The Girl From Everywhere

Nix is sailing with her father. He is a Navigator. He can travel through time if he has a map from the time and place he wants to go to. He wants to get back to Hawaii to save Nix's mom. But Nix is afraid that if he goes back and changes time, she will cease to exist. But she helps him anyway because that's the kind of daughter she is. When the map they need becomes available, a plan is hatched to get the funds to pay for  the map. But the consequences of the plan will have lasting affects and many will have to pay the price. Along with her best friend Kash, Nix must decide if she is willing to help her father and risk her life or leave and Navigate on her own. This story is filled with mythological creatures and places. Nix is the captain of her own fate. Kush, her willing sidekick, who, of course, could be a love interest will do anything for her. And Blake, who wants to do what he can to save Hawaii, but isn't necessarily willing to pay the price of that. I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with pirate adventures, exotic places and historical references. When it comes to time travel, I always just try and follow along and take it for what it is- you know the whole time travel conundrum. I look forward to Nix's next adventure, if there is a second book, and if not, I can picture her at the bow of the boat leading it to distant shores. Happy reading my friends!

The Star Touched Queen

Well now I know what the fuss was about! Maya is the daughter of the Raja. She lives with the Harem wives and is NOT a favorite of theirs. She has been given a horoscope that predicts death and destruction. She would rather spy on her father and learn the politics of running a country. She figures no one will want to marry her because of the horoscope and she is happy about this. But war is brewing and she is soon in the position of bargaining chip. She must choose a husband, but finds out on the eve of the choice, her father would rather she kill herself so he can justify going to war. Maya doesn't know what to do when a mysterious suitor gives her the chance to escape and be his equal. She jumps at the chance and follows him to his kingdom, which, of course, is not what it seems. All he asks of her is to trust him. The one thing Maya cannot do is trust. When she finally realizes, too late, that he is more than he seems, she must figure out a way to save her Raja and her kingdom. This is a beautifully written story. The language is vivid and melodious and it made it a pleasure to read- and often times reread a line repeatedly. It is a story of strength and determination and a love that can transcend time. I highly recommend you spend a few hours in this world with Maya and Amar. And if you can find the Night Bazaar, buy yourself a souvenir and enjoy the ride. Happy reading my friends!

Seventh Son

This is a double book version of this series The Last Apprentice. In this movie tie-in, two books have been combined into one version. Now, if you saw the movie and want to read the book, be warned, there is nothing similar about the two. In the book version, Tom is a young boy of 13 who is the seventh son of a seventh son. He is set to be the apprentice to Mr. Gregory the Spook. The Spook's job is to rid the county of ghosts, ghasts and boggarts of various strengths. But the most important job is to control the witch population. Tom isn't sure if he is up to the challenge of the lonely life this job will bring, but his Mam says he is destined to be the best and he only wants to make her proud. Tom is a kindhearted soul and this seems to get him into trouble around every turn. But he is dedicated to Mr. Gregory and will do everything he can to rid the county of evil. He comes up against Mother Malkin- witch supreme and The Bane- a first level boggart. If he can survive these tests, he may well be on his way to becoming a master Spook. I won't say this was my favorite series and I probably won't read anymore. but if you like a light read about the supernatural you may enjoy these stories. Coincidentally, the movie was on while I was reading this book and besides the brief appearance of Kit Harington, it was not as I expected. And it certainly doesn't resemble the books it was supposed to be based on. So, all in all, I was disappointed all around. Happy reading my friends!

Forget Tomorrow

Callie can't wait until her 17th birthday. That is the day she will receive her future memory. This memory will tell her what her life will be like. If she'll be famous, if she'll be happy, if she'll find love. What she doesn't expect is the memory of killing her little sister. In this society, you are arrested and kept in Limbo if you have a memory of a crime. Callie is arrested and thrown in jail where she awaits her fate. Logan used to be Callie's friend, but stopped talking to her five years ago. Suddenly, he's the one who breaks her out and leads her to Harmony, a secret camp where those who receive illegal memories go to live their lives. But Callie can't stay in Harmony, she has to get back and save her sister Jessa. Besides, Logan has to go back and she can't bear to be apart from him after they have finally become friends again. Something is bugging Callie though. There has to be a reason she would kill the little sister she loves and she is determined to figure it out. As she returns to Eden City, she comes to a horrifying realization about the future of society. She is left with only one decision, and no one is going to like it. This was an interesting book, with a similar storyline to that Tom Cruise movie I can't remember the name of. Should people be locked up because sometime in the future they MAY do something wrong? Can you change your fate? I liked this story and will read the rest when they are available. Plus the cover is really pretty! Not that I judge a book by it's cover! Happy reading my friends!

