Review: Radio Free Texas

Radio Free Texas by Libba Bray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bowie is ready to start senior year in his small Texas town when Comet sets off a firecracker, and he takes the blame.  He now must do 100 hours of community service, and he decides that the radio station is the easiest of all options.  As hours become days, Bowie discovers his own radio voice and a possible relationship with Comet.  What will Bowie learn about himself, his town, and his friends in this final year of high school?

Radio Free Texas is a stand-alone historical fiction story that had me laughing at the antics and sending quotes to my friends.  Bray has taken the voice of a teen boy and made it accessible to every reader.  The fact that the events in this story took place 50 years ago and are still relevant today shows that, at the core, teens will always be teens.  Radio Free Texas is a great read for those who don’t want to read about “historical history.” 😊 

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Review: The Velvet Knife

The Velvet Knife by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stevie has just been dumped and needs a diversion.  As someone who loves to solve murders … she wasn’t expecting one in the middle of an apartment complex.  She has also been tasked with learning everything she can about the Watergate Scandal.  Who can Stevie trust?  Is there a chance that David and Stevie will reunite?

The Velvet Knife is the sixth book in the Truly Devious series.  This book has been on my TBR list for almost four years, and it was definitely worth the wait.  I did find the “past” events interspersed in the story a distraction, but in the end … everything pulled together.  I am not sure if this is the final book in the series, but Johnson has left this book with a good conclusion, but also a chance for more antics from these characters.  

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Review: Ashes at the Altar

Ashes at the Altar by LaDarrion Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Malik knows that the fight is not over.  He may have trapped the evil spirit that was possessing his mother, but her power is still growing, and the Bokors have not been caught.  In addition to all of that, he is adjusting to learning who his father’s people are AND a new semester of school.  Who can Malik trust?  Will his magic be enough?

 Ashes at the Alter is the third and final book in the Blood at the Root trilogy.   This book did a good job jogging my memory in the prologue helping me remember the events that have already happened, but overall, this story was way too long.  I kept looking at my Kindle time and felt like the count wasn’t going anywhere.  I enjoyed the overarching story and was satisfied with the ending, but the final book should have been shortened to make it more concise.  

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Review: Firstborn

Firstborn by M.J. Hastings
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bryn is a firstborn soldier.  The Long Night is fast approaching, and she must kill or be exiled.  She has two siblings.  The second child has become a scholar, and the third child’s destiny is unknown.  When Bryn learns that there is a plan to kidnap the Lastborn, she can’t shake the feeling that her youngest sister is in peril.  As her search becomes more complicated, Bryn must trust those who are untrustworthy.  Can Bryn protect her siblings?  What and who does she owe her loyalty to?

Firstborn is a stand-alone fantasy novel that was a good read but won’t be great for most fantasy fans.  I found my mind wandering away from the story because the characters were not keeping me involved.  This is great for those who don’t want to invest in a long series, though.  

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Review: The Magic We Made

The Magic We Made by Meg Cabot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Frankie is a trained therapist with a thriving practice.  She is a firm believer that there is a scientific explanation for everything, but when her life and town are upended by “witches,” she tries to find new ones.  Ash has a knack for finding lost things.  He is hired to find a missing girl, but his knack is not working so well.  Several other witch influencers have gone missing, and Ash can’t keep his mind off his new neighbor, Frankie.  Will Frankie be able to explain all the unusual activities?  Can Ash find the missing girls?

The Magic We Made is the second book in the Witches of West Harbor series.  Although this is part of a series, this is a stand-alone book that is only enhanced by the first one.  Also, this is an adult book with adult content, but only one chapter got “steamy.”  Cabot has created a fun, witchy book that was a great escape from my day-to-day life, and I hope she has more books set in West Harbor.  

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Review: Lady of Uncanny Charms

Lady of Uncanny Charms by Charlie N. Holmberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Owein is in England and preparing to marry Lady Cora, the young lady who has become a close friend, even if most of their time together has been through letters.  Unfortunately, Queen Victoria has a plan to preserve the waning magic, and that plan does not include a marriage with Lady Cora.  Owein is now a part of the Queen’s League of Magicians and quickly learns that there are problems larger than his.  Owein has many choices …  Will he do as the Queen commands?  Will he follow his heart?  Will he commit treason?

Lady of Uncanny Charms is the fifth and final book in the Whimbrel House series.  This series was fun to read, and even though I completed each book months apart as they were released, I had no problem remembering the overarching storyline.  Holmberg has crafted characters who respond to their situations faithfully while also being unexpected.  I’m sorry to say goodbye to these characters, but the series was closed in a satisfactory manner.

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Review: Library or Lattes?

Library or Lattes? by Lila Hazell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Willa loves fall.  Not only does she love the decorations … she loves the smells and activities.  When she discovers that her aunt left her $25,000 to travel the world, she is faced with some unexpected choices.  Each chapter alternates with a different choice.  Library has Willa choosing to study for a chance to spend a year in London studying journalism.  Lattes has Willa struggling with the choice and working in a coffee shop.  Each strand comes with its own romance, too.

