Vassa in the Night

Vassa in the Night is by Sarah Porter

In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.

In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling away again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.

But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair…

The Breakdown:
1. Porter book is a take on Russian folklore Vasilisa the Beautiful, and you know how I love re-imagined fairy tales. I felt that Porter did a good job staying true the original story while making it her own.

2. I have a bit of trouble liking Vassa.  She would honestly be very boring if it was not for her live wooden doll Erg.  It was really hard to get a good grasp on her personality. She kind of stumbles through the things that Babs task her with doing with no clue about what is going on around her.

3. For me, it was the rest of the characters in the book that make the story. Erg, who always seems to know what is exactly going on.  She is a sassy, kleptomaniac doll who I really enjoyed. Babs who you just know is more than a shop owner from the beginning. Her assistants, Sinister and Dexter, who happened to be disembodied hands.  To Night, trapped in a humanoid body.

4.  I did enjoy the world building in this. The BY dancing on the traditional Baba Yaga's chicken legged house. The hidden rooms in the store and the magic in the store, all made the story good, despite Vassa being rather boring.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily

The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is the sequel to Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.

Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favorite bookstore. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.

With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favorite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow-covered New York City in December.

The Breakdown:
1. Cohn and Levithan bring back the adorable Dash and Lily for another Christmas adventure. This book has all the charm and Christmas spirit of the first book. Although surprisingly, Dash is the one to bring Lily into the Christmas spirit, it is just full of fun and crazy mishaps.

2. I loved seeing how Dash and Lily's relationship has changed in the year since they met. While they have had some rough patches and are in one when the book starts, they prove that all relationships have ups and downs and that working through them makes it stronger.

3. I was excited to see some of my favorite supporting characters back, like Boomer, Mrs. Basil E, and Langston.  I enjoyed watching them help Dash and Lily in their holiday adventures and quest. Personal favorite was the ice skating scene, and its consequences.

4. It was interesting meeting Dash's parents in this book. Got to say, that his dad is a real tool.  I really hated that guy.  I did however like his mom, and surprisingly, his step-mom.

5. This book, like the first, is definitely a must for getting into the Christmas spirit.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read to make your Yule-time merry and bright.

Walk on Earth a Stranger

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson is the first book in her The Gold Seer Trilogy.

Gold is in my blood, in my breath, even in the flecks in my eyes.

Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more.

She also has a secret.

Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.

When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.

The Breakdown:
1. I loved this book. Carson blended history of the gold rush of 1849 with a little bit of fantasy so beautifully. She captures the feel of the excitement of the gold discovery and the hope that people will find fortune in it, along with the struggle of the journey to reach California.

2. Lee's character was great. She is strong and independent in a time that was not considered a virtue in women.  She makes the tough decision to leave her life behind after the murder of her parents to make her way to California.  Plus her ability to sense gold was interesting.

3.  Lee's caravan of people heading for California was an interesting group. I liked getting to know all the characters and seeing how the dynamics of the group changed with different situations. Although, some of the hardships they faced totally make me think of the Oregon Trail games I played on the computer back in elementary and middle school.

4. Be warned there are some heartbreaking moments along Lee's journey.  To be fair, there are also some some extremely heartwarming moments. I am excited to see how this trilogy progresses.

To Read or Not To Read:
Read

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares is by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is the first of the Dash & Lily series.

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

 Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.


The Breakdown:
1. Cohn and Levithan's book is a fun filled book of Christmas spirit and discovering the person who understands you. I loved the whole mood of the book. Christmas time in New York seems like such a magical time.  This book was an excellent book to start the Holiday season.

2. I adored the characters of this book. Lily with her enduring innocence that should be in a teenage girl.  Her Christmas spirit and joy for life was infectious. She was the perfect compliment to Dash's jaded view of the world. I like that Dash, despite coming off jaded, still has a big heart.  He is loyal to his friends, like Boomer, and he definitely has a great sense of adventure given that he takes up Lily's notebook and starts the dares to begin with.

3. Their adventure was fun and quick to read.  Lots of interesting places and people introduced through out the book, including Macy's at Christmas, Dash's friends, and Lily's quirky family.  Plus, quite the scene when Dash and Lily meet in Washington Square Park involving a giant dog and baby catching.  Worth the read for that alone.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read because everyone needs a good book full of Christmas Spirit.

Heartless

Heartless is the new book by Marissa Meyer.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

The Breakdown:
1.  If you read this blog, you know I love Marissa Meyer, and re-imagined fairy tales.  This book lived up to my high expectations of Meyer and I enjoyed the back story of the Queen of Hearts. I enjoyed that the villain does not start as the villain, but rather events lead to them becoming that way.

2.  Cath was such a wonderful character. She has dreams of being the best baker in Hearts, but her parents have other plans. She is a sweet and funny girl.  Plus, as someone who loves to bake, I love her passion for baking.  I like that Jest makes her really want to live her dreams and not just be who her parents want her to be.

3.  Jest is an interesting and complex character. He is the new court jester, and there is more to him that what he seems.  I love getting to know more aspects and secrets from him as the book progresses.

4.  I loved how well Meyer made Hearts her own, while still holding true to the ideas and characters from Carroll's original work. I enjoyed picking out characters that are seen in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Slight Spoiler Alert:

This being the back story for the Queen of Hearts, the characters do not get their happy ending.  But the ending really explains so well why the Queen is the way she is when Alice meets her.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Wanderlost

Wanderlost is by Jen Malone.

Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe.

Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.

Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up.

The Breakdown:
1. Malone writes an adorable novel that proves sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself. Aubree's perfect sister gets arrested covering for her so she convinces Aubree, who is very much a homebody/mama's girl to cover for her as a tour guide in Europe. I loved getting to know Aubree and experiencing Europe with her.  Now, I want to go to Europe more that ever, who wants to sponsor my trip?

2. One of my favorite things about this book is the senior citizen's tour group that Aubree is leading.  They are a colorful array of characters. They make me laugh on multiple occasions.  Plus, I love the way they come to really care for Aubree.

3.  Sam was too cute. He is funny and sweet, and it is hard not to fall for him.  The chemistry between he and Aubree is great, even when they are just one the phone together. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.

4. I have two complaints with the book.  First, the ending with Sam finding out Aubree's true identity and forgiving her was a little rushed feeling to me.  Second, and this is still bugging me, why did the police officer who arrested Elizabeth dislike her so much.  They obviously where in high school together, but I really want to know why he had such a chip on his shoulder about her.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Magic Binds

Magic Binds is the latest book in Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series.

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she’s faced could have prepared her for this…

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules…

The Breakdown:
1. I really enjoy this series.  Andrews, who is a husband and wife writing duo, do a great job in keeping it fresh and entertaining.  Andrews, also, does a fantastic job of making Kate and Curran's relationship a partnership between them. Plus the supporting characters, both friend and enemy are always interesting and complex characters.

