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn's orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn's clutches - and if they fail, they'll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives…

A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers listeners a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling - and deadly - world.

Included in this volume:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire

Throne of Glass  (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J Maas

Goodreads | Amazon  

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J Maas

Goodreads | Amazon  

Will his kiss be enough to revive her frozen heart?

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Library

So despite my insanely long TBR list for february, apparently I am under the impression I am going to read a whole heap of library books as well this month though looking at what i have managed to borrow this week, I really would love to somehow squeeze them in :-)

The Raven Boys(The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

A Thousand Pieces of You(Firebird #1) by Claudia Gray

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

Spirit ( Elemental #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

Earthquake(earthbound #2) by Aprilynne Pike

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Booktopia

So what did you add to your shelves this week?

Waiting on Wednesday #9: AWOL (The Timekeepers #3) By Traci Harding

Welcome to Waiting on Wednesday!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly featured hosted by Breaking the Spine to spotlight the not yet released books that I wish were in my hot little hands right now.

Yet another book I cannot wait to get my hands on and which has already been pre-ordered. AWOL is book 3 of the Time Keepers Series which is part of a much larger universe written by Traci Harding starting with the Ancient Future, which is probably my most favourite book of all time. This series changed my life (literally) and getting involved in the fandom and forum associated with these books and this author introduced me to some of my greatest and most inspirational friends so I cannot wait for this final book and see the conclusion of of it all :-)

AWOL(Time Keepers #3) by Traci Harding

Fate is open to intervention.

The timekeepers return to the Astro-Marine Institute Explorer (AIME) to stop their nemesis interfering with the departure of an otherworldly being currently residing on Oceane. They agree to regroup one week before the interference is due to take place - but one team member seems to be taking an unofficial detour.

An opportunity to prevent the incident altogether arises four years before the rendezvous. But to revisit this instance would be seen as a betrayal to many of the timekeepers and set them at war with one another.

To end all the ancient curses at the route of the disputes between star systems, to pave the way for psychic freedom and achieve AMIE's primary objective, one team member will break the principal rule of Timekeeping and quantum jump into their history alone

Publication Date: 27 January, 2015
Pre-Order:Booktopia | Amazon  | Galaxy Bookshop

What book are you 'waiting on' this week?

In My Mailbox #53

Welcome to  In My Mailbox, a meme run by The Story Siren where each week over 200 bloggers post on their blogs the books they have bought, received to review or won in the past week.

To find out more information, get involved yourself or see what's in other bloggers mailboxes this week head over to The Story Siren or to find out what is in my mailbox this week, keep reading.

Don't forget to comment and post your IMM link or just let me know what's in your mail box this week.

Busy week this week in books, not so much with the blog.  Real life crept up a bit so wasn't able to get eveything done that I wanted with it.  However got some awesome books this week including one from my favourite author...

For Review (Via Eidelweiss): 

The Scrivener's Tale by Fiona McIntosh

Goodreads | Book Depository

An action-packed standalone adventure moving from present-day Paris to medieval Morgravia, the world of Fiona McIntosh's bestselling QUICKENING series.

In the bookshops and cafes of present-day Paris, ex-psychologist Gabe Figaret is trying to put his shattered life back together. When another doctor, Reynard, asks him to help with a delusional female patient, Gabe is reluctant… until he meets her. At first Gabe thinks the woman, Angelina, is merely terrified of Reynard, but he quickly discovers she is not quite what she seems.

As his relationship with Angelina deepens, Gabe’s life in Paris becomes increasingly unstable. He senses a presence watching and following every move he makes, and yet he finds Angelina increasingly irresistible.

When Angelina tells Gabe he must kill her and flee to a place she calls Morgravia, he is horrified. But then Angelina shows him that the cathedral he has dreamt about since childhood is real and exists in Morgravia.

Soon, Gabe’s world will be turned upside down, and he will learn shocking truths about who he is . . . and who he can - or cannot - trust.

A fantastic, action-packed adventure starting in Paris and returning to Morgravia - this wonderful epic adventure grabs the reader from the first paragraph and doesn't let go.

