Waiting on Wednesday #759

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

MORTAL THINGS BY MARIE LU 

Goodreads Description:

Set in a world of insatiable immortals, their eternal rivalries, and the humans trapped between them, MORTAL THINGS is a cinematic and sweeping new fantasy from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu, perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter and A Darker Shade of Magic.

Rose Lin Fairchild didn’t believe in gods, but one chose her anyway.

Rose despises Raven, the god of Death. His mysterious commands. His mercurial moods. His closed heart. But most of all, she loathes that she was forced to become his Harbinger, a human mercenary tasked to fulfil their god’s every want and whim. Still, she would do it again, because being a Harbinger is the only thing keeping her best friend alive.

When a murder rocks the world of the gods, Rose is suddenly thrust into the immortal realm's spotlight as Raven's heir. This is her chance to free her friend once and for all. But in order for her to ascend, she must first prove herself to the other gods—and the one person standing in her way is a fellow Harbinger.

Étienne Beauchard is notorious for his sly wit and charming good looks. Rose can’t stand that he is the one assigned to test her abilities, but as their initial hostility evolves into an intense attraction, they find that the gods’ secrets go deeper than they ever expected. Something is wrong in the immortal world, something that threatens to break their bond and engulf them all in war.

As Rose and Étienne fight to uncover the truth and trust each other with their hearts, they realize that everything hinges on the same How far would you go to save the person you love?

Format: 368 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: October 20, 2026 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

New Marie Lu book :D Though, well, I am a little behind on reading her newest books. Oops. But been a fan of her for so many years now, since Legend came out. And so of course I'm buying this newest book by her :) I think it sounds pretty exciting. And I'm so hoping that I will end up loving it a whole bunch. <3
What are you waiting for on this fantastic Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #756

Eee, it's my birthday tomorrow :D Turning 33, ack. <3 I'm always excited for my birthdays. We have such a small family, which is the best. Will be several cakes and good food. And presents, eee. I'm excited :) Been a pretty long week, though. I'm in a bit too much pain lately, and I hate it. Hmph. But I'm trying my best. Taken some spa baths; but not many, it's still windy and cold. Brrr. Still waiting on my big package with my next read; but it should arrive next week, and ahh. I am so very excited :) It's going to be so very good. Did not get a lot of mail this week; just one package. And not a good one. Rude. But more great mail next week :) I'm excited. This week I'm waiting for Up From the Ashes. <3 Hope you are all well :)

Pop Mart. I got my popmart mystery box at last. I was sad when I missed out on one last year, since so many got awesome items. And so I had to get the one that came out last month. But then people started getting it. And all they got was trash items. And I was so nervous. Yet some got the epic items. So I had hope. Then mine arrived this week. And uuuugh. I got the trash package. Sooobs. I'm so sad. Who would want that football figure? Ugh. Not even pop mart, honestly. It is several years old. And so ugly. And that banana figure? What even is that? I am so disappointed. The three mystery boxes are cute, though, and I love love love the Pink Panther one that I got :) But not worth the money at all. I am sad. So rude of them.

More Instagram photos here. <3 

Waiting on Wednesday #758

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

UP FROM THE ASHES BY SHARON CAMERON

Goodreads Description:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon Cameron returns with a stunning story about the fight to survive - and find love - in the face of the ugliest of nightmares, based on the true story of two heroes and their resistance in the Sobibor death camp during the Holocaust.

Selma Wijnberg is a criminal, a prisoner. Because she is Jewish. For this crime, in the depths of Hitler's occupation of Holland, Selma is deported to the Sobibor death camp, sentenced to sort the clothes of the dead while a smoke made of thousands blackens the sky. And in the light of this enormous funeral pyre, at the end of a Nazi pistol, Selma is ordered to dance. The hand that offers to dance with her is strong. Steady. It belongs to Chaim Engel. Chaim is a Polish Jew and also a prisoner. Chaim and Selma don't speak the same language. But sometimes, love doesn't need a language.

