Blog Tour and Giveaway: Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Welcome to the blog tour for Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows! This book publishes NEXT WEEK, which is craziness! Time really flies. Today I've got an entire with the mother of dragons herself, Jodi Meadows!

The Interview:

Alyssa: Hi Jodi! Welcome to The Eater of Books! I’m so happy to have you here today. How does it feel to be publishing a new series? 

JM: Hi! Thank you!

It’s always both exciting and scary to let a new story out of the house, and BEFORE SHE IGNITES was an ambitious project from the start. With so many islands, I had my work cut out for me with the worldbuilding, all the dragons, and the fact that a large amount of the book takes place in prison! 

Alyssa: Pitch your book to us! ___ meets ___, for fans of ___, etc.

JM: Oh this is hard! 

So, I’m just going to throw a couple of things in there and you tell me if you agree. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON meets ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (which I haven’t seen but other people have used this comp) for fans of Mary E. Pearson’s The Remnant Chronicles. 

Maybe?

Alyssa: That was perfect. =) What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?

JM: *laughs hysterically* 

*sobs*

Everything?

Alyssa: Understandable! Who was your favorite character to write?

JM: Besides Mira -- because I think main characters always should be the favorites, or why are they the main character? -- probably Gerel. I love her no-nonsense attitude and fierce loyalty, and how she tries to hide her affection for people but really sort of fails at it. 

Oh, and LaLa, of course. Because she’s an adorable little dragon ferret.

Alyssa: Do you have a favorite deleted/cut scene or line from Before She Ignites that you can share or describe to us?

JM: I’m really lucky in that I don’t have to cut a lot when I write. Or, rather, I don’t have to cut entire scenes. What I cut tends to be paragraphs and sentences, mostly with extraneous information or interactions that slow the pacing or distract the reader. 

In BSI specifically, I trimmed the flashbacks down a LOT. Originally, I was going to have the flashbacks be entire chapters, and there would be flashbacks from another character, too. (Those were moved to the second book.) Instead, I trimmed them to about 500 words each, except for a few longer ones that were plot-relevant, to keep them snappy and sharp. 

Alyssa: What are some other dragon-involved YA fantasy novels that you'd recommend to readers of Before She Ignites?

JM: I absolutely loved Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, and The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine has some amazing dragons, too!

Alyssa: Great choices! I adored those two books. How do you juggle multiple (contracted) projects? Given that you're working on this series, and another co-written series with Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton, what keeps your creative juices flowing?

JM: I have to be really careful about my time. Sometimes, it can feel like I’m playing Tetris with the multiple deadlines and also trying to have a life outside my work, but since the Janies books are every two years, rather than every year, that does help give me room to breathe. 

As for keeping creativity going -- both my solo work and my collaborative work inspires the other. I also try to make time to read, although it can be difficult to fit it in when I’m on multiple deadlines. But it is so important to keep up a steady diet of other people’s stories! 

Alyssa: What is one thing you hope readers will get out of Before She Ignites?

JM: A deep and abiding love of dragons. Hopefully no papercuts. 

Alyssa: Can you tell us anything about book two? A little snippet, sneak peek, hint, etc?

JM: “Power demanded to be used.”

Alyssa: Thank you, Jodi! =)

JM: Thank you!!

About the Book:

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Book One of the Fallen Isles series

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: September 12, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

Before

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | The Ivy Bookshop

Follow the Author:

Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy, the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology, and the FALLEN ISLES Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of MY LADY JANE (HarperTeen). 

