Waiting on Wednesday is a meme that was originated at Breaking the Spine, now hosted at Wishful Endings. It’s a weekly feature that lets us share our excitement for books coming out soon.
This book became surrounded in drama and controversy as some early readers bashed it so hard for racism that the author decided to pull publications, Slate.com has an article that explains the controversy in case you are not familiar with it.. This was covered quite widely, was featured in places like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
I was happy to hear she recently decided to go forward with publication, not just because I really wanted to read it before this entire shit storm, but also because I find it a bit disconcerting that a very vocal few can prevent access to books and stories. From what I’ve seen, I don’t believe there was any intention of racism or disrespectful portrayal of slavery in her book, but I do appreciate the opportunity to actually read and decide for myself what I think. And if there are issues, it can serve as an opportunity for discussion about the issues instead of just attacks on the author.
Published by Delacorte Press on November 19, 2019
Pages: 496
This hot debut is the first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father’s murder.
In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.
When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew. Corruption rules the land, and a greater conspiracy is at work—one that threatens the very balance of her world. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to its core: Ramson Quicktongue.
A cunning crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has sinister plans—though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all.
Oh I love the cover of this one
I was so happy when I saw this announcement. Some people make me so mad, and I feel bad that the author was intimidated by a bunch of idiots, some who hadn’t even read the book!
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…Future Fiction #19: Cover Reveals & Newly Discovered SFF Books
Excited for this one! It sounds good! Great pick!
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I love that this one sounds pretty dark. And that cover is screaming dark as well. Hope I’m right!
Curious to read this one as well! I think it got caught up in a very unfortunate perfect storm. Having not read (like so many others) the best I can say is that while the author used a bad trope with likely unintended racial connotations, she’s not the first, she’s just the one that caught all the flack.
Caitlin G. recently posted…Weekly Reading Check-in: 05/08/19
I was so glad when I saw she was continuing with publication as well! I was so frustrated by all of that unfair drama around her–I’m really looking forward to this one as well, it sounds great. Hope you enjoy it!
Yeah, glad this book was given a second chance. She never should have pulled it in the first place. Never bow to the Twitter mob.
I hadn’t heard of that – it’s shocking though!
Glad to see the author has given this a chance.
And great cover.
Lynn 😀
Definitely still looking forward to this one.