Night of Cake and Puppets

I lied. This will be my last book of the year, not the first of next. This is the story of how Mik and Zuzana finally get together. They are characters in the unbelievable Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. It tells the tale of how Zuzana led Mik on a fairy tale adventure fueled by magic that led him to her. And he followed the treasure map willingly, adding his own magic along the way. It was nice to see Karou again, I've missed her. And the book is filled with amazing illustrations to add to it's own magic. You could read it on its own as a cute little love story, or you could read it as an insert to an amazing series where you will fall in love with the characters even more. Either way, don't miss your chance to read Laini Taylor. She will take you on adventures BEYOND your wildest imaginations! Happy reading my magical friends.

This Savage Song

August was born of tragedy. The aftermath of an event beyond his control. He is a monster to the outside world. A Sunai- one of only three. They can take the souls of sinners through music. All August wants is to be human. Kate Harker is the daughter of the great monster hunter. All she wants is to have her father's approval. She manipulates her way back home so she can stand side by side with him in the fight against monsters. Her father has made pets of the Malachai and Corsai variety of monsters- mindless, bloodthirsty things and offers protection- for a large fee- to humans who fear these monsters. Kate wants to get into the fight. just like August. August is sent the the same school as Kate to get to know her, to get an inside scoop on the Harkers. His brother Leo, a ruthless Sunai, wants him to unleash his inner monster. But August finds that family loyalty may cost him more than he is willing to sacrifice. They find themselves on the run together as an evil plot is beginning to unfold that will cause a war between the two sides and end the truce. They must decide who the real monsters are and then find a way to prevent the end of the truce.  I really enjoyed this story, a little twist here and there made it thought provoking. Who are the real monsters? Do they hide behind human faces? Looking forward to ordering the next one in the series to find out what happens to Kate and August. This was a good way to end my year of reading. I plan to start the year with one of the best- Laini Taylor's Night of Cake and Puppets, which will have to get me through until a Strange the Dreamer sequel. Hope it was a good year for you and wishing you more great books in 2018. Happy reading my friends!

An Enchantment of Ravens

Isobel is a human living in Whimsy. It is always summer there. She is a talented painter who has made quite a name for herself. Only problem is, her clientele are fairies. And everyone knows, you can't trust fairies. They are not the cute little garden gnomes you think they are. They are mean, vicious, and have no regard for human lives. So Isobel must tread carefully around them. When the Autumn Prince, Rook, comes to have his portrait painted, Isobel makes a deadly mistake. She paints him with human emotion on his face and this makes him look weak among his people. When he finds out what she has done, he drags her into Fairy to stand trial for her crimes so he can save face. The problem is, that all the while she was painting him, they were falling in love. And that my friends is a high crime in Fairy. As they battle their way to the Autumn court, many trials await them, thanes, the Wild Hunt, Gadfly and all the while, they must fight their feelings. It is only Isobel's quick thinking that may save them from certain death. Can they pull it off? I love a good fairy tale- ha! get it? And this one was nice. It was missing that something that really makes you connect to the characters. I like Rook and Isobel enough, but I don't think their courtship was interesting enough. I wasn't sorry it was over, but I wasn't mad I took the ride. So this one gets an eh. Happy reading my friends and beware of deals made with Fae.

Undertow

Lyric Walker has been keeping a secret that can get her and her family killed. So she must be quiet and fly under the radar. See, the Alpha have arrived and they are on the brink of war with the humans on Coney Island. Her school is about to be integrated with Alpha teens and she has been told to stay away from them by her father the cop. Their family depends on it. But Lyric is tasked with making friends with the Prince of the Alpha- Fathom. The reward for this will save her family and allow them to escape the Zone. As she spends time with Fathom teaching him to read and the ways of humans, feelings begin to develop between the two. Star crossed lovers doesn't even begin to describe it. He has a fiance, he is not human and he is the heir to the civilization, while she is just a simple human girl trying to save her family. It could never work out. But on the eve of war, something even worse than the Alpha are coming to destroy everything in it's path, Alpha and human alike. It is time for Lyric to admit what she really is and unleash her powers as a wild thing. This is a great story with ties to reality- the oppressed rising up to take their place in society, the fear of people who are different than us, civil rights etc. Totally thought provoking while entertaining. I will definitely follow Lyric's journey in the next book. Vacation is upon me and the stack of books await- along with gift cards to buy more. Happy reading my friends!

Being Fishkill

I read a review of this book and it sounded unlike something I would normally read but I took a chance. This is the story of Carmel Fishkill, who was named as her teenage mother was giving birth on the freeway near the Carmel, Fishkill exit. Thus begins the devastating tale of Fishkill's life. Raised by an abusive grandfather and equally abusive mother, Fishkill has had to develop survival skills. Be tough, don't cry, strike first, don't get attached. This works fine until she meets Duck Duck- her gang name. She quickly initiates Fishkill into her gang and brings her home to Molly. Molly watches Fishkill with her 'squinty blue eyes' and realizes that this girl is on her own and in need of a family. As Fishkill learns to trust Molly and Duck Duck she realizes that family isn't what she was raised to believe. It is pink sheets, roasted chicken and hugs. But Fishkill doesn't trust this will last and has one foot out the door. And then her mother comes back and throws a wrench in the happy life Fishkill was making for herself. As the book cover says, tragedy ensues and Fishkill must find her way back from despair to try and create home for herself among strangers who have every right to hate her. This book was both funny and heartbreaking in turns. Fishkill's life lessons are so spot on as to be crushing. And Duck Duck's zest for life is inspiring. So I recommend this book as long as you have some tissues handy, it will stay with you for a while. Happy reading my friends.

Dazzling Heights

Who will die next? Living in the Tower in NYC is not the safest for your health. Ask Eris, the victim in the first book. Those left standing face the consequences of their actions in this sequel to The Thousandth Floor. Leda must deal with the guilt of having killed her friend. Watt, Avery and Rylin have been blackmailed into being silent in what they saw. And those around them don't understand the way their friends are behaving. Throw in new character Calliope, the con artist who has a strange history with Atlas. Each character is keeping deadly secrets that may derail the wishes of their hearts. Rylan finds herself with a scholarship to the very school the rich kids attend and is thrown into the world of moviemaking with one of her teachers. She just wants Cord back and of course he is in all her classes. Then there is Watt, who along with Nadia, must find a way to defuse Leda and get her to trust him enough to admit her crime. But low and behold, a romance develops to both of their suprise.  Of course, don't forget Avery who longs for a life with her adopted brother Atlas, but her father may suspect their romance and is sending Atlas away to run a new tower. Throw into that mix, Calliope who has her own designs on Atlas. Unbeknownst to all of them, though, the biggest threat is waiting in the wings to get revenge for her dead girlfriend. Couldn't put this down, which is surprising since there were no supernatural elements. lol. It will be a long wait to August to finish the series, but there are plenty of books to occupy my time until then. So be careful not to find yourself alone along the edge of anything my friends and happy reading.

