Review: The Queen's Command

The Queen's Command by Sarah Raughley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vicky is one of Queen Victoria’s goddaughters, has learned to act in royal courts, and has survived financial ruin. After her mother dies, she is sent to Cheltenham Ladies’ College and learns that living with a group of teen girls can be more dangerous than royal intrigue. During a secret club meeting, girls must decide if they want to confess a truth or obey a command. The game is nothing close to innocent, and sometimes the game has even resulted in death. Who is behind this group? Will Vicky be the one to take it down?

The Queen’s Command is a historical fiction stand-alone novel that will be perfect for those who enjoy a mystery set in Victorian England. Raughley has blended historical figures with new characters that breathe life into the story and keep the reader engaged the entire time. I am glad this was not part of a series because I thoroughly enjoyed the capers that were going on while also knowing how everything ended. I recommend The Queen’s Command to those who enjoy a historical mystery.


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Review: The Pools

The Pools by E. Lockhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lexie is the new girl in town and quickly learns that everyone loves to swim in the pools. Many of them know that there are rumors about the hot springs, but it has been years and fears quickly leave everyone. Lexie meets Chester in one of the pools and the connection is instant. Each of them has their own demons, but maybe they can help each other. Then one winter day, five people go for a swim and everything changes. Chester is one of the five and Lexie wants to help.

The Pools is a stand-alone magical realism book with a poetry twist. This book would be a fun introduction to the fantasy genre since it is a quick read and only requires the reader to suspend disbelief about one aspect of the story. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but overall, the book was an interesting read, even though I disliked the parents of Chester many times. The Pools will not be good for everyone, but for those who enjoy this type of book … it is great.


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Review: Up from the Ashes

Up from the Ashes by Sharon Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Saartje has arrived at the Sobibor death camp and is inexplicably paired with a Polish man. She is given an order in German that she doesn’t understand. Thankfully, the man does, and she learns she must waltz all night for the Germans. Time passes, and a revolt takes place with over 300 prisoners getting away. Now they are on the run and must find a safe place to hide until the war is over.

Up from the Ashes is a stand-alone historical fiction story that starts like many of the other Holocaust tales, but once you continue, you discover a new side to history. Although this is a fictional tale, the overarching story is real, and the descendants of these survivors have blessed us with their courage. Cameron has a gift for taking hard-hitting history and making it accessible for the everyday reader, and Up from the Ashes is another success story.


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Review: The Blood Queen

The Blood Queen by Sara Raasch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now that Alyth and Samson know who the High Blade is, they are on a quest to find the help they need to defeat the Red Cap army. Unfortunately, the princes of the fae court don’t have much drive since the Faerie Queen went missing years earlier. Alyth and Samson know they can only count on each other and the love they have. Can they find the missing queen? Will they defeat the High Blade?

The Blood Queen is the conclusion to The Crimson Throne duology. This fantasy adventure takes readers into and out of faery and Scotland as the protagonists seek allies in their fight. As a reader of many faery stories and Scottish adventures, I was thoroughly entranced by this tale, but I could also see readers new to these settings having some issues. I highly recommend this conclusion to those who enjoyed the first book.


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Review: The Memory of Borrowed Books

The Memory of Borrowed Books by Meg Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claire keeps her life as organized as she does her library.  She is happy with it that way, too. When the town announces that they plan to close the library and repurpose the space, her well-organized life turns into chaos.  The confusion expands when she finds a door in the library that shouldn’t be there, and it contains books that no one else knows about.  These books hold memories of visitors to the library, and as Claire learns about each of these people, she believes she has a way to save the library.

The Memory of Borrowed Books is a stand-alone magical realism book that reinvigorated my love of libraries.  There have been many books published recently about magical books and/or libraries, yet this book stood apart and had me cheering for Claire and the community.  The memories explored during the novel hit close to home, and I found myself hoping for a great ending … and Anderson did not disappoint.  

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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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