It’s that time. The long wait has been whittled down to a mere 4 months (okay, that still seems like a long time to me, but less than 12 months, all right?)

SO: I am giving away TWO COPIES of the ARC for COURT OF FIVES (publication date 18 August 2015). (ETA TWO copies)

Little, Brown Books for Young Reader says: “In this imaginative escape into an enthralling new world, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott’s first young adult novel weaves an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.”

I say: This book was inspired by Little Women, Sasuke/American Ninja Warrior, the Count of Monte Cristo, and Greco-Roman Egypt, and is also my love letter to girls who play sports.

But don’t take my word for it:

“Kate Elliott’s magic and mastery is better than ever. Court of Fives enchanted me from start to finish, with characters and worlds that lingered long after I turned the final page.” —Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series and the Young Elites series

“Haunting. Epic. Impassioned. Layered. Breathtaking. This isn’t just a novel; it is a coup d’état of the soul. Prepare to be ravished by Kate Elliott’s Court of Fives.”—Ann Aguirre, New York Times bestselling author of the Razorland trilogy

“Fast-paced, tense, and riveting. I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t be able to either!”—Tamora Pierce, author of the Tortall series and the Circle of Magic series

“This book is amazing. Kate Elliott combines everything I love best in a YA novel. Jes is a killer protagonist, tough and capable, but also lost in her upbringing and faced with impossible choices that test her character and her beliefs…. This book will not fail you.”—Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of the Parasol Protectorate series and the Finishing School series

To ENTER:

1. Tell me (in comments) why I should pick you to read it! Your answer can be short, long, funny, serious, both, neither, can include a gif or be a gif or art or music or merely text. “I’m so looking forward to it!” is just as acceptable as a 1000 word discussion of whether Cat Barahal prefers pie or cake. I’m drawing the winner randomly regardless. I just need to make you work for it.

2. Domestic USA and International entries welcome. World-wide, because I love and appreciate all my readers and I know you are everywhere.

ETA: LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE USA or INT’L, please (some of the early comments haven’t see this ETA–let me know if you see this later, thanks!)

3. Contest open from 15 April to 25 April, midnight USA Pacific Time (using that instead of Hawaii time because I don’t stay up until midnight)

As of April 20 you can also bid on an ARC at Con or Bust, a fundraiser to help fans of color attend sff conventions.

ETA: A copy is going out to winner Barbara M today (international!). The second winner hasn’t yet replied to my email so . . . I’m giving it two more days.