The Assassin's Blade

So this is where it all begins. The birth of Celaena Sardothien who later becomes Aelin Galythinious greatest warrior princess of all time. Sorry Xena. This prequel to the Throne of Glass series is heartbreaking as I have read all the other book before this one. (Sorry Jael) I knew things would happen and they were as terrible as I thought they would be. But- there were glimpses of the characters that I have come to love above all others. A quick look at Dorian. Chaol guarding him. Lysandra driving her crazy. Yrene- oh Yrene- to know where you have come from only makes you more intriguing. And Sam. And Arobynn. And the Silent Assassins. And the pirates. Each story brought a new piece to the legend that is Aelin. I loved this book and have officially decided this is my favorite series. Oh, others are close but this one has never disappointed. Such great characters on such great quests it really leaves you wanting more. Thankfully, Sarah Maas's other series has a new tome on the way- back to Feyra and Rhysand. If you have never started the series, start here. If you are already on the journey, take a side trip through these novellas. I have to reread Empire of Storms now, because I think I missed a moment I need to recapture. I envy you my friends, if this will be your first experience. Enjoy every page. Happy reading my friends.

The Crown's Fate

When last we left Vika and Nikolai he had sacrificed his life so she could live and become the Imperial Enchanter. He left her and Pasha to mourn his death. Instead of dying though, he becomes a shadow and lives in one of the bench worlds he created. Vika searches for him everywhere, but he hides from her. He believes she has chosen Pasha over him. When his mother arrives and offers him a way out, he is horrified. She tells him if he kills people, he can absorb their energy and become whole again. He refuses, but unbeknownst to him, she gives him the energy anyway and it begins to taint him. She plants the idea in his head that he should be the rightful Tzar and overthrow Pasha. Vika won’t let this happen- she literally can’t. Pasha has handcuffed her and her magic. If she disobeys, she is burned by the bracelet he has placed on her wrist. Vika isn’t willing to give up on Nikolai though and continues to try and bring him back to his own self. Their magic is put on display to horrifying effect, terrifying the Russian citizens. Vika is torn between the two people most important to her. How will she reunite the brothers and bring her love back? I enjoyed this two book series and the Russian setting. The magic the characters create is imaginative and fun, when it isn’t killing people. I loved watching Pasha come into his own and take control. And I loved the message at the end about soul mates. One day left on my beach retreat and I am returning to the world of Celaena Sardothian and going back to where it all started- finally. Happy reading my friends!

The Breathless

- When Mae’s older sister Ro dies under suspicious circumstances, her family falls apart. Ro was the spark of the family. Now her father is out for revenge and Mae’s twin sister Elle is determined to turn the family estate into a B and B. Who is the suspect? Ro’s boyfriend Cage, who disappeared the day she died. The only witness says he was holding her body and then ran. Of course, that witness was also in love with Ro. Mae finds the green leather journal that Ro carried with her and finds it to be filled with spells to bring back the dead, but half the book is missing. Then Cage mysteriously appears almost on the anniversary of Ro’s death and doesn’t remember a thing from the past year. He and Mae team up to try and figure out who killed her and how they might bring her back. This is a book with many twists and turns and it does get a bit confusing at times. There are some plot points I can’t figure out and may have read over too fast, but I can’t tell them to you as it would give away parts of the ending. I am not sure I liked this book all that much, it kind of creeped me out in some parts and I didn’t actually connect with any of the characters. It may just be that I loved the last book I read and this one just didn’t have the same impact. But books are like ice cream, everyone has a favorite flavor and someone might really like this one. Happy reading my friends!

The Thousandth Floor

- This story is set in New York in the future. A tower has been built that everyone lives in. Your social standing is tied to the floor you live on. Everything revolves around tech, contact lenses let you tend to your social media, retinal scans let you into places etc. This is told from multiple points of view. It starts with a girl plummeting to her death from the top story of the tower. You spend the rest of the book trying to figure out who it is. There’s Avery, she lives on the top floor, she is perfect. There’s Leda, just back from rehab with a chip on her shoulder.  There’s Eris, whose world will crumble when she finds out her dad isn’t her dad. There’s Rylin, living on the lower levels trying to raise her sister alone. And Watt, the hacker who has tech that could put him in jail for life. Everyone has secrets- big secrets. And any of the secrets could get out at any time. Whoever knows these secrets holds the key to power. And she won’t be afraid to use it when the time comes. I LOVED this book. It was super creative, filled with crazy, interesting characters with so much to hide. The setting is fascinating and brilliant and a cautionary tale for our society today. I cannot wait to order the sequel and see how the murderer manipulates the others and how the witnesses try to take them down. I think my students will love this book and I know just who I will give it to when school is back in session! Happy reading my friends!

Orbiting Jupiter

Some of my favorite books come from the mind of Gary D. Schmidt, but they always have some heartbreaking element to them. This one is no different. This is the story of Joseph, who after being removed from an abusive father and having a baby with the love of his life (in 8^th grade) winds up with Jack’s family. Joseph is troubled. All her wants it to have his daughter Jupiter, but no one thinks he could take care of her. They want to put her up for adoption. Joseph sets out to find her, so he can see her. Jack has his back. He and Joseph become like brothers and as Joseph settles into life with his new family, he begins to blossom. But his abusive father won’t give him up that easily and sets Joseph off on a quest for his daughter. He tells his story along the way. I won’t say any more, terrible things happen that will break your heart, but the end will put it back together- albeit a bit battered. This is a beautifully told story, with some lines that will stick with me for a long time. Get some tissues, set aside an hour and treat yourself to this little gem. Happy reading my friends. 

