10 December 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #21


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

This week's cannot-wait book is:




Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Farkoff!
 
Playlist for the Dead
by Michelle Farkoff
Expected publication: January 27th 2015
YA, contemporary
 
A teenage boy tries to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind in this smart, voice-driven debut novel.

Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand.

As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend’s story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.

Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Tim Tharp’s The Spectacular Now, Playlist for the Dead is an honest and gut-wrenching first novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you—and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.
  
 
I've had my eyes on this for a while now. I'm excited about this one because it sounds like heart-wrencing read but with hope just like the blurb says. And the cover is great, I love the silhuettes and colours!
 
What are you waiting on this week?

9 December 2014

Book Blitz, Quest Post + Giveaway: My Ex From Hell by Tellulah Darling


My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess, #1)
by Tellulah Darling
Publication date: April 1st 2013
YA, fantasy, mythology
 
Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) a
wesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.


Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy, Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy.

My Ex From Hell on Goodreads.
 
Purchase your copy! Only 0,99c on Kobo, iTunes and Amazon!
 
Author bio
Tellulah Darling
noun

Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?

1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.

Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.

Tellulah Darling is a firm believer that some of the best stories happen when love meets comedy. Which is why she has so much fun writing YA romantic comedy books. Her books span contemporary, teen fantasy romance, and YA Greek mythology, and range from stand alones to series. For Tellulah, teen romance is the most passionate, intense, and awkward there is – a comedy goldmine. Plus smart, mouthy, teen girls rock.
 
 
 
Quest post from Tellulah Darling:
 
10 Things You Didn't Know About Tellulah Darling
1) I am too lazy to learn songs properly, choosing instead to just fit whatever word seems closest to the phonetic sound I hear. This means that nothing I sing makes any logical sense. However, they are all wildly creative. Every once in a while I actually figure out what the words are supposed to be and realize how much sense the song now makes. What's funny is that there are certain songs I'm suck in a perpetual loop with. I learn what they are, promptly forget and go back to my nonsense, and then have that deja vu moment when I understand them again. Maybe I was dropped on my head as a child.
2) I love to travel but hate flying. As a result, I spent much of my life gripping the arms of my airplane seat while whispering "please don't fall" for hours on end. Happily, my doctor informed me a couple years ago (while staring at me like I was an idiot upon hearing how I coped) that since my way didn't work, I might want to try drugs. Miracles of modern science, indeed!
3) Speaking of travel–the first time I went to Italy, I was 15 yrs old. We were in Heathrow waiting for our flight to Rome and I'd fallen asleep stretched out across the chairs at the departure area. I woke up to the sight of the Italian National Football (Soccer) team seated around me. Even at that tender age, I was partial to that particular flavour of man candy. So I shot up and might have tried to shove my little brother under a seat in an attempt to look like a worldly solo traveller. Yeah, right. I wish you all a similar wake up call with *insert group of hot men of your choice*.
4) I was a professional screenwriter for 12 years. Crazy things happen in writers' rooms. On one of my favourite shows to work on, the showrunner and I plotted out the entire season arc's battle using Smurfs. This was for a kids' show. We'd renamed them with our characters' names and did their voices and everything. On another, not a kids' show, there was an actual meeting to discuss the star's wife's Playboy photos. There can be this intimidating mystique around film and television. Don't believe any of it.
5) I forget that my husband is one of my followers on Twitter. This leads to a lot of head shaking when I've been a bit too vigorous discussing hot guys - fictional or otherwise and steamy reads. I try to push the excuse that it's simply ways of interacting with social media friends and readers. I think I’ve gotten
away with it but I’m not sure because I am no longer able to make eye contact with him.
6) I hold a Masters' Degree in Film Theory. Yes, you read that right. In watching movies. Okay, and criticizing them. Possibly the most useless degree known to mankind. Not only that, I did my Master's thesis on Gender and Spectatorship in the animation of Chuck Jones. Which means that I watched Bugs Bunny Cartoons for two years. My family despaired. They used to lie and say I was studying journalism. I share this with you so that if your family gives you any grief about your area of study, you can use me as an example of how it could be so much worse. You're welcome.
7) I think that the right shade of lipstick and a great head of hair can be a woman's finest accessory. Who's with me here?
8) I think the world needs more choreography. I have a constant soundtrack in my head and like to tap dance my way through the day. Which in my head comes off like a brilliant Gene Kelly-esque routine. I take no responsibility for how it looks in reality. Obviously, you all just need to see things in my special way.
9) I love my Kindle because it allows me to read my steamy romances to my heart's content without the constant judging I get from haters who obviously are down on love. I've found that if I nod my head sagely whilst reading, people think I'm engrossed in some deep literary classic and perhaps feel bad for not reading such a weighty tome themselves. I feel no guilt for this. I've had too many years of snotty reactions to all the genre reading I've done.
10) Since I write romantic comedies, I'll share a couple of my favs with you. Book: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. This is the smexiest book around. (Ha - autocorrect wanted it to be the smelliest book around.) Film: When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride. Don't make me choose. It could get ugly.
If anyone wants to chat books, romcom or otherwise, let's friendvite on Goodreads or email me on my site www.tellulahdarling.com.
 
