Review: Wonderblood: A Novel

Wonderblood: A Novel by Julia Whicker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The United States has been ravaged by a disease called Bent Head that has decimated millions. Over the years, the survivors have started worshiping NASA’s former space shuttles and their Mecca is Cape Canaveral. There are many prophecies that appear to be coming true and science is no longer accepted because everyone believes in magic, including human sacrifices. One prophecy appears to be about a young girl who is now being forced to marry and become a queen. Unfortunately, there are other queens who aren’t willing to give up power and they won’t go away quietly.

Wonderblood appears to be a stand-alone novel, which is a good thing. The larger story had the promise of something different, but the side stories that were used were ridiculous and not captivating. I kept waiting for the story to pull out of its funk and make me love it, but it never happened. This is Whicker’s debut novel, so I feel I should give some grace, but I also can’t recommend this book to any of my readers. I will give her another try, as long as it is not part of this storyline.


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Review: I Have Lost My Way

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first, Freya thought she had strained her voice, but now that it has been three weeks and she still can’t sing, she begins to worry. Harun can’t face the future before him and is determined to run far away from the love of his life. Nathaniel feels he has nothing left to lose and has used his last dollars to come to New York City. Through a chance encounter these three teens are thrown together and as they begin to learn the secrets each is carrying, they also begin to help each other heal. What truths will these strangers learn about themselves and those around them?

I Have Lost My Way is a stand-alone novel full of heart and emotion. The story is told through the eyes of these three varied characters, yet readers will not have trouble following along. Forman has crafted a beautiful story that readers will easily relate to and since the page count is not very large, most readers will finish it quickly (possible in a couple of days). I Have Lost My Way should be added to every reader’s TBR list if they like young adult realistic fiction.


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Review: Tiger's Dream

Tiger's Dream by Colleen Houck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kishan has chosen to stay behind and serve the goddess Durga. She is beautiful and annoying at the same time. His situation is made even tougher by the fact that he knows the girl he loves is with his brother. After the shaman Phet informs Kishan that Kelsey is in need of his help, he goes full steam ahead and doesn’t realize the consequences until time begins to unravel. What will Kishan need to sacrifice in order to put things right? Is there a sacrifice that he is not willing to make?

Tiger’s Dream is the fifth and final book in The Tiger Saga. It has been nearly six years since the release of Tiger’s Destiny, yet Houck has created a story that not only refreshes the reader’s knowledge of the past events but actually revisits many of them. I will admit that toward the middle I felt like it was dragging in spots, but once my mind fully wrapped around the time warping aspect of the goddess and her tiger, I was able to relax and enjoy these events. Tiger’s Dream is a beautiful ending to an epic story.


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Review: Miles Away from You

Miles Away from You by A.B. Rutledge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has been eighteen months since Miles lost his best friend, Vivian, to a suicide attempt. She has been on life support and her parents have let the domain to her blog lapse and Miles is feeling the loss all over again. One of his mothers believes a trip to Iceland is just what he needs, but he has made the hotel room his sanctuary and is not getting the full Iceland experience. It takes the hotel manager, Oskar, pushing him to experience Iceland with his camera to get him out of his self-imposed depression. Will Miles find healing from the loss of Vivian?

Miles Away from You is a stand-alone novel full of heartbreak and love. The story is told in a series of instant messages from Miles to Vivian so each section is quick to read and the story flows without much effort. Rutledge has taken many tough topics and has worked them together into one emotionally charged story that most readers will be able to relate to. Miles Away from You is a good read that doesn’t push a specific set of values on the reader.


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Review: Time Bomb

Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

School is preparing to start with students and teachers visiting the local high school for various reasons. Diana is a senator’s daughter and everyone expects her to be perfect. Frankie is the captain of the football team and he is keeping a secret. Cas loves her clarinet and is tired of trying to be accepted. There is also someone who doesn’t want to be ignored anymore, a boy who recently lost his mother who is looking to make a point and a young man who wants to be seen as a person and not as a Muslim. These teens may be different, but on this fateful morning they have one thing in common; they are trapped in their school after a series of bombs are detonated. Is the bomber still in the building? Is the bomber one of them?

Time Bomb is a stand-alone novel that keeps the reader turning pages throughout. Although there are several main characters, their stories are expertly pulled into one greater story and readers will easily be able to follow the connections. Charbonneau has left the genre of post-apocalyptic literature and has crafted a realistic fiction novel to delight most readers. Time Bomb is a great book that I recommend to all readers who enjoy a good young adult novel.


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Review: The Heart Forger

The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tea knows that as a Bone Witch, she is able to raise the dead. She can now take a life and then return life, but will she use this power for the greater good or for her own vengeance? She has the power to use the daeva for her own purposes; will she go after the royals who took away her true love? Of course, revenge is never easy and there are people who want to stop Tea and use her power for their own dark purposes. In the end, can anyone really come out on top?

The Heart Forger is the second book in The Bone Witch series. Chupeco’s story continues strong with many characters that readers will love to read about and maybe even love to hate. This is not a quick read, yet most will find themselves drawn back to this storyline over the days or weeks while they consume it. A strong second book and I will be looking forward to book three in the future.


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