2. I loved that this book really dealt a lot with the complexity that is Kate's father, Roland.  On the one hand, he wants to be a father to Kate, but then there is the drive to be the most powerful and control everything.  It is interesting to watch him want to please Kate and at the same time try bring her to submission. He has a very skewed outlook on humanity in general.

3. Oh, and in this book Andrews finally reveals who/what Christopher is and how he came to have his mind broken.  It is a crazy story, so of course, I loved it.

4. Kate is really struggling with her power/claiming of Atlanta.  She turns to an old enemy to help with that and help her defeat her father.  It makes for an interesting relationship, and I can't wait to see how is progress in the next books.

5.  Then there was the moment I have been waiting for, Kate and Curran's wedding.  It suited them so perfectly. I definitely ship them so hard.  Plus the bombshell at the end has me dying for the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Three Dark Crowns

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake is the first book of the series of the same name.

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

The Breakdown:
1.  I very much enjoyed Blake's book. An island where sisters are expected to kill each other to gain the crown. Each is raised by a foster family that has the same gifts as them, and the year they turn sixteen begins their battle to be the last queen standing. This book is mostly setting up the characters and the things that happen leading to the Beltane which is the start of game for the crown.

2. Loved that Blake spent time with each sister so that I could get to know them and the people they loved.  She showed how each was preparing for the battle for the crown, and how those around them were scheming for them to win. From Natalia and Peityr who want to make Katherine charm all the suitors and keep the Poisoners in power. Jules who loved Arsinoe like a sister and would do anything to save her.  Luca, the priestess, who is desperate to have Mirabella come to power.

3. Blake did an excellent job of making the sisters unique.  Katherine is sweet and kind despite being raised by poisoners who were not always kind to her. Mirabella is strong and loyal.  She has fears that she will not be able to kill her sisters.  Arsinoe, who was probably my favorite, is wild and funny.   Of the sisters, only Mirabella appears to have come into her powers.  Both Katherine and Arsinoe seem to be powerless, which makes for an interesting Beltane festival.

4.  At the Quickening, where the queens are presented at Beltane, everything gets a little crazy, and it was impossible to put down the book from that point. Oh, and Blake throws an amazing curve ball at the end that I sure did not see coming.  I cannot wait for the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

P.S. I Like You

P.S. I Like You is by Kasie West.

Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…

The Breakdown:
1.  I simply adored this book.  It was so funny and sweet that I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the concept of a passing notes and getting to know and falling for another with their words.  Plus, I loved the cast of characters.

2. I very much enjoyed Lily.  She is awkward and funny, and I totally relate to her.  She has a crazy family which are all amazing. She wants to write songs, but is shy about sharing her work, which who hasn't experienced fear of not being good enough at what they love.

3. One of my things about this book is the relationship between Lily and her best friend, Isabel, and the relationship with her family.  They are so dynamic in them with both fights and moments of aww happening during the story.  Plus the relationship between Lily and her Chemistry pen pal is adorable in how they are so honest in their letters to each other.

4. I would have to say that my one complaint with this book is that I figured out pretty fast who Lily's Chemistry pen pal was so the big reveal was not a shock to me. Other than that loved the book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Illuminae

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is the first book of The Illuminae Files

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

The Breakdown:
1. I just got home from an author event with the authors of this book. It was so much fun to hear them talk about the book and where the idea started.  In case you are wondering, Kaufman had a dream that she and Kristoff were writing a book together in email form.  I love events like this, because you get to learn so much about the author's process and how their books come to life.  If you get the chance, definitely attend one.  On the downside, I did not win the chance to have my name be one of the characters that is killed off in the next book.

2. This book takes an interest approach to the format of the book.  It is not written in the traditional prose, but rather written like a post-mission/incident report.  It is in the form of interviews, emails, text, and surveillance summary reports.  It gives an interesting perspective on the story.  The main problem, for me, is that this makes it hard to really connect with the characters.

3. Despite the AI going a little crazy, I really ended up liking AIDEN.  It presented an interesting cases about the evolution of an AI. Plus, it really seemed to be starting to develop emotions, and its attachment to Kady was intriguing.

4. So the plague, known as Phobos, makes people go crazy.  They honestly reminded me of the Reavers from "Firefly" and "Serenity." As a lover of epidemiology, it was interesting to me how it spread and mutated.

5.  I was a on the fence on whether I liked this book or not until almost the very end. At the end, the authors gave me quite a surprise, and I am intrigued enough to continue with the series.  Plus this book, really does include some beautiful art in the schematics of the ships and other things.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

A Torch Against the Night

Sabaa Tahir's A Torch Against the Night is the second book of An Ember in the Ashes series.

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

The Breakdown:
1. I thought that I loved An Ember in the Ashes, but this book really stole my heart. Tahir's sophomore book is even more amazing than her debut. This book is filled with surprising twist and amazing characters. I could hardly put it down.

2.  Tahir does the split characters chapters so well.  Laia, Elias, and Helene all have a unique voice that I never feel like that it is hard to tell their chapters apart.  I especially liked the addition of Helene's perspective in this book. With her new position as Marcus's Blood Shrike and her being torn between duty to the Empire and her love both of Elias and her family.

3. Tahir introduces some wonderful new characters in this book.  The Soul Catcher is fascinating to me. A being that guides the dead to their eternity, and her interesting relationship with Elias as the book progresses.  So I thought I would hate Harper when he is first introduced, but as the book progresses, I find myself liking him more and more.  That Mask is an interesting puzzle, and the things that he reveals at the end, not going to lie, blew my mind a little.

4. Oh, and the Commandant is just a character I love to hate. Just when you think she can't be any worse, she goes and does something truly horrible. I really hoping she gets her due soon. Then there is Cook.  She is knows so much, there is got to be some secret to her that I am dying to know.

4. Have a tissue nearby for this book.  Tahir gets me right in the feels several times. The things revealed in the last third of the book has me pining for the next book already.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

The Reader

The Reader is by debut author Tracie Chee and is the first book in her Sea of Ink and Gold series.

Once there was, and one day there will be. This is the beginning of every story.

Sefia lives her life on the run. After her father is viciously murdered, she flees to the forest with her aunt Nin, the only person left she can trust. They survive in the wilderness together, hunting and stealing what they need, forever looking over their shoulders for new threats. But when Nin is kidnapped, Sefia is suddenly on her own, with no way to know who’s taken Nin or where she is. Her only clue is a strange rectangular object that once belonged to her father left behind, something she comes to realize is a book.

