Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Vita Nostra by Sergey & Marina Dyachenko & Bedfellow by Jeremy C. Shipp


Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlight is:
Vita Nostra by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko
 Publication Date: November 13th, 2018
Harper Voyager
416 pages
Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository 


Vita NostraFrom Goodreads: 

"
The definitive English language translation of the internationally bestselling Ukrainian novel—a brilliant dark fantasy with "the potential to be a modern classic" (Lev Grossman), combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way. 

Our life is brief . . . 

While vacationing at the beach with her mother, Sasha Samokhina meets the mysterious Farit Kozhennikov under the most peculiar circumstances. The teenage girl is powerless to refuse when this strange and unusual man with an air of the sinister directs her to perform a task with potentially scandalous consequences. He rewards her effort with a strange golden coin. 

As the days progress, Sasha carries out other acts for which she receives more coins from Kozhennikov. As summer ends, her domineering mentor directs her to move to a remote village and use her gold to enter the Institute of Special Technologies. Though she does not want to go to this unknown town or school, she also feels it’s the only place she should be. Against her mother’s wishes, Sasha leaves behind all that is familiar and begins her education. 

As she quickly discovers, the institute’s "special technologies" are unlike anything she has ever encountered. The books are impossible to read, the lessons obscure to the point of maddening, and the work refuses memorization. Using terror and coercion to keep the students in line, the school does not punish them for their transgressions and failures; instead, their families pay a terrible price. Yet despite her fear, Sasha undergoes changes that defy the dictates of matter and time; experiences which are nothing she has ever dreamed of . . . and suddenly all she could ever want. 

A complex blend of adventure, magic, science, and philosophy that probes the mysteries of existence, filtered through a distinct Russian sensibility, this astonishing work of speculative fiction—brilliantly translated by Julia Meitov Hersey—is reminiscent of modern classics such as Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, Max Barry’s Lexicon, and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, but will transport them to a place far beyond those fantastical worlds."
This book has one of the longest descriptions I've seen in a while (I don't tend to like knowing too much before going into a book), but this sounds fascinating. It comes out next week, so there's not too long wait, but this is one that I forgot was on my list of upcoming releases. I enjoy reading translated works as well, so this one should be great.

             and...


Bedfellow by Jeremy C. Shipp
 Publication Date: November 13th, 2018
Tor.com 
224 pages
Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository 


BedfellowFrom Goodreads: 

"
It broke into their home and set up residence in their minds. 

When the . . . thing first insinuated itself into the Lund family household, they were bemused. Vaguely human-shaped, its constantly-changing cravings seemed disturbing, at first, but time and pressure have a way of normalizing the extreme. Wasn't it always part of their lives? 

As the family make more and greater sacrifices in service to the beast, the thrall that binds them begins to break down. Choices must be made. Prices must be paid. And the Lunds must pit their wits against a creature determined to never let them go. It's psychological warfare. Sanity is optional."


Well this sounds delightfully creepy. Books that choose to mess with psychological topics are some of my favorite and I think this sounds perfect.

What do you think about this upcoming release? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

     

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