We all have ARCs that we want and drool over. But then there are THE ARCs. The ones you know you’re probably not going to get. The ones you desperately want with every fiber in your body. Then you start to wonder… what would I give up to get one of those? What would I sacrifice? What price would I pay?
Now, there are a lot of ARCs floating around that I DEFINITELY want. Some would be on this list if I didn’t already have one, ie, Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff, Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake and Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier. Still others I desperately want but I’m hoping to cahoot with the authors by selling my body. Surely, Veronica Rossi and Brodi Ashton will be up for that, right? Others are debut and sound awesome, but how can I be sure they’ll be worth my children? Still more are so far away right now that I can’t think of them or I’ll weep. But these three on the other hand… these three I highly doubt I’ll get – or at least, the chances aren’t so great. But you see, I MUST have them – whether I have to beg, borrow, steal… or sacrifice my children for.
Sacrificing my first born for:
Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta
Publication Date: 26th September 2012 (Australia) February 2013 (US)
Series: Lumatere Chronicles #3
Synopsis:
Quintana of Charyn is the spine-tingling and unforgettable final volume in the Lumatere Chronicles, which began with Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles. An achingly satisfying and masterfully plotted novel from the pen of internationally best-selling and multi-award-winning author Melina Marchetta.
Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face to face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other.
Why I want it:
Melina Marchetta is my all time favourite author. No, that isn’t hyperbole. That isn’t exaggeration. There are no asterisks there to qualify factors such as alive, woman, Young Adult, Fantasy, what phase of the moon she was born under, Australian author, etc.
Favourite. Author. Ever.
I love her contemporary work the most but The Lumatere Chronicles holds a place in my heart as some seriously kickass fantasy. After the amazing adventure that was Finnikin of the Rock (I named my cat Finnikin), then the epic, heart-shattering ending to Froi of the Exiles, I now feel it is my Blogger-given RIGHT to read this book now. Right now. Give it me! Give it me!
Look, I’m not saying that I will definitely die if I don’t get an ARC of this – but does anyone want to take the CHANCE?!
I would sacrifice my second born for:
Iced: A Dani O’Malley Novel by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: 12th October 2012
Series: Fever World #1
Synopsis:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.
Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.
Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.
Why I want it:
The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning was my favourite Urban Fantasy series and I’ve been dying to get back into the Fever world to see what all my favourite characters are up to. Will I see Mac? Will I see Barrons? And that synopsis? Hot. Yes, I will have a side plate of Ryodan to go with my meal of deadly, sexy fae. Some people found Dani’s voice annoying in The Fever Series. I’m crossing my fingers, hoping there isn’t going to be a feck in every sentence. But, I mean, whether there is or isn’t – it’s still the Fever World! I have to know what happened to all the people I love and cherish. I have to see them again and hope that Dani is old enough to get up to some serious shenanigans!
Unfortunately, I’m not even sure if there will be ARCs for this one, so the effort may be in vain. Why? WHY book gods?! Why have thou forsaken me?!
I would sacrifice any future children for:
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Publication Date: November 6th 2012
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2
Synopsis:
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed “Daughter of Smoke and Bone,” Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a “must read” by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it “a breath-catching romantic fantasy.”
Why I want it:
Daughter of Smoke and Bone was breathlessly beautiful. Some days I still think about the ending and agonize over what the future holds for Karou. Laini Taylor has more than proven her writing chops over the years with one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read, Lips Touch: Three Times. I just know this book is going to be epic. Right to my very bones and I also highly doubt I will get the privilege to read it!
But surely the world wouldn’t be that cruel?! Surely there must be recourse for the righteous book bloggers willing to make the appropriate sacrifices? I don’t know. What I do know is that, otherwise, it’s a very long wait until November and I will probably spend most of it weeping.
So there you have it. These are MY three ARCs, but I want to hear from you. What are your three ARCs you’d sacrifice your children/pets/stranger’s children/future children for? Which ones have your heart beating and pulse racing to get your hands on?
Julie@my5monkeys
Actually I would give up my kids for Iced and Days of starlight too. I even was asking around twitter if Iced was at BEA…I only 1 answer and sadly it was a no. Girl of Nightmares and Stormdancer , and Outpost are my books I stalk someone for.
Thinking Cat
Oooooooh I would totally do anything for Days of Blood and Starlight. ANYTHING.
