Waiting on Wednesday: Empress of All Seasons

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Breaking the Spine where each week we discuss upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean

In a palace of illusions, nothing is what it seems.

Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yōkai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy.

Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren’t hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yōkai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast.

Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku in this beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy.

Idk why, but like fantasy competitions are totally a thing for me??? I’m all about raising the stakes in a good competition and magical powers/fantasy usually bring allllllllllll the epicness to them. And supernatural creatures?? And our main character is one of them??? This premise sounds amazing. The characters sound amazing. I am ready. I am ready. I am ready. Emiko Jean will be at Yallfest, too, which I will be at, so I’m readyyyyyy for this so much.

What do you think? Is this on your book TBR as well? What books are you waiting for this week? Let’s discuss in the comments below!