Giveaway! (INT)

7 December 2014

Review: Sand and Ruin and Gold by Alexis Hall

Sand and Ruin and Gold
by Alexis Hall
Published by Riptide Publishing
Ebook (received from Publisher via NetGalley, thank you!)
LGBT, fantasy, romance, short story
 

Once upon a time . . . that’s how the old stories always begin.

Once upon a time there was a king of a fallen kingdom. He was just and he was beloved. Or so the numbers said. One day, he gathered together the greatest, wisest minds in all the land—not sorcerers, but scientists—and he bade them fashion him a son. A prince. A perfect prince to embody his father’s legacy.

The scientists each brought the prince a gift: beauty, strength, ambition, intellect, pride. But they must have forgotten something because when he saw the mermaids dance at the Cirque de la Mer, he ran away to join them.

For a year, he trained them, performed with them, thought he was happy. For a year he thought he was free. But then Nerites came: A merman who refused to be tamed. A captive from another kingdom. A beast in a glass cage.

The old stories always end with happy ever after. But this isn’t one of the old stories. This is a story of princes and monsters.


I was excited about this one. How could I not be? I mean, mermans. And princes and monsters, and there was no doubt how much I yearned to read Sand and Ruin and Gold. The only disappointment was how short the story was. I could've read three hundred pages about the Prince and Neritas and the Cirque de la Mer and the whole world that we only got a climpse.

The atmosphere of the story was unique, calm and fairytale like, even though it had a little bit melancholy feeling on it. I truly enjoyed it and it was perfect read after hectic day. Hall's writing was flowing and just perfect for the story.

The story and its characters were really good and as I said, I could've read three hundred pages of this. However, there was so many mysteries left, especially when it comes to the Mers and it was good because reader doesn't need to know everything always. The Prince was good, solid narrator, really sweet, caring and intriguing - especially since he was created by scientist and wasn't like normal humans. It gave the story quite interesting twist as the Prince's and Neritas tender love story formed. The Prince wasn't like other humans and Neritas wasn't human at all. It was almost charming and intrigued heck out of me - still does. There were also lots of great thoughts about freedom and underneath, what's right and wrong. It was such a thoughtful, calm and so enjoyable story. I'd loved to learn more about the world, though, since it seemed to be almost like dystopian world.

Truly enjoyable and great short story. It's not very long, thirty-nine pages so that's the only downside. Great read after busy day, though, and I loved how I could devour it on one sitting. Hall did a good job and I can honestly recommend this to everyone who enjoys merfolk stories as this one gives a little different kind of story about merfolk, and humans of course.

4 of 5 stars.

Sand and Ruin and Gold on Goodreads.
 
Thank you, Riptide Publishing, for giving me a chance to read and review The Circus of the Damned!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Fairytale Retelling Reading Challenge 2015

The Daily Prophecy
The Daily Prophecy is hosting Fairytale Retelling Reading Challenge 2015 and I'm excited to be part of it. I noticed how I've read next to none retellings this year even though I have several of them on my TBR - and I'm so thrilled about the idea of retelling my childhood favourite fairytales and other tales. So besides Goodreads' Reading Challenge this is going to be first challenge I'm participating and I hope I'll meet my coals!

The Details:
The challenge runs from January 1st - December 31st 2015
 
The goal is to read fairytale retellings, but if you want you can also pick other retellings. It’s up to you what you count as a fairytale. Here are a couple of books you can pick from: my bookshelf with fairytale retellings and Fairytale lists on Listopia. You can read Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult books for this challenge. Obviously, the book doesn't have to be published in 2015.
 
There are 6 different levels you can aim for:
- Prince Charming: 1 – 4 books.
- Magic mirror: 5 - 9 books.
- Big bad wolf: 10 – 15 books.
- The wise princess: 16 – 20 books.
- Wicked fairy Godmother: 21 – 25 books.
- Bluebeard: you are killing it! 26+ books.
 
