Waiting on Wednesday #774

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

EMPIRE (Heir Duology #2) BY SABAA TAHIR 

Goodreads Description:

The gripping conclusion to the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic fantasy duology that began with HEIR, from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award–winning author Sabaa Tahir.

A crumbling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.

In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Aquilla and his Aunt Helene are losing a battle against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him broken-hearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid—from the most treacherous of allies.

Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha fights for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past—and face horrors in her own.

Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets and a lie that could destroy the world.

In Empire, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.

Format: 528 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: September 22, 2026 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Okay, I know. I have not yet read book one. Sigh. But I do own it, and I have pre-ordered this second one too, haha :D I am unsure about them, though. I really hope to love this duology. Hope to read it soon; and love it too :) It just sounds like there are too many characters, ahhh. So much to pay attention to, haha :D
What are you waiting for on this ruthless Wednesday?

Review: Better Pets by Leigh Bardugo & Liz Climo

This picture book was all kinds of adorable. It was full of gorgeous color illustrations that I so really loved. Cute pets are very much for me. I am giving it four stars, as I didn't fully love this one, as I wish there had been a little more, but oh, I really adored it even so. Written well too.

This short picture book tells the story of best friends Yvette and Evan. They live in a town where everyone owns a pet. But they do not. And they are not sure which ones to choose. They do not want to pick the wrong one. And then an adoption day for cats and dogs come.

But so does a store, named Better Pets. They visit that one. I so enjoyed the illustrations in this book. The pets were all looking so pretty and weird. This book was full of details. Which I loved looking at. The pets in this store were all different from regular pets. They could all do some magical things. Which was fun to read about and look at. I think that younger children will adore this picture book. There were also rhymes pretty much on all pages, which was cute. Yvette and Evan look at all these better pets, but they are unsure what to get.

This picture book is written by Leigh Bardugo, whom I must always read everything from. It is illustrated by Liz Climo, and she did such a wonderful job. The art was truly gorgeous. I loved the colors and all of the pets. Cats are my favorites, always. There is a white cat somewhere too, like mine, which I loved the most, haha. Better Pets was a short and cute picture book. Easy and fast to read. I only wish it had been longer, as I always do. Maybe a little more focus on the friendship too. But the rest of it was so adorable.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Review: Bing's Cherries by Livia Blackburne & Julia Kuo

Of course I could not resist reading another picture book by Livia. What I enjoy most about her picture books is that they tell true stories about Chinese American immigrants. Stories about people I have not heard about before, but that I'm now happy to have gotten to know a little bit. Bing seemed great. 

The author and illustrator notes at the back are always great. As it also shares a little more about the real person, but also about Livia and Julia, which I loved. The picture book was so fast and easy to read. I liked the story a lot. The artwork was also gorgeous. This book is ending up as a four star for me.

Because while I did like this story a whole bunch, I felt like the artwork lacked a little bit. I do wish there had been more colors. I may have been a bit weirded out by the hairstyle of Bing, haha. But I also found the art to be so very pretty and it is full of details. So my issues are not big. The text from Livia fit well with the art from Julia. Although, yes, I do wish it had been longer. Oops. But I do guess that is the point of picture books. They are supposed to be so short. I also felt like the story was told well enough. I got to know Bing and how he came to Oregon and planted his cherries. I will say that I found his story to be heartbreaking. He left behind a wife and seven adopted sons. And it took him thirty years to return home. Oh. Fully sad.

Bing's Cherries was a well written and greatly illustrated story about Ah Bing. I loved that it was a true story about his life. Well, mostly. It came from the thoughts of a little girl, so some details were not right. But it was fully adorable. I liked that Bing was tall. I do wish the story had been longer and the artwork had been more colorful. But I also liked the story the way it was too. And I am glad that I read it. I think young children may adore this too. And I will, as always, read more books by Livia and artwork by Julia.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

In My Mailbox #771

Another week gone by. Another week of us not having summer. Sobs. It is just so very rude. We have had so very few sunny days this summer. And not warm at all. I am not happy about it. Keep hoping we will get a warm fall.. but doubting it. Hmph. Hopefully next year will be better, though. Ack. But anyway. I am exhausted, still. I'm testing a new medicine which should help with pain and other things. It somewhat helps. It works with my sleep, so I have been sleeping better this week. Mostly. Done nothing for my pain just yet, though. But hoping it works soon :) I have pretty much done nothing this week, though. Oh. I so need to read. I need to tidy. But I just can't. No energy. Been playing a bunch of Pokopia, as the newest update was just so lovely. <3 And the days just go by so fast. Ahh. Got less mail this week, aw. But, you know, maybe time I start buying less, haha :) But, well. More coming soon. Oops. <3 Shall buy less, some day soon, haha :D This week I'm waiting on Bright and Shiny Things. <3 I hope you are all doing great :) 

Chaotic Orbits. New Beth Revis trilogy, all in one book. <3 I hope to be able to read this one day soon :)
My Little Pony. I found this Switch game pretty cheap, and I could not resist buying it, haha :) Looks cute.
Funko Pop. And then I bought this Jinu keychain as well; simply because he is my favorite and I love this.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #773

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

BRIGHT AND BROKEN THINGS BY RYAN GRAUDIN 

Goodreads Description:

Set among the glittering parties and Egyptology craze of the 1920s, young academic learns he might be the key to an ancient Egyptian tomb coveted by a powerful cabal of magicians in this enthralling adventure from the author of Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois.
 
Ezra Bright has returned to London after serving in World War I but, like many returned soldiers, he is haunted by his time on the front lines and the loss of his adoptive brother. He attempts to put the nightmares behind him and focus on his dissertation, but a chance encounter with his sister, Biz, introduces him to the Bright Young Things, a group of socialites famous for their elaborate costume parties and treasure hunts spanning London. At one such party Ezra meets Celia, a young socialite who introduces him to a world of magic and secret societies.
 
Unbeknownst to many, a powerful cabal of magicians known as the Order has been stealing magical artifacts in the hopes of impressing its mysterious leader. The ultimate prize is said to bestow immortality on its bearer and Celia suspects Ezra may be in possession of the powerful, ancient magic key to locating it. When Biz mistakes a note from Ezra’s mother for the start of another scavenger hunt, the Order is alerted to Ezra’s presence forcing him, Celia, Biz and her fiancé on a race across Cairo to find the treasure before the Order does.

Format: 384 pages, Paperback
Expected Publication: September 22, 2026 by Redhook
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

I have been a fan of Ryan for many years now, and so I am still buying all her new books, though I am a little bit behind as well. <3 And ohh, I'm excited about this one :D I think it looks and sounds so awesome.
What are you waiting for on this bright Wednesday?