Though reading is unheard of in Sefia’s world, she slowly learns, unearthing the book’s closely guarded secrets, which may be the key to Nin’s disappearance and discovering what really happened the day her father was killed. With no time to lose, and the unexpected help of swashbuckling pirates and an enigmatic stranger, Sefia sets out on a dangerous journey to rescue her aunt, using the book as her guide. In the end, she discovers what the book had been trying to tell her all along: Nothing is as it seems, and the end of her story is only the beginning.

The Breakdown:
1. Chee's debut novel has a slightly horrifying concept to me, a world where no one reads.  There are not books of stories.  Histories are passed by word of mouth. There is one book, and to know how to read is powerful and magic. She weaves interesting characters into a complicated story.

2.  I think one of my favorite things about this book was the crew of the Current of Faith. I loved reading about Captain Reed and his crew. They were definitely interesting characters.  The way they took in Sefia and Archer was awesome and I hope to see more of them in future books.

3. Although, I liked Sefia well enough, I never really felt connected to her as the main character.  Her character fell a little flat sometimes. It just felt like that Chee did not do enough to flesh out her character.  I felt she did a better job of making Archer and even the crew of the Current into more dynamic characters than her main heroine.

4. My biggest complaint with this book is the choppiness of it, especially in the first half.  Bounce between Sefia, Captain Reed, and Lon's characters made it hard to get fully engaged in the story.

To Read or Not to Read:
I am going to give this a Read, because I think this series can be good depending on how Chee proceeds in future books.

My Unscripted Life

My Unscripted Life is by Lauren Morrill.

Sometimes love stories go off script.

Another sultry Georgia summer is about to get a lot hotter. Dee Wilkie is still licking her wounds after getting rejected by the precollege fine arts program of her dreams. But if she'd gone away, she wouldn't have been around to say yes to an unbelievable opportunity: working on the set of a movie filming in her small Southern town that just happens to be starring Milo Ritter, the famous pop star Dee (along with the rest of the world) has had a crush since eighth grade.

It's not like Dee will be sharing any screen time with Milo—she's just a lowly PA. And Milo is so disappointingly rude that Dee is eager to stay far away from him. Except after a few chance meetings, she begins to wonder if just maybe there's a reason for his offensive attitude, and if there's more to Milo than his good looks and above-it-all Hollywood pedigree. Can a relationship with a guy like Milo ever work out for a girl like Dee? Never say never. . .

The Breakdown:
1. I loved this book.  I read it in 4 hours on a flight from Atlanta to LA, which left with no book to read on the flight back. (Thank goodness for autobooks.) The story was fun and engaging.  The characters were all fantastic. Plus the setting was just perfect.  Morrill captures small town life in the south so wonderfully.  At one point, Milo talks about how nice a small town must be where you can be unknown, and Dee has the perfect response.  There is no anonymity in a small town, everyone knows everyone and they never forget any antics that happen.

2.   Dee was such a wonderful character, easy to relate to.  What person has not had the disappointment of rejection, but she overcame it so beautifully, and found a new passion.  And I think that everyone as a teenager had that one crush that they got a little crazy about like her best friend Naz described her doing.

3. I liked that Milo had layers to him, and that he was not sweeping Dee off her feet at the first meeting.  In fact, he was a bit of a jerk.  I enjoyed getting to see Dee get him to let his guard down and give her private smiles and laughs.

4. Morrill has a fantastic cast of supporting characters.  From Dee's best friend Naz, who tells it like it is. Dee's parents are fantastic, too.  Then the other members of the production crew, like Benny trying to make the color war a thing to Carly acting as the older sister. Plus loved that a. Naz's family had two old bassets that were mentioned, and b. that Dee has a dog adapted from the shelter.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Crooked Kingdom

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo is second book of the Six of Crows duology.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

The Breakdown:
1. If you loved Ocean's 11, which I did, and YA fantasy, which I do, this is the book for you. Bardugo has so many twist and turns and cons being run that I was constantly surprised by events in the story. This story, like Six of Crows, definitely kept me guess and wanting more.

2. I absolutely love all of Bardugo's characters.  They are wonderful, flaws and all.  They have all developed such wonderful relationships between them that they have really become a family. Bardugo does a wonderful job of both keeping the flow of the story while giving background stories on the characters.

3. My biggest problem with this book is I don't know which couple to ship the hardest. Nina and Matthais coming from very different countries but have found they are just what the other needs. Jesper and Wylan and how they are skirting around their attraction to each other.  Then there is Kaz and Inej both so broken, but finding themselves drawn to each other.

4. I love that Bardugo brings some of my favorite characters from The Grisha Trilogy into play in this book with Zoya and Genya. As much as I love this book, and I loved it so much, Bardugo does manage to stab me right in the feels a few times, so be warned about a few heartbreaking moments.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

And I Darken

And I Darken is the first book of Kiersten White's The Conquerors Saga.

No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

The Breakdown:
1.  I loved this alternate history of Vlad Dracul, as in what is he was really a she. White's book is filled so much intrigue and action that it is hard to put down. Plus, she does something unexpected with the love triangle trope with Lada and Radu both having feelings for Mehmed.

2. One of the best things about this book is how very different Lada and Radu are and how they navigate their world. Lada is strong, stubborn and cunning in battle.  She refuses to lose her love of her home.  Radu, on the other hand, is kind, smart, and cunning in courts. He adapts to life in the Ottoman courts, and flourishes there like he never did at home. Their difference complement each other so well, and both aid Mehmed in his rise to power.

3. Mehmed presents an interesting character. He is charismatic, and zealot for his religious beliefs. He inspired both loyalty and love in Lada and Radu. I can't wait to see what White does with character as the saga progress knowing the history of the actual Mehmed.

4. Funny aside, every time Constantinople was mentioned in the book, I started singing They Might Be Giants song, "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" which was on Tiny Toon Adventures. In case you're wondering here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsQrKZcYtqg

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit is by Jaye Robin Brown.

Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees.

Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldn’t possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad. Even if she’s starting to fall for the girl. Even if there’s a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?

The Breakdown:
1. This was not a book that I probably picked up on my own, but it was my book club's pick for the month.  I am so glad that it was, because I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Brown did a great job of portraying life both in Atlanta and in Rome for teens. Plus, I loved most of her characters.  She does a great job of making them well rounded, even the supporting characters.

2.  I really liked Joanna's character.  She is smart and outgoing, and her flaws are something I think that most can relate to. One of my favorites things about her is her belief that being gay and a Christian are not mutually exclusive things.  Plus the struggle of pleasing her father and being true to herself is something that most of us have dealt with at one time or another.

3. Probably my least favorite thing about this book was Dana, Joanna's best friend.  She comes off as abrasive and insure at times.  While she is the one to tell Joanna to man up to Mary Carlson, which I thought was a great moment.  Overall, she does not come off as a great friend.

4. I thought the book had a good flow to it, and loved the relationships developed in it. I liked that it dealt with things that people struggle with all the time.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Blackhearts

Blackhearts is by debut author Nicole Castroman and is the first book in a series of the same name.

