Waiting on Wednesday (73)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

The Pledge
by Kimberly Derting
To be released: November 15, 2011

Summary from Barnesandnoble.com:
"In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom…. "

I haven't read Kimberly Derting's other books, but this one sounds amazing. I love the whole linguist aspect to the story. Not to mention that it's a little bit dystopian, a little bit realistic, and a little bit fantasy. Sounds like the perfect combo, doesn't it?

What are you waiting on this week?

Geek Fantasy Novel by E. Archer

Title: Geek Fantasy Novel
Author: E. Archer
ISBN: 9780545160407
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Released: April 1, 2011
Page #: 310
Source: ARC from the publisher (late review)

Summary:
"Be careful what you wish for. Really. Wishes are bad. Very bad.
They can get you trapped in a fantasy world full of killer bunny rabbits, evil aunts, and bothersome bacteria, for example.

But you already knew that, didn't you?
Ralph, alas, does not. He's been asked to spend the summer with his strange British relatives at their old manor house in order to set up their Wi-Fi network. But there's much more to it than that, of course. It's just that nobody told Ralph. He's a gamer, sure. But this game is much stranger - and funnier - than anything manufactured by Nintendo.

So put on your suit of armor. Take out your 20-sided die. Brush up on your warcraft. Or, at the very least, open up this book.
Geek fantasy awaits!"
__________________________________________
First Lines: (subject to change in final version)

"Wishes are dangerous.
Or at least that's what Ralph's parents had always told him. After all, why should a random fairy grant a child power out of nowhere, because, say, the child had wastefully tossed a coin into a fountain?"
Page 1
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Review:

I'm not sure I knew what to expect from a book with a nerdy cover and a geeky premise. I'm just going to say that I didn't know there would be geek references that I didn't really get. But I suppose I'm okay with that.

This is the story of a boy who has recently learned that he has famous relatives in England. They invite him to stay for the summer and figure out their wi-fi situation. He agrees and doesn't realize he's signed on for the biggest adventure of his lifetime. His parents had always kept him from making wishes, but he soon finds out the reason. Wishes are dangerous!

If this book is nothing else, it's definitely clever. The cleverist of clever. I'm pretty sure every fantasy character in the history of fantasy makes an appearance. It's got bunny bombs, fairies, crazy witches, and lots of waking up in strange lands. While Ralph is staying with his cousins, he learns more about them each - and accidentally gets sucked in to each of their wishes. I think that's a pretty fun premise, don't you?

I think my favorite characters were the non-main ones. I loved the random fairies they hook up with. I loved the narrator (mostly for what you find out in the end of the book that I'm not going to give away). I loved that inanimate objects came to life and Ralph barely blinked an eyelash. Those were just the fun characters that kept this story going for me.

There is so much geeky humor, that I think just about anyone would like this story. People who are into all of the heavily geeky stuff might get more out of it than I did. I'm sure there were references to things I didn't get. But it's done well enough that I wasn't missing out. I think this one will be a fun book to recommend - mostly because of the subject. Geek humor. Can you really go wrong with that?!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Trades
Bookish Bethie
Beyond the Book
Laura's Books
WORD for Teens

Waiting on Wednesday (72)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

Crossed (Matched #2)
by Ally Condie
To be released: November 1, 2011

Summary from Barnesandnoble.com:
"In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever."

If you haven't read Matched, I highly recommend it. It has a bit of a strange vibe, but I fully got sucked into the story. I know a lot of people are waiting on this book... so add me to the list! I can't wait to see what happens to these very strange characters.

What are you waiting on this week?

Out This Week Sept 25-Oct 1

There are tons of things coming out this week. I'm just posting a sample of the things I'm excited about. Make sure you get your hands on these early!

• 10.1.11 She's With the Band by Georgia Clark
• 9.27.11 Lost in Time (Blue Bloods #6) by Melissa de la Cruz
  

• 10.1.11 If I Tell by Janet Gurtler
• 9.27.11 The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  

• 9.29.11 The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
• 10.1.11 Reasons to Be Happy by Katrina Kittle
  

• 9.27.11 The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees
• 9.29.11 Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
  

• 9.27.11 Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
• 9.27.11 If I Die (Soul Screamers #5) by Rachel Vincent
  

Waiting on Wednesday (71)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

The Sharp Time
by Mary O'Connell
To be released: November 08, 2011

Summary from Barnesandnoble.com:
"Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge.
Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets.
Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance."

I don't often find myself wishing for issue books, but this one sounds really good. And the cover is beautiful. From the summary, it sounds like there are some really good things that are addressed in the novel. I look forward to giving this one a try.

What are you waiting on this week?