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Trailer:

The Giveaway:

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Follow the Tour:

Monday 9/4 -TheLifeofABookNerdAddict - Guest Post 

Monday 9/4 - TalesofTheRavenousreader- Creative Post

Tuesday 9/5 - BooksAndPrejudice - Review

Wednesday 9/6 - The Eater of Books! - Interview

Thursday 9/7 - ForTheSakeofReading - Review

Friday 9/8 - ABackwardsStory- Guest Post

Monday 9/11 -MaryHadALittleBookBlog -Guest Post

Monday 9/11 - thatartsyreadergirl.com -Review

Tuesday 9/12  - TheYABookTraveler -Review 

Wednesday 9/13 - AThousandWordsAMillionBooks - Interview

Thursday 9/14 - BookCrush- Creative Post

Friday 9/15 - TheReaderAndTheChef- Review

Monday 9/18 -  YAandWine - Review

Tuesday 9/19 - TakeMeAwayToAGreatRead - Creative Post

Wednesday 9/20 - AphonicSarah - Interview 

Thursday 9/21 - TheKindredReader - Review

Friday 9/22 - ReadWriteLove28 - Excerpt 

Friday 9/22 - LoveIsNotATriangle - Guest Post

Blog Tour and Giveaway: My Lady Jane

Welcome to the blog tour for My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows! I'm really excited to be hosting these three wonderful ladies on my blog tour. Be sure to check it out, and enter the giveaway!

My review | Swoon Thursday

Meet the Lady Janies!

Alyssa: Hi ladies! My first question for you - how did the idea for the book originate? How did you three decide to work together on the project? 

B: Cynthia told me her idea over lunch one day. I thought, “There’s no one else I’d want to write a book with. Except maybe Jodi Meadows.” So, I said yes.

J: Brodi and Cynthia announced to me that they were writing a book together and asked if I wanted to write it with them. They didn’t tell me anything about it until after I’d agreed.

C: I’m devious that way. I’m also not very good at pitching my ideas, so it’s kind of a miracle that I got these two suckers to agree to write a comedy about the tragedy of Lady Jane Grey.

Alyssa: How did the title come about? Did any one of you chose it?

J: I’m pretty sure Cynthia came up with the title. 

C: I’m pretty sure I did, too. Although I don’t remember coming up with it.

Alyssa: Did you three do many retreats to get together and write parts of the book?

B: We would meet for a week at a time at my condo in Midway, Utah. We’d write a chapter a day, and then read them out loud at night. And laugh our butts off. 

J: It’s basically the most fun way to write a book . . . ever. 

C: It was. It kind of spoiled us for writing our solo books.

Alyssa: Are you allowed to tell us who wrote which character's point-of-view? Perhaps give us a hint!

J: I think it’s pretty obvious who wrote which character! But if you’re still not sure after you’ve read it, ask us and we’ll tell you. 

Alyssa: My last question - will there be more books to follow this story? Jane-related, or perhaps another alternative history retelling?

J: We are always writing books. 

About the Authors:

We're the authors of the upcoming young adult novel, MY LADY JANE, which will be out with HarperTeen on June 7, 2016. Our group is made up of Brodi Ashton (author of the EVERNEATH series and DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY), Cynthia Hand (New York Times bestselling author of the UNEARTHLY series and THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE), and Jodi Meadows (author of the INCARNATE and the ORPHAN QUEEN series). Between the three of us we've written thirteen novels, a bunch of novellas, a handful of short stories, and a couple of really bad poems, but this is the first time we've taken a stab at writing a book together. We're friends. We're writers. We're fixing history by rewriting one sad story at a time.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 7, 2016

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

For fans of The Princess Bride comes the comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey.

Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger—and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

The Giveaway:

Win one of three (3) copies of My Lady Jane! Open to anyone in the world, as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

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Review: My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 7, 2016

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

For fans of The Princess Bride comes the comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey.

Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger—and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.

What I Liked:

This book was splendid! What a fun story. I can see why people are recommending it if you liked The Princess Bride (which I loved, by the way). This is an alternate telling of the story of Lady Jane Grey, who became Queen of England for nine days. 

This book is told from three people's POVs - King Edward's, Lady Jane's, and Lord Gifford's (call him G). Edward is the teenage king of England, and he's also dying at the moment. So he names his cousin and closest friend Jane his heir, and he also mandates Jane's marriage to Gifford Dudley, second son of Lord Dudley, a powerful duke and adviser to the king. Book-loving Jane has no interest in marrying anyone, especially not a man who can never be found during the day, and is quite popular with the ladies at night (so the rumors say). And G - he doesn't really want to be married either, and his late-night adventures aren't what they seem. But Jane and G find themselves married to each other, and even crazier, they find out that they are pawns in a plot to make Jane the Queen of England. Even worse, there is someone else after Edward's throne...

