Review: Mack

Mack by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mack may be human, but he also runs a league of vampire hunters.  It has been a regular part of his life until recently.  A magical city is about to reopen and Roman wants to use what is inside El Dorado to make an army of vampires.  These vampires do more than just kill people; they look like the last person they killed.  Roman wants to take over the world and fill it with vampires and he knows that Mack is looking for him; so he goes after Kaps, the woman Mack loves.  Mack tries to protect Kaps by breaking up with her, but since Kaps is a dragon shifter, she isn’t one to stay on the sidelines.

 

Mack is the sixth book in the Angelbound Offspring series.  Each new book takes readers deeper into a character in the Angelbound world.  One may think that there isn’t anything new to explore, but then a new book comes out and we are surprised.  There is action and romance and these characters continue to fight for the greater good and protect humans and non-humans alike.  Mack is a great continuation of the series and we have at least one more book destined to be written.

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Review: Crank Palace

Crank Palace by James Dashner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Newt has survived a lot.  He’s been in the Glade, the Maze, the Scorch, and even inside WICKED!  Now Newt has the Flare and he doesn’t want his friends to watch him lose his mind.  While the Gladers are in Denver, Newt leaves with only a note telling them goodbye.  Newt soon discovers that life on the street isn’t much better than what he has already been through.  While on the run he meets Keisha and her son.  Will Newt risk helping them out of their troubles?  How will Keisha and Dante change how Newt faces the world?

 

Crank Palace is a novella in The Maze Runner universe.  The events that take place in this story would have taken place towards the end of The Death Cure (book 3).  Dashner takes us into the mind of Newt and helps us understand what the Flare was like.  Newt may not want his friends to see his decline, but he also knows that he can’t just let things happen.  This novella is a quick read that will leave readers thinking long after it is finished, especially since we are in the middle of Covid-19 when it is released.

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Review: Concrete Rose

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maverick thinks he has everything under control.  He has a great girlfriend, he is about to start his senior year of high school, and he does a little side dealing to make some extra cash.  His life begins to unravel when he finds out that a one-time hookup has made him a father.  Now that Mav has a baby that depends on him, he decides to stop selling drugs, finish school, and raise his son.  He quickly finds out that it isn’t easy to do any of those things, but he wants to prove everyone wrong.  It isn’t easy being a young black man in Garden Heights and Mav must determine who he wants to be.

 

Concrete Rose is the prequel story to The Hate U Give.  Thomas has taken readers back seventeen years before the events of the first book to give background and insight into the father we later see supporting his daughter.  Even though this is a prequel book, it can be read before or after The Hate U Give.  The family drama and hard choices portrayed make this coming of age story a great read for all readers.  I’m sure everyone who loved The Hate U Give will quickly devour Concrete Rose.

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Review: The Ever After

The Ever After by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ulla finds herself returning home on a plane with a month’s worth of memories missing.  She remembers finding her father, but everything after that is surrounded by a haze.  She quickly learns that her friends have also lost this time when they returned from the same trip separately.  When Ulla thinks she has found a sister, a new adventure is begun, but will she find any answers this time?  As the few truths she has are turned on their head, what else will Ulla discover about her past?

 

The Ever After is the third and final book in The Omte Origins trilogy.  This spin-off of the Trylle series gave a lot of closure, but also makes me sad to have no more adventures in this fantastic world.  Hocking’s world-building gave her access to unlimited storylines and these adventures were fun and exciting.  The Omte Origins can be enjoyed on its own, but this third installment must be read after the first two books.  The Ever After is a great fantasy adventure that was well worth the wait.

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Review: Lore

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Agon is a punishment that occurs on a seven-year cycle.  This is when nine Greek gods are forced to return to earth as mortals and be hunted.  If they are killed, the person will take the divine power and the immortality that comes with it.  Lore decided not to participate in the ritual because her family had been brutally murdered by another bloodline.  As the next cycle begins, though, Caster (a childhood friend) and Athena (one of the last original gods) both ask Lore for help.  Will Lore take the chance to leave the Agon for good?  What costs will Lore need to pay to reenter the contest?

 

Lore is a stand-alone fantasy novel that is full of action and backstabbing.   Readers who are not familiar with the Greek gods can still enjoy this story because Bracken gives all the basic information needed to enjoy the storyline.  Events transpire primarily across New York City and those who have visited or watched movies about NYC will recognize many locations.  It is nice to read a good fantasy that isn’t part of a series.  I recommend Lore to all fans of Riordan and Hamilton.

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Review: Admission

Admission by Julie Buxbaum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chloe thought she had a perfect life.  She is getting ready to go to college, she finally has a boyfriend and her best friend is always there for her.  But this perfect life comes crashing down when she answers the door and the FBI is there to arrest her mother.  Her mother is charged as part of a country-wide college admissions scandal and Chloe might end up facing charges too.  The public outcry is fierce and Chloe begins to lose everything she thought was hers.  Why couldn’t her mom just accept that she wasn’t destined for big things?  How much of the scandal was Chloe a part of?

 

Admission is a stand-alone novel that comes on the heels of a real-life scandal that rocked the United States.  Buxbaum takes a topic that we heard about in the news and lets readers delve into the lives of the people who participated in the deception.  Although there is no reason to ever cheat, this story does a good job of laying out the thoughts of the participants before, during, and after the events.  Admission is a good read that also will leave the reader with points to think about later.

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Review: The Cousins

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah have never met their grandmother and barely know each other.  She cut off their parents years before they were born with just a cryptic letter.  It is now the summer and they have been invited to work at the island resort their grandmother owns.  They don’t know why she invited them, but they are curious.  None of them jumped at the opportunity to give up their summer to work at the resort, but each of their parents talked them into it with the hope that whatever happened would be forgiven.  As the three teens explore the island and learn about their family, they wonder if they will be able to discover why their parents were disinherited.