Blood of Dragon (The Rain Wild Chronicles #4) by Robin Hobb

Goodreads | Book Depository

The dragons' survival hangs in the balance in the thrilling final volume in the acclaimed River Wilds chronicles fantasy series

The dragons and their dedicated band of keepers have at ast found the lost city of Kelsingra. The magical creatures have learned to use their wings and are growing into their regal inheritance. Their humans, too, are changing. As the mystical bonds with their dragons deepen, Thymara, Tats, Rapskal, and even Cedric, the unlikeliest of keepers, have begun transforming into beautiful Elderlings raked with exquisite features that complement and reflect the dragons they serve.

But while the humans have scoured the empty streets and enormous buildings of Kelsongra, they cannot find the mythical silver wells the dragons need to stay health and survive. With enemies encroaching, the keepers must risk "memory walking"- immersing themselves in the dangerously addictive memories of long-deceased Elderlings - to uncover clues necessary to their survival.

And time is of the essence, for the legendary Tintaglia, long feared dead, has returned, wounded in a battle with humans hunting dragon blood and scales. She is weakening and only the hidden silver can revive her. If Tintaglia dies, so, too, will the ancient memories she carries - a devastating loss that will ensure the dragons' extinction.

Giveaway/Exchanges:

Got a book I have been dying to read for ages this week in my online Mother's group Valentines exchange and my daughter received a pretty dress ( as per below) :-)

Once Every Never (Never #1) by Lesley Livingston

Goodreads | Book Depository

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager.

On the surface.

She's smart, but a bit of a slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker, but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes.

Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there's still time, literally, maybe even get a date.

This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every, never.

Purchased:

Another purchase arrived in the mail this week.  This one from my favourite author Traci Harding.  Can't wait to read this one!

Dreaming of Zhou Gong by Traci Harding

Goodreads | Book Depository

Set in ancient China, DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautiful story of Hudan, one of the mysterious Wu who lives on the sacred mountain of Li Shan. The Wu have been living in isolation for decades while the Shang Emperor and his enchantress have ruled the land. It has been a terrible time for the common people and the noble Ji brothers are keen to bring the emperor′s arrogant bloodthirsty reign to an end. They believe an ancient prophecy has predicted the fall of the Shang emperor and they are keen to enact it, but first they must journey to the mountain and seek out the Wu.

When the Ji brothers join forces with the beautiful, enigmatic Hudan and her equally mysterious tiger sister, they begin a powerful journey of love and adventure.

But the Shang emperor is not their greatest threat. There is a dark curse that has plagued the rulers of the land for generations. And the mysterious Sons of the Sky who visit Hudan in her dreams have a plan to destroy it. Can Hudan trust them?

DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautitful, evocative journey through ancient China.

Library: 

Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Goodreads | Book Depository

Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready 

Goodreads | Book Depository

Hard bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)  by Chloe Neill 

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Dragon Keeper (The Rain Wild Chronicles #1) by Robin Hobb

Goodreads | Book Depository

Dragon Haven (The Rain Wild Chronicles #2) by Robin Hobb

Goodreads | Book Depository

Blood of Dragon (The Rain Wild Chronicles #3) by Robin Hobb

Goodreads | Book Depository

Ship of Destiny (The Liveship Traders #3) by Robin Hobb

Goodreads | Book Depository

So what was in your mailbox this week?

Top Ten Books I am Looking Forward to in 2013

The year has just flown, and because I don't want to forget all that I read in the blur that was 2012, I have decided to participate in Top Ten of 2012 Week: A week of Looking back...And looking forward hosted by Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks on Books and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads 

Each day will be a different Top 10 and today's Top 10 is the Top Ten Books I am Looking Forward to in 2013. This topic was probably the easiest top ten all week.  I have been keeping track since about mid May, books I was looking forward to in 2013.  So all I had to do was decide on the order to put them in.

10. The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

Comment: Huge fan of the Vampire Academy series and this is the third book of the spin off series, Bloodlines. Can't wait to read this.