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England? 

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

The Breakdown:
1. Castroman was another author that I had the pleasure of seeing at the Decatur Book Festival.  I loved hearing how she was inspired by Blackbeard's story and what possibly made him the pirate he was.  She was especially inspired by his ship's flag. See below:


2.  I really loved this characters of this story. Both Anne and Teach were dynamic characters and each trying to make their way in the world.  Anne who feels out of place, especially since the death of her parents, and desperately wants to find a place where she belongs.  Teach who longs to be at sea, but father wants grander things for him. They form an unlikely friendship that eventually lead to deeper feelings.

3.  This book has several interesting twist and turns to it.  Castroman kept me guessing on who could be trusted and who could not. Then there is Teach's father, who mostly seems like a cold hearted man set on advancing his place in society, but then there are moments where he seems not so bad.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Imprudence

Imprudence by Gail Carriger is the second book of  The Custard Protocol series.

London is in chaos.

Rue and the crew of The Spotted Custard returned from India with revelations that shook the foundations of the scientific community. There is mass political upheaval, the vampires are tetchy, and something is seriously wrong with the local werewolf pack. To top it all off, Rue’s best friend Primrose keeps getting engaged to the most inappropriate military types.

Rue has got personal problems as well. Her vampire father is angry, her werewolf father is crazy, and her obstreperous mother is both. Worst of all, Rue’s beginning to suspect what they all really are… is frightened.

When the Custard is ordered to Egypt, transporting some highly unusual passengers, Rue’s problems go from personal to impossible. Can she get Percy to stop sulking? Will she find the true cause of Primrose’s lovesickness? And what is Quesnel hiding in the boiler room?

The Breakdown:
1. I find Carriger's writing very entertaining with the steampunk elements and the most ridiculous situations that the characters manage to get into. There is rarely a dull moment, even at tea times, in her books. I especially loved the continuity in this book with the final book of  The Parasol Protectorate.

2.  I find the interactions between Rue and Quesnel most enjoyable.  They have such chemistry together.  Plus, it is humorous to see how clueless Rue can be about Quesnel's feelings for her. Oh, and when you throw her parents into the mix of their relationship, it can get quite interesting.

3.  There was quite a bit of action in this book.  The Spotted Custard seemed to be under attack at every turn.  It made for an interesting mystery as to who it was and what where their motives. It really was an exciting ending, and cannot wait for the next book.

4. Oh, and bonus in this book, find out who Lord Akeldama was in his mortal life, and why he is so good at strategy.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Shadow Hour

The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey is the second book of her Girl at Midnight series.

A battle has been won. But the war has only just begun.

Everything in Echo’s life changed in a blinding flash when she learned the startling truth: she is the firebird, the creature of light that is said to bring peace.

The firebird has come into the world, but it has not come alone. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and Echo can feel a great and terrible darkness rising in the distance. Cosmic forces threaten to tear the world apart.

Echo has already lost her home, her family, and her boyfriend. Now, as the firebird, her path is filled with even greater dangers than the ones she’s already overcome.

She knows the Dragon Prince will not fall without a fight.

Echo must decide: can she wield the power of her true nature—or will it prove too strong for her, and burn what’s left of her world to the ground?

Welcome to the shadow hour.

The Breakdown:
1.  In the first book, Grey was a little more focused on the world building and the search of the firebird.  I felt this book was more about furthering the development of the characters.  Delves deeper in the the characters, especially those of Echo and Jasper, and interesting enough, Tanith, in this book.

2.  I really liked the development of the firebird, and that the firebird is not a lone entity. I loved the concept that along with the firebirds light, comes a darkness.  It presents an interesting challenge for Echo, and makes sense with the concept that the universe needs balance.

3. Real talk: as much as I loved Echo, Caius and Rowan in the mountain scenes, I think the biggest scene steal belongs to Ivy when she stands up to Tanith. Ivy shows amazing growth and bravery in that scene, and I just wanted to yell "You Go Girl" at her then.

4. I was not a Tanith fan in the first book, but the things she does for power, really makes me love to hate her. Grey not only shows what she did to oust Caius for Dragon Prince, but the lengths Tanith goes to obtain even more power are frightening. She is one scary lady.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Soldier

Julie Kagawa's Soldier is the third book in her The Talon Saga.

The price of freedom is everything.

When forced to choose between safety with the dragon organization Talon and being hunted forever as an outcast, Ember Hill chose to stand with Riley and his band of rogue dragons rather than become an assassin for Talon. She’s lost any contact with her twin brother, Dante, a Talon devotee, as well as Garret, the former-enemy soldier who challenged her beliefs about her human side.

As Ember and Riley hide and regroup to fight another day, Garret journeys alone to the United Kingdom, birthplace of the ancient and secret Order of St. George, to spy on his former brothers and uncover deadly and shocking secrets that will shake the foundations of dragons and dragonslayers alike and place them all in imminent danger as Talon’s new order rises.

The Breakdown:
1.  In this book, I feel like that Kagawa not only took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, but kept shocking me with new information about St. George, Talon, and dragons in general. There was rarely a dull moment in this book.

2. I loved the new character of Jade.  She is an Eastern dragon, and very different from the dragons that Kagawa has introduced before, both those in Talon and the rogues. I really liked her sense of zen and loyalty, and hope to see more of her in future books.

3. I enjoyed getting Garret's back story in this book, and how he came into the Order of St. George. Oh, and what a bomb Kagawa drops on the reader at the end about Garret's  family.  It left me a more than a little stunned.

4.  I kind of liked getting more of Dante's perspective in this book.  It not only sheds some light on the shadiness at Talon, but at times he is not as heartless at he appears to be.  Although, he does seem to struggle with his conscience, he does appear to be a Talon man all around.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

This Savage Song

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab is the first book of Monsters of Verity series.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives. 

The Breakdown:
1. First off, I need to fangirl for a moment.  I had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Schwab speak this past weekend at the Decatur Book Festival.  I loved hearing about her writing habits and the reasons why she makes her characters on the darker side. If you are a lover of books and reading, you should definitely check out the Decatur Book Festival next year.

2.  I loved this book. I thought the setting was perfect and the characters where wonderfully complex. I really liked that the story showing that the world is not black and white, and that monsters can be human, and that humanity can be found in monsters.

3. I was enthralled by the characters of Kate and August. Kate, who so desperately wants to impress her father that she is willing to do monstrous things to belong.  August who is a monster, but wants to be human.  They form an unlikely alliance that leads them to friendship. I like that Schwab does not force a romance between them.

4.  One of my favorite things about this book is when Schwab explains how the monsters are made. The different kinds of monsters are made from human crime/violence.  It really speaks to humans being the root of all monsters.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

The Inquisition

Taran Matharu's The Inquisition is the second book of his Summoner series.