 

The Cousins is a standalone mystery that is full of family drama.  There are a few side stories that are woven together within the larger story and it is also told from multiple points of view.  The changing viewpoints were not a problem, but occasionally the story would jump back to the previous generation and it would take my brain a moment to catch up.  This book is a great one-n-done and I believe most readers will be happy with the way it ended.  The big questions are all answered and just like in the real world, some things stayed a mystery.  Those who enjoyed McManus’ other novels will not be disappointed in this newest endeavor.

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Review: Bandits and Ball Gowns

Bandits and Ball Gowns by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elle and Alec are ready for their happily ever after, but someone doesn’t think they should have one.  Every day people are outside Elle’s place with signs against the union.  Elle’s stepmother and Alec’s parents were banished, yet they have united in their quest to break this couple up.  Jacoby is trying to stay alive and would love to win Elle to his side.  He doesn’t love Elle, but it isn’t good for a dark fae to form deep romantic attachments.   After Jacoby notices Agatha, though, his cold, dark heart begins to warm and he must face feelings he has never had before.  If Jacoby no longer wants Elle, what does that mean for Marchesa and Legend’s plan?

Bandits and Ball Gowns is the fifth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series.  This story is told from four points of view, yet Bauer did a great job alternating the story and helping the reader keep the story straight.  This tale is classic Bauer with action, romance, and it is a short, quick read.  I love the chance to curl up with a fun book and finish it in one sitting.  Sometimes a quick escape is just what the librarian ordered.  Warning, please read the other stories first to fully understand all the backstabbing and drama.  I can’t wait for the next installment in early in 2021.

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Review: Tsarina

Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is 1725 and Peter the Great is dying.  He doesn’t want his son to be his heir and is writing out a decree to announce the next ruler of Russia.  Fate has other plans when he dies without finishing the sentence.  In steps his second wife, Catherine Alexeyevna.  Catherine may be ambitious and ruthless in her maturity, but she wasn’t always that way.  She was born into poverty and had to overcome many challenges on her way into the good graces of the Tsar himself.  She knows that as a woman, her role in any home is on shaky ground, but with Peter’s attention constantly roving, Catherine has had plenty of practice designing schemes to get what she wants.

Tsarina is a historical fiction story that is not for the faint of heart.  The events described are violent and sensual and readers won’t know which is coming next.  Although the violence of war and the graphic nature of violence against women during this time are understandable, I did not like how Alpsten took every opportunity to graphically describe sex scenes in the middle of an otherwise appropriate storyline.  I didn’t care that the characters were having sex; it was the details of the acts that were not needed in this novel.  Tsarina is a good historical fiction story with a different spin on the backstory of Catherine Alexeyevna.  

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Review: The Camelot Betrayal

The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Guinevere may be the queen of Camelot, but it doesn’t feel real for her. She is still trying to balance being the wife of Arthur, the queen protected by the Knight Lancelot and a friend to those she holds dear. Part of her problem is she doesn’t remember who she was before she became Guinevere. As she is trying to push herself to accept her role as queen, she always has the voice of Mordred in the back of her mind telling her she isn’t worthy. As if that is not enough, when the real Guinevere’s younger sister turns up at Camelot, Guinevere begins to wonder if the charade is about to fall to pieces.

The Camelot Betrayal is the second book in the Camelot Rising series. This series continues to break the mold of Arthurian tales with a female Lancelot and a changeling Guinevere. Readers will still enjoy having the foundation characters in their places, even if their roles are slightly skewed. White was able to introduce a few more twists in the storyline while also answering a few questions that were left unresolved in the first book. I can’t say it is one of my favorite Camelot retellings, but it was still a fun read.

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Review: Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story

Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Victor has protected his heart from loss by being cold and distant.  He feels he is responsible for his brother’s death in a house fire a decade earlier and has dedicated himself to science.  Nora wants nothing more than to live her life fully, but since she has an illness that will end her life in short order, she plans to be in control of her death, even if that means taking her own life.  When these two young people meet in the cemetery, a budding friendship makes each of them question the path their life has taken.  Will Nora be able to thaw Victor’s cold heart?  Will Victor help Nora see the truth about her life choices?

Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story is a graphic novel with broad-ranging reader appeal.  There is science fiction with the techniques that Victor is studying and there are parallel scenes that will be easily recognized from classic stories and movies.  Although it is a love story, that is not all that this book is about.  Myracle and Goodhart take the topic of planned suicide and make the reader think about the trauma to the people left behind without diminishing the feelings of the person.  This story gives history and backstory to the DC character Mr. Freeze and even readers who love to hate this villain will begin to understand his plight.  

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Review: Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily

Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dash and Lily are now living in different countries.  Dash went to England to attend Oxford University and Lily took a gap year to take care of her dogwalking business in New York.  Lily decides to surprise Dash by visiting London for Christmas after getting the news that he would not be coming to the US.  Lily thinks it is a fun, romantic gesture, but everything keeps going sideways.  Even though they are now in the same city, it still feels as if they are an ocean apart.  Will this trip bring them closer together or will it be the straw that breaks the relationship apart?

Mind the Gap, Dash and Lily is the third book in the Dash & Lily series.  These fun, short and romantic reads are great escapes and this installment was just as fun.  Since this couple is in a new city there are many more tourist stops for the reader to explore with the characters.  Netflix is about to release a series based on these characters and I know that those who look for the books to get a preview will be happy with them.  I hope the series is as good as the books, but if it isn’t … we still have these pages to re-read.

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Review: The Sentinel

The Sentinel by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack Reacher is doing his usual thing.  He is traveling to another small town with nothing on his mind.  He is there by chance and is just minding his own business when he notices a man seemingly walking into an ambush.  He knows it has nothing to do with him, but when it is four against one, he feels the need to intervene.  The man turns out to be an IT manager, Rusty Rutherford, who was recently fired after a ransomware attack on the town’s computer system.  Jack knows he should leave town, but Rusty wants to stick around and clear his name.  Reacher loves a good mystery, especially when there will be heads to knock together.