Akata Witch

Sunny is an African American Albino who has relocated from the US to Nigeria, where she was born. She can’t go in the sun andhas a hard time making friends. That is until one day Orlu introduces her to Chichi and her new life begins. She finds out she has spiritual powers, she is a free agent and has magical powers. She and her friends find that they are destined to catch a black hat serial killer who is killing children in the town. They must learn to use their powers to work together to take down an evil that wants to be unleashed onto the earth. The team, along with Sasha, each possess a skill that will help them face down the spirit. Sunny discovers her true self and where her powers come from as she navigates the shadow world. This book was different than books I usually read. It was an interesting world, filled with strange and fascinating things. I don’t know much about juju and voodoo, but reading about it was engaging. Happy reading my friends.

Now I Rise

In this sequel to Now I Darken, Lada and Radu are on their separate quests for their life dreams. Lada wants to be the Prince of Wallachia and Radu wants Mehmed to love him and not his sister. Neither task holds a straight path to victory. Lada Dracul will do whatever it takes to regain her homeland after her father’s death. She will not let anyone get in her way. She amasses a band of loyal men to help her on the quest. She thinks her brother and Mehmed will help, but is crushed when that doesn’t happen. Radu wants nothing but to be by the Sultan’s side.  Mehmed uses this to his advantage and sends Radu into Constantinople as a spy. Mehmed is determined to take the holy city back from Constantine. Radu is torn, he doesn’t want to leave Mehmed but he wants to help. He and his wife go into the city with Cyprian and immerse themselves into life in the city, sneaking information out to Mehmed. But there are two sides to every story and nothing is black and white. Cyprian becomes important to Radu but with every step he is being betrayed. Radu must make many decisions that test his faith and his loyalty to Mehmed. Will he give up his soul for a man that doesn’t love him? I like this series that takes the Vlad the Impaler myth and turns it on its head with a female lead. Lada is ruthless and will stop at nothing to get her kingdom back, even if it means going to war with her brother and Mehmed. I can’t wait to see where this series leads- which is interesting since I don’t really like any of the characters! But I like the story as a whole. Happy reading my friends!

All the Crooked Saints

I will start with Maggie Stiefvater has written some of my all time favorite books- Scorpio Races being top 3. This one is not for the average reader. This is the story of the Soria family. They have lived in Bicho Raro, Colorado for generations. They are Saints and can perform miracles. But there are rules to being a Saint and rules for dealing with the pilgrims who have traveled from afar to receive a miracle. Daniel is the current Saint and he is cousins with Beatriz, the quiet one with no feelings, and Joaquin who wants to be a DJ and has a pirate radio station where he becomes Diablo Diablo at night. The strange thing about miracles is that the first part brings out your darkness, which can manifest in so many strange ways and you then have to figure a way through your darkness for the second part of the miracle. The Sorias cannot help you with the second part or it could bring the darkness upon them. So the town is full of people waiting for their second miracle. Marisita, who is followed by a rain cloud and wears a dress of butterflies, the Moss man who is covered in moss. A set of twins who are wrapped be a snake and cannot break free, a priest with the head of a wolf. All waiting for a second miracle. Pete rolls into town with Tony, a DJ looking for a miracle. Pete has been promised a truck if he works for it. He has a hole in his heart and can’t join the military like he wants, so he is searching for a meaningful life. He locks eyes with Beatriz and his future is no longer certain. When Daniel is taken by the darkness, the Soria cousins and the pilgrims must find a way to bring him home before it is too late. This is a town full of quirky and loveable characters. The imagination to create this novel is unparalleled. I found it charming and interesting and lovely. I also laughed a lot. It may not be for everyone, but to those readers ready to go on a quest for a miracle, I say go for it! Happy reading my friends.

The Last Magician

Magic is alive and well in New York in the early 1900’s. Of course, the gifted are being hunted by The Order, who are determined to eradicate all magic and if they can’t do that, they want to control it! The magicians are trapped, if they try to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, their magic is stripped from their bodies and they are likely to die. Esta is from the near future. She has the power to manipulate time. The Professor is sending her back to find the Magician and the book that will save the future. Esta will do everything she can to help her friends. But as she goes back in time, she finds herself drawn into a community that welcomes her and her talents. She is especially attracted to Harte Darrigan, the one she is sent to betray. As they find themselves after the same prize, Esta and Harte must work together knowing they will only wind up betraying each other in the end. Esta finds herself at odds with what she thinks she should do and what she is being asked to do. Time travel is a tricky thing, and she must use all her powers to save Magic and the new friends she has made. Nothing is as she thought and no one can really be trusted, even the boy she has come to love. I really enjoyed this book, I like the grit of NYC in that time period and can picture the characters bellied up to a bar plotting adventures. Harte is young, scrappy and hungry and out to save the people he loves. Esta is determined, brave and certainly no damsel in distress. I was left on a cliffhanger, so I look forward to the next chapter as Esta finds a way to get even for what has been done to her family. Happy reading my friends!

Thornhill

If you have read The Invention of Hugo Cabret you will enjoy the style of this book. It is told in pictures intermixed with a sad story of bullying. The pictures are of a modern girl who can see the abandoned Thornhill Academy out her window. She lives a lonely life as her parents seem to be working all the time. She sees a girl on the grounds of the academy and investigates. Meanwhile, the written story is of an orphan living at the academy in a different time, where she is bullied by another orphan. She lives in a world of dolls/puppets that she creates. No one will help her with her situation as she does not talk. When she tries to tell what is happening to her, circumstances prevent it from being resolved. The two girls find they have much in common and join their fates together. This is not a happy tale nor does it have a happy ending. It is haunting and disturbing and a definite comment on bullying. If you are up for a creepy tale- you may find this to your liking. Happy reading my friends!

Tower of Dawn

Oh dear fellow readers- when people ask what my favorite series is I always say, that's too hard to pick. But let's be honest, I have finally- 8 books and many tears later- decided that Sarah Maas's two series hold the crown. With the Throne of Glass series taking the top spot. This latest installment is the story of Chaol Westfall and what is happening to him while Aelin and the gang are massing an army to defeat the Valg. Chaol is in a wheelchair since his spine was crushed in Aelin's last stand. He is bitter and angry- mainly at himself and all he couldn't prevent during the battle. He is accompanied by Nesryn as they go to find a healer who may be able to fix his legs. Unfortunately for him, the healer is Yrene Towers, who happens to hate him on sight as Adarlan soldiers killed her mother. They come to an uneasy truce as she works to defeat the darkness in him. Nesyrn is sent to help Prince Sartaq with his Ruks to figure out what is happening in the tribal lands. Yes- of course- love interests change and grow. Those who hate come to love. And Chaol's self-hatred is put to the test by a woman who may or may not have been saved by Aelin in the past. Crazy? I've been reading this for a while and I don't know if it is because I didn't want it to end or because I have always loved Chaol and was so afraid that he may not make it through. Now, he may still not make it through, but I can't wait for his forces to join Rowan's to save Aelin from Maeve- who is NOT what she seems. (I won't spoil that one) I love this world and characters and am so happy to see Chaol get a little redemption after he was so unlikeable for a while. I haven't read Assassin's Blade yet, and I may take a small break from this world- it messes with my head a bit, but I wait with great anticipation for the next novel. I would follow them into battle any day. Happy reading my friends!