A year has passed since the Tournament.

Fletcher and Ignatius have been locked away in Pelt’s dungeons, but now they must face a trial at the hands of the Inquisition, a powerful institution controlled by those who would delight in Fletcher’s downfall.

The trial is haunted by ghosts from the past with shocking revelations about Fletcher’s origins, but he has little time to dwell on them; the graduating students of Vocans are to be sent deep into the orc jungles to complete a dangerous mission for the king and his council. If they fail, the orcish armies will rise to power beyond anything the Empire has ever seen.

With loyal friends Othello and Sylva by his side, Fletcher must battle his way to the heart of Orcdom and save Hominum from destruction…or die trying

The Breakdown:
1. I think I enjoyed this book more than the first book of the series.  Matharu has matured as a writer, and that brings more development to his characters. I really like where he took the story in this book, and he definitely had some good twist in it.

2.  In the first book, the war with the Orc's is there in the background, but Matharu definitely put it at the forefront with this book.  Sending Fletcher and his friends behind Orc lines on an important mission. I love he gave a view of Orc life, both before the war started, and how it is now.  I liked the heavy Aztec influences in the Orc's ceremonies.

3. I enjoyed finding out about Fletcher's origins in this book.  While not completely surprised by it, it was a good fit for the story.  Plus it does play a big part in the end. Also thought that Matharu did a good job of maturing Fletcher  as a leader and his feelings for his friends.

4. I have to say my biggest complaint about this book is that Matharu sometimes spends too much detailing plants and animals that are encountered in the jungle. Oh, and that the ending has me dying for the next book, talk about a bit of a cliffhanger.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Heir to the Sky

Heir to the Sky is by Amanda Sun.

As heir to a kingdom of floating continents, Kali has spent her life bound by limits—by her duties as a member of the royal family, by a forced betrothal to the son of a nobleman, and by the edge of the only world she’s ever known—a small island hovering above a monster-ridden earth, long since uninhabited by humans. She is the Eternal Flame of Hope for what’s left of mankind, the wick and the wax burning in service for her people, and for their revered Phoenix, whose magic keeps them aloft.

When Kali falls off the edge of her kingdom and miraculously survives, she is shocked to discover there are still humans on the earth. Determined to get home, Kali entrusts a rugged monster-hunter named Griffin to guide her across a world overrun by chimera, storm dragons, basilisks, and other terrifying beasts. But the more time she spends on earth, the more dark truths she begins to uncover about her home in the sky, and the more resolute she is to start burning for herself.

The Breakdown:
1. I won this book in a giveaway from the Blog tour off That Artsy Reader Girl's blog.  I was super excited about it after reading the synopsis,  but the actual book fell a little flat for me. I had a hard time with several of the characters, and most of Sun's revelations where really not that surprising, and others were like she just threw them in for a twist factor but were not very integrated into the story.

2. I had a very hard time liking Kali. Even though she knows about the rebels, and has seen clues to the origins of the floating continents, she remains resistant to the story that Griffin's sister and others tell her, and that her father is totally innocent in all of it, even though he is the Monarch. I just wanted to shake some sense into her at times.

3. I did like Griffin.  I think for me he was the best part of this book.  He is smart, cunning, and loyal.  He is quick to help Kali, and keeps his promises to her despite the risk to him.  Although, I figured out his origin as soon as his sister was introduced, and strongly suspected before that even.

4. I felt many of the supporting characters, including the antagonist, were very one dimensional. It was hard to really like them, when there was so little to them.  I am a firm believer that a supporting cast of characters can make or break a story, and sadly they were broken in this story.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip It

The Crown's Game

The Crown's Game is by debut author Evelyn Skye and is the first of the series of the same name.

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip-smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love…or be killed himself.

The Breakdown:
1. I am fascinated by Imperial Russia, and I do love a good fantasy book, so this book was a natural for me to pick up. Skye does a beautiful job of mixing actual Russian history to her fantasy. I just loved her descriptions of St. Petersburg, the people, the buildings, and the food. She did an excellent job of transporting me there.

2.  One of my favorite things about this book was the characters of Vika and Nikolai. Skye wrote each so wonderfully, and so different from each other, despite both being Enchanters. Each is a master enchanter, but their strength in their powers differ so greatly.  With Vika leaning toward the natural elements, and Nikolai more in tune with construction of man made things. Plus, when they finally meet, the pull between them is incredible.

3. Skye has a wonderful cast of supporting characters.  Pasha, the tssesarevich, who is kind and wants to understand the world around him, but really has not head for politics. Ludmila, Vika's friend, the baker who cares deeply for Vika, and I sincerely wish I could try her pastries. And Yuliana, the princess, who is smart and a bit ruthless.

4. I was captivated as the game progressed to see what Vika and Nikolai's next moves would be, and how they would deal with their feelings each other. Oh and that ending, I suggest having some tissue in hand.  I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

The Skylighter

The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the second book of the Keepers' Chronicle.

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

The Breakdown:
1. Wallace picks up where the last book left off in the beginning of this book.  Just like the first book, she switches between several characters perspectives.  It makes for interesting story telling, especially since several of the characters have their own stories that do not come together until the end. I think she does a good job of keeping different character's chapters having a unique voice to them.

2. I really enjoyed Dom's chapters the most.  He is learning to be responsible for his people.  He is intelligent, and funny. I also think that he makes the most character development in this book.  From the fun loving second son of a duke to a man that really in the end saves the day.

3.  My main complaint that at times the chemistry between Johanna and Rafi was a little forced.  There are moments of greatness between them, but other times, I have a hard time believing that they are falling for each other.

4. This is, from what I read, the end of the series.  I did think that Wallace tied up the main story line very well.  I can still room for more stories, like between Dom and Maribelle, or even from the Keeper side of the wall.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Love That Split the World

The Love that Split the World is by debut author Emily Henry.

Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves. 

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start... until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

The Breakdown:
1.  Henry's debut novel was wonderful adventure.  I loved that she was able to mix contemporary issues, like ex-boyfriends, friends, family, and starting college so well with the fantasy aspects, alternate dimensions and time travel.  The story was engaging and the characters were fun to read. Bonus, that it was a stand alone book.  I feel, at times, that I have committed to way too series.

2. I enjoyed reading Natalie's character so much.  She was fun, and I loved her sense of humor. Her interactions with her best friend, Megan, and Beau were so wonderful. They were characters that just clicked so well together. Plus, she really does hold it together so well, when the world appears to be going crazy and no one else can see it.

3. Then there is Beau, who is wonderful and has hidden depths to him.  He is not perfect by any means, but appears to be so comfortable with his faults.  He and Natalie together is just magic.

