Review: Up in Smoke

Up in Smoke by Nick Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cooper and Jason are looting during a protest when shots are fired, and a person is found dead.  Cooper fled the scene to later learn that Jason was arrested for the murder.  Coop knows Jason is innocent, but he can’t come forward without discussing what they were doing.  Jason’s sister, Monique, is willing to do anything to prove her brother’s innocence.  Cooper and Monique team up to investigate what happened, but when they start uncovering deeper secrets, they learn that this is way over their heads. 

Up in Smoke is a stand-alone mystery that covers many timely topics while also entertaining the reader.  Brooks weaves together police corruption and inner-city youth trouble and includes a mysterious spin.  Although the overall storyline is plausible, I don’t consider what the teens got away with believable, but most of us don’t read to experience the believable.  Up in Smoke is a good read for most mystery fans.

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Review: Murder Between Friends

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jake is being released from prison and everyone is thinking about what happened two years ago. One of the reasons Jake was convicted was because Grace said she saw him near the scene, but now she wonders if she saw Jake or someone wearing Jake’s jacket. Grace, Ally, and Henry (Jake’s brother) decide to rekindle their friendship and look for evidence to prove his innocence. Did Jake kill his English teacher? If he didn’t, then who did?

Murder Between Friends is a stand-alone thriller that immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged the entire time. I was fully invested in the results of this investigation and waited for the conclusion as the pages almost turned themselves. Lawson created characters that were believable with an investigation that was just as plausible. Murder Between Friends would be a fun read for all thriller fans.

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Review: The Family I'm In

The Family I'm In by Sharon G. Flake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

John-John has had trouble relating to his father, who he never seems to measure up to. It is the end of his junior year, and everyone wants to know who he will take to the prom and where he will work this summer. If it was up to his dad, John-John would work for him and have lots of girls in his life. That is NOT what he wants, though. His friend, Caleb, struggles to make money to help his family after his father cannot work. These teens may be dealing with issues on opposite ends of the spectrum, but they both must learn to cope with the expectations of those in their lives.

The Family I’m In is the third book in The Skin I’m In series. Although it does include characters from the first two books, this is more of a shared universe series than a direct continuation of the story. Events from the first two books are mentioned, but this story could be read as a stand-alone novel. The characters deal with hard issues (family illness, mental health, and hybrid families just to name a few) and Flake covered these issues fairly without watering them down. The Family I’m In would be great for all readers, teens and adults alike.


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Review: Give Up the Night

Give Up the Night by P.C. Cast
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wren has been trying to restore her broken magick after her Moonstruck ritual was interrupted.  Unfortunately, the Elementals cannot agree; some want to complete the ritual and others want everything to stay the same.  Lee, on the other hand, is trying to figure out a way through his issues.  He believes that if Wren returns to the Academia, then everything will work itself out.  Which side will end up on top?

Give Up the Night is the second book in the Moonstruck duology.  Readers will quickly be able to remember the events from the first book with the few nudges that are included at the beginning, yet it doesn’t have that sense of the author trying to refresh our memories.  Overall the story was enjoyable, but it didn’t have a drop-everything-and-finish-this-book-now impression.  This duology had a great resolution and readers won’t finish with the feeling of something missing.  Give Up the Night is a good read for those who enjoyed the first book.

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Review: I Remember You

I Remember You by Theo Baxter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has been two years since Aria woke up in a hospital with no idea who she was.  Luckily her husband was there to fill in some of the gaps and now she is an artist making a living selling her sculptures.  All is not calm in her life, though.  She keeps having the same nightmare and now she is starting to remember her past … or is she.  Her husband is not supportive of her trying to get her memories back.  Why?

I Remember You is a stand-alone thriller that had a lot of potential yet was extremely predictable. Without spoilers, it was easy to know where the story was going next; the only reason to read the book was to learn how the characters discovered the truth.  If you love to hate characters, then this is the book for you.  I was screaming at Aria (in my head) most of the time I was reading the book because I didn’t understand why she put up with everything.  I Remember You should be added to your TBR list if you really want a predictable read.

