Waiting on Wednesday #753

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

KATABASIS BY R. F. KUANG

Goodreads Description:

Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in this all-new dark academia fantasy from R. F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and Yellowface, in which two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul—perhaps at the cost of their own.

Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek:

The story of a hero’s descent to the underworld

Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality: her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world.

That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault.

Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams….

Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the very same conclusion.

With nothing but the tales of Orpheus and Dante to guide them, enough chalk to draw the Pentagrams necessary for their spells, and the burning desire to make all the academic trauma mean anything, they set off across Hell to save a man they don’t even like.

But Hell is not like the storybooks say, Magick isn’t always the answer, and there’s something in Alice and Peter’s past that could forge them into the perfect allies…or lead to their doom.

Format: 541 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: August 26, 2025 by HarperVoyager
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Another recent Fairyloot edition for me :) And this one had such stunning artwork, as usual. <3 It has made me curious about the book. Seen it talked about often too. Did not actually read the summary until now. Oops. But now I'm more curious :) School books are not for me. But a journey to hell? I am curious.
What are you waiting for on this dark Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #750

Oh. This week have been a goddamn pain. I'm not sleeping well at all. And I'm not getting nearly enough sleep either. Ugh. It's driving me nuts. I'm also fully exhausted at all times. Rude. But I'm trying my best. Finally made myself start reading; though have not made that much progress. But will read a little more before bed :) Was also so sick last night, been having the worst headache. Shudders. Have also played Pokopia all week long. Again. Oops. I just cannot stop playing it, haha :) There is still so much to do. Ahh. I love it to pieces. But yeah. Need to read some too :) And maybe finally watch Bridgerton with my mom next week, ack. Just hope my health starts getting better too. Hmph. Got some lovely mail, always. <3 This week I'm waiting on Victorious :) Hope you are all doing well. <3 I am waiting for spring to arrive :)

Divine Rivals. Ohh, special edition out already. And it is all kinds of gorgeous, eee. I loved this so much.
A Rose of Blood and Binding. My stunning US hardcovers have made it :D I so loved this final book. <3
SanDisk. Had to get more memory for my Switch 2; expensive. Got 100 Funko Pop stands; need more :)
Plush. Had to share a photo of this cutie too, haha :) Bought a cow last time. But needed this pink too. <3
Funko Pop. Yeah. I couldn't resist all the new Kpop Demon Hunters ones :D So cute. Love Stitch + Rolly.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #752

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

VICTORIOUS (Villains #3) BY V. E. SCHWAB 

Goodreads Description:

The triumphant conclusion to the Villains trilogy from V.E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.

The ExtraOrdinary of Merit City, a secret group of individuals gifted with a power connected to their manner of near-death experience, have been keeping a low profile, avoiding the ever-watchful eye of EON in the wake of the showdown with Marcella, Eli, and Serena.

But when EON―and its relationship to the ExtraOrdinaries― begins to change under the leadership of a new director with a terrifying agenda, the time for hiding is over. The path to the truth of what happened to EON leads Victor, Sydney, Mitch and the rest into the enemy’s lair at EON headquarters, where they encounter unexpected allies, shocking new abilities, and the ultimate confrontation.

Against all the years, the betrayals, and the odds―the arch rivals and their allies will meet for a final time, on a chess board laid out by a rival they didn’t expect.

Format: 592 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: October 6, 2026 by Tor Books
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Ohh, I am curious about this third book :D It has been ten years since I read Vicious. I have not yet read book two. But I adore this author. So I am excited to read all three books together after this comes out :)
What are you waiting for on this vicious Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #749

Yeah. This week have been a little crazy busy. Oops. I started playing Pokemon Pokopia almost a week ago now. And I cannot stop playing it. I play for hours each day. Ahhh. I just love it the very most. It's my favorite game since Animal Crossing. Which I also still play daily. Oops. So my days are even more busy than before. Sigh. I'm exhausted at all times. But I also love it so much. Pokopia is just the very best, eee. There is too much to do, though, ahh. But so good. Sigh. I need to start a new book in the next few days. If I can manage to stop playing for a bit, haha. Also have so so many things that need tidying. Ugh. Soon, maybe. Anyway. Not much mail this week, but loving it :) Waiting on some great pop mart items, though, but won't be here for a few weeks. I finally got the activity thing taken off this week. It was such a pain to have on for more than a week. Ugh. But now done, at last :) I'm still tired and hurting at all times. Rude. But doing my best. This week I'm waiting on Immortal Consequences :) Hope you are all doing well. <3

A Rose of Blood and Binding. Finished copies have arrived :D My two UK paperback editions. <3 Love :)
Stranger Things. I tried again to get Max. No luck. But at least it was not another Steve, ha. Love Eleven.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #751

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

IMMORTAL CONSEQUENCES BY I.V. MARIE 

Goodreads Description:

Six students at Blackwood Academy, an enigmatic boarding school located at the edge of the afterlife, must compete for the once-in-eternity chance to change their fate—or risk remaining stuck in purgatory forever. An unputdownable debut full of hairpin twists, shock betrayals and world-defying love, for fans of The Atlas Six.

Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located at the fringes of the afterlife, where students are fated to spend the rest of eternity shepherding lost souls. Once a pupil enters the school’s arched gates, there is no way out…except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration that rewards nominees who pass its trials with a choice: formally graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or venture into the unknown and cross over to the mysterious Other Side.

Wren Loughty is certain that this Decennial, she has what it takes to earn the nomination—unless, that is, her academic archrival Augustine Hughes steals her spot.

Irene Manette Bamford has never cared about playing by the rules. She’s willing to break whatever (and whoever) stands between her and getting the hell out of Blackwood, including her best and only friend, Masika Sallow.

Olivier Dupont gave up on securing the nomination ages ago. But after he meets Blackwood’s newest student, Emilio Córdova, he’ll do anything to keep Emilio from leaving him and crossing over to the Other Side—even if it means claiming the victory for himself.

All of them are determined to be Blackwood’s chosen candidate–and all of them would do anything to win. But none of them are prepared for what’s to come. Because this Decennial will be different. This time, the Decennial isn’t a celebration…it’s a competition. And there can only be one victor.

Six nominees. Four trials. Untold danger. Wren, August, Irene, Masika, Olivier and Emilio are about to learn: there are some fates worse than death.

Format: 445 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: July 31, 2025 by Electric Monkey
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Another older Fairyloot book I had not shared about. <3 Hmm. I am very unsure about this book. I think the Fairyloot edition I got is gorgeous. And I think the book sounds exciting too. But oh so many different characters? I do not think that would be for me, ack. But I shall have to peek at it some, to be fully sure :)
What are you waiting for on this chosen Wednesday?