Library or Lattes? is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that is told with a twist.  I wanted to love this story, but there are too many incongruities.  I understand the chapters telling a different version of the story, but within a chapter, there were timing issues that added to the confusion.  Library or Lattes? was fun to read, but it will not satisfy all readers.

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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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Review: Royal Summer

Royal Summer by Kass Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hannah has a great summer planned.  She is spending it in Edinburgh, Scotland, as a summer intern for her favorite author.  She is in the country for less than 48 hours when her employer tells her she is going to Japan with her boyfriend, and Hannah isn’t needed.  Thank goodness Finn, a boy she met the night before, stopped by because he has connections and can get her a summer job at Inveresk Castle.  She finds out on her first day of work that Finn is also known as Finnian … the prince of England.  Are Finn and Hannah destined for a summer fling or something more? 

 

Royal Summer is a stand-alone romance that will be perfect for fans of all things royal.  There are a few scenes that stretch the limit on being racy, but overall, this romance is good for most teen readers.  The story was interesting and exciting, and I enjoyed it even more because I have visited some of these areas in Scotland.  I’m not on the lookout for a new romantic encounter, but if I were… this is what I would want.  Royal Summer is a great teen romance.   

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Review: In the Blood

In the Blood by April Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tessa has lived a good life, but she doesn’t know who her biological parents are. She was left at a fire station as a newborn and adopted soon after. She has just turned 18 and decides to take an at-home DNA test that she anticipates will give her some answers. Although she does find out some things about her mother’s family, no one has spoken to her since the day she ran away, and her father is a complete mystery. Soon after her test results come in, she is contacted by the Portland police because it appears that she is related to the Portland Phantom, a serial killer who has spanned fifteen years. What is Tessa’s origin story? Will the Portland Phantom be caught?

In the Blood is a stand-alone mystery that was an interesting read with the advancements in forensic science and AI. I normally think of Henry’s books starting with a dead girl, and this one was a different format. I enjoyed the different points of view (Tessa, the detective, and the serial killer), and these views give the reader a deeper understanding of the events. In the Blood was a quick read and kept me invested until the end.

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Review: Change of Plans

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finley is happy with her life.  She has recently graduated from high school and is going to the same college as her boyfriend.  Her summer is upended when her mother takes her on an unexpected trip to the family vacation house she didn’t know about.  Finley is suddenly surrounded by family she’s never met and facing an uncertain future … since her boyfriend dumped her on a video call.  Why has Finley’s mom been estranged from her family?  What will her future hold with this change of plans?

Change of Plans is a realistic fiction story that I would call romance adjacent.  There is love weaved into the story, but the overall plot is not about romance.  Dessen has created a cast of characters that I enjoyed spending time with, and it had a satisfying resolution.  Change of plans is a great read for all YA fans, even if you aren’t a romance fan.  

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Review: Soundtrack: A Novel

Soundtrack: A Novel by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stuy has left his mother and moved in with his uncle. He had taught himself to play the drums, just like his mom, and while at his uncle’s house, he meets other players and they form a band. They are becoming popular as an underground group, yet the pressure each is faced with is varied and real. When their bassist must hide from the police, they must really go “underground.”

Soundtrack is a realistic mixed medium story. Most is narrative with a lot of poetry and play-type dialogue interspersed. The original story was an audiobook with a full cast performance, and this print version does a wonderful job adapting it to a new format. Fans of Reynolds will not be disappointed with this newest addition to his library.


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Review: Skyshattered

Skyshattered by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Remy and Gem may be an unlikely duo, but with the help of Storm and some sky pirates, they may be exactly what the world needs to keep the land from falling into the Maelstrom.  As this group races to find the machine the dwarves were tasked to create, they must also overcome an evil pirate and a True Dragon.  Gem’s powers continue to grow, and she quickly learns what her future throne will require of her.  Will they stop the land from falling and save the world?

Skyshattered is the third book in the Storm Dragons series.  Readers of the first two books will easily fall into the continuation of this story and, with a few strategic nudges … recall pertinent details.  Kagawa wraps up this tale with a satisfactory ending, although most readers will be disappointed that it is a trilogy.  A great read for fans of dragon adventures. 

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Review: A Deadly Inheritance

A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liliana is trying to stay under the radar and survive until her eighteenth birthday.  Her life is turned upside down when her grandparents’ lawyer shows up at the same time as DCFS, and she is whisked away to an elite boarding school.  Westwood Academy is the same school her mother attended before being disowned.  Lili quickly learns that there are secrets and then there are SECRETS about the school, her fellow students, and her parents.  Will Lili discover why her mother left Westwood Academy and her inheritance behind?  What about the suspicious deaths in the school’s history? 

 

A Deadly Inheritance is a stand-alone mystery that is entertaining and enjoyable.  I was afraid it would be too similar to other recent books about rich families taking in an orphan, but I was pleasantly surprised that this one went in a different direction and had me waiting to find out what would happen next.  A Deadly Inheritance will be enjoyed by all fans of young adult mysteries.   

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