Covers and Cupcakes: 5 YA Contemporary Reads

What happens when you combine your love of YA books and eating cupcakes? Well, you start imagining delicious cupcakes as your favorite YA book covers! Thus, the new blog feature COVERS AND CUPCAKES is born. I've combed through hours of cupcake pictures to find the perfect match for these YA books. This week's theme is contemporary reads. Take a look at my picks and click the link for recipes!

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

Vanilla cupcakes with yellow & pink rose frosting

GoodReads

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Banana-Caramel Decadence Cupcakes

Recipe

GoodReads

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Blue Velvet Cupcakes with Galaxy Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe

GoodReads

I Believe In A Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

Vanilla Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream Frosting topped with a Daisy

GoodReads

Once And For All by Sarah Dessen

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting as Hydrangeas

Recipe

GoodReads

So, how did I do friends? Is this something you would like to see weekly on the blog? Also, have you read any of these books? Please leave a comment here or on Twitter to let me know your thoughts!

*Disclaimer: Credit for pictures belongs to their respective owners. I own nothing.*

Posted by: Amna (@perusingya)

So... about that Red Queen 3 title

Two days ago Epic Reads revealed the title of book three in the Red Queen series:

My immediate reaction upon seeing this was the following:

OMG we know the title of book three!!! 

*cue fangirling* 

AND we have to wait till February 2017 to read it. 

*cue tears* 

BUT on June 28th we'll see the cover!!!!! 

*resume fangirling*

Soon enough the excitement turned into deep thinking. I began to ask myself:

1. Is someone in a cage? Will they get out of it?
2. Why are they in a cage?
3. Does "cage" refer to an actual cage or is this symbolic of something else?
4. Who is being referred to as the "king?" 
5. Will the cover have another crown or something else? A cage perhaps?
6. WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?????

So I did what any good booknerd does in this situation. I went back to the books to look for clues to what this confounding title could mean. Guess what? I found something.

Before I dive into my thoughts, I want to state that this is all SPECULATION. It's just my opinion and thoughts on what the title could POSSIBLY, MAYBE mean. The purpose of sharing this is to have fun discussing a favorite series. If I'm right YAY! If I'm wrong BUMMER! In a few days we'll know the answers. Until then let's enjoy trying to solve the mystery.

Alright, let's get started!

TITLE SPECULATION

I think for most people the word "cage" in the title was unexpected. It's a little random but also mysterious, dark, and ominous. However, when I skimmed through GLASS SWORD and arrived at the epilogue, I stumbled upon something VERY INTERESTING:

It's ok. Take a moment... or several. Let it sink in.

In this scene Mare is being taken to Maven to be put on display for the entire kingdom after her surrender. The little lightning girl in chains. "A living trophy" to be gawked and jeered at. Mare isn't in a literal cage but a symbolic one. She recognizes being in this situation before. In RED QUEEN her "cage" was being paraded around as Mareena Titanos. Both times Mare made the selfless choice so she could protect those that she loves.

Maven is King of Norta (for now) and I do believe he is the "king" being referred to in the title. Therefore, I SPECULATE that KING'S CAGE is a symbolic reference to Mare being Maven's prisoner. Mare has gone from being Maven's "red queen" to the "glass sword" that would kill him to being trapped in the "king's cage" as his prisoner.  It's interesting how POSSIBLY all three titles connect Mare and Maven.

COVER SPECULATION

So far the covers of RED QUEEN and GLASS SWORD have featured bloody (but gorgeous) crowns. Makes sense as "queen" is in the title and this is a fantasy story with royals/kingdoms. It's a logical assumption that the pattern of using a bloody crown on the cover of book three would continue. Of course when the title was finally revealed as KING'S CAGE this called into question the established cover pattern. Could the cover feature an actual cage, even if it's a fancy one?!

As I kept reading the epilogue of GLASS SWORD I discovered another possible clue that could hint at the cover to KING'S CAGE:

Is it all clicking into place now? 

I believe that the collar is the physical symbol of Mare as Maven's prisoner.  Wouldn't this collar perfectly represent the title KING'S CAGE? 

But wait!!! What about the pattern of using crowns on the covers? Read the description of the collar again. Doesn't it sound like a deadly but beautiful CROWN fit for a "living trophy?" The crowns' designs are a symbolic interpretation of the titles and story. 

