Review: The Evil Queen

The Evil Queen by Gena Showalter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everly has been living a normal teenage life when she begins to communicate with mirrors. She doesn’t know if what she sees is real or not, but some of the images shake her to her core. She soon finds out the truth … she is from another realm and destined to become the Evil Queen. Or is she destined to be Snow White? No one seems to have the final answer, but Everly is determined to find out. She travels to Enchantia to confront the prophecy head on, even if it means she must push through her internal battle between good and evil.

The Evil Queen is the first book in The Forest of Good and Evil series. Showalter has taken many beloved fairy tales and has included some modern day twists. Since most readers are already familiar with fairy tales in general, it appears that Showalter decided to spend only a minimal amount of time on world building. That is great for us because there is more story for us to enjoy. I am a huge fan of fairy tale re-tellings and this one was a fun example. I recommend this book and look forward to the next volume in the future.


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Review: Soul of the Sword

Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kitsune is still on her quest to take a piece of an ancient scroll to the Steel Feather temple to stop the summoning of the great Kami Dragon. If she fails in her quest, the Harbinger of Change will grant a wish to the bearer of the scroll. Unfortunately, Hakaimono has escaped the sword Kamigoroshi and taken possession of Kage. Hakaimono is working with the Master of Demons to try and break the curse to completely set him free. He wants to take over the land and plunge it into darkness, but he can’t complete this goal without the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Will Kitsune be able to free Kage from Hakaimono’s possession? What difficult choices will she need to make along the way?

Soul of the Sword is the second book in the Shadow of the Fox series. In a world full of magic and adventure, readers will easily recall the basics of the first book in order to become fully invested in this second installment. Kagawa has taken the world building that has already been completed and woven deeper characters and more diverse plot twists. Although this book has a satisfactory ending, it is not a duology and readers will be anticipating the next book when it is released.


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Review: We Hunt the Flame

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Zafira began hunting in the cursed forest in order to ensure the people of her village wouldn’t starve. She had to do this disguised as a man because hunting is not woman’s work. Nasir is the king’s assassin and is also the prince. He doesn’t want to kill whomever his father wishes, but the punishments to him would be just as bad. Both individuals are now looking for a lost object. Zafira wants to restore magic to the world and the king wants to stop her, even if that means Nasir must assassinate her. What will happen when these two cross paths?

We Hunt the Flame is the first book in the Sands of Arawiya series. The characters inside this story are varied and complex with world building to match them. Although the land is inspired by Arabian history, this world is full of magic and a different past. There were times the story seemed to drag, but as I remembered that this was Faizal’s debut novel … all was forgiven. I look forward to the second installment to discover where this world is going next.


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Review: Breaking Bailey

Breaking Bailey by Anonymous
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bailey is trying to keep her mind off her mother’s death as she begins her life at a new school. Her dad has moved on and even has a new wife to go with his new life. She knew this boarding school would be hard, but she did not expect to be taken in by a group of students calling themselves the “Science Club.” Although they are very smart students, they don’t study when they are together. They are using their brains to make drugs and sell them in the local community. Now Bailey has money and a boyfriend, but it seems her academics cannot keep up with this highly demanding extracurricular activity. Will Bailey follow the crowd in order to stay accepted? Is there a line that Bailey is not willing to cross?

Breaking Bailey is a stand-alone novel about the slippery slope that comes with drugs. Whether the person is a drug manufacturer, drug seller or drug user … there are issues that get murkier as time continues on. Readers who enjoyed Go Ask Alice will be drawn to this title, yet the story in these pages is not as heart gripping as the other story. I haven’t read too many books about the people who actually make the drugs, so that was different, but overall it was just a good read. Many readers will enjoy it, but it won’t be as popular as Go Ask Alice.


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Review: Storm and Fury

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Trinity Marrow has many secrets, the least of which is the fact that she can see and talk to ghosts. Since she was a child, she has been hiding in a compound guarded by Wardens who protect humans from demon attacks. Humans have recently learned about these gargoyle shape-shifters, but they don’t truly understand the dangers the world holds over them. After a group of Wardens from D.C. arrives asking for help, Trinity learns that there have been more demon attacks than she thought. Will Trinity’s secret come to light with these increased attacks? Who should she trust in this world gone wild?

Storm and Fury is the first book in The Harbinger series. This is the type of book that I normally love, but for some reason, there was just something missing. It had a full and creative backstory, a supernatural element, lots of action and a little bit of romance … yet I couldn’t fall into the story. It isn’t an extremely long book, yet it seemed to drag in sections which made it seem about 200 pages longer than it was. Since Armentrout had to do some character development, I will definitely be looking for the next book to see if the storyline moves a little more smoothly. I still recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good supernatural read.


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Review: Under The Moon: A Catwoman Tale

Under The Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selina’s mom has had a series of bad boyfriends that treat both of them like trash. After a tragic event pushes Selina out of the house, the future Catwoman finds herself on the street fending for herself. She creates a system where she only needs to count on her own wits and is content … or is she? Selina may have taken on the name Catwoman, but she has a lot to learn about herself and the people of Gotham. Will Selina find anyone she can trust?

Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale is a graphic novel with a new take on the origins of Catwoman. I was a little disheartened with some of the cuss words that were included, even though they weren’t excessive. There is a scene about self-harm and Myracle did a wonderful job ensuring that readers will understand that it is not to be glorified and asking for help should always be an option. Overall it was an enjoyable read, yet there just seems to be something missing. I hope that there will be more graphic novels about this strong female character so that I can learn how she overcomes her own demons.


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Review: That Night

That Night by Cyn Balog
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hailey has a lot of questions. She can’t remember anything from the weeks leading up to her boyfriend’s suicide, yet she can’t shake the feeling that he would not have done it. Her best friend, Kane, is also Declan’s stepbrother and he wants everyone to move on with their lives, not sit around and try to remember. As Hailey looks for answers, she begins to remember more and more. Did Declan really kill himself? What truths will Hailey find out along the way?

That Night is a stand-alone mystery with only a few twists and turns throughout the pages. Balog has created a story that readers will easily be able to relate to, they just need to pay attention to the timeline since this story is not told chronologically. That Night is not a very long book and can easily be finished in just a couple of sittings. Although it is not a drop-everything-and-read book, it was an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending. I recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy mystery to relax the time away.


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