This story was so funny and enjoyable! I think that is one thing that really sticks out to be, and was really well written - the humor. The book is well over five hundred pages long, but it never felt that long. Some of this is due to the fabulous humor in the book!

I liked G the most, of our three protagonists. G is an Edian, which is a human who can turn into a specific animal. G can turn into a horse, and unfortunately he cannot control the change, and he changes at dawn every day, and back to human again at dusk. G is a second son of a duke, and the duke and duchess have never treated G like a son. It's not wonder he loves being a horse, and enjoys running free while the sun shines. In any case, I liked G. He is patient and charming and sweet, and protective too (which I loved, but Jane wasn't always a fan).

Jane is truly a bookworm. Her nose is stuck in a book all the time, in the beginning of the book. She hates G as a principle and only marries him because it's Edward's wishes (he's dying and he's the king, so...). Jane can be pig-headed and silly sometimes, but she's also brave and fearless and bold. A little too bold, for this time period, but creative license and all that.

In fact, this whole tale is much too modern to really be historical, with all the modern slang. But it's a retelling of a practically medieval time in English history. There is no doubt that the authors did their research on this time period, even with this story reading so modernly. 

So our last protagonist, Edward. Edward is the dying king, who has never kissed a girl and barely rules as king. While Jane and G get married and are trying not to kill each other, Edward is busy trying to stay alive. But he finds out that he's being poisoned, and he barely escapes the palace. Edward's journey to getting back to the palace changes him, and he matures a great deal as the story goes on. 

In fact, all of our protagonists grow and mature. I was pretty pleased with Edward's character growth, but also Jane's. Jane could be pretty immature, in the earlier parts of the book. G... G had to grow up too, and face the responsibilities of being a duke's son, as well as a husband. Basically not just a horse anymore - in fact, he must learn how not to be a horse.

I loved watching G and Jane fall for each other! It's a hate-to-love relationship, and an arranged marriage. I actually really like both of these romance tropes, and they worked well inn this story. The authors never made it easy for the pair, but they found their way. There is also a second (separate) couple in the book. Yes, Edward finds someone he might be able to kiss! Anyway, I should mention that there was no love triangle, and the romances were pretty drama-free.

I loved how this book was not just the story of a newly married couple finding their way, or a king trying to take back his throne. G and Jane and Edward team up with some new friends to help Edward come up with a plan to take back his kingdom. The whole journey is filled with speed bumps and obstacles that are pretty funny, very reminiscent of The Princess Bride. There is a whole political aspect, between the Verities (people who think pure-blood humans are superior) and the Edians, and it greatly affects Edward's journey to reclaiming the throne.

If you think G is the only Edian in the story, think again. There are Edians everywhere! People who you least expect...

Overall, I really liked this book! I'd not read anything by Hand or Ashton before, but I love Meadows' The Orphan Queen duology. This standalone is pretty darn awesome!

What I Did Not Like:

Like I mentioned above, Jane was kind of annoying at times, especially in the beginning of the book. A little bratty, slightly stuck-up. But then, I feel like I understand her, and her position. Still, she could have been much less mean to G!

Would I Recommend It:

If you liked The Princess Bride, or YA historical fiction novels in general, this is a good for you! Also, people who like slow-burn, hate-to-love relationships. Also, HILARIOUS stories. 

Rating:

4 stars. I had a feeling that I would enjoy this book, and I did! I would if this trio of authors will write more alternate history stories... that would be fun!

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Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Swoon Thursday (#168): My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows!

"Oh, Jane." He kissed her. Softly at first, but then she pulled him close and pressed her lips harder to his. And that was it. She could feel him giving in by the way his body pressed against hers, the way one of his hands cupped her cheek, and the way the other slid down her arm. 

- eARC, 87%

Authors Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Read my review of My Lady Jane!

A shorter swoon this week - I cut the scene to avoid spoilers! The entire scene is adorable and serious at the same time. And the book - the book was fantastic!