RED QUEEN - silver crown with red blood - symbolizes Mare as a Red with Silver abilities

GLASS SWORD - glass crown with a sword in the middle covered in red and silver blood - 

symbolizes Mare becoming a weapon to kill Maven

KING'S CAGE - jeweled crown with spikes (not sure about the blood color) - symbolizes Mare as Maven's prisoner

See, the pattern of featuring crowns on the covers remains intact. No need to worry about the books not matching. LOL.

So there you have it Scarlet Guard! What do you think of my speculations? Did any of what I said make sense? Is it just coincidence? Am I over thinking this? What do you think the title means? What do you think the cover to KING'S CAGE will look like? Please comment below! I'd love to read your thoughts! 

Thanks for reading!

~Amna

@PeruseThePages

Why I'm Excited To Read RUINED by Amy Tintera

Thanks to Epic Reads awesome FIRST5 program I got a chance to preview the first five chapters of Amy Tintera's upcoming fantasy RUINED. Read below for the official synopsis from GoodReads:

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.   

(RUINED will be available on May 3, 2016.)

Revenge. Royalty. Magic. Lies. Secrets. Dangerous Romance. I'm already hooked! As a fan of Tintera's dystopian duology, Reboot, I'm eager to see her try her hand at a fantasy book. So just based off the synopsis and five chapter preview, here are four reasons why I'm excited to read RUINED!

1. Emelina Flores
Right from the start we see Emelina (Em for short) kicking ass and being fearless. She doesn't hesitate to throw herself into a fight or take down her opponent by any means. Em is no damsel in distress and is more than capable of taking care of herself. But through her tough exterior and desire for vengeance, we glimpse a young girl who is grieving deeply for her family and is unsure of her place and purpose amongst her people. It's going to be interesting to see how Em handles being undercover in enemy territory when she has a lot of inner emotional turmoil.

2. Magic System
I'm really curious to find out more about the Ruined and their magic. What kind of abilities do they have? Why are they feared and hunted down? Are the people of Ruina the only ones with magic? Does Em have magic?

3. Narration from Two POVs
I love books that have multiple character points of view. It makes the story richer and allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the world. It appears that RUINED will alternate between Em and Prince Casimir (Cas for short) chapters. I always enjoy reading from the perspectives of the main character when it comes to their relationship and romance. I'm excited to get to know Em and Cas!

4. Chapter 5 Cliffhanger
Sooo the preview ends on a cliffhanger and for that reason alone I must continue reading the story.

What are your thoughts on RUINED? Will you be adding this to your TBR?

Go to Epic Reads First5 to sign up for exclusive previews of upcoming books!




Posted By: @PeruseThePages (Amna)

7 Questions We Need Answered in The Crown

In one week Kiera Cass’ The Selection series will come to a bittersweet end with the release of the final book, THE CROWN. *cue sobbing* It’s been a wonderful five years following this amazing, heartfelt, and highly enjoyable series. If you haven’t read this series GO DO IT NOW! You still have time to catch up on this fairytale-esque romance with a great cast of characters and a bit of humor that keeps the story lively and fresh. The Selection series is unique because it spans three generations of characters between all the books and novellas. Here is a quick rundown of how you should read the series:

The Queen (novella)

Book 1: The Selection 

The Prince (novella)

Book 2: The Elite

The Guard (novella)

Book 3: The One

The Favorite (novella)

Book 4: The Heir 

Book 5: The Crown

With the end so near, a re-read of THE HEIR was necessary. So before the royal farewell to the Selection series can truly happen (*sniff* I’m not ready!), here are seven questions that we desperately need answered in THE CROWN.

*WARNING: The rest of this post contains spoilers for the Selection series!*

1. The fate of Queen America Singer Schreave

America is going to make it till the end right? RIGHT?!

Everything was going great in The Heir until THAT ENDING. WHAT WAS THAT ENDING KIERA CASS?! I’m pretty sure I had a heart attack right along with America. I fervently wish that America lives because I CAN NOT handle the ending of my OTP Maxon & America. Just… NO. 

2. The FIRST Kile and Eadlyn Shipper

Who entered Kile Woodwork in the Selection?

This was an ongoing mystery throughout The Heir with plenty of suspects and tons of denials. The truth must be revealed! I have to know who was shipping Kile and Eadlyn before us!

3. Redemption for the Runaway Groom

Will Ahren earn his family’s forgiveness for running away?

I was really angry with Ahren for abandoning his family and running away to get married. I completely understood Eadlyn’s feelings of sadness, hurt, and betrayal. I’m not sure Ahren can redeem himself in my eyes but I certainly hope he will TRY to for his family and especially for Eadlyn.

4. Resolving the political issues

Will Illea become a peaceful and happy kingdom?