Genuine Fraud

One of my favorite surprises was We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Totally surprised by it's ending and that doesn't happen often for me. So I was super excited to see her new book was out. This is an inventively told tale. It starts in the present and goes backwards to the beginning of Jules' story. Jules is a complicated girl. She is rich and on the run. But she is also super shady. One of the most unreliable narrators I have met in a long time. Think The Talented Mr. Ripley and you'd be on the right track. As her story is revealed, the reader will realize nothing is as it seems and she certainly can't be trusted to tell the story with any truth. She is a cold character and doesn't make you like her at any point, which is always problematic for my reading tastes, but I read to the end. It's a little bit much for an average reader, most definitely need to be more on the advance end to follow the backwards plot. And for a while I wasn't sure who was who... had a moment when I thought Jules had multiple personalities. Alas- that was not the case, and all her terrible deeds were indeed her own. I can't say I liked this book, but I am glad I read it. If that makes any sense. I am back in my favorite world with Chaol Westfall now so you won't hear from me for at least 660 pages. Happy reading my friends!

Blood for Blood

Spoiler alert! This one took it out on me. I should have known there is no such thing as a happy ending when dealing with Holocaust books. Even alternative versions. This sequel finds Yael, Luka and Felix captured by the SS guards after Yael attempted to kill Hitler. Unfortunately, it was the wrong Hitler- the SS has been employing skin shifters like Yael and all Yael accomplished was outing the fact that she was alive. After Felix turns traitor, the trio finds themselves on the run trying to reach the resistance and Yael's friends. But Felix can't be trusted and death is around every stop on the road home. A surprise friend from Yael's past returns and suddenly she is no longer alone in her quest for revenge for her wolves. Even Luka seems to be on board with taking out Hitler. There is no time for romance as their quest take them into the heart of the Third Reich and many surprising truths are discovered on the way. Sacrifice and honor will determine the fate of an entire race of people. Yael will discover that maybe revenge isn't as satisfying as it may seem and that forgiveness may be the most powerful tool of all. As Washington tells Hamilton in a song- Dying is easy young man, living is harder. Yael has a choice to make and the one she makes is the honorable one. The end of this made me super sad and super proud of this main character. I most definitely have found an author who's style is captivating and highly entertaining while remaining thought provoking. Happy reading my friends!

The Wrong Side of Right

Kate is about to start the summer before her senior year. She has survived the tragic death of her mother and has moved to South Carolina to live with her aunt and uncle. Then the unexpected happens. She finds out who her father is. He is Mark Cooper. He is a senator. He is running for president. And to avoid what will be a huge scandal, he invites her to join the campaign and meet her family. Now, Kate has a stepmother named Meg and a sister and brother- 8 year old twins Gabe and Gracie. Kate doesn't know if they will accept her. After all, Meg and the Senator were married when he cheated on her with Kate's mother. But Kate is hungry for a family and she loves history, so being on the campaign trail intrigues her. Unfortunately not all of Cooper's politics align with Kate's and she may have to compromise her beliefs to fit into the 'platform' of the party. To make things worse, the actual president's son Andy has taken an interest in Kate. Is he really interested in her, or is he trying to spy for his father's campaign? As the campaign rolls on, Kate finds herself pulled in many directions and making many mistakes, all the while trying to find a way to get her father to love her. After the last election, I found this book very interesting and entertaining. At the heart it is a love story. Yes, between Kate and Andy, but also between Kate and her new family. And all love stories have rocky parts. It's getting through them that makes it worth while. Happy reading my friends!

Wolf by Wolf

The age old question- what if Adolf Hitler had won the war. What would the world look like? Yale doesn't have to wonder. She is living it. As a child, she was transported to a concentration camp and chosen by the doctor in charge to be a part of his special experiments. When her barrack mates realize what new powers these experiments have given her, they find a way for her to sneak out of the camp. See, Yael can skin shift. So she shifts into a little German girl and walks out of camp where she is found by the resistance. And she becomes part of the resistance's plan- get close to Hitler and kill him. To do this she becomes Adele Wolf, a Victor in the cross continent motor cycle race. Adele is chosen because Hitler took a fancy to her at the last Victor's Ball. But in order to get to the ball, Yael must WIN the race against 16 other victory hungry competitors. They don't play fair. They aren't nice. Oh, and Adele's twin brother is also in the race and keeping a close eye on Yael. Yael doesn't know if she can pass as Adele with her twin looking on. And then there is the matter of Luka. He also has some mysterious past with Adele that Yael doesn't know about. There is danger around every hairpin turn and the stakes couldn't be higher. I enjoyed this book and Graudin's writing. It was refreshing to see someone actually get out of the concentration camps and exact some revenge, even though this ends in a MAJOR cliffhanger. No worries, I immediately ordered the sequel and it will be devoured soon enough. Hope this catches your fancy and you give it a read. Happy reading my friends!

The Beauty of Darkness

This is the conclusion of an amazing trilogy. Lia, Rafe and Kaden must race to save their kingdoms while the Komizar is coming after them. Lia and Rafe are in constant conflict as they fight over which of their kingdoms are in the most danger. Lia is sure she knows what the Komizar will do but no one will believe a runaway princess. Rate finds himself as not the prince, but the King after his father dies. If he follows Lia, he may lose his own kingdom to greedy generals. And Kaden has his own decisions- does he follow Lia, kill his father or resume his place with the Komizar as his assassin. So many decisions, so many paths that can be followed. Do you do your duty or follow your heart? Can you give up what you want the most for the good of everyone else? How far do you follow your instincts when everyone is telling you they can't be right. I love the characters in this book, especially Lia who never wavers in her belief in herself. She is no damsel in distress. She puts her trust in her friends and her own mind and faces losing the love of her life. And Rafe and Kaden are worthy sparring mates. Each brings out a different side of Lia. Both make her more powerful and confident. This is a great adventure with fun and interesting characters. I loved reading each of the three books and will check for more by this author. So, if you want to begin the journey with Lia, find Kiss of Deception and be sure and bring your sword and walking boots. Happy reading my friends!

