Review: Strange Alchemy

Strange Alchemy by Gwenda Bond
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Many people know about the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island where 114 colonists disappeared, but what about the 114 present day residents who have recently vanished? Miranda comes from a long line of “cursed” family members and the island’s residents don’t let her forget it. Grant may be the sheriff’s son, but he has a family secret that he is trying to keep hidden. These two unlikely teenagers decide that their family secrets might just be what is needed to uncover the secret about both disappearances.

Strange Alchemy is a stand-alone novel that defies one genre label. There is a bit of supernatural and/or fantasy involved with the family secrets and disappearances, but overall the pair uses deductive reasoning to uncover the truth. Bond has taken a historical period of America’s past and re-envisioned it for today’s readers. I hope most readers, when finished with this book, will look for more stories or non-fiction accounts about this period of time.


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Review: Sparks of Light

Sparks of Light by Janet B. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hope has always lived an unusual life, which includes limited friends. It looks like she is finally creating some personal bonds and might even have a boyfriend. She comes from a long line of Viators and has been training to time-travel, just like her ancestors before her. Unfortunately, all Viators are not good and when it is discovered that someone plans to steal an invention from Nikola Tesla, she must travel back to 1895 and try to save the timeline.

Sparks of Light is the second book in the Into the Dim series. Most second books are lack luster compared to their beginning, yet this novel is great, even on its own. Hope must face high society and the dregs of the underworld while attempting to not change anything in the past. Taylor has given readers a satisfactory ending while also creating more interest in future time-traveling escapades. Sparks of Light is a great book and will delight male and female readers alike.


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Review: Solo

Solo by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blade can’t get away from the paparazzi or his family. The final straw was when his father crashed his commencement speech and embarrassed him in front of the entire school and then being told about a family secret. Blade cannot stop thinking about his dead mother and his crazy rock ‘n roll family, so he goes on his own quest to determine what is actually true.

Solo is a novel in verse with song lyrics dispersed throughout. Alexander has taken Blade on a trek of self-discovery and readers will find themselves questioning their own lives alongside Blade. Since it is a novel in verse, it is a quick read and will probably be completed by most readers in one sitting. A great read, even if you don’t know the songs along the way.


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Review: Two Nights

Two Nights by Kathy Reichs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sunday Night has survived a lot and has the scars to prove it. When a girl turns up missing after a school is bombed, she agrees that the family needs her help. No one knows if the girl is dead or if she was taken, but Sunnie is willing to face her own demons in order to discover the truth.

Two Nights is a stand-alone novel that will not disappoint readers of Reichs' other novels. Sunnie is not shy about using her fists or her weapon and readers will quickly find themselves flying through the pages. Most readers will think they know where the story is going and then be pleasantly surprised when the plot twists and turns into unexpected paths. Two Nights is a great escape read.

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Review: We Come Apart

We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nicu has recently emigrated to the United States and is having trouble adjusting to life away from Romania. Jess is trying to deal with her mother's abusive boyfriend. After Nicu and Jess become friends, neither one expected a romance to bloom. Unfortunately, Nicu's parents have arranged a marriage for him and both are unsure where their lives will lead them next.

We Come Apart is a stand-alone novel in verse that is told in the alternating voices of Nicu and Jess. Conaghan and Crossan have developed a story that is easy to relate to and quick to finish. Since the book is so short, it would be a good opportunity for readers who have yet to try reading a novel in verse. A good read that can be completed in a short evening on the couch.

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Review: Now I Rise

Now I Rise by Kiersten White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lada has her band of men and her friend Bogdan, but she does not have her throne. Since she wasn’t able to take over the Wallachian throne, she is traveling the countryside and inflicting her own type of force on those she encounters. Radu is Lada’s brother and he has been sent to Constantinople as a spy. He can use Lada’s confidence and she can use Radu’s subtlety, yet both are on their own and questioning the paths placed before them. These siblings must figure out what they are willing to sacrifice to complete their destinies.

Now I Rise is the second book in The Conqueror’s Saga. Events pick up quickly without many pages being given to the backstory. The battles are fierce and the emotions run deep as these opposite characters traverse their barbaric world. White has used this historic time period and infused it with characters that many young adults will be able to relate to. A good read for those who have read the first book and enjoyed it.


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Review: The Fallen Kingdom

The Fallen Kingdom by Elizabeth May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aileana has been brought back to life through fae magic, but she didn’t return with her memories. She wants to break the cycle of fighting between the fae, especially since the results will affect both the human and fae worlds. In order to resolve this conflict, she must find a hidden magical book that is guarded by Morrigan. Aileana must use her new dark powers, but will this darkness overtake her? Will Aileana have to give up the faery she loves to save everyone else?

The Fallen Kingdom is the final book in The Falconer trilogy. This third installment starts out with a complete story already underway, so readers are highly encouraged to read the first two books before beginning this novel. May has weaved some standard faery lore with some newly created ideas for a fresh take on a wonderful world. The ending was unexpected and most readers will be satisfied with its conclusion. The Fallen Kingdom is a must read for those who have read the previous books.


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