Georgette
I’m totally with you on the Laini Taylor and also the Karen Marie Moning. I still haven’t read anything by Melina Marchetta, but I’ll start with that series! I don’t have kids, so I’m not sure what I’d sacrifice in return for hotly anticipated ARC’s, but I like the general idea. LOL.
Jessie
Days of Starlight most definitely, but also Elizabeth May’s forthcoming The Falconer. I want that one so bad I can taste it!
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
I’ve been lucky enough to get a lot of the ARCs that I was ready to break out the sacrificial knife for.
Anytime Kristin Cashore writes a new book, I’ll be ready though.
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
@Christina (A Reader of Fictions): As I mentioned on Twitter, though, I really don’t want kids, so I will happily offer up any possible, accidental future progeny to the ARC gods. Currently, I really want…all the things. Haha. Top of my list right now are Insignia (because Kara loved it), Altered (becaue I missed it at BEA), Promised (because I love that series) and Small Medium at Large (because it looks so cute).
Parajunkee
I’m going to the release party of ‘Iced’ I don’t know how KMM handles ARCs I didn’t hear about any coming out for her other ones, at least later on in the series and I was on the blog tour for Shadowfever. But, I understood why they didn’t have early releases for the last two…I was POd just because of Library Thing posting the first five chapters accidentally.
Kate C.
I’m so excited, Froi is one of my gifts to myself for finishing up my edits. 🙂 That and Bitterblue. I’m excited that the third book will be out soon, but HATE that I have to wait for Feb. 2013 for it. 🙁
I would offer Laini my kidlets, but I doubt she’d take them, she’s got her own. hahaha I’m right in the middle of Daughter of Smoke and Bone right now. AMAZING!!!! She is definitely one of my new favorite authors.
Lexxie
Aren’t you a little afraid someone will actually offer you one of the ARC’s expecting one of your babies in exchange? Deal with the devil and all 😀 Hilarious entry, though!
Heather@ The Flyleaf Review
Right there with you on Days of Blood and Starlight and Quintana of Charyn. I’d throw in my two rugrats for Rebel Heart (Dustlands #2) and The Raven Boys:)
Pocketful of Books
Haha sacrifice on the altar of dignity to even the score? (I love 10TIHAY) I am going to copy you and say these three are my picks too. Seriously they are. x
Tatiana (The Readventurer)
If I remember it right, none of KMM’s Fever books had ARCs. It was the route the author chose to take. (I read it somewhere) So I am pretty sure there won’t be any for Iced:(
Fingers crossed, all these ARCs are worth the wait. They are my top ones as well.
Kat (AussieZombie)
For Sale: one child. Barely used, sleeps through the night.
Can only accept Girl Of Nightmares as payment.
Lexie B.
You know what the problem is with being 14? Do you? THERE ARE NO CHILDREN TO SACRIFICE. Dammit. I could sacrifice bodily limbs?
Also, depressingly enough, Laini said there won’t be any ARCs for DoB&S, because she didn’t finish the draft early enough. 🙁 Sigh. I’m not sure if we’ll make it to November.
Mary @ Book Swarm
Ooh, Karen Marie Moning! Holy cow, that new series looks FABULOUS! I’d definitely give up a first born for it. And Days of Blood and Starlight…yes. Completely with you!
Kath S
haha, great post 😀
I haven’t read any of these sagas… I’m guilty, I know :(… But it’s fabulous 😉
Regards 😀
Mari - Escape In A Book
Well..I wouldn’t want to sacrifice my children but perhaps a few toes and some fingers for:
I’m so with you on Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor!
Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff, a female warrior and a mythological best? Yes, PLEASE.
Requiem by Lauren Oliver(I know how much you love this trilogy, Kat ;))
That’s the books I’d be willing to make sacrifices for at the moment.
Lisa (Fic Talk)
Dude, I would give away anyone’s child for an ARC of ICED!
I NEED MOAR OF DAH FEVER WORLD!
Also, I’d LOVE an ARC of STORMDANCER!
I’m a little scared to email the publisher for an ARC though. I’m a chicken. Sigh.
Cassi Haggard
I’d give just about ANYTHING for Quintana. ANYTHING. What do you think Melina will take in payment? Girl Scout cookies? Kittens? Groveling?
Bee
Quintana, Days of Blood & Starlight, Stormdancer, Unearthly #3 and Angelfall #2!!
It is so unlikely I’d get ARCs of any of these books but I want them so bad! I would do anything.
ANYTHING. AT. ALL.