Review: Stay Dead

Stay Dead by April Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Milan has just been expelled from her third boarding school.  Her mother is already traveling in their private plane and stops by to pick her up.  As they are journeying home, a bomb detonates, and the plane goes down.  Before her mom dies, she gives her a ring of keys and tells her there is evidence of a coverup that led to her father’s death.  She needs to get away, but the only way that will happen is if everyone believes she is dead.  Who can Milan trust?

Stay Dead is a fast-paced thriller that is not like the usual Henry books with a body being found.  The mystery is truly complicated and convoluted, yet it also is captivating.  As Milan navigates out of a snow-covered landscape into the heart of a criminal conspiracy, I wondered what I would be doing if it was me … and I will have to admit I probably would have died.  Stay Dead is a great read for all thriller fans.

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Review: The Girl in Question

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nora is finally out of high school, and she should be looking forward to the next stage of her life, but since her stepdad is free and wants revenge, it is hard to concentrate on the future.  She decides that a 10-day hiking trip is needed.  A wrench is thrown in right away when Wes’s girlfriend comes along.  That wasn’t in the plans, and neither was Amanda getting kidnapped.  How did Raymond know where they would be?  Why was Amanda taken?  What secrets are being kept?

The Girl in Question is the sequel to The Girls I’ve Been.  The first book ended with a satisfying ending, but for those who wanted to know what happened next … this book will give you the answers.  There are some crazy timeline issues with all the flashbacks, but that was the same as the original and if you enjoyed that book, you would also enjoy this book.  The Girl in Question is a must-read for everyone who loved The Girls I’ve Been.

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Review: When Among Crows

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dymitr is a killer … of monsters.  This is such a part of who he is, he had to split his soul to make a sword … out of his spine!  Ala has inherited her mother’s curse.  This curse will kill her too, if she isn’t able to break it.  When Dymitr offers Ala a chance at a cure, she accepts without knowing what she is getting into.  With such a time crunch on the possible cure, will they be able to complete both tasks in time? 

When Among Crows is a stand-alone urban fantasy that sounds amazing but does not follow through.  I even restarted the book thinking that my mind must have wandered too much and the second time through was just as painful.  I’m sure there will be readers who love this story, but I found the tale flat and lifeless.  I won’t give up on Roth as a writer, but this is not one of her best.

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Review: Beastly Beauty

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Arabella’s mother has plans for her.  She will be sweet and quiet.  She will also marry whomever her mother tells her.  To do this, she must hide her real thoughts and dreams from everyone around her.  She is doing her best but learns she can no longer stand quietly and let others be abused.  When her anger is released … a curse is put upon her.  After a time, Beau has been captured in Arabella’s castle and the servants think he may be able to break the curse.  Beau only wants to get away.  He believes there is no such thing as love.  Is there a chance that Beau and Arabella can break the curse? 

Beastly Beauty is a stand-alone fairy tale re-telling where the main characters' genders are reversed.  Most readers will be familiar with the popular reincarnations of Beauty and the Beast and this version has everything a fairy tale fan would want.  Donnelly did a wonderful job switching the roles and putting a fresh spin on a beloved tale.  Beastly Beauty will be a hit for everyone who enjoys a good re-telling.

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