4. I loved the fact that as I was reading that the him Natalie has three months to save is not obvious.  Even at the end, I wondered if it actually referred to more than one person. Also enjoyed the Native American legends that were told by Grandmother during the story.

5.  I have to say my biggest complaint is that I guessed who Grandmother was so earlier in the story, that is was not a surprise when the reveal was made for me.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Darkthaw

Darkthaw is the second book of Kate A. Boorman's Winterkill series.

Council has fallen. The Thaw is here. The world outside Emmeline’s fortification awaits. Urged on by her dreams, Emmeline sets out with her new friend Matisa and her beloved Kane, venturing into exhilarating wilderness, into freedom, into the unknown.

Into danger.

The secret that has secured peace for Matisa’s people for generations has been compromised. Newcomers are arriving, laying claim to the land and bringing unimagined horrors. Emmeline vows to help Matisa warn her people, but with new perils at every turn and the enemy closing in, she finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Forsake the friend who saved her life or abandon the boy she loves.

The Breakdown:
1. In this book, Boorman sets Emmeline on  her great adventure, outside of her settlement, to see the world.  She really makes this book a little of parallel of history with the imposing threat of the expansion of the Dominion westward. It is interesting the people that Emmeline's group meet on their journey, both good and bad.

2. I enjoy seeing Emmeline grow in her dreams and views of the world.  She is so excited to leave the settlement, but along the way that not everything is what she expects. She learns to how to be her without the expectations of the settlement.

3.  One of my favorite things is the evolving relationship between Emmeline and Isi, Matisa's cousin. He starts as subtle hostility to her, that later becomes outright hostility. As the story progresses they are forced to work together, and he comes to begrudgingly respect her and eventually they become friends.

4. Forewarning, there are some heartbreaking scenes in this book, so have your tissue ready.  There is also, a little more violent action compared to the first book, but it really helps to set up the scene and the changes going on around them.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

If I was Your Girl

If I was Your Girl is by debut author Meredith Russo.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There’s a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.

And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she’s ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself…including her past. But she’s terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won't be able to see past it.

Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that she used to be Andrew. 

The Breakdown:
1. Russo presents an interesting topic in her debut novel of being transgender. It is, sadly, a rarely explored topic in YA fiction. Russo does a great job of making Amanda a character that many can relate to, even if they are not transgender.  Everyone has secrets that they are scared will make others not like them.

2. I love the switch between Amanda's present life and the past.  It helped me to understand Amanda's feelings and her insecurities better. Plus it tales of her transition from boy to girl.

3. I adore Amanda's mother.  She accepted her for who she was no matter what.  Supported her through the hard decisions. She was definitely an amazing woman.

4. My biggest complaint for this book is Russo copious use of the word "ain't." Being from the south myself, I have to say I very rarely use it, and it felt like Russo used every opportunity to use it, not matter the character or the situation.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Art of Not Breathing

The Art of Not Breathing is by debut author Sarah Alexander.

Since her twin brother, Eddie, drowned five years ago, sixteen-year-old Elsie Main has tried to remember what really happened that fateful day on the beach. One minute Eddie was there, and the next he was gone. Seventeen-year-old Tay McKenzie is a cute and mysterious boy that Elsie meets in her favorite boathouse hangout. When Tay introduces Elsie to the world of freediving, she vows to find the answers she seeks at the bottom of the sea.

The Breakdown:
1. Alexander's book is part mystery, and part coming to terms with grief which together make for a great read. She really does a great job of exploring how a death of child and sibling changes a family, and how each individual deals with the aftermath.  Even though the books takes places years after Eddie's death, the family is still raw from the loss, and really appears to avoiding dealing with it.

2.  I really liked the character of Elsie because in big part she was so wonderfully flawed.  She is not the perfect size two girl.  She has bad habits, avoids studying, smoking and shoplifting.  She really is the first to start coping with Eddie's death in her family.  She is dealing with her grief, her guilt, and is trying to put together the pieces of what exactly happened that day, and freediving is helping her to deal with all that.

3.  There are a lot of secrets to discover in this book. First, of course, what exactly happened the day Eddie died, where did her father disappear to, and who was her older brother Dillon looking for.  Then there is why Dillon does hates Tay so much. And what Elsie is hiding between her freediving, and Dillon's declining health.

4.  The books stays interesting between Elsie's life, and flashbacks to her memories of Eddie, and what happened the day he died. It kept me interested from beginning to end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Blood Passage

Heather Demetrios's Blood Passage is the second book of her Dark Caravan Cycle.

A jinni who's lost everything.

A master with nothing to lose.

A revolutionary with everything to gain.

When Nalia arrives in Morocco to fulfil Malek's third and final wish she's not expecting it to be easy. Though Nalia is free from the shackles that once bound her to Malek as his slave, she's in more danger than ever before.

Meanwhile, Malek's past returns with a vengeance as he confronts the darkness within himself, and Raif must decide what's more important: his love for Nalia, or his devotion to the cause of Arjinnan freedom.

Set upon by powerful forces that threaten to break her, Nalia encounters unexpected allies and discovers that her survival depends on the very things she thought made her weak. From the souks of Marrakech to the dunes of the Sahara, The Arabian Nights come to life in this dazzling second installment of the Dark Caravan Cycle.

The Breakdown:
1. Demetrios picks up the story as Nalia, Raif, Malek and Zanari arrive in Morocco. I love the imagery she creates of Merrakech, the Sahara, and the journey to find Solomon's Sigil.  She makes me feel like I am in these places with the characters.

2. I loved the character development in this book.  From Nalia who experiences great pain, and really comes into her own toward the end.  The way she cares and uses her power really shows that she could be a great leader. Then there is Malek.  Demetrios reveals more of his past, and really shows how much his greed and power have cost him. There are times I really despise him, but at other times he shows hints that he is not all bad.  Raif and Zanari learning to deal with things that Nalia was forced to do in the past. I will admit I was a little disappointed with their reactions, especially Zanari's. Plus, she gives the first real meeting between Calar and Nalia.  Calar is definitely a character I love to hate already.

3. The journey to find the sigil was amazing.  The City of Brass, or as I thought of it, the cave of wonders, was so amazingly written.  The different caverns and monsters they meet are straight out of Arabian Nights. It was definitely the best part of the book.

4. Definitely have a tissue at the ready because there are some serious heartbreaking moments. The ending however has me super excited for the next book, plus with the small preview Demetrios had of the next book has me asking is it done, yet?

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Dark Days Club

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman is the first book of her Lady Helen series.

London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?

The Breakdown:
1. Goodman's novel is like if Supernatural went Regency London. I appreciate the Goodman did a lot of research regarding the time period, but she need not need to put everything she learned about it into the first half of this book. The first half was so filled with etiquette, clothing, and parties, that I began to wonder if there was going to be a point to the book other than London aristocracies lavish lifestyle.