Blog Tour Swoon Thursday (#166) and Giveaway: The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

Welcome to the blog tour for The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows! This is the highly anticipated sequel to The Orphan Queen, as well as it is the conclusion to the duology. Today I'm sharing a swoony excerpt from the book! Check it out, and enter to win prizes!

The Orphan Queen review | The Mirror King review

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows!

(POSSIBLE spoilers if you have not read book one, The Orphan Queen.)

His fingers slid beneath the mask, cool against my throat. Slowly, the silk slipped up and off my mouth and nose and eyes, then dropped to the bed as Tobiah moved close. There was a long, hesitating moment with fire surging through me. All the places we touched were bright and sharp and sensitive. More than anything, I wanted this part to linger - this aching and wanting, with his fingertips glancing off my jaw, when anything was possible. We might still make the right choice.

But what was one more mistake?

A soft groan escaped as I pushed toward him, and he pulled me in, and then I sat astride his lap, kissing him. Our mouths, touching. Our breaths, gasping. Our hands, grasping. The silk of his shirt slid across his skin where I caressed. His shoulders and arms were strong and toned, and the muscles flexed when he pulled the tie off the end of my braid and combed his fingers through my hair. His palm pressed flat against my spine and lit fires at the small of my back. His free hand rested on my hip, holding me in place.

He whsipered my name between kisses, moving from my lips to my cheeks to my jaw to my throat. He made me feel alive.

- ARC, pages 193-194

About the Book:

The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

Book Two of The Orphan Queen series

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right. 

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

About the Author:

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy and the forthcoming ORPHAN QUEEN Duology (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen).

*A Kippy is a cat.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

The Giveaway:

One (1) copy of The Orphan Queen + one (1) copy of The Mirror King for one lucky winner! The giveaway will be open internationally (as long as Book Depository ships to you).

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Review: The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

Book Two of The Orphan Queen series

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right. 

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

What I Liked:

Dear All Other YA Fantasy Authors: Take notes. You want to write a conclusion to a duology or trilogy or series in general? THIS is how you do it. Complex, heartbreaking, developed, gorgeous and so so so satisfying, in the end. How NOT to break your readers' hearts and yet, still twist their emotions and feels and have them hanging on desperately. Jodi Meadows SLAYS in The Mirror King (and I don't necessarily mean that literally - or do I?).

Do I dare summarize this book? It starts exactly where The Orphan Queen ends, with that tragic and totally scary ending. I will say, that certain part of the ending is not permanent. WHY it is not permanent, I won't say. But anyway. Wil is determined to find Patrick, who is trying to rally people to support him in taking Aecor - in Wil's name. Wil knows that taking Aecor means declaring war on the Indigo Kingdom, and she doesn't want that. But you can't always have what you want, something both Wil and Tobiah realize. Both of them must make decisions that will hurt, but the decisions will be for the greater good of their respective kingdoms.

This book. I don't even know where to start. Can I just tell you all that it was AMAZING, a perfect conclusion to the series, and a must-read? I thought The Orphan Queen was fantastic, but The Mirror King probably beats it. Both are getting four stars from me, but it's more like super super SUPER close to five stars. I'm a tough nut to crack when it comes to five stars.

I love how Meadows digs even deeper in Wil's character, and her mind. Is she brave enough to go after Aecor, despite her alliance with Tobiah? Is she good enough to be a queen? Is she ready? Yes, she was born a princess, but is she a capable queen? Wil has so many insecurities in this novel, and all of them are legitimate and understandable and I love how Meadows skips none of them. Wil is every bit of the tough and kickbutt and strong woman that she was in The Orphan Queen, but she has matured and developed into someone who must think of the greater good.

Oh Tobiah. He too undergoes character development that comes from a heartbreaking event. Seeing him making difficult decisions and indirectly pushing Wil away is heartbreaking, but you can't help but understand what he's doing and why. I adore Tobiah. He's regal and strong and someone I'd want in my corner, but he also has insecurities and doubts, just like Wil.