Who falls in love in the middle of hell? Chaim and Selma do. And who knew that love could kindle so much hope.

But when the prisoners of Sobibor hatch a daring plan of escape, it is time to kill or be killed. The gate or the fire. Chaim and Selma will go out on their feet, or out with the smoke. In an hour of terror and panic, of bullets and bloodshed, Chaim and Selma discover that hope--and two hands twined tightly together--can be the key to keeping two people alive.

Based on the remarkable true story of Selma Wijnberg and Chaim Engel, and the infamous revolt and escape of the Sobibor death camp prisoners, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light in Hidden Places, Sharon Cameron crafts an extraordinary and evocative thriller that celebrates how hope and love can conquer even the most impossible of odds.

Format: 416 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: October 6, 2026 by Scholastic Press
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I am so very curious and excited about this book. It sounds heartbreaking yet exciting too. I have read many books by Sharon, and she writes such stunning stories. I am sure this one will be too. Can't wait :)
What are you waiting for on this daring Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #755

Meh. Not been feeling much better this week. Rude. Still just too tired most of the time. But I'm trying my best :) Not read anything, but that's because I'm waiting on an epic book that may arrive next week, eee :) But ohh. I did re-watch season 1 of One Piece this week. And saw season 2. I love this show very much. Sigh. It's so good. Need season 3 already, though. Hmph. Also saw Apex yesterday, which was weird but good too. Hoping to watch more movies as well :) Got a bit too much mail, oops. <3 And waiting on some epic things next week, or the week after, eee. I'm so excited :D And ugh. We had spring feeling last week. This week we had snow storms. Ruuude. Brrr. Should be better next week sometime. Probably. I want my spring back, ha :) This week I'm waiting on Seek the Traitor's Son :) I hope that you are all doing well. <3

The Lunar Chronicles. Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter. Eeee. After waiting forever and ever, I got my Bookish Box exclusive set :D And it is so very beautiful. Glad that I bought this. <3 Gorgeous artwork.
The Rebel Witch. Fairyloot edition. And it looks stunning. Bought as I have book one. Reading one day.
The Escape Game. US and UK editions :D Both of them are beautiful. I love Marissa. Reading soonish.
Bing's Cherries Swag. Eeee! Thank you so much Livia for this most precious pre-order swag :D I love it.
Funko Pop. After waiting weeks, I finally got my order. Had to get these, haha :) Love the new Pokemon ones. And new Disney Princesses. And new Erica from Stranger Things. And the others are precious too.

Pop Mart. Whoops. This was a very expensive mail week, ack. So many lovely popmart items, eee :D I am so happy, haha. <3 I got the new Fifa medium sized Labubu, which is precious. Love the blue color. Also got the little purse Labubu head thing, as it is so cute. Got the gorgeous Hirono hare, luckily got the regular one, the pink. So cute. Got one of the Bikini Bottom Buddies, new ones, though the one I got is pretty ugly, haha :) Yet I love it too. All of those were bought from the official popmart store at aliexpress, as usual. And theeeeen!!!! LABUBU SECRETS :D Eeeeee! Exciting Macaron and Have a Seat. These two beauties I bought from Whoopea. As I did not want to buy more blind boxes, so I bought these two confirmed, eee. More expensive, but not that bad, honestly. So I could not resist any longer. And I'm so glad that I bought them confirmed :) They are both beautiful, eee. <3 So so very happy with both of them. Sigh. They are stunning :) Have a Seat is so fluffy. Now missing a few secrets, but not getting them yet :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #757

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

SEEK THE TRAITOR'S SON BY VERONICA ROTH 

Goodreads Description:

DELUXE EDITION—a beautiful hardcover edition featuring sprayed edges.

A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Format: 432 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: May 12, 2026 by Tor Books
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohh. I am very curious about this new book by Veronica :D It sounds different. Yet it sounds pretty exciting too. And so I do think I will like this one. Once I find time to read it, ack :) Love the cover. <3
What are you waiting for on this destined Wednesday?