Sea of Shadows

Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and the Seeker. They were chosen at birth- twins who pair bonded with their animals-Daigo and Tova. Their job is to keep the spirits of the dead at bay in the Forest of the Dead. They must go into the forest and put the exiled spirits to rest. But during Ashyn's first reaping, everything goes terribly wrong. Their town is massacred and the children stolen. The girls set off to find the children and report to the Emperor. Their journey is fraught with mythical creatures, that no one believed even existed- Worms, Thunder Hawks and Shadow Stalkers. Someone is willing them into existence. And putting them directly in their path. The girls get help from Gavril and Ronan, who both have secrets of their own. There is really no one they can trust except each other and their animals. They face treachery at every turn. But they have to keep going as the children's lives are at stake. In fact,  the entire empire is at stake. This is an interesting and dangerous world. I look forward to seeing if the girls can save the world. I have no doubt they will. Happy reading my friends.

The Walled City

Dai, Mei Yee and Jin are the three main characters whose lives become intertwined in this fast paced tale. Dai is hiding in the Walled City, he has 18 days left to clear his name of three murders. Mei Yee was sold by her father to a drug lord who has her locked up in a brothel. Jin followed her sister to try and save her. When Dai meets Jin, they form an unlikely friendship and soon find their goals are intersecting. Take down Longwai, get his ledger to give to the police and break out Mei Yee and the other girls. But the pieces are complicated and one wrong move could end any of their lives. I really liked this book. It is told in three voices and deals with some very real problems. It is not for a younger reader as it does deal in human trafficking and drug use. There is violence and death. Nothing it too graphic, but it is for a more mature reader. That being said, I had never heard of the Walled City and the fact that is was real makes me sad for those kids whose lives were in their own hands to save. It is still a problem today. The characters are all interesting and strong, even the cat. The story line twists and turns as you learn what brought these characters to their present condition. As summer comes to an end for me, I still see a pile of books a mile high I need to get to. Wish me luck and happy reading my friends!

3:59

Josie's life is falling apart. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend and best friend are hooking up behind her back and something weird keeps happening at 3:59 every day. She keeps seeing shadows moving, and a bird with a large beak and then, in a mirror in her bedroom, she sees herself. But not herself, her doppelgänger. It only happens twice a day at the same time. Josie thinks this is her chance to cross through the mirror and fix things with her boyfriend Nick. She and Jo decide to switch places, but Jo's world isn't as perfect as it seems through the mirror. Nick isn't her boyfriend in this dimension, her mother is in an asylum and creatures called the Nox roam the darkness killing people. When Josie decides the grass wasn't greener on the other side of the mirror she tries to return home. But Jo has taken the mirror and made it impossible to get back to her world. Josie must figure out a way to get home and save both worlds from evil. She teams up with alternate world Nick and finds that he is a far better version than the one she left behind. She must use all her brains to put things right and find a way to bring the new Nick back with her. This was a fast paced, science filled adventure. But you don't have to understand the science to enjoy the story. I really think kids will like this one, it has adventure, evil parents, and a love quadrangle as well as a doppelgänger!! What's not to like?? Happy reading my friends!!

Lord of Shadows

Ugh. What a book, what an ending. Crushing, heartbreaking, anxiety filled. Loved every page- well, almost every page. Cried a lot. So if you are new to Shadowhunters, this is not where to start. This is about the 11th book with these characters in this world. So if you want a place to begin the adventure, it's City of Bones, if you have already been on the ride, you know where we are. Emma has just broken Julian's heart for his own good, the Institute is under attack from those who would like to take it over, and Kit Herondale is realizing who he is and what his name means. The Blackthorns are growing up. Mark is recovering from Kieran's betrayal and Diana is harboring a huge secret. Oh, and Malcolm Fade may not be dead. This book is filled with beloved characters- Jace, Clary (with an unacceptable premonition- don't do it Cassandra), Alec, Magnus, Tessa and Jem, all make appearances. And of course every time Will's name is mentioned I have to stop reading. Characters you love will die defending each other. Some you hated will become loved. And over the 600 plus pages your heart may break. I can't say enough about how much I love this series and will read it to the end. Will remains number one on my list of fictional boys- long after he has gone, but his family is a close second. My favorite question in this story- "Which kind of Herondale will you be- Will or Tobias, Jace or Stephen?" I hope we are all the best Herondale's we can be. Happy reading my friends.

Wayfarer

In this sequel to Passenger, Etta and Nick continue their quest to find the Astrolabe. With it, they can control who can travel through time. They can right the wrongs that the Ironwoods have created. They can save their loved ones. They can restore the world to the way it was supposed to be. But all of these things can only happen if they find the device. And that will be difficult as they are separated, literally in different times. Etta discovers her family and the fact that her mother isn't as she thought. Nicholas discovers that doing the right thing may separate him from Etta forever. Enemies reveal themselves to be allies and allies can't be trusted. This book shows you worlds in different times and that is so interesting to me. It also brings that eternal question to light, if you could change history, would you or even more importantly, should you? I enjoyed this book and the wanderings of the characters greatly. The girls are all tough cookies and the boys, well, most of them, are gentlemanly. There is action and adventure and a time-crossed love story. And quite possibly a happy ending. But I'll let you get to that on your own. Happy reading my friends!

Once and For All

If you are a Sarah Dessen fan you may understand this- I look forward to reading her books with dread. Because I know that she will introduce characters that will break my heart. And yes, she did it again with this book. Louna is the daughter of a wedding planner. This means Louna works with her mother and her mother's best friend William to create memorable weddings. This, of course, isn't always easy. Especially when her mother hires Ambrose in order to get him off a bride's nerves. Ambrose is everything Louna is not. He is flighty, impulsive, and unbelievably kind while also a serial dater. Louna doesn't believe you can have more than one true love and she knows she has already had hers and it ended in unspeakable tragedy. Ambrose is determined to find out what makes Louna tick even while getting on her very last nerve. I am not going to tell you more about the plot, it is best left to experience on your own. I will say a few things. I love the way the story unfolds as Louna tells the story of her epic love. I love the world of wedding planning, so interesting. I love that Auden makes a brief appearance. I love Ambrose and all he brings to the world. The list he makes in the beginning of the story had me laughing out loud. I love that he blows out every candle he lights to make a wish and then relights it. I love his spirit and presence and how he is in the moment with whoever he is with. And I love the care he shows for everyone, even Ira, the stolen dog. But most of all I love how Louna comes to find that wishes may actually come true. Oh, and I love the wishes she makes for all her wedding couples. I love this author and the the damage she does to me with each new book. So if you are a fan, you already have this book on the shelf and if you aren't, oh boy are you in for a great treat. Happy reading my friends and may all your wishes come true.