 
I can't help but aim for Big Bad Wolf. Yeah, it's the name, I couldn't resist. But I also want to read as many retellings as possible and if I'm able to read ten during next year, I'm going to be really happy. I'm not good at deciding what I'll read but I'll link my Goodreads 'retellings' shelf so I'll read books from there. If you have any recommentations, feel free to say anytime and I'll check it out :)
 

6 December 2014

ARC Review: The Circus of the Damned by Cornelia Grey

The Circus of the Damned
by Cornelia Grey
Published by Riptide Publishing
Ebook (received from publisher via NetGalley, thank you!)
Adult, LGBT, fantasy, romance


Magician Gilbert Blake has spent his entire life conning drunkards in the seediest pubs in the darkest towns, careful to hide the true depths of his power. But when he spends a little too much time in Shadowsea and the infamous slumlord Count Reuben gets wind of his abilities, hiding within the Circus of the Damned may be Gilbert’s only chance at survival.

But there’s more to the Circus than meets the eye. Every time a performer dies, a new one must take his place, or the entire circus suffers the consequences. And while the handsome ringmaster Jesse isn’t one to coerce unwilling performers into giving up their souls to the devil, a recent death in their ranks makes Gilbert exactly what they need.

Yet the longer Gilbert stays with the Circus, the more danger he seems to bring them. Being with Jesse is more than Gilbert could have hoped for, but as Count Reuben’s men continue to search for Gilbert and the Circus loses another performer, they all face running out of time long before the Devil claims his due.


I was overly excited about The Circus of the Damned from the moment I stumbled upon it. I mean, deals with the devil, damned souls and circus, mysteries, romance and did I say deals with the devil? I was sold right away and I couldn't have been more happy to receive a review copy. What's best, the book didn't disappoint me at all.
 
The Circus of the Damned was better than I expected and I had really high expectations. There was a circus full of freaks (and I'm using the word freaks with all the love because they were all amazing in their own way) who were more or less damned, and there was deals with the devil. There also was some really interesting and unique elements and plotlines but I won't say anything more specific about them so I won't spoil anyone. The story was full of fantasy elements that I've been dying to read but not seen on any books for a while. Grey did amazing job and the writing was very fluent and flowing, and once I started reading I was unable to stop.
 
And the characters. Oh boy, did I love them. Gilbert was intriguing: witty, smart and yeah, always in trouble because he was quite impulsive. He grew up on streets and he was wise like that, and what even more amazing, compassionate. And stubborn, he truly was stubborn and didn't give up easily. Besides Gilbert, Jesse was one of my favourite. He was sweet on his own way but he was also smart, caring and while he had done stupid things in the past, he tried to do the right thing. He was such a mystery in the beginning and I loved to learn about his past bit by bit. There was also the devil, the evil Count Reuben and all the amazing circus people. I did hope we'd learn even more about the circus people than we did but that would have needed a whole new book, so I'm not counting it as a fault. There was a lot information about everyone of the circus people and some were more on display than others.
 
The Circus of the Damned had it all: plot, great characters and flowing writing. There was action as well as romance, drama and mystery, and yes, I loved it all. Such a wonderful story and I highly recommend this book to everyone who's interested fantasy, circus and/or deals with the devil.
 
I will definitely read this again in the future!
 
5 of 5 stars.
 
The Circus of the Damned on Goodreads.

Thank you, Riptide Publishing, for giving me a chance to read and review The Circus of the Damned!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)


3 December 2014

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Uncross the Stars by Janell Rhiannon

 
Uncross the Stars
by Janell Rhiannon
Publication date: December 15th, 2014
YA, contemporary, romance

Fiona Lavender is the new girl at school. She has a chip on her shoulder and a penchant for poetry. Dario Martinez is the star quarterback, and the most unattainable guy on campus. Their stars cross when they are paired to study Romeo and Juliet for a senior English project. Their attraction is fragile and undeniable. But, Dario is afraid of what love will do; and Fiona is waiting for love to claim her.

Will they uncross the stars and find the love they both need to heal their pasts?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uncross the Stars on Goodreads.
 
Purchase your copy!
 
Author bio
Janell has been writing since she was in grade school. In high school, her 9th grade English teacher suggested she consider a career in writing. After a decade in college and a Master's degree in history, she settled into teaching.

Writing never stopped. Stories never stopped. READING fiction never stopped. Now, she writes and publishes on-line. Invisible Wings is her first YA novel, a compilation of short stories centered on teenage life triumphs and tragedies. She believes being a teenager is difficult and wrote Invisible Wings to let teens know they aren't alone. That they matter. That even though life is rough, they can still find beauty and love.

