Tomes in Tokyo

The bookish musings of an American-born Tokyoite.

Can't-Wait Wednesday


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. 




Title: Mirage 
Author: Somaiya Daud
Pages: 320
Expected Publication: August 28th 2018 by Flatiron Books
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction
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In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon.

But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place.

As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancĂ©, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.

Well, first off, take a minute to enjoy that beautiful cover. Has it been a minute yet? No? Then keep staring at that beauty because seriously, it is totally gorgeous. Second off (is that even a thing people say?),  reread that summary and try to take it all in. A girl who yearns for a simpler time and loves to write poetry? Sounds great. A Moroccan-inspired setting with Science Fiction elements? You had me at Morocco. I love seeing diverse settings, especially in YA Fantasy. You can only read so many European-inspired Fantasy novels before they all start to feel the same. Yay for diversity!





Title: 
City of Ghosts 
Author: Victoria Schwab
Pages: 272 
Expected Publication: August 28th 2018 by Scholastic
Genre: Middle Grade, Paranormal
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Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.


Okay, so I hardly read any books in the Paranormal/Thriller genre because I'm a chicken who gets nightmares wayyyyyyy too easily considering I'm a grown woman. But this is a Middle Grade novel, so it shouldn't be too creepy, right? Recently, I've been wanting to branch out and read some new genres, and a story involving inept ghost-hunter parents, a reality TV show, and a girl who sees dead people sounds like a great place to start. Plus, Victoria Schwab is the author, and I've heard nothing but good about her. 


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