I won't say much specifically about the plot, because I don't want to accidentally spoil anything. But I will say that despite this book being nearly 1.5 times the length of your average YA book, I read it in practically lightning speed. I couldn't stop reading. Meadows just kept throwing twist after twist, crazy event after crazy event. So much of this book happens because of the wraith boy, and the wraith, and a different villain who is creepy. Meadows concocts a really intriguing and heart-pounding and exciting story! Coming down to the climax and ending of the book felt like a high-speed gallop to the finish line. I couldn't read fast enough!

The romance isn't the center of the book (just like how it isn't in The Orphan Queen), but it is important and somehow, ever-present, even though it's not physically always present. I like how complicated Wil feels about Tobiah. These two aren't your average couple, and they can't just be together because they want to be. They struggle and push and pull and hurt and fight. I love the romance in this book. 

I'll wrap this up now. I won't say anything specific about the ending, except that I loved it. There is a bittersweet part to the ending, but the ending is so good, guys. It's not cookie-cutter perfect, but rather, VERY realistic for a fantasy novel, and satisfying. SO satisfying, I promise! 

What I Did Not Like:

The only complaint I have is that I didn't think the author did the best job of recapping the big things that happened in The Orphan Queen, in the very beginning of The Mirror King. Typically authors use the first chapter of a sequel to kind of get readers back into the world, and remember what happened (the major things) in the previous book(s). They do it by dispersing the recap throughout the chapter. I think because the author started this book EXACTLY where The Orphan Queen ended, she couldn't really work in the dispersed recap? I'm not sure. But I'll be honest - I read The Orphan Queen over a year ago. And besides the CRUEL ending, I didn't remember some pretty significant things, like certain people's names, or the fact that THIS guy is good and we actually like THIS girl. I caught on as it unfolded but now I want to reread The Orphan Queen (which isn't a bad thing).

So I guess I recommend a reread of The Orphan Queen, before starting this book!

Would I Recommend It:

I highly highly HIGHLY recommend this series. It's only a duology and this is the second book, so you don't have to wait in agony like I (and many others) did. If you like YA fantasy, read this series. If you don't like YA fantasy, read this series. 

If you like to read, read this series. Or maybe you don't like to read? Read this series.

Rating:

4.5 stars. What a perfect (I say "perfect" but not in a "cliche perfect" kind of way) ending to a wonderful series! I love this duology something fierce!

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Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Swoon Thursday (#107): The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows!

I slipped one hand to the back of his neck, my fingers sliding into strands of soft hair, and pulled him close.

Our lips touched with soft, hesitating movements, and for a moment, I thought he might pull back again. But [redacted] sighed my name as he kissed a trail of sparks down my cheek and throat, and I lost myself in memorizing the curves and contours of his face. His cheekbones, sharp and prominent. His nose, aristocratically strong. His jaw, angular and firm. When we kissed again, a low moan vibrated in his throat.

His arms wound around my waist, pulling my hips closer to his. His hands splayed out on the small of my back; the very tips of his fingers dug against my clothes.

I touched his throat, his chin. Pressing upward, I explored the ridges of his brow and temples. The soft fan of his eyelashes breezed over my palm. He was forbidden to look at, but I mapped his features with my hands.

And when he kissed me again, all warm invitation, my thoughts swirled away, like drops of ink in water. I wanted more and more.

- ARC, pages 298-299

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Read my review of The Orphan Queen!

Review: The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Book One of The Orphan Queen series

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

What I Liked:

Holy guacamole. This book. The ending. Oh my gosh. I literally just finished the book, so bear with me as I write this review. So... my review might not be thoroughly coherent. It might just be a bunch of flails. I might not even make it through the entire review. OH GOSH MY HEART.

Wil is an orphan, a princess - orphan queen - of Aecor. She and a ragtag group of orphans from Aecor are trying to take back Aecor. To do so, she and her friend Melanie masquerade as destitute nobles of Liadia, so that they can have refuge in the Skyvale Palace... and get information about Aecor, the armies of the Indigo Kingdom, anything useful that could aid the Ospreys (Wil and her group) in their attempt to reclaim Aecor. But little go as planned with the presence of wraith, Black Knife, and a danger against which even Wil cannot guard herself.

