Cover Lust Friday: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

   Cover Lust Friday is a weekly meme that's all about covers. Pick a cover that stands out to you, add your reason why you've chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let's have fun with it and share the love for our favorite covers.

   The Cover:

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Expected Publication: August 9th 2016 by Thomas Dunne Books

Number of Pages: 384 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: Yes, #1 in the Nevernight Chronicles

   In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.

   Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father's failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she wanders a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and its thugs. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the hearth of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.

   Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. Treachery and trials await her with the Church’s halls, and to fail is to die. But if she survives to initiation, Mia will be inducted among the chosen of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the only thing she desires.

   Revenge. (goodreads.com)

   The Reason:

   This cover is absolutely gorgeous, 'nuf said.

   No, but seriously, just look at it! I'm nota fan of fantasy and even I'm sitting over here like "I must have this book" even if only so I can have that cover standing on my shelf. Sure, never judge a book by its cover, but if the inside of the book is anything like the cover, color me intrigued! This cover is mysterious, intriguing and contains a tiny bit of an creepiness factor which makes it all even better, and that font in amazing. Whoever designed this cover, he or she did an outstanding job.

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Want to join in? No problem! Just follow the 'rules' below:

1. Write a blog post (or post a picture using #CoverLustFriday on Instagram) about a cover you love.
2. Add your link in the comment section of the original post (click here) so we can have something like a list going on.
3. And if you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
4. Check out other posts, and have fun!

Cover Lust Friday: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

   Cover Lust Friday is a weekly meme that's all about covers. Pick a cover that stands out to you, add your reason why you've chosen that particular one or what you like about it. Let's have fun with it and share the love for our favorite covers.

   The Cover:

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Published: October 14th 2014 by Balzer + Bray

Number of Pages: 416 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: Yes, #1 in the Snow Like Ashes Trilogy (?)

   A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

   Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

   Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

   So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. (goodreads.com)

   The Reason:

@alicereedsbooks on Instagram

   As you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of fantasy novels, simply because they are not my cup of tea and most of them are written in third person, which I don't like. But, the beauty of this cover made me disregard it all and I went and bought the book anyways, because look at it, it's a darn gorgeous cover. I like the contrast of winter and spring/summer that we see inside the charm (I know there is a more specific word for it in the book but I can't remember) surrounded by the ashes/snow on the lower half of the cover and the blurry background at the top.

   I really like this cover, along with the cover for the sequel, Ice Like Fire. I've even taken a #CoverLustFriday picture of Snow Like Ashes nestled inside my fox SpiritHood for my Instagram which you can see here.

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Want to join in? No problem! Just follow the 'rules' below:

1. Write a blog post (or post it on Instagram using #CoverLustFriday) about a cover you love.
2. Add your link in the comment section of the original post (click here) so we can have something like a list going on.
3. And if you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
4. Check out other posts, and have fun!

Waiting on Wednesday: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

   Hey guys!
   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine in which we discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases.

   The book:

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Expected Publication: September 29th 2015 by Henry Holt and Company
Number of Pages: 480 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1

   Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
   A convict with a thirst for revenge.
   A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
   A runaway with a privileged past.
   A spy known as the Wraith.
   A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
   A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
   Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. (goodreads.com)

   My thoughts:

   I must admit, I've not read the Grisha Trilogy yet (I know shame on me, especially since I own Shadow and Bone) and fantasy isn't really one of my favorite genres at all BUT this book sounds amazing. I love the cover and the hardcover looks amazing with the black edges of the pages and everything. I definitely want to get into Leigh's books and discover this world that she created and so many people have fallen in love with. Hell, I'm willing to pay 17€ for the hardcover version so that already should tell you that I'm really interested in this book.

Ask the Author: Sara Raasch (Snow Like Ashes)

   Hey guys!
   Today I am bringing you an interview with Sara Raasch, the amazing author of YA Fantasy novel Snow Like Ashes, and it's upcoming sequel Ice Like Fire.
   Here is her novel and her interview:

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Published: October 14th 2014 by Balzer + Bray
Number of Pages: 416 pages (Hardcover)
Series: Yes, #1 in Snow Like Ashes series

   Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
    Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians' general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend and future king, Mather—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again.
    So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she's scaling towers and fighting enemy soldiers just as she's always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn't go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics—and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
    Sara Raasch's debut fantasy is a lightning-fast tale of loyalty, love, and finding one's destiny.

Interview with Sara Raasch

   1 - Describe Snow Like Ashes in a haiku.

   A warrior girl

   Fights for freedom and Winter.

   The storm starts with her.

   2 - What makes Snow Like Ashes stand out in its genre?
   I particularly love the Season Kingdoms -- it was so fun to develop their different cultures and people!

   3 - How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal? And how many queries did it take until you found 'the one'?
   I started writing SNOW LIKE ASHES when I was a preteen, and it came out when I was twenty five, so all in all (with a few years here and there with breaks for other projects) almost half my life. I got my current agent with a query for a different book, but adding those queries to the ones I sent to get my first agent, I sent upwards of hundreds!

   4 - Why and how did you decide that the Kingdoms in your fantasy world should be based upon seasons and why winter? Is it your favorite season of the year?
   I first got the concept when I wanted to write a book where "winter" was perceived as the good guys. The other Season Kingdoms evolved from there. Actually, winter is not my favorite season -- I'm a total autumn girl!

   5 - What was the most challenging about writing Snow Like Ashes, and the sequel Ice like Fire?
   The most challenging thing for both of them was writing the sequel! Sequels are difficult for a number of reasons, but particularly with trilogies -- it has to be a complete story while still being a bridge between stories.

   6 - What's your record of words written in one day? Do you have a writing routine?
   While writing SNOW LIKE ASHES, I managed 12k words in one day. Have yet to break that record -- and I'm not sure if I want to, heh.
I tend to write in the morning, then break for lunch, then do marketing stuff/non-bookish things in the afternoon.

   7 - What was your first thought when you first saw the final version of the cover? And, because I know you like to draw, did you ever draw your own cover ideas while writing Snow Like Ashes?
   I LOVED it! I still do! The cover designer and artist are brilliant beyond words.
I did draw my own cover ideas for SNOW LIKE ASHES, but waaaaay back when I was a preteen. So they're pretty horrible!

   8 - Cats or Dogs?
   I currently have a cat, but I love all animals!

   9 - Hogwarts house? Why?
   I . . . haven't read Harry Potter. *hides*

   10 - If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go? And what book would you take with you (only one)?
   I'd love to visit New Zealand. And I'd probably take a New Zealand guide book, hehe. Is that cheating?

   11 - If you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games, as female from District 12, what would be your strategy? Fight or flight?
   Total fight -- almost to a fault. I tend to get very overprotective-mama-bear whenever under threat.

About the Author

   Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray, and the sequel, ICE LIKE FIRE, comes out October 13, 2015. Neither features her hand-drawn pictures.