 

The Sentinel is the twenty-fifth Jack Reacher novel and the action is just as prolific in this novel as the first.  It is hard to believe that Child can take a character we all love reading about and create a new story with new troubles to get out of.  I also enjoyed that the events described are relevant to our everyday safety, even if we don’t experience them ourselves.  Everyone who has made it this far in the series will enjoy this book and if you haven’t read a Jack Reader book yet, then go back to Killing Floor and get started!

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Review: The Key to Fear

The Key to Fear by Kristin Cast
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is one important rule … “No touching today for a healthy tomorrow.”  This rule (with other safety measures) was instituted after a virus almost took out the human race.  After this pandemic, The Key was in power.  The Key decides everything.  It decides who you will be matched with and if you can procreate (in a lab of course).  Elodie has always been a rule follower and Aidan never wants to do what he is told.  When they un-expectantly get connected, Elodie begins questioning all the rules she has blindly followed.  After they discover some secrets about The Key, they have to start hiding some of their nefarious actions.  What dark truths will these two uncover?

 

The Key to Fear is the first book in The Key series.  Some parts of this science fiction story made me feel like I knew where it was going, yet there were some surprises along the way.  This is not a very long book and Cast has spent some time with world-building, but these added pages were necessary to fully enjoy the story.  As a reader who is currently in the Covid-19 Pandemic, it was interesting to think about how extreme the government could go to limit the spread of a deadly virus.  Readers who normally read Cast’s fantasy novels can still enjoy this book; they just need to know that it is Sci-Fi.  A fun read and I am going to be looking for the next installment … which currently doesn’t have a title or release date!

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Review: Descent

Descent by Roland Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peak has survived an avalanche on the mountain of Hkakabo Razi and is trying to descend into Tibet.  This wouldn’t be easy for most people, but it is even harder since Peak’s father and climbing guide are both wanted by the Chinese government.  This team may be skilled mountain climbers, but they aren’t ready to face Mother Nature and man at the same time.  Will Peak ever make it back to the United States?

 

Descent is the fourth book in the Peak adventure series.  Events in this book pick up shortly after the events of Ascent and readers will have few issues remembering the dynamic personalities of these characters.  This is a quick read and even the most reluctant reader will be turning the pages to see what will happen next.  Descent is a great finale for a strong series and I am glad that Smith brought us along for the ride.  I strongly recommend this book to everyone.  You don’t need to have read the first three, but you also might want to get the full experience by backing up and starting at the beginning.

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Review: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alec and Walker are twins who couldn’t be more different but are also inseparable.  When they discover their father is cheating on their mother, it is decided that they will spend the summer with their rural cousins in the swamp.  Walker has no problem making friends with the locals, but Alec is consumed by the experiment that he brought with them.  After some tragic accidents, both brothers must face truths that they were suppressing all along.

 

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches is a graphic novel origin story about this iconic character.  Once again, I didn’t know much about his character before reading the book.  It is definitely an origin story with 95% of the book focusing on what happened before the final event.  There is a lot of science (which I enjoyed), but this may be a turn off for some readers.  The graphics were great and added so much depth to the overall storyline.  Swamp Thing: Twin Branches would not be my first choice to read, but a fun addition to superhero origin stories.

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Review: Surviving the Angel of Death: The True Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz

Surviving the Angel of Death: The True Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eva and her twin sister were 10 years old when they were taken to Auschwitz.  Her parents and two older sisters were never seen again, but Miriam and Eva were spared because Dr. Mengele had experiments he wanted to perform on twins.  This non-fiction book will expose the reader to the trials, these girls overcame during their time in the concentration camp and the years that followed these harrowing events.  This new edition has additional information about Eva and some facts about her life since the book was originally published.  I had read the original book a few years ago and still enjoyed reading again about her trials during the Holocaust.  Surviving the Angel of Death is a must-read for young adults and every age group.

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Review: Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Will’s brother, Shawn, was shot and killed while getting an item from the store for his mother.  Will thinks he knows who did it … Riggs.  He also knows the rules:

1.  No crying

2.      2.  No snitching

3.      3.. Revenge

Will is now on his way to Riggs’ place to take care of the third rule … revenge for his brother’s death.  As Will is going down the elevator, he is visited by others who have suffered the same fate has Shawn.

 

Long Way Down is the graphic novel adaptation of the novel in verse book.  This story reads even faster than the original and can be enjoyed by everyone whether they read the original or just this one.  The artwork gave some added depth to the story and I will say I loved this one as much as the original.  A great read, even if graphic novels are not your normal go-to book.

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Review: Slippers And Thieves Special Edition

Slippers And Thieves Special Edition by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It has been years since Elle’s parent’s died and she ran away from her stepmother to live her own life in New York City.  Elle tries her best to forget about what she went through and she even attends West Lake Prep, a high school where regular humans and Magicorum study side by side.  Elle knows she is a Cinderella template and that she is destined to not marry her true love.  When Elle falls for Alec, she quickly discovers that her stepfamily already has plans for one of the stepsisters to marry Alec and he is off-limits.  It is even thought that if Alec and Elle so much as kiss … a group of witches and wizards would go to war.  They try really hard to stay friends, but with curses and prophecies in the mix, who know where they will end up.

Slippers and Thieves is the fourth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series.  Although there are overlapping storylines and characters with the other books in the series, this tale can be read and enjoyed all by itself.  With that said, if readers go back to the other stories, they may have some spoilers.  Bauer has once again created a story that was fun and fast with some backstabbing and friendship building throughout.  I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for Bandits and Ball Gowns, slotted to be released in November 2020.

