The Night Gardener

Molly and Kip are on their own. Their parents are gone and they must find a way to make a living. Molly has found them jobs working for the Windsors. Kip will tend the gardens and Molly will work in the house taking care of it and the kids. But something strange happens. Kip sees a strange man watering the giant tree that is part of the house. And Molly keeps finding muddy footprints in everyone's room. Plus all the members of the house seem to have nightmares. Their health is fading. Their appearances are changing, yet still the tree grows and grows. Then there is the mystery of the room with the green door. Molly is told never to go in there. But being curious, that doesn't last long. See, the tree gives the person in the room whatever their heart's desire is. But there is a cost, one that Kip and Molly are not willing to pay. This is a creepy tale of strange happenings and brave kids. It shows the power of a good story and what that can do. And it tells the tale of the bond between siblings who have no one but each other. I liked, not loved, this book. Kip and Molly are plucky Irish kids wise beyond their years. If you like a creepy tale, this one may be for you. Happy reading my friends.

Deliverance

This was a good summer for finishing some of my favorite series'. This one is no different. Remember Logan and Rachel? From Defiance? Or their friends- Willow, Quinn, Connor, Ian, Frank, Nola, Drake? They were fighting the Commander, who had killed many of their loved ones. He is trying to take over the other city-state by using the underground creatures called the tanniyn. He who commands the creatures can take over cities in an instant. Well Logan has found a way to control them and he has to choose between trying to find Rachel- the love of his life, and saving his people from destruction. Luckily, Logan is a multi-tasker and decides he will do both. So while Rachel is in the clutches of Ian and his evil minions, Quinn must follow her to keep her from being killed. Meanwhile, Logan and Willow are headed in the opposite directions trying to figure out a way to take out the Commander and avenge their loved ones. This is a great series. The characters are loyal and inventive. They are brave adn willing to sacrifice for the greater good. But most of all, they show how family doesn't have to be all about who you are related to, but about who is going to be with you when the going gets rough. Also, I am a sucker for a happily ever after. Happy Reading my friends!

Half Wild

Nathan is an abomination. His father is the most feared and powerful witch in England- a Black Witch. His mother was a White Witch. Which means Nathan is shunned by both factions of Witches. He is desperate. His girlfriend has been taken by a White Witch and put into a deep sleep. And she won't let her go until Nathan kills his father and brings her his heart or head. Nathan has no intention of killing his father, but is determined to save Annalise, who also happens to be a White Witch. Along with his friend Gabriel, Nathan embarks on a mission to find her, and also bring the two sides together to take down the Council. They team up with Van and Nesbitt to cobble together a group willing to go up against the Council and the Hunters. Of course there are roadblocks along the way, not the least of all is the fact that Nathan finds that he really likes his father. There is an unconventional love triangle, a massive betrayal and a devastating sacrifice that lead Nathan far from the path he started on. He may find he is more Black Witch than he likes to admit. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I really enjoy this series, it is a fast read filled with action and adventure. No one is as they seem and you never know who you will fall in love with along the way. Start at the beginning with Half Bad and join Nathan on his quest to find out who he really is. Happy reading my friends~!

Atlantia

I really liked this book. It is the story of Atlantia, a civilization built below the water, that was created to save some of the people from the dying world Above. All Rio wants is to go Above and live. Her sister Bay wants to stay Below. Rio has promised Bay that she will stay below with her, they are all they have in the world- twins, who just lost their mother. On choosing day Rio makes the sacrifice and chooses to stay Below. Then it is Bay's turn. And to Rio's horror, Bay chooses to go live Above. Rio is shattered, she doesn't even have the chance to ask her sister why. So she sets out to find a way to get
Above to find her sister. The only one she can turn to is her Aunt Maire. Maire was estranged from Rio's mother. Oh, and Maire is a siren- she can persuade people with just her voice. Rio doesn't think she can trust Maire for many reasons. Then she meets True. And he feels like home. But she really doesn't have time to fall in love because she is determined to leave. And he belongs Below. But Below is dying and need the Above to help. Maire, True and Rio must find a way to convice the people Above that the Below is worth saving. It will take a special voice to get this job done. Did I mention that Rio was a siren too? But she has been hiding her voice to keep herself safe. Will she break that silence to save Atlantia and all she loves? This is a great little novel. It wraps up nicely, no need for a sequel. It is a great message to everyone to listen and then use your voice when you have something to say. Happy reading my friends!