2. That being said, once Goodman got into the story of Lady Helen's abilities and why she has them, the book got much better. She did still get bogged down in the details of explaining Reclaimers and Deceivers at times, but there were some really great characters and moments in the second half of the book.

3. I did enjoy the character of Lady Helen. She is strong and intelligent.  She is not afraid to be herself, even in a time when a Lady being witty and curious about life was frowned upon.  She is faced with more than one tough decision, and despite possible consequences to her reputation, she does the right thing.

4.  Lord Carlston is an interesting character.  I cannot quite decided if I truly like him or not.  He can be very abrasive most of the time, but there are times where he truly seems to care for others.  Most of the book, I am unsure of his motives for Helen, and there are so many questions about his past and what happened to his wife.

To Read or Not to Read:
All in all, I say read, but probably skim most of the first half.

Allegiance of Honor

Allegiance of Honor is the latest book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series.

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

The Breakdown:
1. Singh's latest Psy-Changeling novel is not focused on one couple, but rather revolves around past characters and their growth and bonds that they have created over the series. I loved the catch-up with all my favorite characters.

2. Singh mentions in the forward that this is the end of what she calls part one of her Psy-Changeling series.  I think she really does a job of proving that.  While solidifying things that were set in motion in previous books, but at the same time introducing new enemies and problems.  I am excited to see where the Consortium and problem in psy-net stories continue to grow and develop in future books. Plus what characters she introduces in the future, and what younger characters become major players.

3. I liked that she developed both the BlackSea changelings more in this story and also Bowen of the Human Alliance. I hope to see more of them in the future.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Consider

Consider is by debut author Kristy Acevedo and is the first of her Holo series.

As if Alexandra Lucas’ anxiety disorder isn’t enough, mysterious holograms suddenly appear from the sky, heralding the end of the world. They bring an ultimatum: heed the warning and step through a portal-like vertex to safety, or stay and be destroyed by a comet they say is on a collision course with earth. How’s that for senior year stress?

The holograms, claiming to be humans from the future, bring the promise of safety. But without the ability to verify their story, Alex is forced to consider what is best for her friends, her family, and herself.

To stay or to go. A decision must be made.

With the deadline of the holograms’ prophecy fast approaching, Alex feels as though she is living on a ticking time bomb, until she discovers it is much, much worse.

The Breakdown:
1.  Acevedo presents an interesting concept in her debut novel.  What would you do if presented with a choice of escaping to an unknown world or facing possible impending world ending disaster?  I really liked how she presented this book, and showed the progression of society's state in general has the deadline presented by the holograms comes closer.

2. Alexandra is not your typical heroine.  She suffers from severe anxiety disorder, and at times debilitating panic attacks. I loved seeing how she processed things, and see how she copes with things.  While I don't have an anxiety disorder myself, from what I have read and know of friends who have it, Acevedo does a great job in expressing it in Alex.

3. I really liked both Alex's best friend, Rita, and her boyfriend, Dominick. Rita is funny, and exciting and so full of life, despite her family's deep religious belief that could easily crush a girl like her spirit.  I love the way Dominicl cares for Alex.  Even when she pushes him away, it is clear that he does not stop loving her.

4.  The ending to this book has me dying for the next book.  Avecedo hits you with not only a fantastic twist in the story, but topped it off with a little of a cliffhanger.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane is a collaborative novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows.

Edward is the King of England.  He's also dying, which is inconvenient, as he's only sixteen and he'd much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown...

Jane is Edward's cousin, and far more interested in books than in romance.  Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there's something a little odd about her intended...

Gifford (call him G) is a horse.  That is, he is an Eðians (eth-y-un for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed- but then he wakes with a mouthful of hay.  It's all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy.  With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own.  But can they pull off their plan before it's off with their heads?

The Breakdown:
1. These authors take one of histories most fascinating stories, to me, and turn it on its head and make their own. The power struggle for the throne of England, plus divided among different factions in England are played out in this book.  The authors just change the factions from Catholic and Protestant to the Verity (humans who stay human) and the Eðians (humans become animals with magic). This book is definitely more a whimsical romantic comedy that tragedy of the true story of Lady Jane.

2. The book's chapters are split from Edward, Jane and Gifford's perspectives so the authors do nicely showing each of their struggles and feelings about the situation they have been thrust into. I liked that each characters' chapter was very unique to them, and their voice so distinct.

3. Probably the thing that I liked that best about this book, was that is was extremely witty.  The characters were entertaining, and their dialogue so well done.  Then there is the excellence of the prologue, midlogue, and the author asides. I loved the author speaking directly to the reader, and multiple times they have me in tears from laughing.  Oh, and keep an eye out to references from some of my favorite movies, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, etc.

4. If you are looking for a historically accurate account of Lady Jane Grey, this is not the book for you.  If you like a whimsical romance with a conspiracy thrown in, and some historical truths, this is a great read. Oh, and then there is the awesomeness of people turning into animals. (Just an FYI, if you want a little more accurate account of Lady Jane Grey, check of the movie with Cary Elwes and Helena Bonham Carter, Lady Jane.)

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Brimstone Deception

The Brimstone Deception by Lisa Shearin is the latest book in her SPI Files series.

It's called Brimstone.  After the first few hits, you'll see every supernatural beast sharing the sidewalk, train, or office with you.  After that, you'll start seeing the really scary stuff.

I'm Makenna Fraser, seer for the SPI. And the collateral damaged caused by Brimstone is something I'd like to unsee: dead drug dealers missing their hearts- and souls.  Because your local pusher doesn't stand a chance against the new cartel muscling its way into New York.  And since the drug can only be produced with magic and molten brimstone fresh from Hell, that means a rift to the underworld is open somewhere in the city. 

And when- not if- the cartel loses control of it, well...

It's going to be Hell on earth.

The Breakdown:
1.  Shearin's SPI files are fast and fun reads. There is the mystery of who is behind the Brimstone and why they are doing it.  Along with that is the fun of the characters, especially Makenna. There is lots of great banter between characters and occasionally some awkward funny situations.

2. I find the character of Makenna very likable and entertaining.  She is not afraid to admit her flaws, and play to her strengths.  She is witty, and uses her Southern charm to her full advantage.

3. I liked in this book Shearin showed a little more of Rake's character and his background and motives. He is definitely the ultimate bad boy, but oh so charming, and maybe even a little bit of a softie when he cares about someone.

4.  Plus Shearin always has an interesting supporting class of characters.  Kitty the baker, and whose ancestor may or may not have lured children to their deaths with gingerbread. Yasha the Russian werewolf whose baby is his suburban.  With these characters, and the search for the Brimstone and killers, there is never a dull moment in this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Square Root of Summer

The Summer Root of Summer is by debut author Harriet Reuter Hapgood.

