Raging Star COVER REVEAL!

It's here...and we only have to wait another 6 months for the actual content!

We're so keen to here from readers on your thoughts of the final installment of the trilogy's breath-taking cover! We hope to get a poll up soon on who you think the hunk beside Saba is - Jack or De Malo - either way, we're sure it's set to cause heated debate. And what about that beautiful green? Is it symbollic of Saba's dusty world regenerating itself...or could it be to do with the bombshell dropped in Rebel Heart associated with...'new life'. Sound off in the comments, Free Hawks!

All together now...

See some reactions after the jump!

The Coliseum: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

'While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand. When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall. And when Rome falls - the world.'

~Lord Byron

This summer, I had the incredible oppourtunity to visit Rome, Italy. Naturally, the Coliseum was the first on the list of places to see: historical, cultural, and simply beautiful, it's rightfully Rome's tourist hotspot. But it also works as the inspiration of the Colesseum where Saba finds herself fighting in the Cage...

Friday's Music: Always Looking - Dum Dum Girls

Another girl band for you! This is one of my favourites from this band, and I chose it with Saba and Jack’s relationship in mind.

Oh I never felt a beat in my heart ‘til you made it start

I never felt a beat in my heart ‘til you made it start

-

It’s been written in the stars

The reason of the hearts like ours

Yea I was always looking, I was always looking;

I was always looking for you

These lyrics are so painstakingly accurate when it comes to Saba’s (initial?) feelings towards Jack. I instantly got reminded of Saba’s heartstone, something which features continually in both books, and how it gets hot near her hearts true desire. I also felt it important how she threw it away in Rebel Heart, only to have Nero bring it back to her.

I hear him laugh.

His name’s Jack.

Heat burns into me. Crawls over my skin. A trickle of sweat runs down my chest. I pull out the heartstone tucked safe inside my vest.It’s warm. No. Hot.

-

As I move away from him, the hearstone starts to cool down.

~Bushra

Friday's Music: Under My Skin - Jukebox the Ghost

I have a lot of adoration for this band! Not too well known, but unique and quirky. I chose this song because I felt some parts of it represented the relationship between Saba, Jack and De Malo, something I’m sure a lot of us are curious about. It was something new when things started to happen between Saba and De Malo, and I felt like it changed Saba, opened her up. It literally felt that De Malo got under her skin.

I can feel you breathing under my skin,
Yeah I can feel you breathing under my skin

Of course, Jack gets under her skin, but in a different way. Where with De Malo Saba’s fire is sparked and harnessed into this beautiful passion, I feel like Jack is a gust of wind that creates a firestorm of feelings. Although this isn’t the only thing to look forward to in Raging Star, it is certainly something you should look out for. I want to see what Saba chooses to do with Tommo in the mix too, or rather, where the fates will take her.

I don't think there is anyone under your skin,
Like a Cheshire cat I think you're just a grin,
And I can feel you laughing, under my skin,
And the happy palpitations are making me... grin

~Bushra

Read Along: Freedom Fields

'Get on up here an lead the way.'

As Midsummer rolls around, and the group arrive at Freedom Fields, it's time for Saba and her friends to rescue Lugh, and possibly take down the Tonton and free they slaves whilst they do!

Read Along: The Black Mountains

'It's the anger that keeps me goin.'

Saba, Jack and Emmi are headed into the Black Mountains, on their way to Freedom Fields. Ahead lies old friends and new, and...quite a few revelations!

Read Along: Darktrees

'I cain't stop till I find Lugh. I promised him.'

Upon arrival at the camp of the Free Hawks, Saba has to plan the journey she must take to find Lugh from her new starting point. Help comes from an unexpected source...

Friday's Music: Icarus - White Hinterland

Casey Dienel, performing as White Hinterland

I was just roaming YouTube a few days ago when I stumbled across this singer. Her voice, combined with the bass provides a strangely relaxing song that I feel like I can listen to over and over. Although some of the lyrics are quite intense, it makes me feel hazily happy. In this song I see some of Saba and Jack’s relationship, and perhaps Saba and Demalo’s encounter, lurking at the edges. 

-

Together going arm and arm, To meet our solitude, to meet it head on, I'll meet you where the water's warm, To meet my solitude, to meet it head on

 -

Though I can see clearly ahead of me, I cannot stop it once I'm set a-spinning, What can it mean? Why must I always see, the ending at the beginning?

~Bushra

Read Along: Hopetown - One Month Later

‘They call me the Angel of Death.’

Saba has been fighting in the Cage for a month. Very successfully. Whilst she is separated from Emmi, she maintains her fighting spirit in order to hatch a plan with new allies to escape from Hopetown and head for Lugh. There are some...unexpected twists along the way in the Hopetown we encounter One Month Later.

Who Is The Dust Lands Best Double Act?

TV presenters, best friends, comedians, our favourite characters. They all have something in common. They wouldn't be anywhere without their partner. 

Blood Red Road and Rebel Heart's vast array of characters all have someone at their side who makes their job that much easier...or in some cases harder! The question is - who is the best team?

Poll Results Are In: Saba Has the Most Fight In Her Heart!

Our female hero, Saba, has won this week's poll for the character with the fiercest spirit. Let's be honest - who else could it possibly be?! 

So how did everyone fare? Read more after the jump...

Poll Results Are In: JACK voted as YOUR favourite character!

It will come as no surprise to many in the fandom that Jack has won the poll for who you’d rather walk the dust lands with...by a mile!

The results are as follows: