Welcome to Issue #9!
Welcome back to another exciting week of The Pond Book News, friends! Every Monday, The Quiet Pond releases a new issue of book news to help you keep up-to-date with the latest diverse book releases, book news, cover reveals, and more! Every week, we also feature three incredible people in the book community!
This week, Xiaolong is taking over because Stella the Dragonfly is travelling at the moment! We hope that Stella is having amazing adventures, so this week, Xiaolong, dressed up as Stella, is taking over the book news!
Book Releases This Week [July 22nd – July 28th]
Jade War by Fonda Lee
On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.
Beyond Kekon’s borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon’s most prized resource, could make them rich – or give them the edge they’d need to topple their rivals.
Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival – and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
Jade War, my new favourite book of all time and sequel to my second most favourite book of all time, Jade City, releases this week! If you loved Jade City, don’t forget to pick up this mind-blowing and soul-shattering sequel, where our favourite clan family are confronted and challenged by enemies at all sides. This Asian-inspired fantasy sequel about clans and jade-wearing warriors is the sequel of the year – I’m calling it.
Releases on the 23rd of July 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem
To Leila Abid’s traditional Indian parents, finding a husband in their South Asian-Muslim American community is as easy as match, meet, marry. But for Leila, a marriage of arrangement clashes with her lifelong dreams of a Bollywood romance which has her convinced that real love happens before marriage, not the other way around.
Finding the right husband was always part of her life-plan, but after 26 years of singledom, even Leila is starting to get nervous. And to make matters worse, her parents are panicking, the neighbors are talking, and she’s wondering, are her expectations just too high? So Leila decides it’s time to stop dreaming and start dating.
She makes a deal with her parents: they’ll give her three months, until their 30th wedding anniversary, to find a husband on her own terms. But if she fails, they’ll take over and arrange her marriage for her.
With the stakes set, Leila succumbs to the impossible mission of satisfying her parents’ expectations, while also fulfilling her own western ideals of love. But after a series of speed dates, blind dates, online dates and even ambush dates, the sparks just don’t fly! And now, with the marriage clock ticking, and her 3-month deadline looming in the horizon, Leila must face the consequences of what might happen if she doesn’t find “the one…”
The Marriage Clock is one heck of a mid-20s dilemma that many will relate to, and I am here for it. I’m incredibly excited to read this, especially with the need of books that people in their 20s can relate to. I cannot wait to read Leila’s story, and see what dramas and wild shenanigans may unfold. (This also sounds like the perfect Year of the Asian Reading Challenge read as well!)
Releases on the 23rd of July 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.
Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
This is one of my most anticipated releases, and I cannot wait to read this adult fairytale about Mexican folklore about a woman who is set on a journey at the Mayan god of death. This sounds like a powerful and vivid story, inspired by 1920s Mexico, and I think this is a must-read book of the year.
Releases on the 23rd of July 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Rose, Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence
Being a teenager is hard enough, but it’s even harder in a world you’ve never known …
Eighteen months ago, 17-year-old Rose and 13-year-old Rudder escaped a strict religious sect with their mum. They are still trying to make sense of the world outside – no more rules about clothes and books, films and music, no more technology bans. But also no more friendship with the people they’ve known all their lives, no community and no certainty. It doesn’t help that their mum has to work all hours to pay rent on their cramped, smelly, one-bed flat above a kebab shop in Hackney.
While Rudder gorges on once-taboo Harry Potters and dances to Simon and Garfunkel and show tunes, Rose swaps the ankle skirts and uncut hair of the Woodford Pilgrims for Japanese-cute fairy dress and her new boyfriend, Kye. Kye, who she wants with all her being. But there’s loads of scary stuff about their new life that Rose and Rudder have no idea how to handle – it’s normal for girls to let their boyfriends take naked pictures of them, right?
When Rudder accidently sets a devastating chain of events into action, Rose must decide whether to sacrifice everything and go back to the life she hates, in order to save the people she loves.
I haven’t heard much about this book, so I’m pleased to share this book with you all! Rose, Interrupted sounds like The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt but with family dynamics and a more profound and complex narrative. I’m excited to read this and see how this story will develop.
Releases on the 23rd of July 2019. Add this book on Goodreads.
Book News
Book Announcement: Farah Heron is giving us two South-Asian romance books!
I’m super excited to see more South-Asian romances, and The Right Spice sounds delightful. Fake-dating! Baking! And I’m also excited to hear that Farah Heron has another book coming, and I cannot wait to see what it’ll be about.
Book Announcement: We’re getting a queer f/f Sleeping Beauty!