This is what it means to love someone.  This is what it means to grieve someone. It's a little bit like a black hole.  It's a little like infinity.

Gottie H. Oppenheimer is losing time.  Literally. When the fabric of the universe around her seaside town begins to fray, she's hurtled through wormholes to her past:

To last summer, when her grandfather Grey died.  To the afternoon she fell in love with Jason, who wouldn't ever hold her hand at the funeral.  To the day her best friend Thomas moved away and left her behind with scar on her hand and a black hole in her memory.

Although Grey is still gone, Jason and Thomas are back, and Gottie's past, present, and future are about to collide- and someone's heart is about to be broken.

The Breakdown:
1. Hapgood's debut novel has got fair amount of buzz about it, but sadly for me, it did not live up to the hype. I had hard time getting into the story. There was a lot of technical physics and math in it that I did not really understand, so it made it harder for me to get into the story. Plus the wormholes and jumps in timelines left me a little confused and the story feeling choppy at times.

2. I did not really connect with the character of Gottie.  I spent pretty much the entire book trying to decided if she was crazy or not.  She was so consumed by her grief that she really has become quite self-absorbed.

3.  Honestly the only character I felt any connection was Thomas.  He was funny, and I loved that he was a baker.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip it

ARC: Nemesis

Nemesis is by Anna Banks and is the first book of the a series of the same name.

The princess didn't expect to fall in love-- with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms.  The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp.  She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude. 

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens.  The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention.  But mistress Sepora will not be ignored.  When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined. 

Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague.  But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?

The Breakdown:
1. I won the ARC of this book in a raffle at the Fierce Reads book tour when they stopped at The Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA.  I have to say I really liked the concept of this book, and I liked the setting of Theoria,  definitely very strong influences of ancient Egypt in it.

2.  The book is split between Sepora and Tarik's perspectives, but, for me, it was strangely done.  All of Sepora's chapters were in first person, but all of Tarik's chapters were in third person.  It made the switch between perspectives a little jarring, but on the upside, I was never confused whose chapter I was reading.

3.  I did think that Banks took an long time for the two main characters to meet.  It was about a third of the way into the book before they ever had an interaction with each other. While I appreciate developing the characters as individuals and backgrounding on their cultures,  I made the romance between them feel a little more rushed.

4. The lover of science in me is very intrigued by the Quiet Plague storyline of this book.  Where did it come from, and how is it spread, and why are only certain classes falling victim?  I really hope that Banks expands more on it.  I actually liked that storyline much more that the threat of war one.

5. I know had a few complaints, but overall I really did like the book.  I am interested to see where the series goes and how the characters develop, especially with what happened at the end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Everland

Everland is by debut author Wendy Spinale.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease.  The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joann and Mikey.  They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders-- the German army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors.  He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation.  None ever returns.  Until the day they grab Joanna.  As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a daredevil boy named Pete.  Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground.  But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen.  And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook? 

The Breakdown:
1. Spinale combines some of my favorite genres in the re-imagined Peter Pan story with steampunk and a little dystopian. It turns out really well.  She plays so well off the story of Peter Pan, with easily recognizable elements and characters from the original story, but still makes it her own, and unique. I absolutely loved the interpretation of pixie dust and Tinkerbell.

2.  One of my favorite things about this book is how Spinale alternatives perspectives between Gwen and Hook.  I loved that I got a more in depth look of the antagonist in this way. It really allowed me to get to know the villain, and honestly feel a little sorry for him, especially when I learned about his childhood and his mother, and why he is so desperate for the cure.

3.  Probably my least favorite thing about this book was the romance between Gwen and Pete.  It felt a little rushed, and I wasn't quite feeling their connection. I do however think, if this is the start of a series, that it could be fleshed out more, and I could grow to like it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Raven King

The Raven King is the final book of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle.

Nothing living is safe.  Nothing dead is to be trusted.

For years, Ganesy has been on a quest to find a lost king.  One by one, he's drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams: Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey... and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Now the endgame has begun.  Dreams and nightmares are converging.  Love and loss are inseparable.  And  the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

The Breakdown:
1.  It was very hard for me to get into this book, which is does not usually happen for me with Stiefvater's writing.  The beginning of this book, especially, really dragged for me. It almost felt as if the characters where fighting where the story was going in the beginning.

2.  One thing that was particularly hard for me to get into was that Stiefvater started multiple chapters with "Depending on where you start the story is about..." insert character of choice here. It got old very quickly. I see that she was explaining a characters place and importance in the story, but I just did not like it.

3.  I did like getting to know Henry Cheng.  He made a interesting addition to the group, and I kind of wish he had been more present in the other books.  The other thing I really liked is that Blue and Gansey finally admit their feelings for each other to their friends.

4. Honestly, the ending felt a little anti-climatic. I had the "That's it?" feeling when I finished the book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read only to gain closure for the series

A Court of Misty and Fury

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Rose and Thorn series.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court- but at a steep cost.  Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. 

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.  As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms- and she might be key to stopping it.  But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decided how she wishes to shape her future- and the future of a world cleaved in two.

The Breakdown:
1. I simply adored Sarah J. Maas, and I have to say, I think this book was even better than the first one. I loved learning more about the Night Court, and seeing Feyre really blossom into a woman in this book. Then there is the threat of Hybern invading that kept me guessing what is next, and what the outcome would be.

2.  Feyre is dealing with some serious PTSD from her time Under the Mountain and dealing with Amarantha.  She is drowning, and Tamlin is so busy worried about her safety to notice that his protection is killing her slowly. It is Rhysand that saves her, and helps to start her healing.  With his help, Feyre really learns how powerful she has become.

3. I take back all the nice things I said about Tamlin in my review of A Court of Rose and Thorn. He does not notice, or does not care, how much he is hurting Feyre by treating her like spun glass.  Then what he does to get bring her back to the Spring Court is appalling.  I was so disappointed by his character in this book, and also disappointed a by Lucien, who can see what is happening to Feyre but will not disobey Tamlin to help save her.

4. I know in the review of the first book, I did not know whether to love or hate Rhysand.  I am firmly in the Team Rhysand camp now, definitely my new book boyfriend.  The lengths he goes to save Feyre from Tamlin, and to help her start healing her soul are amazing.  Then, when he explained why he helped her Under the Mountain, and more, I absolutely loved him even more.  I may have read that chapter more than once.  Plus seeing him with his friends, Mor, Amren, Azriel, and Cassian, was just heartwarming.  He treats them as his equals and does not expect to be followed blindly.

5.  There is so much to love about his book. Like the High Lord of the Summer Court.  I do hope there is more of him in the next book.  The mystery that is the Cauldron, and how to stop the King of Hybern, and where is Lucien going to fall in the coming war. And Maas just killed me a little with that ending.  I want the next book like my next breath.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read