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!