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Review: Quasi Redux

Quasi Redux by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Myla feels like she has finally gotten her life back.  She is balancing being a mother, wife, queen, and Great Scala.  She is going through gifts trying to decide what to keep and what to sell to family and friends when her igni start acting crazy.  She is frustrated with what is going on and says, “Some days, I wish I weren’t the Great Scala.”  That doesn’t seem like much, but a demon-titan was hiding behind the fountain and he grants that wish.  Now Myla finds herself in an alternate world where she never met Lincoln and didn’t marry him.  Since Myla wasn’t the Great Scala, all the quasis are living under the rule of Armageddon and life sucks.  Of course, Myla has a plan.  She will sneak into Antrum, find Lincoln and together they will find and defeat the demon-titan.  Unfortunately, Lincoln doesn’t remember her and he has his own curse to deal with.

 Quasi Redux is the eighth book in the Angelbound Origins series. Although we have had many books written about these characters, there are still more secrets that are being revealed.  I love how Myla doesn’t take herself very seriously and is constantly bantering with the other characters.  There is a lot of action and since the book is relatively short, readers will feel like the book is finished in no time.  Bauer has once again outdone herself and has given us an adventure that will have us clamoring for more.

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Review: Magic Lessons

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maria Owens was abandoned as a baby and raised by Hannah Owens.  Hannah realized early on that Maria had a natural gift in the “Unnamed Arts” and taught her as much as she could.  Maria learned many things from Hannah, but one of her most important lessons is that you should only love someone willing to love you back.  Through a series of tragic events, Maria finds herself abandoned by a man who said he loved her and she follows him to the New World.  It is in Salem, Massachusetts that she is accused of witchcraft and invokes the curse that will haunt her family for centuries.

 

Magic Lessons is a prequel to Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.  Readers who enjoyed these primary stories will relish reading about the events that are often referenced in these pages.  Hoffman was able to cover many decades of history without making the reader feel as if they were losing important parts of the characters’ lives.  It was wonderful to see how the curse that was so often referred to developed.  This is a prequel, but I don’t think it would matter if you read it third (as it was written) or first (as it would be chronologically).

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Review: Dear Justyce

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quan has just pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of a police officer. He is in a holding cell and waiting for his trial date to come. Through a series of flashbacks, Quan begins to think about the events that led him to this point. He also begins writing Justyce, the protagonist of Dear Martin, and explores his feelings about these years. Quan’s life started on a shaky framework when he watched his father being carted off to jail. What thoughts were going through Quan’s mind as he lived a troubled childhood? What flaws will be explored about the American justice system and minority boys?

Dear Justyce is the sequel to Dear Martin that was never meant to be written. Stone states that the original book was supposed to be a one and done, but after receiving letters from boys who thought they weren’t fully represented in the first novel, she took on the challenge to embrace some hard truths. This is a quick read, so even the most reluctant reader is encouraged to give it a try. Whether you identify as Quan, Justyce, or neither, readers will find their heartstrings pulled as they turn the pages.


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Review: Skyhunter

Skyhunter by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Talin is part of a fighting force that helps defend the last free nation of the world.  Because she is a refugee, she understands the terrible things the Federation has done to nation after nation.  Soon after losing her partner, she steps up and defends a prisoner that has been brought to Mara’s capital.  She doesn’t know who he is and what secrets he might have, but he is now her partner and her responsibility.  Who is this mysterious prisoner?  What risks will Talin need to take to defend her homeland?

 

Skyhunter is the first book in a new science fiction series.  Since the story takes place in the middle of a war, there are many fight scenes and hard choices to make.  Talin is a fierce fighter, yet no one is perfect and she must come to terms with what she is willing to do to save the ones she loves.  Lu left us with a satisfactory ending instead of a cliffhanger, but readers will still be looking for the next installment when it is released.  I recommend Skyhunter to everyone who wants to read about a strong protagonist fighting for what she believes in.

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Review: Breathless

Breathless by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Claudine can’t wait to graduate from high school, go to college, and hopefully become a famous writer. Her life is shattered when weeks before graduation her dad tells her that he is leaving her mother. Her mother’s response is to take Claudine away to an island off the coast of Georgia where they can be away from the memories. She isn’t looking for a relationship, but Miah seems to be the only person to see the potential Claudine has insider her. Will Claudine be able to have this summer romance and not create an attachment? Can her already broken heart handle this relationship?

Breathless is a stand-alone romance with a lot of teen angst thrown in. Niven has created a main character and storyline that is very realistic and easy to relate to. Most readers, whether they are a teen or older reader, will be able to relate to the feelings that Claudine experiences throughout the pages. I enjoyed her self-reflections, yet they didn’t seem staged or unnecessary. I recommend Breathless to everyone who enjoys a good YA romance.


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Review: The Glass Queen

The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Princess Ashleigh was born with a weak heart.  To save her, Ashleigh’s mother took her to a witch in a hope that she would grant her some power and heal her.  Instead, the witch decides to enter Ashleigh and bide her time before she can take over her body.  This secret is only known by a few, yet an oracle predicts that Ashleigh will become the next Cinderella and protect the Kingdom of Sevon from the evil that once ruled.  Ashleigh doesn’t know how she can be the next Cinderella, especially since she doesn’t have the basic qualities of a gracious princess.  It doesn’t help that the man she is supposed to win over hates her.  Will Princess Ashleigh fulfill this prophecy?

 

The Glass Queen is the second book in The Forest of Good and Evil series.  Although this book takes place after the first in the series, readers could easily jump into this story and enjoy it without the foundation.  The Glass Queen takes a story everyone knows and puts a fun spin on it.  Fairy tale re-tellings have always been a popular choice for me and this one does not disappoint.  There is romance and back-stabbing with twists of magic weaved throughout.  Goodreads currently doesn’t have a third book listed, but I would love more stories from this twisted parallel world.

