New Releases for October 27th
Hardcover
THE ESPRESSOLOGIST by Kristina Springer (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers)
What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?
With overtones of Jane Austen’s EMMA and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.
LOCKDOWN: Escape from the Furnace, by Alexander Gordon Smith (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers)
Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.
Together with a bunch of inmates --- some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers --- Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.
THE SHADOW DRAGONS: The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, Book Four, written and illustrated by James A. Owen (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)
World War II has been raging for three years, but a more terrible evil is just over the horizon. The last stones are falling from the Keep of Time, and the Imperial Cartological Society, led by Richard Burton, has collected doors and is building a new tower at the request of an old enemy: the Winter King's shadow. He has a terrible weapon --- the Spear of Destiny --- that can be used to command the shadows of anyone it touches.
The Shadow King uses the Spear of Destiny to enlist an unstoppable army of Dragon shadows. And after the Archipelago falls, the Shadow King intends to use the turmoil of World War II to take over both worlds.
All the legendary Caretakers, past and present, come together to save two worlds, and their only hope lies with a small group of companions who are on the quest for the broken sword Caliburn; the Grail Child, Rose Dyson; her clockwork companion, the owl Archie; a dead professor of ancient literature; and the mythical knight Don Quixote.
SPLENDOR: A Luxe Novel, by Anna Godbersen (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
New beginnings.
Shocking revelations.
Unexpected endings.
A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.
Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty --- but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.
In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?
DESTINY’S PATH: Warrior Princess, Book Two by Frewin Jones (HarperTeen)
Her destiny must be fulfilled . . .
Ranwen refuses to take orders from anyone --- even the Shining Ones, the ancient gods whose power is feared throughout the land. They want her as their Chosen One, destined to save her country from the Saxons. But Branwen doubts she's truly ready to be a leader.
Then a messenger from the skies shows her a vision of a bleak and violent future --- a future in which Branwen has abandoned her destiny, and those most dear to her suffer unspeakable horrors. There's a blurry line between good and evil, and those Branwen trusts the most are capable of the greatest betrayal. The Shining Ones have spoken. Will Branwen answer their call?
CHARMED AND DANGEROUS: The Rise of the Pretty Committee, by Lisi Harrison (Poppy/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Happy New Clique!
Once upon a time, in Westchester and Orlando, there were four betas just waiting for their alpha. It took a miracle to bring the Pretty Committee together --- or rather, a New Year's Yves party. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it just cliques.
Massie Block: Is destined to lead, but trapped as a beta in the Ahnabees, the top clique at PMS (Presbyterian Middle School). She has ah-mazing ideas --- Friday night sleepovers, Gossip Points, and atching charm bracelets. When will it be her time to rule?
Alicia River: Is dying to lead the Body Alive Dance Studio Squad. With the captain on vacation, BADSS’s live performance on Merri Lee Marvil’s New Year’s Yves show is her chance to shine. Will she prove herself alpha-worthy --- or will she need to find a whole new clique?
Dylan Marvil: Is done, done, and done with people kissing her teeny-tiny butt just because her mom is famous. But who would be brave enough to stand up to someone so Marvilous?
Kristen Gregory: Has made a New Year’s resolution to make friends and get a life. Escape from Planet Loser starts… now!
Claire Lyons: Is psyched times ten to win a last-minute invitation to the New Year’s Yves satellite party in Orlando. But first she needs to sneak out of the house. And the countdown to midnight begins in ten… nine… eight…
The Clique… the only thing harder than getting in is staying in.
TEMPTED: House of Night, Book Six by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Griffin)
So… you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul? Find out in the next spectacular installment in the House of Night Series, TEMPTED.
Paperback
THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES by Cecilia Galante (Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books)
Agnes and Honey have been best friends for as long as they can remember. But everything is about to change, from their friendship to the only home they’ve ever known: a religious commune called Mount Blessing. Agnes loves being a believer and following the rules of the commune, but Honey has started to rebel. Then, when Agnes and Honey experience the outside world (on the run, no less), their friendship is tested further. After all, when everything you’ve ever known turns out to be a lie, how do you find the truth? A powerful story of faith, doubt, abuse, and above all, friendship.
- Click here to read our review of THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES.
PERFECT MISTAKE by Kate Brian (Priviledge)
MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND KILL THE OLD....
Ariana Osgood has everything she's ever wanted. A place at elite Atherton-Pryce boarding school. Fabulous friends. A new crush. And most importantly, a new identity. Now that she's officially become Briana Leigh Covington, Ariana's troubled past is dead and buried.
Or is it?
When the one person who knows her secret arrives on campus, Ariana decides it's time to say good-bye to her ex-best friend --- forever. From the author of the bestselling Private novels comes a series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and PRIVILEGE.
New Releases for October 29th
Paperback
DRAGONHAVEN by Robin McKinley (Speak)
Jake lives at the Makepeace Institute of Integrated Dragon Studies in Smokehill National Park. There are five million acres of the Smokehill wilderness, and the endangered dragons rarely show themselves. Jake’s never seen one except at a distance. But then, on his first overnight solo in the park, he meets a dragon—and she is dying. More than that, she has just given birth, and one of the babies is still alive. . . .
- Click here to read our review of DRAGONHAVEN.
