Review: The Fever King

The Fever King by Victoria Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Noam Alvaro has survived a viral magic attack and is now a technopath. He can control technology with his mind and the minister of defense would like to use this skill for his own gains. Noam knows what it is like to have no rights, especially since he is the son of undocumented immigrants, and he decides to accept the minister’s offer. He needs to learn about science to control his magic, but he doesn’t want to help the government … he wants to use it against the government. He can’t think of a way for his plan to go wrong until he falls for the minister’s son and he must decide between his ideals and his heart.

The Fever King is the first book in the Feverwake series. I really wanted to enjoy this new author with an interesting story premise, but the characters never really grabbed my attention. Lee did a wonderful job with world building, but she should have spent a little more time making a cohesive storyline. I will read the next book when it is released and I hope that it will show the promise that this book lacked.


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Review: The Dysasters

The Dysasters by P.C. Cast
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Foster Stewart is told she must attend a football game in the middle of nowhere and ends up meeting Tate Taylor, the star quarterback. She brushes off the encounter until some weird weather brings them back together and activates some special abilities. They quickly discover that they are the first set of teens to have their powers awakened. If that wasn’t crazy enough, it turns out that Foster’s father is the scientist that devised this crazy scheme. Will Foster and Tate be able to locate the other teens and stop this disastrous plan?

The Dysasters is the first book in a new series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. These characters don’t have much time to rest and recoup as they travel around trying to stop these evil scientists and readers will feel the rush of adventure as they turn the pages. Goodreads doesn’t have this book listed as a series (I was hoping for a stand-alone), but the ending definitely leaves readers to believe there will be more books. The Dysasters was a fun read but isn’t a drop everything to finish novel.


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Review: Mist, Metal, and Ash

Mist, Metal, and Ash by Gwendolyn Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is the nineteenth century in Italy and Elsa can create new worlds using script that is written in books. That is a powerful gift and someone has stolen the most powerful of these books – this book can rewrite the Earth. Can Elsa trust someone who betrayed her in order to find the book? What will she discover along the way?

Mist, Metal, and Ash is the second book in the Ink, Iron, and Glass series. This alternate history book is full of adventure and a variety of characters. Clare has taken the world she created and has extended the story with flair. Although Goodreads does not have a third book listed, the end will leave readers to believe that more stories will be on their way. Mist, Metal, and Ash was enjoyable but should only be read if readers have finished the first volume.


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Review: Courting Darkness

Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sybella is one of Death’s daughters and a trained assassin. Her current mission is to attend the duchess to France where she is to marry the king. She quickly discovers that she has enemy’s everywhere, but all isn’t over. She is also told that two fellow novitiates were placed in the French court many years ago, now she just needs to find them. Genevieve has been in the French court for so long she no longer believes she will ever be contacted. When she discovers a hidden prisoner, she befriends him and hopes they can help each other. Will Sybella be able to contact Genevieve in time? What are they willing to lose in order to complete their missions?

Courting Darkness is the first book in the Courting Darkness Duology. It is set in the world of the His Fair Assassin trilogy, but readers do not need to have read the first series to enjoy this book. LaFevers has outdone herself with strong female protagonists in a historically tremulous time. This is an action-packed novel told in alternating voices that will leave readers breathless after each chapter. Courting Darkness should be added to most reader’s TBR list, whether they like action, adventure or historical fiction.


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Review: Warcross

Warcross by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emika Chen was caught hacking into the most popular online game and was expecting to be arrested. She did not expect to be offered a job by the creator of Warcross. Now she is using her bounty hunter skills to catch another hacker of the game. Warcross is the first book in a new series on par with Ready Player One. Readers will enjoy the adventure and gaming, even if they are not gamers themselves. As the book came to a close I realized that the next book would be a necessary read; I'm just glad it is already out. Time to get it and find out what happens next.

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Review: The Truth About Leaving

The Truth About Leaving by Natalie Blitt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lucy’s boyfriend doesn’t want a long distance relationship, so he breaks up with her and then leaves for college. She is now starting her senior year alone when she meets the new Israeli transfer student entering the school on their first day. It doesn’t help that her world is completely out of control; her mother is teaching in California and her guidance counselor has her questioning her college choices. Will Lucy take a chance on a relationship that may not be long term? Will her post-high school choices be her own or what her parents want?

The Truth About Leaving is a stand-alone novel that explores how choices in high school may affect more than just a teen’s day to day life. Blitt has developed a story and characters that are captivating and simple at the same time. Lucy must struggle with relationship questions, family responsibilities, and college choices while also learning who she wants to become. The Truth About Leaving is a wonderful coming of age story that will please readers without all the tragic angst that seems to be in many young adult novels recently.


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Review: Goodbye, Perfect

Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bonnie and Eden have been preparing for their GCSEs, well Bonnie’s been preparing and Eden has been trying to study. See, Bonnie is a straight-A student and Eden’s best friend. They know everything about each other or so Eden believes. When she wakes up to a text telling her that Bonnie has run away with her secret boyfriend, Eden must decide if she is willing to keep secret that she is still in contact with Bonnie. As the days progress and Bonnie is still not willing to come home, Eden must face the fact that she may not have really known Bonnie after all.

Goodbye, Perfect is a stand-alone realistic fiction story straight out of current headlines. Young people can love fiercely and sometimes that love is abused by those who should know better. Barnard has created a storyline that readers will be able to relate to, even if they have never had these experiences themselves. All of the events transpire in about a week, so readers will become fully vested in the outcome of the story. Goodbye, Perfect is a fun, yet thought-provoking read.


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