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Review: The Book of Two Ways

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dawn was living a mostly happy life when a crash landing made her question the choices she has made in the past. During the fleeting moments of the plane going down, she wasn’t thinking of her husband, but of the man she hasn’t seen for fifteen years. The airline has her checked by a doctor and then offers to transport her anywhere she wants to go. She should go back to Boston. That is where her husband and daughter are, but she finds herself thinking about Wyatt, the archaeologist she left behind, and the research she abandoned years ago. What questions will Dawn face as her two possible futures unfold?

The Book of Two Ways is a stand-alone realistic fiction novel about hope and life choices (both the hard and everyday kinds). Picoult does her magic again where she embeds information about a topic throughout her novel so that readers leave feeling as if they have not only read a great story but have become more knowledgeable about Egyptian archeology. As a person who frequently visited the Egyptian exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago, I have always held a fascination with archeology and this story had just enough to teach without feeling like school. This is a great book, even if Picoult isn’t one of your go-to authors.


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Review: The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Susan wants to find her father.  She has never met him and she doesn’t have much to go by.  Her mother has told her some names that may or may not be correct.  She also has a reading room ticket and a silver cigarette case with an odd engraving.  Susan wants to start by questioning Frank Thringley, but before she gets the chance he turns into dust after being pricked by Merlin using a silver hatpin.  She quickly finds out that Merlin is part of a magical family that helps keep magical beings from stepping too far into the modern world.  Will Susan find her father?  What new questions will she stumble across? 

 

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is a stand-alone fantasy novel that takes place in 1983 London.  Readers will enjoy these characters traipsing around London and England without all the technologies we rely on now.  Nix has always written characters that are easy to relate to and these characters are no different.  Although Goodreads has this listed as a one and done … I can see companion stories being written since the world is a goldmine of possible controversies.  Readers of urban fantasies will enjoy this trip back in time. 

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Review: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kira has always wanted to discover life on a new world.  She travels with survey missions to uncolonized planets to determine if they can handle human life.  During one of these missions, Kira stumbles across an alien relic.  Her excitement is over the top until the ancient dust all around her starts moving.  This discovery was just the start and as war begins in the stars, Kira must travel the galaxy to save humankind.  Does Kira have the skills and knowledge to stop this war?  How far will she have to go to find all the answers?

 

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is an epic science fiction novel that is not for the weak reader.  The print copy is just under 900 pages and the audiobook tops 32 hours!  Even though it is very long, it is a stand-alone story.  I just looked at the book as a duology or trilogy that was released all at once.  I understand why Paolini didn’t separate the story; there really weren’t any good pausing points.  At the beginning of the story, I had trouble understanding all the “advanced” science, but once my mind wrapped around the technology, I was fully absorbed by the story.  I loved this book and recommend it to those who want to invest time in a good sci-fi tale.

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Review: Night Shine

Night Shine by Tessa Gratton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nothing is an orphan who also lives in the palace.  No one pays any attention to her except the Great Demon and the prince.  Prince Kirin is her best friend and heir to the throne.  After Kirin is kidnapped, Nothing believes that Kirin was taken by the Sorceress Who Eats Girls.  The prince’s bodyguard also believes this, even though the sorceress has never bothered boys before.  During this rescue operation, what will Nothing and the bodyguard have to overcome?  Will they be able to rescue Kirin and keep his secrets?

 

Night Shine is a stand-alone fantasy adventure with an LGBTQ+ twist.  The storyline moves along quickly and since it was a stand-alone, the adventure was compact and complete.  I would have to say that there aren’t many fantasy books with LGBTQ+ characters in them and this story fulfills this overlooked niche without being too pushy.  Overall this was an enjoyable story, but I’m glad it was not a series.

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Review: The Other Side of the Sky

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Prince North has spent his entire life in the sky.  He lives in a city that is suspended high in the air by engines whose science has long been forgotten.  Nimh lives on the surface and is the living goddess to her people.  It has been 10 years since she was chosen and she still doesn’t know what her role will be to her people.  North and Nimh are linked through a prophecy that is hard to interpret.  They can’t deny that there is a connection between them, but since no one can touch Nimh (without her losing her powers) they are pulled between saving their people or following this connection.  Will these two young people be able to unravel the prophecy in time?

 

The Other Side of the Sky is the first book in a series with the same title.  The story is told in alternating voices, but I didn’t have any trouble following along with the transitions.  There is action and adventure in this sci-fi fantasy and readers will also enjoy a little bit of romance thrown in.  Since this is the first book in a series, there are a lot of unanswered questions, yet readers will still finish the book feeling satisfied with this portion of the story.  Kaufman and Spooner weaved their styles together in a smooth way and readers won’t even notice two different authors.  I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next installment to be released. 

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Review: Majesty

Majesty by Katharine McGee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Princess Beatrice is quickly learning what it means to be queen.  America has never had a queen on its throne and it thought it would have longer to adjust to this change.  Now that Beatrice’s father is dead, everyone’s role is being pushed in a new direction.  Princess Samantha is now the next in line to the throne and is having trouble living up to her reputation as a party princess.  Daphne has always wanted to be royal and has not always done what was right to those around her.  Now she is facing the troubles that are soon to follow a person without integrity.  Three women in three different situations all trying to deal with a country usually lead by men.  Will Beatrice get the man she loves?  What does the country need from her?

 

Majesty is the second book in the American Royals series.  I love this alternate reality where America became a country without democracy.  These young women are all dealing with a life-changing dilemma and must determine who they can trust and love along the way.  McGee has written a story that encompasses more than one tale that all weave together into a larger drama.  I can’t wait for the third book to be released and I recommend this book to everyone who read the first book.  If you haven’t started the series … why not?!