Stolen- A Heart of Dread novel

Nat and Wes have separated. Nat has to learn to use her new power as a Drakonrydder. She alone can save the world from ice and bring back the Blue. Wes has to find his twin sister. She was stolen when they were children and he has been trying to find her ever since. They promise to find each other when they can. Circumstances lead to that happening sooner than later. Forces are aligning that bring the love struck couple together in an attempt to save their friends. Someone is calling to Nat for help and she must answer the call. Wes's path takes a similar route, as his sister seems to be being held in the same place as Liannon. The gang of friends, along with the drau- Faix, race to save them before it is too late. Nat must learn to harness her power to save her friends and maybe Will has some powers of his own that may help the cause. When they find Eliza and Liannon, not all is well. And not all is as it seems. Magic requires sacrifice, often the greatest sacrifice one can give. Will Nat and Wes be able to pay the price? This is the second book in the series, so you know what that means- cliffhanger, everyone in peril, bad guy miraculously still alive, no hope in sight. Who could ask for anything more?! I really like these characters, no one is weak or needy. Of course there's the typical, does he/she love me or does he/she not. It wouldn't be YA without that. But it is really kept to a minimum which is good, because we know they belong together! Gonna check and see when book three arrives so I can make room on my ever filling shelves. Happy reading my friends!

The Young World

The adults are all dead. The young children are all dead. The rest wait to die on their 18th birthdays. The sickness has taken over the world. The kids have divided themselves into societies in New York. Jefferson lives with the Washington Square Tribe. His brother Wash is it's leader. But Wash has just turned 18 and dies, leaving Jefferson in charge. He is in love with his longtime best friend Donna, who of course, doesn't know he loves her. But she loves him too, but he, of course, doesn't know this. A small group of them go on a run to the library to find some research for Brainbox, who thinks he can cure the sickness and save the world. But getting to the library is only the beginning. What they find there is terrifying and horrible and leads them to travel even farther than they have planned. See, you really have no choice- either risk your life for a future or have no future at all. This is a fast paced post-apocalyptic story with non-stop action. It is told in alternating voices- Jefferson and Donna- and Donna is hilarious. It's an unforgiving world and death awaits at every turn. Chris Weitz is a director and this book definitely reads as a movie. There's even a fight with a polar bear. More will follow of course. I enjoyed the story, it was a fast read and do wonder what will happen next. So I will wait... until then, happy reading my friends.

Ruin and Rising

There's nothing like the satisfying end of a series. I am a sucker for happily ever after. Ruin and Rising is the perfect conclusion to the Grisha Trilogy. Alina the Sun Summoner is facing her nemesis The Darkling in what will have to be the final battle. Alina is searching for the third amplifier that will give her the power to overcome her Dark rival once and for all. But Alina is still drawn to the Darkling and the more she learns about him, the more she feels connected to him and his past. And then there is the issue of Mal, her longtime best friend and true heart. No matter how things turn out, they know that they are not destined to find happiness with each other. Don't forget Nikolai, the pirate king/prince who knows Alina will make a great queen. He will use all his charms to convince Alina to rule with him. And those charms are many. As the group searches for the Firebird, the third amplifier, they come to a shocking and devastating realization about what it will cost for Alina to wield that power. Alina is not willing to make that sacrifice, but in the end, will she have a choice? I loved this series, all the adventure, mythology and of course the ending rocked. Friends are lost along the way, new alliances are formed and tears will be shed. But in the end, this is just the story of two orphans who save the world and quite possibly each other! Happy reading my friends.

The Infinite Sea

When last we left the last humans on earth in an alien takeover, Cassie was waiting in hopes that Evan had survived the destruction of the camp. She is in hiding with her little brother, Sam, Ben, Poundcake, Dumbo, Ringer and Teacup. They don't trust Evan since he is "one of them", but he made a promise to Cassie that he would find her and she believes him. They are injured, on the run and with little hope that they can survive the 5th Wave. The aliens have turned human against human, using little kids as bombs. No one can be trusted. They are at each other's throats. When Ringer gets captured and brought to the evil Vosch, there is not much left to do but submit. She is trapped because they also have Teacup. She won't leave Teacup behind and they know it. Meanwhile, Evan and Cassie are reunited for a short time, but Evan is in bad shape. He has lost his alien abilities which will leave all of them vulnerable to super alien Grace, who can't figure out what Evan sees in the human race. Everyone must sacrifice something to keep the human race alive. But a stunning revelation may turn everything on its ear. Are these really aliens? Or is something even more nefarious afoot? If you enjoyed the first book in this series, The 5th Wave, you will be carried along in this one. Of course you already know you will be left with more questions than answers. Happy reading my friends!