book tag, YA

Waiting on Wednesday: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, originally hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we’ll be posting about an upcoming book that we’re extremely excited for!


queen of air and darkness -cassandra clareSUMMARY

Dark secrets and forbidden love threaten the very survival of the Shadowhunters in Cassandra Clare’s Queen of Air and Darkness, the final novel in the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling The Dark Artifices trilogy.

What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks.

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.

AUTHOR: Cassandra Clare

SERIES: The Dark Artifices #3

PUBLICATION DATE: December 4, 2018


Is there really much to say about why I’m excited for this book’s release? I had a sneak peek of this book and it’s looking so amazing already! Cassandra Clare, you are astounding! Who’s with me on this book? I’ll be 1st in line on release date.

4 star, YA

Review: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Series: Talon #1

talon -julie kagawaTHE DRAGONS OF TALON: Once hunted nearly to extinction, they are now poised to take over the world. 

THE ORDER OF ST. GEORGE: The legendary dragonslayers will stop at nothing to wipe dragons from the face of the earth. 

These mortal enemies are locked in secret and deadly combat, with humanity none the wiser. 

To take her rightful place in the Talon organization, young dragon Ember Hill must prove she can hide her true nature and blend in with humans. Her delight at the prospect of a summer of “normal” teen experiences is short-lived, however, once she discovers that she’s also expected to train for her destined career in Talon. But a chance meeting with a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught.

As Ember struggles to accept her future, St. George soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian is tasked with hunting her down. But when faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything the Order has ingrained in him—and what he might be willing to give up to uncover the truth about dragons.


4 Drink Me Potions


There’s just something about dragons. Although there aren’t too many books out there that stand out in my memory featuring dragons, I’ve always loved them.

These fearsome, deadly creatures. Both agile and cunning. They can be depicted as good or as evil as they come (think The Hobbit!).

Now combining one of my favorite authors, Julie Kagawa, and a whole series/lore on dragons, and it’s like a recipe meant for me.

Filled with action and brimming with imaginative detail about the world of Talon and their dragonslaying counterpart, the Order of St. George, Talon is one novel that continues to surprise you and sets the stage for a remarkable series.

Twins Ember and Dante are dragon hatchlings, just learning to fit into human society. That’s a huge criteria for dragons to survive and adapt while keeping the humans oblivious. The world of Talon and how it’s run are masterfully crafted to the fine details. Different roles for different types of dragons, how it functions even with humans, and the process of training a hatchling.

Then there’re the rogue dragons! Every strict exclusive society has got to have some of those. We don’t get too much detail yet into how these dragons fit into the picture, but dang the rogue Riley sure makes a whomping presence. You just know something’s gonna go down with him.

And while this story is very much dragon vs human, the ultimate plot arc is one of my favourites. A forbidden romance blooming between a dragon girl and her enemy St. George soldier. Makes me wonder how anything could come of it, especially once they figure out who each other really is.

Now, why didn’t I read this book/series earlier if it’s so up my alley? The answer’s simple. I hate love triangles. I never know who to cheer for and if I’m setting myself up for disappointment.

Well, what I’m telling you now is that both boys are pretty great in different ways. Though I’m definitely partial to the soldier, Garret. While Kagawa spent a lot of time describing how Talon operates with regards to hatchling assimilation and training, there’s equally dedicated space for the Order of St. George and how they operate and the brotherhood among the soldiers. It’s enough detail to get me wanting to know more!

Even if you’re not the hugest dragon lover, I think just maybe, this book may change your mind about it. Talon is the story about a boy meeting a dragon girl, first as enemies but possibly becoming more, and maybe the only thing to resolve the centuries old war between them.

Overall Recommendation:

Talon should be any dragon lover’s go-to story. With those exciting fire breathing creatures portrayed as intricately as humans, the dragon world of Talon and their long sworn enemies, the Order of St. George, are creatively crafted by Julie Kagawa into a masterful story about understanding those who are different from us and standing for what is right, even against all that we once believed in. Julie’s done it again and Talon is the perfect foundation for this saga on dragons and dragonslayers. I highly recommend you give it a try!

4 star, YA

Review: Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner

Chaotic Good Comps14.inddCameron’s cosplay–dressing like a fictional character–is finally starting to earn her attention–attention she hopes to use to get into the CalTech costume department for college. But when she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans.

When Cameron’s family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town–her main destination for character reference–is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who comes into the shop.

At her twin brother’s suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she’s shocked at how easily she’s accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Soon, Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the jerky shop-owner Brody, friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk Wyatt, handsome Lincoln, and her bro Cooper, dragged along for good measure.

But as her “secret identity” gets more and more entrenched, Cameron’s portfolio falls by the wayside–and her feelings for Lincoln threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious.


4 Drink Me Potions


Everyone, be prepared to get your nerdiness on! And be proud of it! ‘Cause Chaotic Good brings out the inner geeks for a wild celebration of cosplay, D&D and superhero fandoms.

While I can’t say the main subjects covered in the book may be something relevant to all readers – (like I’ve never tried sewing my own costumes before!), the themes embodied by Chaotic Good are universal that should tug at our empathy. How many of us have been bullied – or at least teased – for the things we love that may not be fully mainstream or “cool”? How many can say that we wanted to try something new that others thought wasn’t fitting for us?

Here, we follow Cameron, a girl who loves to sew cosplay costumes and buy comics. A world dominated by “true” fans of mostly the male variety. While I’m always for girl power, I loved how the author doesn’t quickly lump every guy as all bad or every girl without her own flaws. We see cool guys who do like Cameron the way she is, and her hobbies to boot. And girl besties who may not be fully sympathetic to her predicament.

Aside from the themes, each character was fun and unique. The inner boy sanctum of Dungeons & Dragons players were filled with people I absolutely adored. From easygoing Why and Cameron’s writer twin to not-always-likeable Brody, they made a ragtag group that felt like everyday people you’d meet or want to meet.

And this also features a story within a story! For those who haven’t played D&D before, it’s definitely a huge role playing kinda game and my, the storytelling for their game characters was just as unique and adorable. Including the beautiful comic drawings inside. Imaginative and wildly creative, I flew through these pages not just for the main story with Cameron, but for the unfolding plot within their game.

For those who also love a cute romance, this book’s got you. While I’m not fawning madly over the love interest, I still enjoyed this element as it added more than subtracted from the story. It also helps that this book features the girl-dressed-as-a-boy trope that makes the romance more fun!

So yes, my inner nerdiness was awakened as Chaotic Good brought out the best of all that is geeky. Whether you also love to cosplay, read superhero comics, play D&D or just love a good contemporary, this novel was both fun and endearing. And the ending was the perfect cherry on top!

Overall Recommendation:

Chaotic Good represents the best of geekiness, featuring a relatable protagonist who loves cosplaying, reading comics and playing D&D. Balancing between the serious issues such as the internet bullying Cameron was facing and the fun aspect of D&D role playing, this book has a little something for everyone. Imaginative and empathetic, there’s no other contemporary I can think of that meshes the realistic mess of everyday life with the fantastical of other imaginary worlds we wish to live in as well as this one. Please do yourself a favour and give this book a shot!


Have you heard of this YA book before? Are you as excited as I am about the premise of the story?