Release Date: 12 February 2013

Pre-order: Book Depository

9. Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry
"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

Comment: I LOVED Pushing The Limits so I cannot wait to read this book set in the same time/town but with other characters

Release Date: 7 June 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

8. The Impossibility of Tomorrow (Incarnation #2) by Avery Williams

The immortal Seraphina is forced to face the darkness of her past—and risk losing the love of her life—in this second novel in the Incarnation series.

Seraphina has been living for centuries, thanks to a special method of alchemy, but only recently has she really felt alive. She’s finally broken free from her controlling boyfriend, Cyrus, and after years of swapping bodies to preserve her immortality, is happily settled into a life worth sticking with. Because in this life, she has Noah.

But Noah might not be as trustworthy as he seems. After he delivers an ominous message that could only come from Cyrus, Sera is worried that her new friends and family will find out her secret. And as her suspicions extend beyond Noah, Sera is forced to wonder about her new friends as well: Could her old coven be disguising themselves right under her nose?

Will Sera have to move to another body—and take another life—or can she find a way to keep what she’s got, forever?



Comment: The first book of this series finished on a very creepy/horrible cliff hanger. Really want to see what happens next.

Release Date: 4 July 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

7. The Goddess Inheritance (The Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

Comment: The first book of this series was one of my favourite of 2011 and the second book finished with a breathtaking cliffhanger. Expecting this book to be awesome!

Release Date: 19 February 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

6. Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed.

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

Comment: I love Claudia Gray's books and I love books about witches so this book sounds perfect for me :)

Release Date: 5 March 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

5. Dreaming of Zhou Gong (The Timekeepers #1) by Traci Harding
Set in ancient China, DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautiful story of Hudan, one of the mysterious Wu who lives on the sacred mountain of Li Shan. The Wu have been living in isolation for decades while the Shang Emperor and his enchantress have ruled the land. It has been a terrible time for the common people and the noble Ji brothers are keen to bring the emperor′s arrogant bloodthirsty reign to an end. They believe an ancient prophecy has predicted the fall of the Shang emperor and they are keen to enact it, but first they must journey to the mountain and seek out the Wu.

When the Ji brothers join forces with the beautiful, enigmatic Hudan and her equally mysterious tiger sister, they begin a powerful journey of love and adventure.

But the Shang emperor is not their greatest threat. There is a dark curse that has plagued the rulers of the land for generations. And the mysterious Sons of the Sky who visit Hudan in her dreams have a plan to destroy it. Can Hudan trust them?

DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautitful, evocative journey through ancient China.

Release Date: 1st February, 2013

Pre-Order: Galaxy Bookshop

Comment: In just under a month and a half, the first book of my favourite author's newest trilogy comes out. Finally! Did I mention I am not so patient and a year is a long time to wait :-P. Seriously though,  I love this time period and I love Traci's stories so cannot wait to start this newest trilogy :)

Oh and check out the gorgeous cover!

4. Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again

Comment: I loved Book 1, Touch of Power and I love Maria V Snyder's writing so cannot wait to get my hands on Scent of Magic :-)

Release Date (In Australia): 1 January 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

3. With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America?

It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (after all, she did die), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to the find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity and the rest on each other. And so she–and her gang–make plans to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath. And Kaylee realizes that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. Especially when one more person she loves is taken...

Comment: The conclusion to the Soul Screamer series! Expecting this book to be epic!

Release Date: 19 March 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

2. Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Comment: Have already pre-ordered this book. That is how much I am looking forward to it. Uneathly was great. Hallowed even better. Looking forward to the conclusion of this Trilogy.

Release Date: 22 January 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

1. Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

Comment: So I think I pre-ordered this one almost as soon as I finished book #1, Everneath. Due out next month, January 22 cannot come quick enough!

Release Date: 22 January 2013

Pre-Order: Book Depository

Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know what you are looking forward to reading in 2013!

Thanks also to  Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks on Books and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads  for organising this awesome event this week.  I have had so much fun sharing my top tens of 2012.  Hope you enjoyed them too!