"Waiting On" Raging Star

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I am excited for...

Saba is ready to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton...until she meets him and he confounds all her expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few. The few who can pay.
Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop New Eden. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother, Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia. What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price. (From Goodreads)

 I don't even know what to feel right now.  I loved Blood Red Road (no review, just trust me on this one), tolerated Rebel Heart, and cannot wait for Raging Star.  I just love Jack, okay?!  This cover was released yesterday, and it's okay.  I just don't want this book to break my heart.  Raging Star is out April 15th, 2014.

Book Review: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Published October 30th, 2012
Margaret K. McElderry 
432 pages (Hardcover)

It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion. (From Goodreads)

Rebel Heart was one of my most anticipated reads of 2012 (yes, this review is a little late..).  Maybe my expectations were a little too high, because it ended up falling a little short for me.

Problem #1: Not enough Jack.  I'm not saying Moira Young had to go and make everything easy for Jack and Saba, but come on.  There is so little Jack in this book!  Half of the fun of Blood Red Road was Jack's attitude and wit.  Now, I likely could of dealt with this but...

Problem #2: Saba has gone all sorts of crazy.  I really couldn't follow her for a good half the book.  She was all over the place with grief and turmoil.  Then there was that other crazy chick.  Yeah, I was just as lost as Saba was.

The plot itself had serious potential.  You've got the fam jam headed west, all trying to deal with everything that had just happened, and Jack off running is own mission, with a promise to return.  That could head in some awesome directions.  And I did like what really happened to leave us with no Jack for the whole book, but everything in the middle didn't get it for me.

Hopefully, this was just a case of the sophomore slump.  I did still enjoy parts of it, and fully recommend Blood Red Road.  Rebel Heart just didn't quite do it for me.  I will just have to sit here and wait, with slightly lowered expectations, for book three of the series, which isn't expected to be released until 2014.

Much love, Samantha
PS. I will say that I am loving these new covers though!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Rebel Heart

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise. 

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion. (From Goodreads)

There are not enough really's in the world to describe how badly I want this book.  Blood Red Road was a book that I thought I would hate, but actually adored.  I know Rebel Heart has already been released in the U.K., but I am patiently awaiting the North American release.  Seriously, the waiting is hard.  What will happen to Jack and Saba?!?!  I will drop everything I am doing on October 20th, 2012 to devour this book.

And as a bonus, it has an awesome cover!

So, what are YOU waiting for?

Much love, Samantha