Brin’s Book Buzz: March
March is finally upon us! I don’t know about anyone else, but I am relieved that January and February are finally in the rear-view mirror. I just find the first couple of months of the year to be a real buzzkill. The weather is lousy and you would think this would encourage my reading but it just seems to bring on my lethargy.
Now that Spring is in the air, I am looking forward to the new book releases it brings!
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.
As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?
Release Date: March 10 2015
Goodreads link: here
buzzworthy scale:
Why I am buzzed: I read the first book Seraphina a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I am excited to see what the author has to offer in the sequel. Plus, how can anyone not be excited about a book that has dragons in it?
The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski
Book two of the dazzling Winner’s Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love. The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.
As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.
Release Date: March 3 2015
Goodreads link: here
buzzworthy scale:
Why I am buzzed: I read the first book in this series just a couple of weeks ago and found it to be a thrilling and unputdownable read. Can’t wait to find out what happens next!
The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries.
We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture—which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see. Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and innocence, and what happens when one is mistaken for the other.
Release Date: March 24 2015
Goodreads link: here
buzzworthy scale:
Why I am buzzed: The synopsis sounds really intriguing and not quite like anything I have read before so I am certainly keen to see if it is as great as it sounds.
The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace
A Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.
The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess—the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up—girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna. With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.
Release Date: March 3 2015
Goodreads link: here
buzzworthy scale:
Why I am buzzed: I really like the sound of this one – it looks as though it will be a really entertaining read. The reviews I have seen so far seem pretty positive as well.
Mini-Buzz: Other Books I am excited for:
What March releases are you excited for?
I’m definitely looking forward to finishing The Orphan Queen. I only read like the first eleven chapters via Edelweiss. You are going to love The Winner’s Crime and Not Otherwise Specified. I’m also looking forward to Mosquitoland.
I got the first eleven chapters too… but didn’t get round to reading them (I know, my bad!). Glad to hear you enjoyed what you read though. Also happy to hear you enjoyed The Winner’s Crime and Not Otherwise Specified – I am looking forward to both of them!
There are tons of great books coming out this month! I can’t wait for Mosquitoland–it sounds so amazing and I adore the cover. I definitely need to hurry up and read The Winner’s Curse!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
There are loads coming out this month! Mosquitoland does look really great – definitely a must-read for me! 🙂
Good choices. Shadow Scale/Seraphina sounds really interesting, as does The Storyspinner. More for my TBR pile. 🙂
Thanks! Seraphina was awesome so I have high hopes for Shadow Scale. 🙂
I just finished The Winner’s Crime and it was so painfully good! Shadow Scale was not as enjoyable as Seraphina, but it was still a good read and I have The Storyspinner coming in the mail, so hopefully I can get to it soon. I haven’t decided if I’m going to pick up The Orphan Queen yet, but I think I’ll probably check it out from the library. Great list!
Glad you enjoyed The Winner’s Crime – I am so excited to read it anyway but all the positive feedback I have seen just makes me want to read it all the more! 😉
That’s disappointing to hear about Shadow Scale – I have heard the same from others as well. 🙁 Hopefully will still enjoy it though.