Monday Morning Book Buzz

Welcome to the Monday Morning Book Buzz, a preview of notable books being released this week. Some of them will be added to the Academy Library collection; if you read about a title that you would like added to the collection, let me know by either commenting on this post or by contacting me directly at the Library.

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This week’s releases are listed by category: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, General Fiction and Nonfiction. On-sale dates are indicated in parentheses.

Notable New Releases for the week of April 30th:

Young Adult Fiction

The Serpent’s Shadow (Kane Chronicles Series #3) by Rick Riordan (5/1/2012) — Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all.

Insurgent (Divergent Series #2) by Veronica Roth (5/1/2012) — One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (5/1/2012) — The long-awaited companion to New York Times bestsellers Graceling and Fire. Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. “Cashore’s imagined world is brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters.” — School Library Journal

The Invaders (Brotherband Chronicles Series #2) by John Flanagan (5/1/2012) — The adventure continues in the Ranger’s Apprentice companion trilogy! Hal and the Herons have done the impossible. This group of outsiders has beaten out the strongest, most skilled young warriors in all of Skandia to win the Brotherband competition. But their celebration comes to an abrupt end when the Skandians’ most sacred artifact, the Andomal, is stolen–and the Herons are to blame.

Black Dawn (Morganville Vampires Series #12) by Rachel Caine (5/1/2012) — The 12th episode in the Morganville Vampires series finds the town besieged by the terrifying draug, water beings that feed on vampires. Human Claire, the series heroine, her boyfriend Shane and her friends, Eve and her vampire fiancé Michael, will find new ways to fight, but not without cheating death.

Destined (Laurel Series #4) by Aprilynne Pike (5/1/2012) — Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea’s reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon’s final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series.

Back and Deader Than Ever (Monster High Series #4) by Lisi Harrison (5/1/2012) — The RADs are free and Draculaura (Lala) is flashing her fangs with pride. But when Daddy Drac pays her a surprise visit everything goes batty. Mr. D. thinks RADs should have their own school, but Lala isn’t ready to give up the rights they fought so hard for.

The Fire Ascendingby Chris d’Lacey (5/1/2012) –The final book in Chris d’Lacey’s New York Times bestselling Last Dragon Chronicles. On Earth, at the battle of Scuffenbury Hill, time has been suspended. Dragons and their natural enemies, the Ix, are trapped in a bitter, unresolved conflict. But at the dawn of history, something is working to change the past — and the future. A mysterious force is rewriting the timelines, turning what was once legend into startling reality. But is David Rain strong enough to save himself and those he loves from being written into a deadly new destiny?

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi (5/1/2012) — In a dark future America where violence, terror, and grief touch everyone, young refugees Mahlia and Mouse have managed to leave behind the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities by escaping into the jungle outskirts. But when they discover a wounded half-man—a bioengineered war beast named Tool—who is being hunted by a vengeful band of soldiers, their fragile existence quickly collapses.

This Is So Not Happening (He’s So/She’s So Trilogy Series #3) by Kieran Scott (5/1/2012) –After their long summer apart, Ally and Jake were hoping for a drama-free senior year. Instead they are faced with a turn of events that threaten to tear them apart…for good. It turns out that Chloe is pregnant and says that Jake is the father. Hammond is pissed at his best friend, and he cannot believe that Ally would stay with Jake. But Ally’s willingness to make it work is tested when Jake starts blowing her off to go to doctor’s appointments with Chloe, and Ally joins the school play—and meets a cute guy.

Infinity (Numbers Series #3)by Rachel Ward (5/1/2012) — The conclusion to the chilling Number trilogy: Because everyone wants to live forever. No matter what it takes, Sarah’s desperate to escape from the numbers. It’s 2029. Two years since the Chaos. Sarah and Adam are struggling to survive. She knows he always envisioned them together “’til death do us part.” But will a child come between them? The child she loves. The child he saved.

Shineby Jeri Smith-Ready (5/1/2012) — In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed. Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

Revived by Cat Patrick (5/1/2012) — As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life.

Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy (5/1/2012) — Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl’s perspective on their love lives. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex–best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free…until it isn’t anymore.

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle (5/1/2012) — In this romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale. Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town.

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams (5/1/2012) — Growing up, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Was it London’s fault? Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel.