Waiting For: Crimson Bound & Mechanica & Winter

Thank you so much The Book Rat & A Backwards Story for hosting this.

There's three amazing sounding, fairy tale retellings coming out this year. (Okay, there's probably more, so let me know about the ones I'm missing in the comments.) I'm really excited about all three of these books!

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)
Release date: May 5th.

My Thoughts: Doesn't it sound amazing? Seriously, if you've heard me gush over how much I love Cruel Beauty, I really don't think I need to explain why I want this book. And if you haven't heard me... Well, stick around long enough and you will.

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home. 

But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.

Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.
Release date: August 4th.

My Thoughts: I think they've changed the synopsis a bit - when I first read about it, it sounded a bit like Cinder. I must admit though, that I really like the sound of this. Steampunk, anyone? Seriously though, how awesome is a steampunk fairy tale? (Nuf said.)

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Here is the stunning conclusion to the national bestselling Lunar Chronicles, inspired by Snow White.

When Princess Winter was thirteen, the rumor around the Lunar court was that her glamour would soon be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. In a fit of jealousy, Levana disfigured Winter. Four years later, Winter has sworn off the use of her glamour altogether. Despite her scars, Winter’s natural beauty, her grace, and her gentleness are winning admiration from the Lunar people that no amount of mind-control could achieve.

Winter despises her stepmother, but has never dreamed of standing up to her. That is, until she realizes that she may be the only one with the power to confront the queen. 

Can Cinder, Prince Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Thorne, Princess Winter, and the palace guard Jacin find their happily ever afters? Fans will LOVE this amazing conclusion to the series.
Release date: November 10th.

My Thoughts: (Er...Well...I read the first three books, why wouldn't I be excited for this one?) Okay, when I was getting information for this post, I saw that Goodreads recently updated the Winter page. They not only had the cover - yay! - but they also updated the page count. First, that cover is gorgeous. Of course it would have an apple on it - I expected no different. However, that apple looks like it's made of glass. And it's glowing. So awesome. And the page count. *sigh* Seriously, Goodreads, be right. It says the page count for the hardback is 800 pages. Yes, I had to check that three times to make sure I was reading it right. 800 pages... You remember Cress? I got it in hardcover and it is a thick book. It's 'only' 550 pages. So... add another 250 pages to that, and you've got Winter.


What awesome fairy tale retellings are to be released this year that I'm missing? What are you most excited for? (Does anyone else want their grubby hands on Winter right now?)