Review: Between Burning Worlds

Between Burning Worlds by Jessica Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marcellus thought he had escaped from under his grandfather’s clutches but was quickly sent back into the life he fled to try and topple his grandfather from the inside.  Aloutte just wants to know more about her past and that investigation exposes her to people who want to use these hidden secrets.  Chatine is serving time on a prison moon and hopes to eventually leave the reality that has become her life.  After a failed attempt to break Citizen Rousseau out of prison, Marcellus, Aloutte, and Chatine are thrown into the middle of a war they are not ready for.  Will these three be able to overthrow the powers of Laterre?  What is with the legend of a secret and dangerous weapon?

Between Burning Worlds is the second book in the System Divine series.  This sci-fi adventure may be long in pages, but the story is so engrossing readers will find that they can’t put the book down.  Even when I wasn’t able to give the book time, I found myself thinking about the characters and what was going to happen next.  My biggest concern, though, is the fact that Amazon and Goodreads don’t have a third book listed.  When I finished this wonderful story, I went online to investigate.  Brody’s website says it is a trilogy.  THANK YOU!  This is a great book and I will be waiting for the third book to get a title and release date.

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Review: Tigers, Not Daughters

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Torres sisters want to get away from their father and the neighborhood that is just as controlling.  Ana, the oldest sister, dies the summer after her senior year.  It is now a year later and the other three sisters are still grieving and feel haunted by her memory.  They don’t know if they will ever be able to leave Southtown.  When they start hearing strange noises and seeing strange things around the house, they begin to wonder if Ana is haunting them … maybe trying to tell them something.  What exactly is going on?

Tigers, Not Daughters is the first book in a new series with the same title.  Although there are supernatural aspects to the story, the overall storyline could be considered realistic fiction.  Is it a ghost story?  Is it a love story?  Is it some combination of both?  Readers will love to follow along as the characters explore their thoughts and traditions that entwine within their lives.  This is a quick read and readers will wonder how they finished it so fast.

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Review: Dragon Hoops

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gene loves to tell stories, especially comic book stories.  It is time for him to write his next book and he is looking around his life for inspiration.  He was never into sports.  His friends called him “Stick” because of his size and any game he did participate in didn’t end well.  The school he teaches at is destined for a big year for their basketball team.  This season has been decades in the making and Gene asks to follow along for the ride to write a graphic novel.  They welcome him with open arms and he not only learns about the characteristics of the team members, but he also learns lessons about himself.  Will a graphic novelist be able to do a sports topic justice?

Dragon Hoops is a graphic novel that is also a non-fiction book.  Gene tells readers about his life and career alongside the season of the Dragons and some basketball history too.  As a person who is not a big sports fan, I found the amount of game action was well balanced and not overpowering.  I enjoyed learning about the game and the people who lead this team to this extraordinary season.  Whether you like graphic novels or sports non-fiction, this book will be enjoyed by almost everyone.

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Review: This Is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose.

This Is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose. by Tim Tebow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tim Tebow is known for many things.  He has played football and baseball but is also known as a man who can be trusted.  Tim travels a lot for his sports and his foundation and meets many different people along the way.  He feels the need to talk to those around him and help when he can.  He isn’t perfect though.  There are times when he doesn’t do what he feels is right and when he feels convicted, he promises himself he will take action the next time an opportunity arises.  In This is the Day, Tebow motivates readers to stop pausing with their actions and press play to learn what they can do for those around them.  This book is full of stories from Tim’s own life and readers will be inspired to try harder and continue to see what their life has planned for them.

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Review: Wicked As You Wish

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Earth is a realm without magic, which is why the Inn at Havenfall is a safe place to connect worlds that each has unique magic.  For many years, the inn has given protection to everyone who enters for refuge.  If someone breaks that peace, then they cannot return.  Maddie has spent her summers at the inn with her uncle, the Innkeeper.  She loves the chance to escape the burdened life she lives on Earth and looks forward to the day when she will take over the inn.  This summer is different, though.  Her uncle becomes gravely injured and there is a dangerous creature wreaking havoc.  Maddie is now the Innkeeper and is responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall.  As she tries to figure out the truth, she must also determine who she can trust.  Is anyone safe?

Havenfall is the first book in the Havenfall series and Holland has done a wonderful job of world-building and character development without it feeling like a second section.  Maddie is rushed into a role she knew was coming but thought it was many years away.  As she is dealing with being in charge, she is also dealing with a possible romance and trying to determine what secrets her uncle was keeping from her and everyone else.  This story is fast-paced and readers will enjoy the secret revealing and backstabbing that is woven throughout.  I recommend Havenfall to all fantasy and urban fantasy fans.

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Review: Havenfall

Havenfall by Sara Holland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Earth is a realm without magic, which is why the Inn at Havenfall is a safe place to connect worlds that each has unique magic.  For many years, the inn has given protection to everyone who enters for refuge.  If someone breaks that peace, then they cannot return.  Maddie has spent her summers at the inn with her uncle, the Innkeeper.  She loves the chance to escape the burdened life she lives on Earth and looks forward to the day when she will take over the inn.  This summer is different, though.  Her uncle becomes gravely injured and there is a dangerous creature wreaking havoc.  Maddie is now the Innkeeper and is responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall.  As she tries to figure out the truth, she must also determine who she can trust.  Is anyone safe?

Havenfall is the first book in the Havenfall series and Holland has done a wonderful job of world-building and character development without it feeling like a second section.  Maddie is rushed into a role she knew was coming but thought it was many years away.  As she is dealing with being in charge, she is also dealing with a possible romance and trying to determine what secrets her uncle was keeping from her and everyone else.  This story is fast-paced and readers will enjoy the secret revealing and backstabbing that is woven throughout.  I recommend Havenfall to all fantasy and urban fantasy fans.

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