Some of my favourite stories are diverse retellings, and I have a feeling that Malice is going to be a spectacular story. I love queer fantasy, especially if it’s f/f (we need more of it!), and I love fantasy retellings with a twist. I’m super excited for Malice and can’t wait to see where Heather Walter will take the story.
Book Announcement: A new bisexual story from Tess Sharpe!
Tess Sharpe has been giving us stories about bi girls for years, and I’m so incredibly excited to read The Girls I’ve Been! It sounds like a tense and thrilling read, and having enjoyed a few YA thrillers lately, I’m really excited for this. 👀
Cover Reveal: Witches of Ashes and Ruin has a book cover!
The new cover for Witches of Ashes and Ruin by E. Latimer is out! The book explores ancient Celtic mythology, about the clash between gods and witches, and is about a bi teen with somatic OCD and her journey to becoming a full witch! This sounds dark and exciting, and I’m looking forward to reading this.
Title and Cover Reveal: Get ready for this queer Canadian roadtrip
When You Get The Chance by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson now has an official title and a gorgeous new book cover! The book sounds like an absolute delight and I can’t wait to read this. Roadtrips? Pride? Searching for love and adventure? Yes please!
Cover Reveal: Mike Chen’s post-apocalyptic novel has a cover!
Mike Chen’s new book, A Beginning at the End, is a post-apocalyptic book that takes place following a pandemic that kills 5 billion people, and has been pitched to be about living, rather than surviving. The new cover looks so good and… gives me Murakami-vibes? I’m so excited to read this book, especially since we need more post-apoc books by authors of colour.
Book Announcement: The Legend of Polloman is coming!
How cool does this book sounds? A middle-grade graphic novel about a kid who finds an Aztec underworld and must take on a quest as the Sun Warrior? I can imagine the vivid and beautiful imagery in this graphic novel already, and that the quest narrative will be epic and exciting. I can’t wait!
Book Announcement: Nina Moreno has a new book!
For those who loved Don’t Date Rosa Santos – we’re going back to Port Coral! Nina Moreno has a new YA romance coming our way, and this time it’s going to be following Luisa and Sam. I can’t wait to read this, especially since I love childhood friends-to-lovers which is a trope I love.
Book Community Spotlight
Book blogger: Vinny from Artsy Draft
No joke, Vinny’s blog is probably one of my favourite blogs to visit. Her blog has such an incredible aesthetic and incredible vibe, and I’m always delighted by the wonderful content that she creates, especially her Instagram Story Review Templates – honestly, I am in awe. The work and dedication in Vinny’s blog shines right through, and discovering her blog was such a pleasure.
You can follow her blog, and also follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Bookstagrammer: Simone (@simoneandherbooks)
Simone’s feed is so warm and inviting, and I love that most of her photos are indoors and looks cozy! Simone reads a lot of contemporary and realistic fiction! She also does wonderful stories involving stress-relieving dance segments with her partner. Her feed is gorgeous and you’ll love her feed too.
You can follow her on her Instagram, and also her blog and Twitter!
Booktuber: Noria (noriareads)
Noria is a Nigerian Booktuber and is such a delightful booktuber! She does incredible recommendation posts (I especially love her ’20 Books That Feature Classism’ video) and she was also the host of the Fuckathon – a month-long readathon where people can read to say fuck racism, fuck abuse, fuck anti-gay rhetoric, and so
You can follow her Youtube channel, and you can also find her on Goodreads, and Twitter!
The Quiet Pond 
I’ve only just discovered this blog and I love it so much already! This upcoming week is going to be a fantastic week for releases; those four sound phenomenal and I am so excited to read them.
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Aw, welcome to my blog!!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m pretty excited for this week’s releases too!
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I’m so excited for the Maleficent book!! I think it’s going to be amazing 😍 And aahh, I’m reading Jade City in a few days, and I would say I’m ready for it, but I really am Not ready for the pain I’ve heard about from you and other readers 😭
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Oh noo!! but also, OH YAYY!!
I’m so excited to hear what you think about JADE CITY. If you need to scream, my DMs are open. 😘
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Gods of Jade and Shadow is on my most anticipated reads list too!!
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Me too!! Loving the insurgence of adult fantasy about non-Western folklore, mythology, or history.
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Ahhh, thank you for featuring me and my humble little blog, CW! I’m so interested with Jade City and Jade War because both of them are all over my timeline and I heard nothing but good words about it! I’ve never heard about Rose, Interrupted before but that synopsis is truly captivating! And I think I’m the most excited about Mike Chen’s newest book because I really enjoyed Here and Now and Then! Requested it on NG last week, so hopefully, I can get my hands on them asap!
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My pleasure, Vinny! I love your blog so much and this was a small thing for me to do
Mike Chen’s book sounds so cool, right? I haven’t actually read his first book, so I might get on that asap. 👀
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