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Review: Teen Titans: Beast Boy

Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Garfield has a bucket list for his senior year.  One item on his list is to gain weight and another is to kiss his crush.  It doesn’t look like either one of these is going to take place.  No matter how many protein shakes he drinks or weights he lifts, he can’t seem to get taller or heavier.  Gar’s friends try and support him, even though they don’t understand what the big deal is.  Gar is getting bold with his attempts to impress the Chosen Ones and accepts a dare that would make most people cringe.  The effects of this dare are not what he expected though.  He wakes up taller and bulkier … he even seems to be faster.  What is causing these changes?  Why have people been lying to him?

 

Teen Titans: Beast Boy is the second Teen Titans graphic novel.  Just like “Raven,” this is an independent story that can be read on its own.  I enjoyed the creation backstory of this character, but the ending left me feeling as if I should know more.  If this becomes part of other stories that come back to Beast Boy to tell what happens next, then that is fine.  But, if this is the only graphic novel about this character, it leaves too many unanswered questions.  This was a short read (I finished in about an hour) and the graphics were fun.  This is a good book as long as you don’t want a complete story.

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Review: The Nemesis

The Nemesis by S.J. Kincaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tyrus had made Nemesis his Empress and then he shocked the galaxy when he killed her.  It has been three years and he is more of a tyrant now than ever before.  But rumors are floating around the galaxy that Nemesis is not dead.  Some have whispered that they saw her in faraway star systems and these whispers have led to rumors.  Will Nemesis truly rise from the dead?  Will she lead the people against the man she once loved?

 

The Nemesis is the third and final book in The Diabolic trilogy.  This Sci-Fi adventure takes place primarily in space and readers will enjoy the world-hopping and backstabbing that transpires throughout.  Kincaid did a wonderful job answering questions along the way and readers will be wondering into the final pages where the story will end.  Will you be satisfied with the ending?  Well, read the conclusion to The Nemesis to find out.

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Review: Kind of a Big Deal

Kind of a Big Deal by Shannon Hale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Josie Pie was a big deal … in high school.  She even dropped out of high school to move to New York City and become a star!  Her dream was short-lived and now she is a nanny in Montana where she is hoping to earn money and pay down the debt she racked up in NYC.  She is isolated in a town where she knows no one and her old support system has fallen apart.  Josie is desperate to get away from her life and decides to start reading again.  What she doesn’t expect is to literally be pulled into the books she is reading.  Is she going crazy?  What is causing the phenomenon?

 

Kind of a Big Deal is a stand-alone novel that is definitely more comedy than fine literature.  I found myself rolling my eyes at the characters and storyline while also trying to figure out where Hale was going to take the story next.  I’m not sure I would have finished the book if I hadn’t committed to reviewing it.  It is a short read, so as something to fill in some free time, it was OK.  Definitely not a book to make time for, but if you don’t have anything else on your agenda, it is good for a laugh.

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Review: Displacement

Displacement by Kiku Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kiku is on a trip to San Francisco with her mother to visit the neighborhood her grandmother grew up in.  When they finally find the area, they discover that the houses had been torn down and a mall was put up in its place.  Kiku’s mom takes the opportunity to visit the mall and Kiku waits outside.  What she doesn’t expect is to be “displaced” back in time to when her grandmother was a child.  That displacement didn’t last long, but a second and third displacement soon follows.  During these trips back in time, Kiku discovers that her knowledge about what happened to people of Japanese descent in America during World War II is very incomplete. 

Displacement is a graphic novel that is partly based on Kiku’s family during World War II and other times.  Hughes knows that we can’t know everything that was happening during these turbulent times, so she created a storyline that allows for gaps in the narrator’s knowledge also.  I read this graphic novel in two sessions, so even the most reluctant reader can enjoy the story and the history that is included.  I feel this book would even be enjoyed by those who normally don’t read graphic novels, but enjoy unique historical tales.

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Review: The Space Between Worlds

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Humans are finally able to travel to parallel worlds, but only if their own self on that world is already dead. Cara is in luck. Her parallel selves are good at dying and have died on 372 of the other worlds. After Cara was identified as a strong candidate to travel the multiverse, she moves into Wiley City as a resident. Cara knows that if she can keep working and doesn’t get into trouble, she can eventually become a citizen and not just a resident. It is hard to stay out of trouble when one of Cara’s last eight doppelgangers dies and she is sent to this new world with many secrets. What truths will Cara learn about her past?

The Space Between Worlds is a science fiction stand-alone story that is different yet relatable at the same time. Johnson’s debut includes cross-dimensional travel and self-discovery in a fast-paced adventure that was fun the entire time. Cara has to deal with growing up poor, yet living a life a lot different than the rest of her family. She learns that she has a role to play in her own world that could affect the entire multiverse. I recommend The Space Between Worlds for all sci-fi fans, especially those looking for a one and done novel.


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Review: Calla

Calla by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Calla and Dare are being sent on a mission.  The Blue Fairy doesn’t think it is a big deal, but if they aren’t successful, they will be dead in a week.  That is a big deal on everyone’s level!  Blue also thinks that since Calla and Dare are friends that it won’t be awkward, but this is awkward to the extreme since Calla has a huge crush on Dare.  It doesn’t help that they would like to ask Calla’s dad for permission to court and if they do any inappropriate touching without that approval, then the answer will be an absolute NO!  Will Calla and Dare be successful in their quest?  What will Calla’s dad say when asked if they can court?

Calla is the second book in the Pixieland Diaries series.  This book picks up quickly after the last book and it is still written in diary format.  Since diaries are meant to be casual in their presentation, this book reads very quickly and without a lot of drudging details.  I feel this book is meant to be an escape read and is not intended to be looked at as high literature.  Calla was fun to read and could easily be read in one sitting or over a weekend.  I can’t wait for the next book, Dare, to get released.

