Waiting on Wednesday: Salt to the Sea, by Ruta Sepetys

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Genre: Historical fiction

The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.
In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

A visual representation of me when I saw this book:

Waiting on Wednesday (10): World After, by Susan Ee

Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: World After (Penryn & The End of Days, #2)

Author: Susan Ee

Genre: Fantasy

Pub. Date: November 19, 2013

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose? -Goodreads

I was one of the many people that were completely blown away by this book, which I wrote a review of a while ago. They've released an excerpt of the book here, which, despite its length, had me bursting with excitement.

Make sure to link below so I could check out your WOWs!

Waiting on Wednesday (9): A Darkness Strange and Lovely

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: A Darkness Strange and Lovely

Author: Susan Dennard

Genre: YA Steampunk

Pub. date: July 23, 2013

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

I completed Something Strange and Deadly (review here) about a week ago, and I cannot wait for the second installment to come out!

Waiting on Wednesday (8): Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted my Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between #1)
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Genre: Fantasy
Pub. Date: August 15, 2013

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

The synopsis definitely got me hooked. So thrilled to get this one!

Waiting On Wednesday #7: Never Fade, by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Genre: YA sci-fi/dystopia
Pub. Date: October 15, 2013

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself? -Goodreads

The first one, The Darkest Minds, was brilliant. Can't wait to get my hands on this one, especially because of that infuriating cliffhanger we were left with.

Waiting on Wednesday #6: Antigoddess, by Kendare Blake

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Title: Antigoddess (Goddess War #1)

Author: Kendare Blake

Genre: Mythology

Pub. Date: September 10, 2013

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin. -Goodreads

Anyone else DYING of anticipation? I haven't read her other series, Anna Dressed in Blood, but based on the synopsis, I have a good feeling about this one!

What are you waiting on? Comment and link below!

Waiting on Wednesday #5: The 5th Wave, by Rick Yancey

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopia
Publication Date: May 7th, 2013

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Its a shame that they are only giving ARC's of this to Australian reviewers on NetGalley... A SHAME I TELL YOU! :'(

Waiting on Wednesday #4: And the Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: And the Mountains Echoed
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publication Date: May 21, 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction

An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times –bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page. -Barnes & Noble

I have heard nothing but great things about all of Khaled Hosseini's works. Although I haven't yet read any of his books, I do plan on reading them, and am enthusiastic to start this one as soon as it comes out (in almost two months!).

Waiting On Wednesday: Dark Triumph, by Robin LaFevers

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

Title: Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2)
Author: Robin LaFevers
Publication Date: April 2nd, 2012

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

The first book, Grave Mercy, was so breathtakingly heart-stopping that it made me need this second book! I'm hoping it will be as good as the first. *crosses fingers*

Waiting On Wednesday #2: Harken by Kaleb Nation

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Publication Date: January 13, 2013 (4 MORE DAYS!)

Genre: YA fantasy

"After surviving an assassination attempt, teenager Michael Asher discovers that he is at the center of a worldwide conspiracy reaching higher than any earthly power. A supernatural organization desperately wants him dead. He doesn't know why. Everyone who might have the answers has already been killed.

Tumbling into a web of international secrets, Michael is forced to fight back and dig up the truth. He begins to question how much of the world is truly as people are led to believe it is. Are there things that humanity is not being told? Who is the puppet master? And how far into the maze can he venture before he is lost forever?" -Goodreads

About the Author

KALEB NATION is an author and online personality. His blogs and videos have received over 50 million hits online, and he has been featured on NPR, Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post and more.
While writing Harken, Kaleb documented his progress through video blogs at Youtube.com/KalebNation. A black belt in taekwondo, Kaleb lives in California with his chinchilla, Chilla. Harken is his first novel for teens.
Kaleb regularly posts on Twitter (@KalebNation) and blogs at KalebNation.com.

I found out about Kaleb from his vlog on YouTube. From what I have heard about this book, I am totally psyched! 

Waiting on Wednesday #1: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action. -Goodreads

I feel compelled to point out how freakin awesome that cover looks! Way better than the first one!

This book comes out in 27 more days (AHH the agony) and I cannot wait until that day comes. Especially when it says "high stakes" and "cinematic action" in the synopsis. 

Don't tell anyone (hehe I just did), but since I read the first book in November of 2011, I kind of forgot about the plot and pretty much all the important stuff that occurred in Legend (let's just say I wasn't blessed with a very good memory). All I remember is loving the book a lot and dying inside when I found out the next book would be released in 2013. So, I will probably be re-reading the first book, or I won't understand anything this book is talking about. Yay for re-reads!