Angieville

I really don't often love photos of actual people on my covers, thank you very much. But I make an exception for Robin LaFevers ' His Fair Assassin series , because it was the cover of Grave Mercy that lured me in to begin with. Well, that and the word "assassin" in the series title. And nuns. Assassin nuns. Genius, people. In any event, here is the cover for the third and final (I believe) book in the trilogy— Mortal Heart . It is Annith's story and, really, she deserves one. I have loved each of these covers, but this one might actually be my favorite because bow and arrows. And her dress. I covet it. Cannot wait to read this one. Your thoughts?

I fell hard and fast last year for Robin LaFevers ' first novel in the His Fair Assassin trilogy. Historical fiction with a touch of fantasy to spice things up, this series reads like a breath of fresh air (to me) amid so many contemporaries and paranormals. Not that I don't love many of those. I absolutely do. But give me some top-notch court intrigue and I am one sated readergirl. I loved everything about Grave Mercy , and so it went without saying that Dark Triumph would occupy one of the top spots on my most anticipated reads of 2013 list. I will say that I worried just a bit about spending all of my time with Sybella. I loved her scenes in Grave Mercy , but I definitely resonated more with Ismae and her desperate mission. But I am always up for a sequel, and I had a number of questions about Sybella's past and future that I looked forward to having answered. I also held onto fond memories of Beast from the previous book. More of him was nothing but fine in my book...

When I first moved to Utah from California, it felt in many ways as though I was moving away from the "action," if you will. For better or worse, so many events take place in southern California. I only lived there for a few years, but in that time period there really was never a dull moment. And I worried that I would be cut off from my favorite author tours, concerts, etc. And for awhile that felt true. Happily, in recent years, my local libraries and my local indie bookstore,  The King's English , have been coming through for me big time, reeling in fabulous authors for signings, presentations, and other various and sundry gatherings. In a few days, I get to attend one such shindig sponsored by The King's English, featuring Robin LaFevers , author of the crazy good His Fair Asssassin series. Superbly written historical fantasy is my kryptonite (okay, one of them ), and I loved Grave Mercy something fierce. It's probably worth mentioning that I am in t...

So never mind that these three pretties aren't due out until next spring . Let's focus on how awesome they are likely to be and how ecstatic I was to run across their covers. I trust all three of these authors (two of them new-to-me discoveries this year) to come through with beautiful writing and a sophisticated tale. One is a direct sequel, one a companion novel, and one a standalone. All three bode well for 2013. Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers This is the second in the His Fair Assassin  trilogy and sequel to the most excellent Grave Mercy . Though I'm not quite as enamored of this cover as I was with the first one, I am no less excited for Sybella's story. And I love the tagline, "Vengeance is divine." You spend most of the first book wondering what in the world is going on with this girl, so it's going to be just very good to find out! Due out April 2nd Under the Light by Laura Whitcomb At last! A cover! My heart can only stand so much hap...

My first reaction to hearing about Grave Mercy  was that I liked the cover and its mixture of historical figure and modern font. At the same time, I dismissed it somewhat in my mind, sort of preemptively lowering expectations. I adore historical fiction. We have a long history together (pardon the pun). However, I sometimes wind up feeling as though the YA historicals I read have been watered down, so to speak. But the hype surrounding this one has been so adamant (check out all those stars rolling in), that I went ahead with the huddled masses yearning to read free and requested in on NetGalley . Author Robin LaFevers has quite a few middle grade books under her belt, including two separate series.  Grave Mercy   seems to be her first full-fledged YA novel, and it is the first in the His Fair Assassin trilogy. If you're not currently in the mood for a trilogy, it does look as though this one will follow different characters in each installment. Having read i...

I'm not usually a fan of having whole entire people on book covers. Especially when they're on the photo realistic side of things. But I have to say, I like all three of these covers just fine. Something to do with the defiance on their faces and how they look very much as though they're inhabiting who they are, if that makes any sense at all. The titles are a bit of awesome as well, and I'm just very excited to give each one a whirl. Nightshifted by Cassie Alexander Edie Spencer works on the secret ward of the county hospital. The one they don't want you to know about. The paranormal ward. She thinks she's got the hang of it when a vampire dies on her shift. All hell breaks loose--literally. I am in the mood for some great, new urban fantasy, and I just think this one's going to be right up my alley. Due out May 22nd A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix Brand spankin' new scifi from Garth Nix? Heck, yeah! The day Khemri is declared a p...