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Review: The Cosmos Keys

The Cosmos Keys by Glenn Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David is an archeologist on a dig in Turkey when he uncovers a bronze device with Greek writing and a map of the world that wasn’t known when it was created.  He asks Eleni for help.  She is an expert on ancient technology and their inquiry leads them to secrets that have been hidden for centuries.  As they continue to unravel the clues, they must travel across Europe and face others who are also looking for answers.  Will David and Eleni solve this ancient puzzle?  Is the survival of the human race at stake?

The Cosmos Keys is a stand-alone thriller that will pique the interest of fans of The DaVinci Code and Indiana Jones.  No prior knowledge is necessary to enjoy this story, but it will be better for those who already love everything Greek mythology.  Cooper’s characters and conspiracies are easy to understand and relate to, which makes this story feel as if you are part of the experience.  The Cosmos Keys is a wonderful thriller with a touch of nerdy romance. 

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Review: The Encanto's Curse

The Encanto's Curse by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MJ has recently been crowned queen, and her first duty is to bring peace. However, when she realizes that the creature attacking her kingdom is herself, she must learn why she has been cursed. MJ flees her court to get answers, but with a broken heart and no one she believes she can trust, she has her hands full. Can MJ break the curse before it takes over her forever? Will she be able to find love amid terror?

The Encanto’s Curse is the second book in The Encanto’s Daughter series.  Although this story is the second in the series, readers could easily pick up this book and enjoy it as a stand-alone tale.  The book does end with a satisfying conclusion, yet de la Cruz has created a world that has many possible stories available to be explored.  The Encanto’s Curse is a fun read for those who like mythological tales. 

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Review: Blood and Empire

Blood and Empire by James Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bethany has always wanted to be a diviner, but since she is a seamstress like her mother, there isn’t much chance to complete the training.  Then a chance encounter with Charlton changes her life.  He offers her access to books and encouragement to reach her goal.  The empire is also threatened by invasion and turmoil is within the ranks.  What challenges will Bethany face on the path she has chosen?

Blood and Empire is the first book in The Gateway Saga.  I will say the ending of this book was perfect.  Bethany’s origin story was concluded satisfactorily, yet the next story announced at the end cannot come fast enough.  There are additional side stories that are weaved throughout that give the reader additional insight into the empire and the struggles happening around Bethany.  This is a great read for all fantasy fans and I am glad the next book is slated to be released in two months.

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Review: True Life in Uncanny Valley

True Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Eleanor has no personal memories of her father, but she knows who he is.  He is Hugo Harrison … the tech genius.  She has started spying on her father’s new family and ends up being hired as the summer nanny for her half-brother.  She now has an opportunity to learn more about her father, his family, and the life she didn’t have.  Unfortunately, she must lie about who she is.  Can Eleanor keep this secret from everyone, including her mother?  What will she learn about her father and herself?

True Life in Uncanny Valley is a realistic fiction story that immerses readers in the thoughts and actions of a teen coming to terms with her own identity.  The main character is also a comic fan who dabbles in comic art and each chapter begins with a comic panel.  Although there are a few scenes that deal with sex, those sections are not graphic and would be appropriate for most teens.  True Life of Uncanny Valley is a fun read for those who like realistic fiction, but it is not a quick read.  

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Review: Wizard of Most Wicked Ways

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Merritt and Hulda are a happy family while Owein is getting closer to the day he will marry Lady Cora.  They are all just living their lives because Silas has been gone for the last five years.  He is, or should we say “was” dead.  The greatest wizard of the millennium has found a way to transfer his soul into a new host.  He doesn’t have all his powers, but he is working on gaining more.  Owein seeks Cora’s help and he gets it with Queen Victoria’s League of Magicians.  Will Silas be vanquished once again?

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways is the fourth book in the Whimbrel House series.  The first three books are the complete story, so this book was more a “what if,” but it was nice to return to these characters and see how they have grown and what happened to their new relationships.  It had been a year since I finished the original series, and I had no problem remembering these characters and the main storyline.  I am sad to be finished with this story, but I know Holmberg will give us new characters to love soon.

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Review: Dear Manny

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

Jared has decided to run for junior class president and knows his opponent, a far-right business major who flaunts his white privilege.  He wants to keep the momentum of progress in his college and believes he is the best candidate.  That is until a third person enters the race.  Jared quickly finds out that this recent transfer student has brains as well as beauty.  As he struggles with his own white privilege, he starts writing letters to his dead best friend, Manny. 