Beside the YA stories close to her heart, she adores Mythology and Fairy tales. Anything magical and mystical. And dragons. And gargoyles.

She currently lives in CA.

Visit her at Facebook @Janell Rhiannon Author. If you want to see what projects are in the works or find out more about the her, visit
 
 
Author interview!
 
1. What are your favorite books?
I love young adult and new adult fiction. I have read some awesome indie books in these genres by: Randi Cooley Wilson, Stacey Rourke, and Deena Remiel and Chastity Bush. As for books that have influenced my entire world, the Iliad and the Odyssey hands down. Cold Mountain. Historical romance or historical based anything, and fantasy all float my boat. As I was growing up, I read Spartacus by Howard Fast and a book called Beloved, which I have never been able to find since. I loved historical "anything genre" books. I also loved the Lord of the Rings, the Robe...and a series called the The Chronicles of the Deryni by Katherine Kurtz. I wasn't allowed to watch television growing up, so books were a HUGE part of my life. My sister and I used to tell each other stories at night when we went to bed...we'd pretend we were in the stories...I am pretty sure we recited the entire Star Wars movies in sequence more than once. 
 
2. What movies do you like?
The Fountain, Gladiator, 300, Cold Mountain, Last Samurai, Under the Tuscan Sun, Braveheart, Anna and the King, The Lucky One. I just realized all these movies make me cry...sob, is a better description. I also love Lord of The Rings and Star Wars. If you haven't seen The Fountain, watch, reflect and be amazed. I have to add Cloud Atlas to this list. There is something about this film (based on a novel) and the music that haunts me every time I hear it. Time and destiny wrap us in a cosmic dance, and we stumble, we float, and we live...again.
 
3.What inspires you?
Ironically, good films and music. My crazy, wild dreams, random thoughts, and red wine. Sometimes inspiration just comes out of no where. I am inspired by learning new things. People with crazy passion for life. I’m blessed with amazing friends and Facebook friends.
 
4. What are you reading right now?  
Saving Tatum by Micalea Smeltzer
Requiem’s Song by Daniel Arenson
 
In the line to be read: Wreck Me and Who We Were and Haunted Haven
 
5. Six Favorite Things
         1. hot coffee anytime, anywhere
         2. my Crixus poster next to my treadmill
         3. sleeping hard during a nap
         4. things that make me dance and cry
         5. working out to my David Guetta Pandora station
         6. when my phone chimes that it’s Superman texting me :)
 
Giveaway! (International)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #20


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

This week's cannot-wait book is:




The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough!
 
The Game of Love and Death
by Martha Brockenbrough
Expected publication: April 28th 2015
YA, historical fiction
 
Antony and Cleopatra. Helen of Troy and Paris. Romeo and Juliet. And now . . . Henry and Flora.

For centuries Love and Death have chosen their players. They have set the rules, rolled the dice, and kept close, ready to influence, angling for supremacy. And Death has always won. Always.

Could there ever be one time, one place, one pair whose love would truly tip the balance?

Meet Flora Saudade, an African-American girl who dreams of becoming the next Amelia Earhart by day and sings in the smoky jazz clubs of Seattle by night. Meet Henry Bishop, born a few blocks and a million worlds away, a white boy with his future assured — a wealthy adoptive family in the midst of the Great Depression, a college scholarship, and all the opportunities in the world seemingly available to him.

The players have been chosen. The dice have been rolled. But when human beings make moves of their own, what happens next is anyone’s guess.

Achingly romantic and brilliantly imagined, The Game of Love and Death is a love story you will never forget.
 
Why it isn't April already? I need this book, so so so badly. I mean, there's Death, Love, rules and game of dice. There's everything a good story needs and I'm not patient enough to wait for over four months to get to read this!
 
What are you waiting on this week?

28 November 2014

Feature & Follow Friday #17


Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by two different hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! This meme is here for bloggers to gain new blogger friends and followers.
 
This weeks topic:

Describe your favorite book character death scene. Why is it your favorite? Was it a villain or a hero? What made it so good?

SPOILER ALERT FOR HP, PROXY AND HUNGER GAMES.

Sirius Black. Do I even need to descripe his death scene? It was unbelievable. I refused to believe he died, I was hoping for years he'd somehow come back (still am, I just refuse to believe he died). Nevertheless, it was so good scene. Hurt like hell and I don't want to believe it, but it was good. It had everything a good death scene needs: hurt, disbelief, drama... all of it. Rowling is the queen of death scenes (I love to hate her for that).

