Review: Toward a Secret Sky

Toward a Secret Sky by Heather Maclean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maren’s mother is now dead and she is being shuttled off to her grandparent’s house in Scotland. She has never met them, because they did not approve of their son marrying Maren’s mom. As she is adjusting to a new way of life, she receives a box with some items from her mother. Inside she finds an encrypted journal that sets her on a path of self-discovery. Both of Maren’s parents worked for a secret organization and now it seems that this organization wants her to work for them too. Unfortunately, there is something wicked in this small town and if Maren joins her parent’s fight her new friends may be left in grave peril.

Toward a Secret Sky is presently listed as a stand-alone novel, yet Maclean has created a wondrous world and amazing storyline that can easily be carried into more volumes. Maren must make some difficult decisions in a short time and readers will not want to put the book down in order to see how she will react next. Since this is being promoted as a singleton, the storyline is complete without a cliff hanger, but most readers will want to know more about this secret organization, Maren’s parents and what happens next to Maren herself. Toward a Secret Sky should be added to everyone’s TBR list if they enjoy fantasy novels with just a twist of romance.


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Review: Yvain: The Knight of the Lion

Yvain: The Knight of the Lion by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sir Yvain sets out looking for adventure and finds it when he defeats a knight in battle. This act brings him into the lives of Lady Laudine and her maid Lunette. Sir Yvain quickly falls in love with Lady Laudine, but their love is destined for hardship and Sir Yvain must endure many more adventures during their time apart. This graphic novel interpretation of the 12th century poem will have new readers falling in love with the Arthurian stories and hopefully looking for more. Readers who have already fallen in love with King Arthur and his nights will be enchanted by this version and all readers must slow down and enjoy the graphics that add additional insight into this poem. Yvain: The Knight of the Lion is a quick read and fun escape.

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Review: If I'm Found

If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Casey is still wanted for murder and is running for her life. She has one person who is constantly on her trail and she is starting to wonder if he is trying to capture her or help her. Casey knows that he let her escape before when he could have brought her in, but in a world where she is constantly being deceived, it is hard to trust. Although Casey is trying to find proof about the real murderers, she comes across a man who has been falsely accused of abusing a child, he has lost his job and she knows he has considered suicide in the past. Will Casey risk her own freedom to help this stranger? Is Dylan there to help her or to capture her?

If I’m Found is the second book in the If I Run series. This heart stopping adventure begins fast and doesn’t stop until you reach the last page. Blackstock has created a plot that is easy to fall into and readers will quickly find time getting away from them as the pages turn. This book does pick up soon after the conclusion of the first book, but readers can easily enjoy this story on its own. If I’m Found should be added to everyone’s TBR list if they enjoy adventure and suspense.


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Review: The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sal is beginning his senior year of high school, but all is not well. One of his fellow classmates is continuously taunting him about his adoptive gay father, and Sal is responding with his fists. Although his Mexican-American family has always accepted him, he can’t help be reminded that he is adopted, especially since he is obviously white. Can Sal help his friend Samantha deal with her own family issues while coming to terms with his own? Will he discover a way to deal with conflict that does not include a fight?

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life is a stand-alone realistic fiction book that is easy to read, but unfortunately also easy to forget. I wanted to feel compassion for these teens who have suffered so much, but the story came out forced and not very plausible. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life will appeal to some readers, but is not to be added to everyone’s TBR list.


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Review: The Dark Days Pact

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Helen is coming to terms with being disowned by her uncle. It actually isn’t very hard since her life is occupied with training to fight demons now that she is a full member of the Dark Days Club. She is working on her Reclaimer powers while spending the summer in Brighton, yet Carlston’s Reclaimer powers are affecting his sanity and his mood is changing toward darkness. When a Dark Days Club colleague threatens the club and Helen herself, will she be able to find a way to stay in the light? Will the Duke of Selburn accept the dissolution of their “understanding?”

The Dark Days Pact is the second book in the Lady Helen series. This book takes place immediately following the events of the first book and readers will be quickly pulled back into this extraordinary tale. Lady Helen is a dynamic character with fears and longings like most of the people who would read this book. Goodman has worked this story into an interesting time in history and makes the Dark Day Club a plausible group that was hidden in the shadows. The Dark Days Pact is a recommended read for those who enjoy action books, historical fiction and even those who are looking for a romance. I definitely recommend that readers start with the first book, though.


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Review: Crazy Messy Beautiful

Crazy Messy Beautiful by Carrie Arcos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Neruda is destined to find the love of his life. He must, since he is named after the great love poet Pablo Neruda. Unfortunately, as a sixteen-year-old artist, he has only experienced heartbreak. After Callie and Neruda are paired for a writing assignment, he discovers that she is more like him than any of the other girls he has crushed on. Is Callie his soul mate? Will their mutual love of art bring them together?

Crazy Messy Beautiful is a stand-alone love story without all the romance. The protagonist is a teen-age boy who has grown up with love in the forefront of his family. Arcos has developed Neruda’s voice so that readers of any age and any gender will appreciate his plight. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Crouch and he portrayed Neruda with a flawless rendition that made me feel I was inside the character’s mind the entire time. Crazy Messy Beautiful is a great love story, especially for readers who don’t normally read romances.


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Review: The Bone Witch

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tea comes from a family of witches, but her magic is like no one else’s. She can wield the magic of necromancy and is considered a bone witch. Because she holds a powerful magic, most people are either scared of her or other witches like her. Tea must leave her family and village to train with those older and wiser. Can Tea learn to control this magic? Will she be able to help her kingdom as war bubbles in the kingdoms around her?

The Bone Witch is the first book in a new series by the same name. Although the premise of the story holds a lot of merit, the execution was missing the magnetic pull of a good fantasy story. Tea’s plight would pull me along and then drop me unexpectedly in the next chapter. Chupeco left an ending to make readers curious about the next stage in Tea’s life, so I will try the next volume in the series and decide at that time if I will continue further.


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