Dear Manny is the third book in the Dear Martin series.  Stone continues the format of the first two books while also portraying the white view of the story.  She mentions at the beginning in an author’s note that she never planned to write a white guy book, but this story was calling for her to write.  The story can be read on its own for those who pick it up first, but the overall story is more enjoyable with the first two books read ahead of time.  Dear Manny is an easy yet thought-provoking read for everyone.  

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Review: About Grace

About Grace by Barbara Shoup
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grace seems like an average American girl. She has a boyfriend, does well in school, and lives in a middle-class neighborhood. However, after her boyfriend encourages her to make a series of bad decisions, she ends up in juvie.   About Grace is a coming-of-age story that shows readers one view of life inside a juvenile correction facility and there is a lot of backstory that shows how she got there and some of the obstacles that were thrown in her way.  This book is a short read and very raw with its imagery which will be appealing to many reluctant readers.  There are some triggers within this story (suicide, molestation, and abortion to name a few), but they are covered with a light touch.  About Grace was a compelling read, but I hope the final version has several errors fixed.  

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Review: The Librarians of Lisbon

The Librarians of Lisbon by Suzanne Nelson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Selene and Beatrice are best friends, librarians, and spies.  They work for the U.S. Intelligence Office and are sent to Lisbon in 1943 where World War II is at full throttle.  Their official jobs are to catalog the information the Allies gain, but when night drops on the city, they try to get information from the Axis spy network.  Both spies must take large risks for their country.  Is there anyone they can trust?  What relationships will crash and burn?

The Librarians of Lisbon is a historical fiction thriller that started out great and then fizzled as the story continued.  Nelson did a wonderful job creating the backdrop of World War II female spies and the troubles they went through.  I liked how many of the characters were based on real people who did similar things to support the Allies’ cause, but there was something missing in the end.  This was a different WWII story than usual, so that was a saving grace.  This will be a good read for some but not all historical fiction fans.

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Review: All Better Now

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new pandemic is sweeping the globe and this one has different long-term effects on any survivors … they have a feeling of utter contentment.  These survivors no longer feel greed, stress, or even a drive to be the best.  Is there a problem with always being happy?  Some would say, “Yes!”  While people are working hard to create a vaccine that would stop the virus, others are working on a way to spread it faster.  Who will win out?  Are humans about to become extinct?

All Better Now is a stand-alone science fiction story that hits very close to home after our recent COVID-19 pandemic.  The science is a little past our current science, but not so far advanced that it isn’t plausible soon.  Shusterman created characters on both sides of the issue that are easy to relate to and no matter which side you are rooting for … the ending is satisfying.  All Better Now is a fun read for sci-fi fans.  

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Review: A Dragon of Black Glass

A Dragon of Black Glass by James Rollins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nyx and her friends are on a new mission.  They have heard there is an old weapon that will help them on their quest, but there are others who want to see her group fail.  Under the dessert glass are things that can help and things that can kill.  Around the world is another power that may save or destroy the world.  Can Nyx trust any of the people she comes across?  What secrets about herself will she discover?

A Dragon of Black Glass is the third book in the Moonfall series.  It has been two years since I finished the second book in the series and I felt there wasn’t enough at the beginning of this book to pull me back into the story.  Overall the story dragged and I questioned why I decided to continue the series.  Some will like this book, but only those who thoroughly enjoyed the first two volumes.

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Review: Under the Same Stars

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sophie lives in 1940s Germany and truly believes in the Bridegroom’s Oak.  She has been writing to a mysterious suitor and hopes he will be her true love.  With the war escalating around her, this oak may be what the resistance needs.  Jenny has recently moved to West Germany in the 1980s.  She strikes out against her parents when she befriends a punk-rock girl and an old lady in her building.  Miles and Chloe are in 2020 NYC during the COVID outbreak.  After Chloe gets a package from her grandmother, she begins to investigate two teens who went missing near the Bridegroom’s Oak eighty years ago.  How are all these teens connected?

Under the Same Stars is a stand-alone historical fiction story that does a lot of bouncing around yet it eventually all comes together.  Readers will need to make sure they pay attention to the beginning of each chapter to know who and when the story is about.  Bray did a wonderful job of connecting these lives across decades and writing a story that will stand the test of time.  Under the Same Stars is a good read for all historical fiction fans.

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