Review: Anger Is Only a Shadow

Anger Is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth Acevedo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lil has found herself in juvenile detention … again.  She understands what she must do to be released from her punishment, but life seems to be getting in the way of her good choices.  Her brother was the only person who seemed to understand her, but he is away at college and appears to be dealing with issues of his own, and no one is taking his problems seriously either.  Can Lil help her brother without getting into more trouble?

Anger is Only a Shadow is a stand-alone novel with poetry interspersed.  This is a short read and will be appealing to reluctant readers, and many of the issues included will have readers seeing themselves, whether currently or in their past.  A felt the ending was satisfactory without feeling as if everything was wrapped with a bow.  A great book for all readers.

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Review: Monster, Monarch, Maiden

Monster, Monarch, Maiden by Rae Carson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bria has been living a quiet life at her family’s inn when they are attacked, and she is taken captive.  She doesn’t know how she is going to get away when she is rescued by a stranger.  Bria doesn’t have anything to return for, so she swears herself to Titus as a shield maiden.  As their journey continues, she is given the choice to abandon her oath or follow a new path.  Who is this mysterious man?  Will their quest be successful?

Monster, Monarch, Maiden is a stand-alone fantasy novel with just a little bit of world-building at the beginning of this story.  I enjoyed following Bria along as she discovered new truths about herself and the world she loved.  Carson has crafted a one-and-done story that almost made me wonder if it was going to continue.  I good fantasy read for those who don’t want to delve into a series.  

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Review: The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two Marlow celebrities are found dead, and The Marlow Murder Club plans to find the killer.  Although they have a knack for solving these unusual cases, this time they have a few more stumbling blocks.  Their friend, DI Malik, has been suspended from the police force, and Judith’s illegitimate stepdaughter has come and is accusing her of her husband’s murder years ago.  Will they be able to solve these crimes with additional difficulties?  Can they help Judith with her own problem?

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is the fifth book in The Marlow Murder Club series.  This book begins the day after the ending of the last book, so readers who are reading them in close succession will enjoy the quick turnaround.  I read the fourth book nine months ago, yet I had absolutely no issue remembering what had happened and who everyone was.  This was a fun read, and I hope there are more in our near future.

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Review: Deathless

Deathless by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sparrow is still coming to terms with her status as a Fateless when she is tasked with killing the Deathless King.  Not only is he immortal, but his magic is also siphoning the life force of the world around him to keep him that way.  This group has been told that many years ago, the Deathless attacked the sanctuary of Fate and broke the goddess’s loom.  A piece of this loom has been protected in a dangerous area known as the World Scar.  If they can reach this piece, it would give one of them the power to stop the Deathless King.  Will they all make it there?  What will this piece do to the mortal who dares touch it?

Deathless is the second book in the Fateless series.  Since the world-building took place in the first book, this story jumps quickly into the new events, and readers must catch up as nuggets are mentioned to spur on memories.  Kagawa takes these unlikely heroes on an unusual quest, but readers are left feeling unsatisfied as the story is nowhere near a conclusion.  Hopefully, the next book doesn’t take too long to be released.

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Review: Kingdom of Waves

Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Ophir are living a life of drudgery as second-class citizens.  They used to live a wonderful life, but the Lacon had conquered them, and their kingdom was lost to the waves.  Now, there are two sets of thieves that want the same treasure, but in their attempt … everything goes sideways.  Some of them get away with their lives and a relic with ancient magic.  They soon learn more about their ancestors and themselves. 

Kingdom of Waves is the first book in the series by the same name.  Eban and Gin must tackle many fears and try to understand the history that has been rewritten.  De la Cruz has created a new world that was fun to learn about, and I easily found myself in these characters, even though their world is nothing like mine.  Kingdom of Waves will be enjoyed by all young adult fantasy readers. 

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Review: You, Me, and Infinity

You, Me, and Infinity by Deb Caletti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margaret felt a connection towards Mars the first time they met in a waiting room, and their connection solidified at his door when she delivered a pizza to him.  Their relationship grows deep quickly as they look at the stars, and Mars shares his love of the Voyager record that is in space.  Margaret falls fast, and even her anxiety about all the worst-case scenarios does not prepare her for what is about to happen. Now Margaret is working through her grief and is glad she has the stars to look up to.

You, Me, and Infinity is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that includes some romance within its pages.  Caletti has taken a topic that no one really wants to address and weaves it into a story that is easy to digest.  Without giving any spoilers, readers need to be aware that some triggers dealing with grief are included in this story, but it may also be the book a person needs to help themselves deal with their own heartache.  

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Review: A Fortune of Sand

A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marjorie has never been accepted by her family.  She is artistic and free-spirited, and they are controlling and money-hungry.  After she learns about an artist’s program near her, she applies and is accepted.  This is her chance to develop her talent away from her family.  She quickly learns that the program has a lot of rules, some of which don’t make much sense.  There is a rumor that the building is haunted and that women have disappeared.  Is Marjorie’s grip on reality starting to slip?  What happens to the women who don’t follow the rules?

A Fortune of Sand is an historical fiction story set in 1927 Detroit.  Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the roaring twenties as the story slowly unfolds.  I found the hidden nuggets of history were fun to learn about, and the overarching story kept me turning the pages.  Sepetys has taken a time period that is often explored and placed it in a city that isn’t.  A Fortune of Sand will be a hit for all historical fiction fans.  

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