Read an Excerpt from HEIR OF FIRE!

Is this cover awesome or IS IT AWESOME?!  Correct answer: all of the above.

I've got good news and bad news, Smithies.  Bad news first:  I'm leaving the spectacular Smith Public Library.  That means I won't be at book club meetings anymore, I won't be writing this blog anymore, and you won't see my smiling face around the library.  I'll be working at my new job at another library nearby(ish), so if you want to come visit me there (please do!), then talk to Veronica - she can tell you which library to visit.  But Jenn will be taking over the blog (yay!), so credit for all future witty remarks belongs to her.

I know, I know - but contain your hysterical sobs for my departure, because there's good news, too!

In case you haven't already found and devoured this on your own, a sneak preview of Heir of Fire has been released online!  Heir of Fire is the latest installment in Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series, and it's due to be published September 2, 2014.  Make sure you're sitting down when you read this excerpt - as I like to say, it's like a fire at a circus:  INTENSE.  (Get it? "In tents" = "intense", har har har puns.)

CLICK HERE TO READ THE EXCERPT

I know a few of you (by which I mean a lot of you) are as big fans of Throne of Glass and the sequel, Crown of Midnight, as I am - we've read both books in book club (read all our Throne of Glass-related posts here) and skyped with Sarah Maas a few times - so if you want more extras as soon as they're available, check out Sarah's blog and the official Throne of Glass facebook page!

There's also info on the Throne of Glass facebook page about how you could be a part of the Heir of Fire book trailer!  Click here for the official rules and etc.

Bloomsbury (the publisher) has also released this synopsis for Heir of Fire:

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Times best-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.

That's it for me, Smithies!  It's been real, it's been fun, so I guess that means it's been real fun; I'll miss you!  Play the video to hear my official exit music - as you listen, imagine me walking away, putting on sunglasses as something explodes behind me.  Or driving fast cars.  Or whatever.

Alyssa out.

SKYPE with SARAH J. MAAS: the Sequel

Hey look, it's Luke Skype-walker!

Sometimes, sequels really aren't as good as the original. But here's your lesson for the day:

SOMETIMES THEY'RE EVEN MORE AWESOME.

If you haven't heard, we're reading an even-more-awesome-than-usual book for our next meeting:  Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, the sequel to Throne of Glass, our book pick for LAST December (read all about it here; read a synopsis for Throne of Glass and put it on hold here).

But wait!  There's more sequel-ness:

SARAH MAAS IS GOING TO SKYPE WITH US AT THE MEETING!! AGAIN!!  

That's right - AGAIN:  she skyped with us once already (last April), and Sarah's agreed to skype with us again at our next meeting on December 5th, 6pm, at SPL.  That makes this meeting ...

SKYPE WITH SARAH J. MAAS,

THE SEQUEL:

SKYPE-IER THAN EVER

- OR -

THE EMPIRE SKYPES BACK

THE DARK SKYPE
LIVE FREE & SKYPE HARD

I'm pretty excited.  Here are some more details about Sarah:

"Sarah J. Maas was born and raised in New York City, but after graduating from Hamilton College in 2008, she moved to Southern California. She's always been just a tad obsessed with fairy-tales and folklore, though she'd MUCH rather be the one slaying the dragon (instead of the damsel in distress). When she's not busy writing, she can be found geeking out over things like Han Solo, gaudy nail polish, and ballet."

Not gonna lie - she sounds pretty adorable. Check out her website for more about her and to get Throne of Glass extras! She also has a blog and is on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. There's also a Throne of Glass Facebook page!

We still have FREE COPIES of the book to give out for those attending the meeting, so if you haven't signed up for the meeting yet, get to the teen room! And don't forget to come to meeting - December 5th, 6pm.  See you there!