A Crown of Wishes

"What was magic anyway, but the world beheld by someone who chose to see it differently? " Man is this book beautifully written! This is the companion book to The Star-Touched Queen which was also beautifully written. I often found myself stopping and rereading sentences and getting lost in the meaning. But enough of that- This is the story of Maya's sister Gauri, who is being held captive in by her brother. She wants to be Queen, but he is doing all he can to prevent this. He has her taken to the neighboring kingdom and wants them to kill her. But the Prince of this land, Vikram, has problems of his own. He is a puppet prince due to circumstances of his birth. When Gauri tries to kill him, he offers her a way out- to the Tournament of Wishes, where the winners will each receive one wish. As they enter the Otherworld, they must get over their fears and distrust of each other and figure out a way to outwit the magic that is all around them.  They will be surprised that the wishes they thought they would ask for, no longer seem important in the end. This is a lovely, fantastical book. It is filled with magic, friendship, trust and sacrifice. The characters are complex and interesting on every level. And I must say, the ending is absolutely exquisite. Rosin Chokshi is a brilliant writer who can evoke such amazing images with her words. You don't have to read the first to understand the second, but it does help you understand the relationship between Gauri and Maya. I loved this book and will use it to teach descriptive language this next school year. You won't be sorry. Happy reading my friends!

Blackhearts

I must confess, I love pirate stories, shows, movies, etc. After finishing watching Black Sails, I found Blackbeard fascinating. Of course, they destroyed him in one of the last episodes, but to take to the sea and live the life of a pirate sounds freeing. Except for never being clean and having to eat fish of course. So when I found this book, it immediately came home with me. This is the story of Edward Teach, son of a merchant, longing for life at sea. And Anne, the daughter of a slave and rich merchant who winds up in the house of Edward's father as a maid. (That is a tale in itself) As Anne and Teach encounter each other, sparks fly and they soon must admit they were made for adventure and each other. But society will not have it. Nor will Edward's father. When the truth of their romance gets out, trouble abounds and dastardly deeds occur. I love the thought of an origin story of someone so notorious. I love the way the author created the set of circumstances for the life of an infamous pirate. I love Anne and her fierce independence and her will to find her place in the world. And I hopefully will love the love story that may take place, that I hope book two will provide. I couldn't put this one down, and loved every page. I can't wait to see how they find each other and how Blackbeard comes to be. Yo ho my friends and happy reading!

The Passion of Dolssa

I will start with this- I don't think my 8th graders will have any interest in this book. That being said, i really liked it. Dolls is a mystic- she believes she talks to God, that she is his bride. In the 1200's this could get you burned at the stake as a heretic. So Dolssa is sentenced to die and somehow escapes and runs for her life. Botille, a 17 year old matchmaker, finds her on the side of the road and is compelled to help her. This could condemn Botille and her sisters to face the same fate. But Dolssa saves Botille's sister from death and the sisters become her biggest supporters, no matter what this will lead to. The Inquisitors, led by Lucien are determined to find Dolssa and enact her punishment, but Lucien is strangely conflicted about her. He may believe she is a miracle worker. As he gets closer and closer to finding her, the entire town becomes complicit to the crime of hiding Dolssa as she has helped everyone in the town with something miraculous. Unfortunately, Lucien finds her and with the threat of extraordinary punishment, the town cannot stand by her any longer. The sisters must run for their lives and forever hide from the Inquisition, never really finding peace and safety as there is no statute of limitations for the crime of being a heretic. I am always amazed by religious persecution, because, by nature, religion should be kindness and understanding. But throughout time and even present day, the atrocities committed in the name of religion are many. We do not seem to learn from the past, but just find new ways to destroy each other in the name of piety. I love historical fiction so I couldn't put this down once I started but I don't think I have met the student yet who would enjoy or follow this story. But there is always next year! Happy reading my friends!

History is All You Left Me

Theo and Griffin have been best friends forever. This leads up to the day they came out to each other on the subway, confessing the feelings they have. First love ensues with all that goes with that. When Theo goes off to college in California, Griffin breaks up with him so things don't get weird. They stay in touch for a while via Skype until Griffin notices someone in the background- Jackson. Griffin's world falls apart as he realizes his plan has backfired and Theo may have actually moved on. But then the worst happens, Theo dies and Griffin must come to grips with what this means. Lost love, guilt, sadness, depression and a raging case of OCD. Griffin tells this story to Theo as he comes to terms with what Theo meant to him and who he will become in the future. The road is not easy and it is full of life lessons for Griffin. Feelings are hurt, emotions are frayed and grief is explored. This is a great coming of age book for our time. It is told in alternating chapters via flashback and leads you to the secrets that Griffin is keeping to protect his friendships. Next up- not sure if it will be supernatural or Sarah Dessen, don't think I can take two sad ones in a row and the beach is calling so..... Happy reading my friends.

Court of Wings and Ruin

So if you haven't read a book by Sarah Maas yet, run don't walk to the book store. This is the third in her second series about Feyre and Rhysand, Lord and High Lady of the Court of Nightmares. I could tell you all about the plot and who did what and where and who died and all that, but if you haven't read the first two, that would be pointless. I will say this- I read this book between my fingers. I have come to love these characters almost as much as Aelin and Roan. The family created in these pages is lovable, frustrating, powerful and dynamic. The fight they are up against is epic. The consequences are literally life and death. Characters are redeemed, love triangles solved, and new ones created. Evil is unleashed, goodness prevails at times and truces are made. In the end, the lesson is that family is not what you are born into, but what is created through love and respect. The way Rhys treats his family and mate should be taught. I am glad it is over for now, I can breathe several sighs of relief as I wait for more of Aelin's story as she wastes away in an iron coffin in another series. Summer is here and the books are piled up. Give this series a try, but be warned if you are a teacher, this one doesn't go on my 8th grade shelf- too much adult content. Happy reading my friends! (Rhys, Cassian and Az are all on my top ten fictional boys list- but they share a spot due to lack of space)