One of the subplots of The Heir is seeing the result of dismantling the caste system we read about in the first Selection trilogy. While the divisions are no longer part of the social structure, there is post caste discrimination occurring. Will the people of Illea accept their new reality or will dissension still remain? Will King Maxon come up with a plan to appease the public and quell the unrest?

5. Is the second generation of Schreaves and Woodworks ever going to learn what 

really went on between their parents?

I found it so hilarious that Eadlyn, Kile and the rest of the kids had no idea why their parents were such good friends. It shocked me to know that Kile didn’t understand Carter and Marlee’s loyalty to Maxon and America. Nor did it make sense that Eadlyn didn’t know what really happened during her parents Selection and views it as a “perfect love story.” We all know the truth right? :P Can someone please hand these kids a copy of the first Selection trilogy?

6. The Leger family

Can Lucy and Aspen please have their own family?

The Legers struggle with having a family was truly heartbreaking to read in The Heir. I hope that they can adopt a baby or be blessed with a miracle pregnancy because c’mon, we all know the world would be a better place with mini Aspens running around. 

7. Eadlyn’s choice

Who will Eadlyn choose as her life partner and King?

Personally, I ship Kile and Eadlyn. I think this pairing would bring the story full circle and be a beautiful ending to the series. I’m a sucker for childhood friends falling for each other. Add the history between the two families and I’m SOLD. I was shipping these two from the moment they ran into each other in the hall. 

So what are your questions you want to see answered in The Crown? Any predictions on what could happen? Comment below!  

P.S. Epic Reads is hosting a two week “royal farewell” celebration for fans of the Selection series. Check out all the goodies they have released so far at Countdown To The Crown. 

Posted By: @perusingya (Amna)

5 Reasons Why The Wrath and the Dawn Is A Must Read

Last year Renee Ahdieh flew into the YA scene with her gorgeous debut, The Wrath and the Dawn, that took readers on a journey of revenge, mystery, and love. This retelling inspired by the Arabian tale, A Thousand and One Nights, has become a YA favorite of 2015 and left many begging for more (myself included!). In just three days Ahdieh’s highly anticipated sequel, The Rose and the Dagger, will (FINALLY!) be coming to a bookstore near you. In case you’ve been immersed in your TBR pile and haven’t read this book yet, let me tell you five reasons why The Wrath and the Dawn should move to the top of that tower.

1. It’s an unique, imaginative retelling.

A lot of YA retellings are based on fairy tales or classic literature. TWATD breaks the mold by being a refreshing and diverse entry into the genre. One of the reasons I picked up TWATD is because I wasn't familiar with A Thousand and One Nights and the setting of the story piqued my curiosity. Ahdieh has created a fantastical world rich with culture and complex, diverse characters. The story grabs you from the first pages and stays with you long after you are done. 

2. The writing style

Ahdieh has a beautiful, descriptive kind of writing that sparks a reader’s senses and imagination. Her words transport you to the world of Khorasan. You feel the heat of the desert, the taste of the sumptuous delicacies of Arabian food, and sense the tension and dread that reigns throughout the palace. It is truly an immersive reading experience.

3. The love story

From the first moment Shahrzad and Khalid lay eyes on each other, the sparks fly. She despises him and he’s curious about her but the signs of SOMETHING are definitely there. Their chemistry only continues to grow into a sizzling, scorching, and swoony romance that is filled with angst, tension, and doubt. When these two crazy kids do allow themselves a moment or two of vulnerability, the beautiful, heart stopping lines by Khalid will leave you wishing you could trade places with Shahrzad (minus that whole dying at dawn thing of course). 

4. It’s a duology.

Binge read TWATD this weekend, take a couple days to recover from the book hangover (trust me you are going to have one), and then read the three novellas as you wait for The Rose and the Dagger next Tuesday. Good plan right? The novellas aren’t necessary to read before TRATD but they are highly enjoyable and feature fan favorite characters. 

Here’s a quick explanation of each novella:

The Crown the Arrow: a short scene from Khalid’s point of view set in TWATD 

The Moth and the Flame: a short story on Jalal and Despina 

The Mirror and the Maze: a very brief look at what happens directly after the events of TWATD from Khalid’s perspective

5. The Wrath and the Dawn is a New York Times Best Seller.

Enough said. 

So did I convince you to start reading The Wrath and the Dawn? If you have already read it, what are your thoughts on it? Are you excited to read The Rose and the Dagger? Comment below!


Posted by: @perusingya (Amna)