I love fantasy. I love epic fantasy. I love high fantasy. Basically, I love fantasy (if you couldn't already tell). It's my favorite genre, and I can't ever seem to get enough. I especially love fantasy in YA literature, because it's amazing and creative and wonderful, but not heavy and boring (like in adult fiction - in my opinion). Jodi Meadows masterfully creates the world in this book. Her writing is lush and rich, and her world-building is very thorough and imaginative. I had no problems picturing the towns, palace, and other locations in my mind. 

Wil is a very likable heroine. It was easy to root for her throughout the book, it was easy to see her side of things, it was easy to like her. She is brave and fierce, selfless and intelligent. I liked the way her mind works, the way she thought through things. She stood toe-to-toe with Patrick (the Aecor boy who saved her and other Aecor orphans), challenging his ruthless decisions. She never threw her title in any of the Ospreys' faces, but she always commanded authority when she felt necessary. She fought with Black Knife (the vigilante who has actually been killing wraith creatures, which is pretty noble). She pretended to be a dead noble for weeks, and did an excellent job of it. I really liked Wil, and I hope I continue liking her in this series!

There are so many amazing secondary characters in this novel! Wil's best friend, Melanie, accompanies her to the palace, also a dead noble. I liked Melanie, though I definitely questioned her loyalty and her being at times. There was Black Knife, a masked vigilante who is curious about Wil, and always seems to find her. There is James, the prince's cousin and guard, who is a great friend to Wil. He's hilarious, and very flirtatious and sweet. There is the prince himself, who is (as Wil says) "sour". I liked him though. The Ospreys - the orphans from Aecor who are helping Wil reclaim her kingdom. So many well-written, three-dimensional characters that I loved. 

This book is broken up into three parts. Wil goes to the palace with Melanie, to obtain necessary information for their plans. But there are things that Wil is curious about, like wraith in Liadia. Wil goes to investigate the fallen Liadian barrier, hoping that no one at the palace will question her feigned illness. I love that there is more than one plot in this book, more than one story. Wil needs to sneak around the palace, to get information. Wil is trying to find out more about wraith and the wraithlands. Wil is also leaving the palace at night, and sometimes tangles with Black Knife (meaning they fight and threaten each other, and possibly kill wraith creatures every now and then). There is a lot going on in this book, so you can't get bored... you might get bored with one part of the story (probably not though), and there is another part of the story to pick you up!

There IS romance in this book. I'm purposefully not saying much about the specifics, who is who. But I will say that I LOVE the romance. It's complicated, it's twisted, it's difficult - and what's new, when it comes to romance in fantasy novels? But there isn't a love triangle, there is no insta-love, and I have high hopes for the romance (though I probably should be more wary, for certain specific reasons).

The ending is AWFUL. Awful as in awfully heartbreaking. I hate the ending, but it definitely adds to the story, and I see why the author chose to end this book in such a way. It's cliffhanger-y, so if you hate those, perhaps you might be better off waiting until closer to book two's publication (in 2016?!). But then, we'll probably have to wait for a book three... reading and waiting for books is so difficult! ****EDIT: the author confirmed that there will only be two books in this series - a duology! So, not too much waiting.

What I Did Not Like:

This book loses an entire star from me because of the ending. The cliffhanger is so mean. Like I said above, I get it, but... it's a heartbreaking ending. And so this book gets one less star. Sorry not sorry.

Would I Recommend It:

I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE! Fantasy lovers especially, but anyone who enjoys a well-written story (so like, all readers?). Just beware of the ending - it WILL break you. You might be better off waiting for a completed series (see my edit above though - there are only two books to this series!). But hey, I'm not trying to make anyone's decisions for them. I obviously couldn't wait to read this one, so, I'll just suffer quietly.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. Because of that ending. I love/hate it. I love this book though. It's definitely a favorite so far (despite not earning a 5-star rating), and I can't wait to read the novellas, and the sequel novel! In 2016. Ugh.

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