Review: The Wrath and the Dawn

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Khalid is a murderer. Every night he marries a new girl and at sunrise she is executed. This happens every day until Shahrzad volunteers to be Khalid’s next bride. Yet Shazi has a plan. She will beguile the Caliph with a wondrous story that must be continued on another day, but as the days progress and she begins to fall in love with this young man, she must decide if she is going to follow the love in her heart or the hatred. Slowly she learns things about this king that the common people of the realm will never know and after she begins to unravel the secrets behind the murders … she is determined to see this to the end.

The Wrath and the Dawn is the first book in a new historical fiction tale with just a touch of the supernatural. This love story is inspired by A Thousand and One Nights and I hope that readers will be interested enough to seek out the original. Ahdieh’s words flow throughout the story and this languid romance can be easily sipped by readers who don’t want to feel rushed. It is not an action packed adventure for the masses, yet there are enough twists and turns to keep most readers turning the pages. Definitely not a book for all readers, but if you are willing to try your hand at something different … this will be a good choice.


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Review: Also Known As

Also Known As by Robin Benway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maggie Silver discovered her talent at a young age. She can pick any lock and crack any safe. Since she has been raised within a special spy organization, she uses her skills for the greater good instead of personal gain. Now it is time for her first solo assignment. Maggie and her parents return to New York City and not only does Maggie have to navigate the waters of her first mission, she also has to learn the nuances of friendship and high school. Her assignment is to become friends with the son of a national security threat and hopefully stop the exposure of the spy organization. Can she complete her mission without becoming emotionally attached to the students around her? Will high school itself be the hurdle she can’t overcome?

Also Known As is the first book in a new series with the same title. The action is fast paced and the story starts quickly and snowballs from there. Readers who enjoyed the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series will find themselves easily falling for a new, fun loving caper solving teenager. Although I can see boys enjoying this novel, the main audience who will be flocking to these pages will be of the female persuasion. This fun read can be read slowly or as I did in one reading session. Benway has created a leading lady I can’t wait to see develop into a strong young woman.


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Review: Strange Skies

Strange Skies by Kristi Helvig
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tora has finally made it to the new Earth. Unfortunately, she isn’t able to enjoy the clean air or the abundant water because she is being kept in the Consulate’s containment center under constant observation. She has no memory of what happened to the weapons her father risked his life for, but when a chance to escape presents itself … she makes a run for it with the help of an unexpected group of individuals. As she questions the loyalties of those around her, she must determine which crisis will need her attention first.

Strange Skies is the second book in the science fiction Burn Out series. This story picks up just months after the conclusion of Burn Out and the story is chuck full of action and romance from the get-go. Helvig intersperses mind jiggling tidbits to remind the reader about pertinent facts from the first book, but there is no refresher outside of the new storyline. The main story of Strange Skies has a definite conclusion, yet readers will be left looking for the third book in the series. This is a good science fiction novel that will be enjoyed by many.


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Review: The Witch Hunter

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Grey is good at what she does. She is a witch hunter for the king, but that all changes when she is arrested for witchcraft and sentenced to burn. After accepting her fate, she is saved by Nicholas Perevil. He is the most dangerous wizard around and he has a bargain for Elizabeth. He will get her out of the dungeon and save her life. All she needs to do is break the curse that has been slowly killing him. As she learns more about witches and other magical creatures, she discovers hidden truths about herself and those around her. Who should she trust? Can she trust what she was taught during her witch hunting training?

The Witch Hunter is the first book in a new fantasy series with the same title. The story takes place during a time reminiscent of our own dark ages. Magic is a hidden secret and the judges who sentence the men and women of witchcraft are not concerned with guilt or innocence. Their own power struggle is the only factor of importance in deciding who lives and who dies. This magical story will keep readers turning the page and most likely looking for the second book in the series.


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Review: I Am the Traitor

I Am the Traitor by Allen Zadoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy Nobody is a trained assassin that is great at his job. He has gone rogue and is out to find and rescue his friend Howard. While getting Howard away from The Program he also saves a girl named Tanya who was being held captive with Howard. The three of them uncover information about The Program and Boy Nobody’s father which imparts a disturbing fact that will leave the reader’s head spinning. As Boy Nobody continues to stay one step ahead of his pursuers, can he finally figure out where his loyalties really belong?

I Am the Traitor is the third and final book in The Unknown Assassin series. Even though this book is being promoted as the final book, Zadoff has written a conclusion that will make most readers hope for a spin off series. Readers that enjoyed the fast pace and quick storyline will not be disappointed in this novel. The heart racing scenes and constant twists and turns will keep every reader turning the pages until the very end. A satisfying ending … but I hope it really isn’t the end.


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Review: Nowhere But Here

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily has a good life. Her parents are there for her; she has good friends and attends a safe school. The only weird thing about her life is the secret about her biological father. When he found out that Emily’s mother was pregnant, he chose his motorcycle club over them … or at least that is what she has been told for the past 17 years. After an impromptu visit to her grandmother’s wake turns into an unexpected summer vacation, she learns more about her biological family than she thought was possible.

Oz wants nothing more than to join the Reign of Terror motorcycle club. He has grown up in the wings of the club and knows about all of the good they do for each other and the community. His chance to join is derailed when Emily walks into his life. Now he must re-earn the trust of the club members and hopefully get his chance to earn his patch.

Nowhere But Here is the first book in the Thunder Road series. Readers who have enjoyed McGarry’s good girl/bad boy love stories will not be disappointed in this storyline. I can safely assume that most readers do not know about the inner workings of a motorcycle club, but even if you are the exception to that rule … this book is still great. The story is told in the alternating voices of Emily and Oz. Although it takes some practice to pay attention to the character shift, it isn’t distracting in the least. I will be looking for the next book, Walk the Edge, to add to my TBR list.


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