I have to mention Knox from Proxy, too. I loved his death scene and then I hated myself for liking it because just like with Sirius, I want him back so badly. I had to order the sequel right away and I was so sure somehow he'd be back, that he didn't really die (without saying, I'm stuck with the sequel because it's nothing I expected and that's not a good thing). Still, it was so great scene. Knox was his lovely self, he went with a blast and I just... yeah, I love dramatic scenes, what I can say?

And just to mention a book character death scene that was no way good in any sense of that word. Finnick (from The Hunger Games). Please, if you kill my favourite character in the book, could you be so kind and describe his death? Or even say it so I don't have to read same sentence twenty times and still not believe it.


 

27 November 2014

ARC Review: Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner

Ice Massacre
by Tiana Warner
Published by Rogue Cannon Publishing
Ebook (received from Xpresso Books, thank you!)
NA, fantasy, paranormal


A mermaid’s supernatural beauty serves one purpose: to lure a sailor to his death.

The Massacre is supposed to bring peace to Eriana Kwai. Every year, the island sends its warriors to battle these hostile sea demons. Every year, the warriors fail to return. Desperate for survival, the island must decide on a new strategy. Now, the fate of Eriana Kwai lies in the hands of twenty battle-trained girls and their resistance to a mermaid’s allure.

Eighteen-year-old Meela has already lost her brother to the Massacre, and she has lived with a secret that’s haunted her since childhood. For any hope of survival, she must overcome the demons of her past and become a ruthless mermaid killer.

For the first time, Eriana Kwai’s Massacre warriors are female, and Meela must fight for her people’s freedom on the Pacific Ocean’s deadliest battleground.


Well, this one sure is different than what I've read recently. Ice Massacre seems to defy all the guidelines of its genres, and it's perfect read because of that. Badassery? You bet. Killer mermaids? Oh, you got them. Unexcepted plot twists? Definitely.

Ice Massacre has amazing variety when it comes to characters. There's Meela, the strong, righteous and intelligent main character; Dani, the mean girl who's basically mermaid killer machine (and I'm just saying, her potrayal is kind of stunning); and basically there's ship full of badass females off to fight against mermaids and it's amazing how all those girls differs from each other. Also, there was snippets about the people in their home island - their families, friends and lovers - and I can't wait to see if the sequel introduces them more.

Only downside in this book was the beginning. It started good, introducing eighteen-year-old Meela, but then there was hundred pages worth of flashback story about Meela when she was ten. I admit, I got problems to get into it and continue reading because while I'm all for flashbacks, the backstory that long felt more like a middle grade story than new adult badass adventure. It was good backstory and there was various good scenes but it was too long in my opinion. However, overall the story was so phenomenal and mind-blowing that I will still give five stars because when the backstory was over, it was all about badass adventure/mermaid massacre story with all spices that I originally came for.

Ice Massacre is unique. I don't want to spoil anyone but the subtle romance snippets took me by surprise, same goes with the character and plot developement. It's not just aimless mermaid massacre, there's so much into it and I enjoyed the little mentions of politics around the island and their mentality, and I sure hope there's more of it coming. I highly recommend this to everyone because no matter the genres or anything else, this was mind-blowing, especially how it ignored the genre guidelines. If you think this is mostly romance because of the New Adult category, you couldn't be more surprised. I'm saying, give this one go. It's definitely worth of your time even if the backstory can be dull. It gets amazing after that.

I can't wait the sequel, Ice Crypt!

5 of 5 stars.

Ice Massacre on Goodreads.
 
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

26 November 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #19


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

This week's cannot-wait book is:




Skyscraping by Cordelia Jensen!
Skyscraping
by Cordelia Jensen
Expected publication: June 2nd 2015
YA, LGBT, contemporary
 
A heartrending, bold novel in verse about family, identity, and  forgiveness

Mira is just beginning her senior year of high school when she discovers her father with his male lover. Her world–and everything she thought she knew about her family–is shattered instantly. Unable to comprehend the lies, betrayal, and secrets that–unbeknownst to Mira–have come to define and keep intact her family’s existence, Mira distances herself from her sister and closest friends as a means of coping. But her father’s sexual orientation isn’t all he's kept hidden. A shocking health scare brings to light his battle with HIV. As Mira struggles to make sense of the many fractures in her family's fabric and redefine her wavering sense of self, she must find a way to reconnect with her dad–while there is still time. 

 Told in raw, exposed free verse, Skyscraping reminds us that there is no one way to be a family.
 
Skyscraping on Goodreads.
 
Skyscraping sounds really emotional ride and I'm waiting for this almost desperately. I need to read it now but it's not published until June? Seriously, I'm sure they enjoy our suffering way too much.
 
What are you waiting on this week?