Shadowcaster

If you read any of my blogs, you know that next to Will Herondale, Han Allister was my favorite fictional boy. Now that he is no longer, this new series has to fill in for that loss. This second book in the new series follows Han and Raisa's daughter Lyss. Lyss is mourning the loss of her brother and father and she is tired of waiting around for war to come to her kingdom. She is tired of sitting on the sidelines and wants action. She is headstrong and fearless like her parents. But she has no desire to be queen, she likes the soldier life and excels at it. When she captures an enemy soldier, she finds herself falling for him. As she and her team are attacked repeatedly, Lyss must find a way to save herself and her kingdom from those out to destroy the Gray Wolf line. She isn't sure what to do about Hal. She can't be with him, but she can't seem to stay away from him. And is her brother alive or is that another cruel twist of fate. And what is the flying beast that saves them from being destroyed. This book leaves more questions than answers and creates a new group of characters that can hold your attention for hours. It almost makes you forgive the fact that Adrian isn't even in this second book and that Han is dead. (almost) I have loved every book by Cinda Williams Chima and this is no exception to that. If you haven't started yet, go back to the beginning with The Demon King and if you finish these two series, there is also the Heir Chronicles to fill your summer, which is just around the corner -9 days and counting! The pile of books is waiting and I'm ready for the challenge. Happy reading my friends.

Bone Witch

When Tea's brother dies, she is unwilling to accept his fate. So she does what all sisters would do, she raises him from the dead. Thus throwing her normal existence into chaos as she is taken from her family to train with the Dark Asha. This is not an easy life, as people are not so happy to be in the presence of dark witches. Tea is trained at one of the famous houses and life isn't easy for her. She is kind of stubborn and tends to jump into dangerous situations with both feet. She meets Prince Kance and finds herself attracted to him, which is forbidden, as his cousin Kalen continually tells her. Tea must find a way to protect everyone and also fulfill her own desires. These things are not often not he same path. This book is told in both the past and present. We meet present Tea who is on a quest to raise an army of Daeva- monsters risen from the dead, to attack the kingdoms. She is telling her story to a Bard as she winds her way through the graves. We also meet past Tea as her story is told. The mystery of how Tea became what she is in the present is fascinating to watch unfold, however, since this is going to be series, we are left with a shocker as an ending (I kinda figured...) This was an easy read that kept a great flow and threw enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. I recommend! Onward to the Seven Realms and Han's children next. Shadowcaster here I come. Happy reading my friends!

Strange the Dreamer

I bow to Laini Taylor. She wrote one of my all time favorite series- Daughter of Smoke and Bone and I anxiously awaited her next series. She did not disappoint. Lazlo Strange is an orphan who works in the library. He is curious, kind and ready to see the world. He is desperate to see Weep, a mystical city that lost it's name one day while he was playing in the woods. He set out to learn all he could about Weep and spent his years writing a history. Sarai is Godspawn. She lives in a floating citadel that overshadows Weep. She lives with four other Godspawn with a variety of powers. They are blue. The town had slaughtered their parents and thought all the children were dead. The Gods were horrible and did horrible things to the townspeople, so the Godspawn have remained hidden high above the city with only each other for company. Sparrow can make things grow, Feral can make it rain, Ruby can start fires and Minya can control the ghosts of the dead. Sarai is the Muse of Nightmares. Each night she unleashes her moths to torment the townspeople so they will stay away from the Citadel. It works. Until the day Lazlo rides into town with the Godslayer. For the first time, Sarai can be seen in someone's dreams. And he doesn't hate her, as a matter of fact, they fall in love. But they can only meet in their dreams. At first. This is a tale of hidden pasts and glorious futures. It is both lovely and heartbreaking at once. It is creative and so beautifully written I had to stop and mark pages to go back and make poster of for my classroom. Lazlo is, in a word, remarkable and a lesson to us all to be kind and open and welcoming to that we don't know. Sarai is a lesson to be willing to see both sides and change accordingly, to have hope. The end has crushed me, but I'm hopeful that Lazlo can will find a way to dream a better end for everyone. This is full of crazy, fantastical characters that make you want to live in Weep- almost. I can't say enough nice things about this book and this author. So I say- when you fall asleep tonight, make your dreams a place of wonder and then see if you can carry that over into the real world. Happy reading and dreaming my friends!

Caraval

Scarlett and Tella live with their abusive father on an island. Since their mother has run away, they only have each other. Tella is wild and spontaneous while Scarlett is the practical protecter of her sister. But Scarlett has one desire, to attend Caraval, the magical game where one can get their biggest wish fulfilled. One problem, one must be invited to attend and Scarlett has been writing to Legend, the master of Caraval for years asking to be invited. On the eve of her marriage to the Count, whom she has never met, Scarlett receives the invitation and must decide if she will follow her heart or her head. When her sister takes her choice away from her, she finds herself on the way to Caraval with the rogue Julian and her sister. What she finds will twist her mind and alter her faith in everyone she loves. The book is filled with magic, deception, twists, turns and a world that is upside down. Scarlett does her best to keep her wits about her, but it isn't easy if you can't trust anyone as anyone could be playing the game. And the game is meant to to keep you off balance. I liked parts of this book, but at times found it not as enjoyable as I would have liked. It reminds me a little of The Night Circus but not as well done. It has some mature themes that are subtle but need to be mentioned. So this one was just ok for me, but I'm sure it has an audience. Laini Taylor's new one awaits! Happy reading my friends!

King's Cage

Book three- Silvers v. Reds. Maven v. Mare and Cal. The Scarlet Guard v. the King of Norta. The lines get blurred in this third book in the series. Mare is being held captive by Maven. She is manacled in silent stone and brought out to parade around the Silver Royalty. Evangeline and the Samos's want her executed but Maven can't seem to let her go. Meanwhile, back on the ranch, the new bloods and the Reds are trying to find a way to free Mare and bring down Maven. But factions are dividing and loyalties are tested and Mare isn't sure what to feel about any of it. She still sees the Maven she loved inside the lonely, twisted boy king. She is also dealing with the grief of losing Shade, her beloved brother. And what of Cal- does she love the would be soldier king or will he let her down to keep the throne. This book is filled with mental turmoil, devastating battles and surprise twists that will leave you shaking your head. Mare is a tough cookie and she is surrounded by complex characters who help guide her path. This doesn't end with this book, so I suppose a happy ending may still come to pass, but I'm slowly losing hope. If you love a good girl power book, this is a series you should try. Constant surprises, love triangles and hidden agendas will keep you interested for many pages. Happy reading my friends!

