'Til Next Tuesday #11: Bright We Burn by Kiersten White

'Til Next Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here @Little Library Muse. It's allows me to share my love of books and showcase new releases. It's inspired by my work developing the young adult collection.

Expected Release: July 10, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte

Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it? 

Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed's peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince. 

But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister's indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants. 

Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world. 

Upcoming Releases!

Here So Far Away by Hadley Dyer

Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

Lost Crow Conspiracy by Rosalyn Eves

Along the Indigo by Elsie Chapman

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

What new books have caught your eye? Any books that you would recommend?

Review: Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Author: Kiersten White
Title: Perfect Lies
Series: Mind Games #2
Publication: February 18, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Netgalley
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The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

This book picks up right where Mind Games left off, Annie's thought to be dead and as far as Fia's concerned that means she's safe. Fia believes that she made the right decision, separating herself from Annie and joining James in his scheme to get rid of his father. She's patiently waiting for the moment to end it all but James seems to want to take his time, which means that she will also have to keep recruiting girls to the school for the Keane Foundation. Annie's saddened that her sister left her behind, she thinks her disability is the reason, however she's determined to prove she's an asset and not a liability. She joins forces with those that oppose the Keane Foundation on the belief that they are on the same page but Fia is always a step ahead of them and someone's keeping secrets.  

The ending for this one surprised me, didn't see that coming at all. Fia, has just about lost it in this one.Her personality hasn't changed in this one, she's seems dead outwardly but she's so wound up and seems to be falling apart. She begins to doubt her ability to make the right choice. One thing for certain, she's dangerous. Annie starts to become her own person and she's learning to control her sight. She hopes to save Fia from making a mistake in the future that involves James and an impossible choice that will possibly shatter Fia. Which brings me to James, I don't like him. He's manipulative and controlling. This shady character knows how to push Fia's buttons to get her to do what he wants and it seems like he cares for her but not buying it. The character I did, like was the receptionist who befriends Fia, she's spunky. 

This book moves from the perspectives of both girls, though Fia seems to always be a step ahead. I've thought about the ending and I feel it ended the best way it could for Fia and her sister. I was hoping for something happier for Fia because she struggles in this one with her decisions and she's a good person but tainted with a heavy burden. Overall, the pace of the story moved steadily and I think the title fits because all most of them did was lie. This is a good read about deceit, relationships and sisterly love. 

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Author: Kiersten White
Title: Mind Games
Series: Mind Games #1
Publication: February 19, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Synopsis
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her-except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other's lives by refusing to obey.

Thoughts: Fia and Annie were orphaned at young age after their parents were killed in a car accident. Now, the responsibility of their care falls to an aunt seemingly unprepared and eager to pass on the burden, so when this school shows interest in Annie and promises to help fix her eyes she encourages her to go. The only problem is Fia, she knows something isn't right but doesn't want to dampen her sisters’ happiness. So, both girls attend the school, yet Annie's disillusioned about the schools purpose and finally belonging amongst those that have similar abilities as her own that she appears truly blind to the happenings of the school and even more as to what the instructors are doing to Fia. What the girls don't realize is that Fia was an unexpected find, she is a gem and they will do anything to keep her...even threaten Annie's life to control her. Fia tries hard to look out for her older sister but no one seems to be looking out for her. She just wants their freedom and she will not stop until she has it.

Fia comes off as fierce and unstable. I was waiting for her to finally snap and when she did, oh my goodness, my jaw dropped because it was so sudden. She's so angry and damaged from all that the abuse they put her through at the school and this contributes largely to her destructive and internal meltdown. The only person that seems to draw her out is the one person her sister wants her stay away from, James, but even he has ulterior motives where Fia's concerned. In essence the sisters are each trapped in their own personal hell, not knowing what move will result in the death of the other. I liked the tone of this story; it was so easy to delve into the emotional turmoil that the sisters experience. I really liked getting to feel Fia's fear and loss but also her strength. The interactions between Fia and James were interesting but the dynamic between her and Adam seemed to give a different glimpse of Fia. Overall, the plot transitions fluidly from each girl’s perspective from past to present and the characters are engaging in their plight for freedom. This is a good read and I look forward to reading the next book. 

In My Bag #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Here's what was in my bag this week, these are from the library and for review.
What's in your bag?

Click on book cover to view more info.