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Review: Evolution

Evolution by Teri Terry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shay is still with Xander in an isolated Scottish location, but her ultimate goal is to find Callie.  Callie went missing before the epidemic and now that 95% of infected people have died, there are fewer survivors in the world.  But these survivors seem to have powers that can be good or evil, and those who were never infected have more to fear than just the virus.  Will Shay discover why this epidemic started?  Will Shay be able to find Callie?

Evolution is the third and final book in the Dark Matter trilogy.  Even though it had been some time since I finished the second book, I quickly remembered the key events to fully immerse myself in this story.  There is an adventure and some double-dealings as Shay sets out to discover the truth.  Readers will have most if not all of their questions answered as the chapters come to an end.  Evolution was a good conclusion and should be read by everyone who finished the first two books.

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Review: The Morning Flower

The Morning Flower by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ulla is still working her internship at the Mimirin, but now she wants to know more than just who her birth parents are.  When Eliana is kidnapped, Ulla not only feels obligated to find her, she also wants to know who Eliana really is.  During her travels she learns the possible identity of her father, but the truth about her mother just keeps getting murkier.  Ulla’s research leads her to the First City with the hope of answering many of her questions.  What will Ulla learn about herself and her family during her quests?  What new questions will be piled on top of the endless questions she has already uncovered?

The Morning Flower is the second book in The Omte Origins series.  This story picks up rather quickly after the ending of the first book and Hocking did a wonderful job of leaving breadcrumbs to nudge the reader’s memory.  This is a fantasy novel with a lot of backstory that was built into the other companion series, yet this series can be fully enjoyed without reading the other ones.  There are family secrets, racial secrets and a little bit of romance to mix things up.  The Morning Flower is a must read for all fans of Hocking’s other novels.

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Review: The Girl in the White Van

The Girl in the White Van by April Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Savannah is not looking forward to returning home after kung fu class.  She fought with her mother’s boyfriend and she knows she will need to grovel to get in his good graces.  Her thoughts quickly change gears when she is attacked outside of her kung fu class and is kidnapped by a man driving a white van.  When she finally wakes up from her head injury, she finds that she is not alone.  Jenny was kidnapped 10 months earlier and has been tasked with getting Savannah trained properly.  But this captor does not know what he has grabbed.  Savannah may only be an orange belt, but she has the heart of Bruce Lee and plans to get both of them out alive … if she can.

The Girl in the White Van is a stand-alone young adult mystery that reads short, yet not so sweet.  Henry has crafted a story that gets quickly into the turmoil and brings readers into the mystery without wasting a lot of pages.  Although I felt like the story could have used more details, the fact that it was barely over 200 pages means that readers can easily sit down and read it in one sitting.  Once again, Henry has written a young adult thriller that will be easily consumed by boys and girls alike.

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Review: The Connelly Boys

The Connelly Boys by Lily Velez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scarlet lost her mother to cancer a few months earlier and now she has moved to Ireland to live with the father she barely knows.  She seems pulled to the four Connelly brothers, especially the oldest, Jack.  There are rumors about the Connelly family; that they are descended from a witch who was burned and that Jack has his own curse.  When Scarlet somehow banishes a demon that was attacking Jack, she begins to discover that she may have some magical powers of her own.  After her father is attacked … Scarlet and the Connelly boys must team up and try to save him.  What magical truths will Scarlet uncover through these trials?  Will she be able to learn enough to save her father?

The Connelly Boys is the first book in the Celtic Witches series.  This first book kept making me remember parts of The Raven Cycle, yet it wasn’t the same.  Readers will learn about some folklore and traditions while uncovering truths about the characters.  There is the fantasy aspect throughout, yet readers will also feel the adventure that fills in the rest of the story.  Velez has crafted characters that are multifaceted and easy to root for.  Not all of the answers have been given in this first book and readers will want to find the second book, The Connelly Curse, soon after finishing this novel.

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Review: Burn Our Bodies Down

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margot feels very alone.  Her entire life has been with her mother … and no other family to speak of.  Even her mother makes her feel alone, with a constant power struggle for even simple things.  After Margot finds a picture leading her to a place called Phalene, she takes off without permission hoping to find out something about where she comes from.  But there was a reason Margot’s mother left her home.  What truths will Margot find out about her family tree?  Why do other people know more about her past than she does?

Burn Our Bodies Down is a stand-alone novel that requires the readers to suspend their disbelief just a little bit.  Power has created a story with many layers that readers will enjoy unraveling.  I know that I thought I knew where the story was going and was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong.  This would probably be considered 95% realistic fiction with about 5% supernatural.  If that is not your thing, this is your warning.  Burn Our Bodies Down has a good, firm ending and readers will close the book feeling like they know what needed to be known.

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Review: Kaps

Kaps by Christina Bauer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kaps’ family thinks that she travels in a rock and roll band while collecting magical relics.  Well … she does do that, but it is just a cover for what she is passionate about … fighting the Audax.  And what is the Audax … why they are shape-shifting vampire Nazis.  Others collect supernatural artifacts too and during one of Kaps forays to the human realm, she gets noticed and a price is put on her head.  The human bounty hunter knows about shifters and he is well trained to go after his quarry.  Will Kaps be able to get away from the people who wish to harm her? 

Kaps is the fifth book in the Angelbound Offspring series.  This series is also a spinoff of another series and readers who have been following these characters will love the cameo appearances of many Angelbound staples.  Although this is not a one and done type of book, readers who begin with this book will have an easy time following the plot, yet they may feel the need to go back to the beginning.  Of course, there is a lot of action and just as much romantic tension spread across these pages.  It is a fun, short read and would be a good escape at the beach, pool, or while someone else is driving.

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Review: 10 Things I Hate About Pinky

10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pinky loves to be the champion of the underdog and the best part is when her stuffy lawyer parents are cringing.  Samir has been homeschooled by his overprotective mother and has learned to love lists and schedules.  It is now summer and Pinky needs to get her parents off her back.  She has come up with a great idea … Samir (whose summer internship just fell through) will pretend to be her boyfriend and spend the summer with her family in Cape Cod.  They have always been sort of friends and kind of enemies, yet when the summer continues, they begin to feel something more.  Will this tremulous relationship change into something stable? 