Carve the Mark

I have to be honest, Veronica Roth lost my trust with her Divergent series. Hated the ending. Hated it. So it was with trepidation that I started her new series. Cyra Noavek is the sister of the leader of the Shotet. She is the enforcer. She can kill with a touch.  Her 'gift' causes her excruciating pain. Akos Kereseth watched his father be murdered by Cyra's brother. He is kidnapped along with his brother Eijeh, who is rumored to have the gift of an oracle. Ryzek wants that power for himself. He will do anything to take the gift from Eijeh. Akos has sworn to save his brother at any cost, but in the mean time, he can take Cyra's pain away with his touch. An unlikely friendship ( well maybe not unlikely, let's be real) develops between Cyra and Akos. She is not what people think and he is able to see past her reputation. When the Fates take hold, they must decide who is worth saving, who needs to be killed and what the cost will be for both. The reluctant heroes must find allies within their enemies and decide who is telling the truth and who is just plain manipulating them. I say with caution that I really liked this book. Tough girl, interesting boy, terrible situations, what's not to like. But my hopes for a happy ending are slim as the Fates predict otherwise and as I said before, no trust. My students are chomping at the bit to read this one, so they'll be happy I have FINALLY finished. Thank you spring break. I know this series will be a hit, I just hope the heartbreak will be kept to a minimum, or I will have to carve my own mark. Happy reading my friends!

Heartless

"Off with their heads!" We all know where this comes from- Alice in Wonderland of course. But do you know why the Red Queen is so mad? Marissa Meyer kindly shares with us the story of Cath, a noble's beautiful daughter. All Cath wants is to open a bakery and live in peace. But that is not her parents plan, as the King of Hearts has his eye, and stomach, on Cath. Cath is not interested in becoming the Queen, nor in marrying the silly King. Then Jest shows up as the King's new jester. He is everything Cath wants, interesting, challenging, talented, and handsome. Unfortunately,  a court jester is no match for a noble's daughter. As the King pursues Cath, Cath falls hard for Jest. Could she possibly be allowed to live her own life? One with a bakery and a husband she loves? Not likely. There is of course a crazy cast of characters, Hatta, Haiga and the Raven ( yes, Poe's raven who speaks in poetry, of course!) It is a twisted tale that twists the heart of Cath and the reader. My students keep asking me how the book is- I don't have an answer. It doesn't end the way I wanted it to, it can't I suppose. I did however, as usual, enjoy the way Meyer can weave a tale with such mastery, you don't know what his you. If you are a fan, this is a must. If you love Alice, this is a must.  If you want to take a trip through the looking glass, this is a must. But "Beware the Jabberwock my son!" Happy reading my friends.

And I Darken

This is a twisted tale of Lada Dracul and her brother Radu. They are used as hostages when their father Vlad Dracul of Wallachia disappoints the Sultan and forfeits his children. Lada is a warrior even a small child. She is ugly and mean and incites fear in everyone she meets. Radu is a gentle soul, afraid of his own shadow, and his sister. They meet Mehmed, the Sultan's son and the three become inseparable. But Lada will never be happy until she is allowed to go home to Wallachia. Even when she falls in love with Mehmed. She does not want anything to do with the Ottoman Empire and resents her role as a female. Powerless, she finds ways to fight back, training with the Janissaries and finding a way to make herself useful and beholden to no one. Radu finds himself in love with Mehmed too. This makes for a difficult life for him as this is not an acceptable way of life. So he suffers in silence, doing all he can to keep Mehmed safe from those who would kill him. Together, Radu and Lada work to make sure Mehmed will one day become Sultan and to keep him alive. But trouble is around every corner, from even those they thought could be trusted. And in the end, Lada Dracul is really only loyal to herself and her beloved Wallachia. Will she become the Dragon of legend or stay by Mehmed's side living in the shadows? I love a good Dracula tale, especially one based in history. And I love the switch of gender. Lada is not exactly likable, but you do find yourself rooting for her, especially since it's all about girl power! This was a good read, not a favorite but definitely a like. Happy reading my friends!

The Meduim

Emily is a well know Medium in the 1800's. She lives with her sister Celia and they conduct seances for those who wish to communicate with loved ones. Celia unwittingly releases a demon who is set free to kill innocent people. Jacob Beaufort is a ghost. He is sent to help Emily find the demon and sent it back from whence it came. Jacob isn't like other ghosts Emily has dealt with. He is much more, shall we say, solid. And handsome. Did I mention handsome. Emily and Jacob must figure out who is controlling the demon and then find a way to send it back. Over the course of their adventures, they (of course) develop feelings for each other. But what kind of result will there be if one of you is a ghost? Jacob doesn't know how he died or where his body is and Emily wants to help him figure this out (all while hunting a demon) but she knows once she does, Jacob will cross over and be lost to her. This was a fun ghost story with some highly shady characters. But Emily is a fierce girl in a time where fierce girls were not accepted or acceptable. She just doesn't care. So I'm hopeful in the next book or two, she uses that fierceness to help Jacob. I do suspect that Jacob may not be lost to the mortal world forever, but that is just a guess using my foreshadowing skills. My students would be proud. Beware people selling lockets, you never know what they may hold. Happy reading my friends!

Three Dark Crowns

Three sisters born to be queen. But only one can hold the crown. One a poisoner, one an elemental and one a naturalist. Separated at a young age so they could be trained in their respective craft so that one day they could kill the other two. Mirabella can call storms and she is having memories of her sisters. She does not want to kill them. But she is the strong one and the one who most likely will gain the crown. Katharine can consume poison. But she is sickly- I wonder why- and it takes the love of a boy to make her strong enough to take on her sisters. And then there is Arsinoe, who is still waiting for her naturalist power to come forth and bring her a familiar. But she is angry and unsure and relies on her best friend Jules, who is actually the most powerful naturalist in a long time. Everyone has a stake in who will become the one queen and everyone is willing to go to any length to achieve that goal. Except possibly the three girls whose fates are at stake. This is an interesting twist to the fairy tale genre. No one is really all that likable and everyone is extremely flawed. It was hard to decide who to root for and I'm still not sure. This is going to be a series, so I guess I'll have to wait and see if anyone becomes redeemable. But then again, no one is perfect so maybe this is just what a fairy tale should be- flawed characters finding a way to fulfill their fates. Anyway, if you like this genre, you may enjoy this story, I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a favorite yet. I'm willing to give it time though. Happy reading my friends- it's back to work on Monday so my time for uninterrupted reading is at it's end.