Heart of Dread Golden

This is book three of a trilogy so here's the backstory. Nat and Wes live in a world of ice. They meet in New Vegas and fall in love. Nat become a Drakonryder and goes on a quest to save the world. Wes finds out he is magic too and goes along for the ride so he can neutralize his twin sister Eliza who is filled with evil. In this book, they are at the end of the line. Nat must cast a spell that will require her to sacrifice all she loves to save the world. Everyone is fighting against her. The queen, Eliza  and a band of others who all want to cast the spell to gain power. No one can be trusted and Nat knows that to succeed, she will lose the only thing she is living for. As she watches each of her friends die, she gets closer to saving the world. But to what end. I like this series. It is action packed and has a nice love story. Nat and Wes don't waver in their love, they don't play stupid games. The group of friends are loyal and brave. The ending is... I'll let you find out for yourself. Nat is no damsel in distress and Wes is a true hero in every sense of the word, Book one is called  Frozen. So start there if you are a fan of the dystopian novel. Happy reading my friends.

New Order

I have to say, I really enjoyed this sequel to Young World. The Sickness has taken out the adults and little kids in the US. That leaves only the teens. And we know how that goes- Lord of the Flies anyone. Amidst the crazies, there are Jefferson and Donna and they run the Washington Square Tribe. But they know they can't go on as they have been and set out to find a cure for the Sickness. Guess what- they do. Jefferson's blood holds the key to the Cure. But once they find this the fun really begins. Because they find out the world didn't end, and things are life as usual in other places.  The adults who survived have been hanging out on Aircraft carriers figuring out what they are going to do with the tribes of kids in the US. Jefferson and his friends are convinced by a member of the Resistance that they must go back to New York and unite the Tribes so they won't be taken out by what's left of the government. As they make their escape TO New York (get it?) one of them is left behind. Both groups are on a path that will end up either saving the kids or helping to end what is left of the US. No one can be trusted and that is a lesson they all need to learn- but at what cost? And how will they get themselves out of this mess? This is told in alternating voices of several of the characters. It is an interesting look at how to restart a government and if it can even be done. Very timely considering our own country's inability to get things done. It is left in a cliffhanger that promises a great conclusion- if it is a trilogy. I think you will like this series, it has a little of everything! Happy reading my friends!

True Born

Couldn't put this book down. Lucy and Margot are twins in a time of the Plague. The Plague is wiping out people as they get older. You can be a Laster or a Splicer. If you are rich enough you can splice your DNA to have a longer life. And then there are the True Born. They have genetic mutations that allow them to do different things. Like Jared, who can shift into a deadly panther or Storm who is a huge Stag, antlers and all. On their 18th birthday, the girls will have a reveal party where they will be told what their DNA says. But something isn't quite right. When Margot is taken, Lucy must rely on the highly annoying Jared to help her get her sister back. Jared has a way of making Lucy super angry and super happy at the same time. Lucy doesn't know who to trust. Her parents seem to be hiding something, the crazy preacher outside the gates wants their blood and a Russian Prince is coming to chose with girl he wants to take back to Russia with him. Storm is determined to help Lucy and Margot figure out what they are. But this is fraught with danger and death. And Lucy isn't really sure who to trust. Can she give up her life in the Upper Circle, her parents and her sister to go with the True Borns to find out what makes her so special? And is Jared friend or foe? Or something more? This is book one in what will be a trilogy. I absolutely loved the story and the characters, especially Storm and his giant antlers! I am infuriated by the girls' parents who are so callus and unloving to their girls. I am fascinated to learn more about the True Borns and what Lucy means to them. And of course I am a sucker for a supernatural love story- especially when a hot shifter is involved! Enjoy my friends and happy reading!

Half Lost

This hasn't ever been my favorite series. I really liked book one, but as it's gone, I feel like I read them since I needed to finish. This is about Nathan and his quest to kill the White Witches who are out to hunt down and kill all the Black Witches. Nathan is a half blood, part of each. He had to kill his father in order to claim his Gifts and now Nathan is out to get Annalise who caused the death in the first place. Nathan is bent on revenge and kills any one he sees from the other side. Gabriel, his boyfriend, tries to pull him back and make him see the good in himself, but it may be too late to save Nathan. This book has the worst ending, sad and unsatisfying. After all Nathan goes through to help unify the two sides, he doesn't seem to get any peace. I guess the end is sort of spiritual and different, but not what I was in the mood for today. I like a happy ending. So there. That being said, this wouldn't be the first series I would recommend, so read if it sounds like something you'd like As for me, I think I'll try a new series instead of finishing the Fifth Wave series for now. The pile is high and summer is quickly coming to an end. Happy reading my friends!