10 Things I Hate About Pinky is the third book in the Dimple and Rishi series.  These three books are told in chronological order, but are actually companions.  Readers can enjoy them as singletons or as a series.  I have loved spending time with these varied characters and have nothing but praise to say.  The characters are dynamic and the romances all have a different feel.  I love that the romances are clean and appropriate for most readers.  Each novel has a social issue that is addressed and readers will be challenged in their own thoughts and views as these young people explore the issue at hand.  I loved this third book and hope there will be a fourth companion story in the years to come.

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Review: Terraformer

Terraformer by Colleen Houck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Astra has a secret that her family has hidden her entire life.  Her mother even went so far as to forge documents for Astra to join a terraforming ship to a new planet.  This voyage is not normal though.  Her mother is stopped from boarding and Astra discovers upon waking that her father died in transit.  It is now just Astra and her brother in a strange new world.  After the ship lands and the crew begins the tasks they trained for, Astra’s supervisor is killed and that means there is a murderer among them.  Astra has two boys going after her heart, but is there something on the planet that is going after her mind?  Who can she trust on this new planet?

Terraformer is the first book in a new science fiction series by Houck.  Although Goodreads does not have it listed as a series or trilogy, Houck has posted on her blog that she is writing at least a sequel.  This is different than most of Houck’s other series since it isn’t primarily based on a myth, although, readers could see some “creation” myth weaved into the story … that is not the primary plot.  Terraformer has a little bit of romance and a lot of intrigue nestled throughout its pages.  The underlying drama slowly builds until everything is revealed during the last few chapters.  Readers who get to the end will know that there must be a second book and it will be exciting to see where this story goes next.

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Review: The Lost City

The Lost City by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ulla has always wanted to know where she is from.  Since she was abandoned as a baby and raised by strangers, she has very limited clues to help her in her search.  Her greatest chance to find her mother and information about her family comes when she is accepted into an internship program at the Mimirin.  She will work for free for most of the day and have the opportunity to search their archives after her shift for personal research.  She learns early on that there is a chance her mother is connected to the Omte royal family.  Some may feel that is a good thing, but since the royal family is very private, Ulla finds her research blocked at every turn.  Will Ulla find out anything about the mother that left her behind?  What distractions will she need to overcome during her search?

The Lost City is the first book in the Omte Origins series.  This is a companion series to the Trylle series, yet readers can fully enjoy this story whether they have read the other two series or not.  Hocking has taken the world she has already built in the previous stories and captured a new storyline that is easy to love.  This story kept me pulled inside the entire time and I can’t wait for the next book, The Morning Flower, set to be released in August 2020.

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Review: Take Me with You

Take Me with You by Tara Altebrando
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Eden, Eli, Ilanka, and Marwan all receive a notification from a teacher to meet in a classroom after school.  They all arrive, yet there is no teacher … just a small cube resting on the desk.  They aren’t sure what they should do or why they were called to this classroom, but then the cube lights up and gives them some rules:  they aren’t to tell anyone about the device, they should never leave the device unattended and they need to take the cube with them.  They don’t know if this is a prank or some sort of experiment, but they follow the rules … or at least try to.  The cube keeps adding new rules that make the group interactions even more complicated.  What is this cube and what will it eventually expect from these teens?

Take Me with You is a stand-alone novel that is part thriller, part science fiction, and part coming of age story. Just like the cube doesn’t fit neatly in these teens' preconceived ideas, this novel doesn’t fit any one genre either.  Altebrando has created a story with so much potential, yet it just falls flat.  The ending was anticlimactic and I lost interest about halfway through.  It wasn’t a long read, so I don’t feel like it was a waste of time, but it isn’t a book I can strongly recommend to everyone.  A fun read, just not a great read. 

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Review: Girl, Unframed

Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sydney is growing up and that means her body is changing too.  She has started noticing that boys and men both are giving her attention and she starts to wonder where the line between flattery and obsession is.  Sydney is supposed to spend the summer with her mother, but since her mom is the famous Lila Shore, Sydney knows that she will not be on the top of her mother’s plans.  Will Sydney be able to decipher when attention is good and when it is bad?  Will Sydney be able to keep herself safe when so many young ladies before her could not?

Girl, Unframed is a standalone realistic fiction story that covers many truths about growing up in today’s society.  The actions that take place in this book may have been extremes from the entertainment industry, but that does not mean they only happen there.  Caletti gives hints about what may or may not be coming with titles of what seems to be evidence of proof … of what; you must read further into the book to find out.  Although this book is listed as a thriller, it is the story BEFORE the action with the mystery being dangled in front of the reader during the majority of the book.  A good book, but requires a little bit of perseverance. 

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Review: Rhodes

Rhodes by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rhodes and Zinnia fell in love during their last adventure, but Zinnia is a princess, and Rhodes is just the help.   They want to make their connection official, but her parents have not given their blessing yet.  There is a chance that another dragon shifter will try to be Zinnia’s mate by challenging Rhodes to a fight.  The top dragon on the list is Zinnia’s former kidnapper, Killian.  Rhodes and Zinnia want a future together, but what will they need to do to make that happen?  When they return to Earth for their next tour, what new dangers may come their way?

Rhodes is the fourth Angelbound Offspring book and is very closely related to the third book.  These books have been flying through my Kindle, yet this one seemed to read even faster.  There is a lot of adventure and of course, there is some romance, yet the overarching story still ties back to the original world of Angelbound.  Bauer continues to bring characters into her worlds that are easy to relate to and fun to read about.  The epilogue sets up the next story, Kaps, to be released this summer.

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