Review: Count All Her Bones

Count All Her Bones by April Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It has been six months since Cheyenne had been kidnapped during a car theft gone wrong. One of her captor’s helped her escape and now his father is awaiting his trial. While they are waiting to testify against Roy, Cheyenne and Griffin reconnect on Facebook and make arrangements to meet. Unfortunately, their plan doesn’t go well and Cheyenne is kidnapped again by Roy’s men. Do they just want money or do they want Cheyenne dead? Can she escape? Was Griffin working for his father or was he duped along with Cheyenne?

Count All Her Bones is the second book in the Girl, Stolen series. Cheyenne has not been idle during the six months between stories and she has emerged stronger and smarter. Henry has created a new story that is quick paced and hard to put down. Since the book is so short, readers will find themselves stuck in one place and reading it in one sitting. Also, since the events happen in such a short amount of time, readers are not dragged along unnecessary storylines in order to fill additional pages. Count All Her Bones is a great thriller and a must read.


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Review: Windfall

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teddy is turning eighteen years old and Alice has the perfect gag gift. She is buying him a lottery ticket for the enormous Powerball jackpot that will be drawn that day. When they wake up the next morning, they discover that Teddy is now the winner of $140 million after it is split with two other winners. It is a dream come true since Teddy and his mom have been living on very little since his father abandoned them. Will Teddy spend the money wisely or try and buy people’s friendships? Will the money drive a wedge between Teddy and Alice?

Windfall is a stand-alone novel that will delight most readers. The characters are easy to relate to and the storyline is plausible even if the odds are against most people. Readers will think about how they would spend the money as Teddy is making his own decisions. Smith takes her characters through a roller coaster of emotions and readers will find their own emotions rolling as well. Windfall is a great read and should be added to every reader's TBR list.


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Review: Violet Grenade

Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Domino has been living on the streets of Detroit for a year and needs to earn money to bail her friend out of jail. She is offered an opportunity to entertain in a girls’ home in Texas and decides this is her only option. She quickly learns that she can earn more money by earning a high rank and works hard to overcome the obstacles the other girls place in her path. There are many secrets hidden within the home and Domino must decide if she is willing to share her own secrets with those around her. Will Domino be able to escape Madam Karina and the dangers in this small town?

Violet Grenade is a stand-alone story that slowly gives readers information about the characters while also teasing them with the possible paths the story may go. Scott weaved together an interesting storyline with an unforgettable ending and the tension continues to build as the pages almost turn themselves. Violet Grenade should be added to everyone’s TBR list; it will be worth it!



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Review: Kill All Happies

Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is the day after graduation and Vic is planning to host the best after graduation party Rancho Soldado has ever experienced. She finally has permission from the selling owner of Happies to have this last hurrah before the buildings are torn down. Vic wants a last good party with her friends and she is hoping this will also be the perfect opportunity to hook up with Jake, her secret crush. The party is a success and everyone is having a good time, but when Happies fans decide they want to join this final celebration, this fun party becomes an uncontrollable monster.

Kill All Happies is a stand-alone novel that takes a while to take off, but eventually will pull readers in. Whether readers are looking forward to their own graduation party or are fondly remembering it, the party vibe is easily relatable. There are some stupid decisions and logical consequences, but Cohn doesn’t present the story as a lesson-to-be-learned tale. A good read, but won’t be added to everyone’s TBR list.


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Review: Legion

Legion by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ember knows she can pretend she is human, but she shouldn’t be able to fall in love. When she believes she has fallen in love with a former dragonslayer, she begins to question everything she has been taught. What does she really know about humans? What is true about rogue dragons? What is she capable of achieving? As she fights alongside the rogue dragon Riley, Ember must also face her twin brother Dante.

Legion is the fourth book in the Talon series and the story is far from over. Kagawa takes Ember into even darker aspects of Talon and readers will wonder who will make it out alive. The story picks up quickly and there isn’t much review, so for readers who like to pick up random books, you may be lost. Yet those who have been following the exploits of these dragons for the last few years, it will be a welcome installment to a much-loved tale. Legion is a great read, but be ready for the fifth book in the future.


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Review: Missing

Missing by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter is looking forward to the day she will be able to leave Reeve’s End, become a doctor and never return. Her sister did it and her best friend has already done it. The town is full of abandoned mines and not much else. Of course, she will miss the solitude of the woods; it has been where she could escape her own troubles. During one of her trips into the woods she finds Lennon bleeding and left for dead. Soon after, Lennon disappears and Winter is left questioning if all the missing really left on their own accord.

Missing is a stand-alone thriller that will grab readers with the first pages and not let go. The mystery of all the people who leave this town is developed slowly as Winter makes the connections and readers will try and stay a step or two ahead of the characters. Armstrong has stepped away from her usual fantasy genre and this book is a wonderful example of her varied talents. I recommend Missing to every reader who wants a good mystery or thriller and doesn’t want a cliff hanger at the end.


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