Where Dreams Descend

 Kallia is a magician. In a time where women are kept in the shadows, Kallia was born to shine. She has been kept at Hellfire House where Jack makes sure she stays put. He creates illusions to keep her happy, even as she starts to figure out things are not right. When she gets wind of a contest in the neighboring town of Glorian, she sees her chance to escape Jack and make a name for herself. Once in the contest though, things start to get weird. Magicians disappear, strange things happen on stage and whatever you do, stay away from the mirrors. Daron DeMarco is a retired magician. Something terrible happened to cause him to give up performing. Now he finds himself a judge in the competition. And he can't seem to shake the feelings he gets from Kallia. The two are thrown together by circumstance and the fact that all the other judges hate Kallia. Hate her for being a woman in a man's world, for being the best, and for being unapologetically herself. When Jack starts showing up in her mirror, filled with threats to all she cares about, Kallia is determined to stop him from hurting anyone else. On the night of the final performance, all the stars align into the perfect storm. A stage full of mirrors, a possessive ex and a room full of rapt audience members. Will history repeat itself? Who will live and who will die? And who is the real enemy? I wish I knew... As for a recommendation, I don't think this is a YA book to tell the truth. It read like an adult book, even though it came in one of my book subscription boxes. I was ambivalent through much of it, but the end hooked my attention enough to look forward to a sequel. And honestly, the fourth Ember in the Ashes book was sitting on my counter mocking me to start it. So it is up to you my friends- Happy reading!

The Guinevere Deception

 The most enduring legend of all time- the Arthur Legend- Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin, Guinevere and Lancelot. But what if there is a twist? What if Guinevere isn't who she is supposed to be? What if magic is banned from Camelot? What if Excalibur is evil? Well, all these are questions posed in this wonderful novel. Arthur is in danger and Merlin is bound to help him. But Merlin has been banned from Camelot, so he sends Guinevere to protect him. But she is not the real Guinevere. She is a changeling blessed with magic. Arthur knows who she is - kind of- and knows she is there to protect him. The problem is, who is she protecting him from? As intrigue creeps around the castle, Guinevere has to be Queen as well as protector and sometimes the lines can get blurred. And then there is Mordred, whom Guinevere finds disturbingly appealing. What's a girl to do? Decisions have to be made and allies must be forged and hopefully, the right decisions made. Because if the wrong ones win, Camelot will fall and all Arthur has created will disappear. I absolutely loved this novel. Throw a little fairy magic into a legend and twist around characters that have been around forever and you have a un-put-downable book. Kiersten White has become an author I look forward to reading and already have the sequel on the stack on my bookcase. I also love the modern attitudes in this story, gender switches and the like. I won't give that one away. Enjoy your trip to Camelot, but beware, if you use your magic you won't be welcome long. Happy Reading my friends!

Lies Like Poison

 Poppy, Belladonna, Lily- all poisonous flowers. Equally poisonous friends. When their friend Raven is being abused by his step-mother, they concoct a plan to poison her tea. One flower from each of them, slipped into her tea. A plan is formulated and written down. But Raven gets sent away as does Bella so the plan is put on the back burner. When Raven is just about to come home, his step mom dies. Of poison. One by one his friends are called into the police station and questioned. Alibis are given, betrayals happen and a love triangle is concluded, but whodunnit?  Still unclear. As the old friends make amends, they need to figure out who really killed her or one of them will wind up in prison. I don't know that I loved this book. There were some great, modern situations, and it is very LGBTQ friendly. I liked that those issues were explored in a loving and accepting way. It was a fast read and had some interesting parts but it won't go on my favorites shelf. Happy reading my friends!

Rebel Rose

 Tale as old as time.... what happens after the big dance where Belle and the Beast live happily ever after. Now a country needs to be ruled, Belle needs to take on her queenly duties, and they have to figure out how to stop the French Revolution from happening in their country. Belle doesn't want to be Queen. She just wants to build her library and settle into her marriage. But events in Paris are creeping closer and Lio has been called to King Louis's court. With Lio gone, Belle is left to figure out how to rule in Lio's stead. But who can she trust? Intrigue is afoot. And so is magic. A magic mirror gives Belle a warning she can't ignore. How will she manage to keep Lio from suffering the same fate as Louis and Marie? I loved the idea of this novel. The idea of taking a Disney princess and putting them in the real world in the real time is fascinating. Belle is a smart woman who is confident in her ability to read situations. Without her, Lio would be left to fumble around listening to unreliable advisors. I enjoyed the French Revolution backstory and the real life characters interspersed into the fairy tale. I will happily ever after read any other of the books that put Disney princesses into  the real world. Happy reading my friends!

Daughter of a Pirate King

 Alosa is the daughter of the Pirate King. He has sent her on a mission to find a map to unguarded treasure. In order to find the map, she allows her ship to be captured and herself taken hostage. What she didn't expect is the first mate- Riden, brother of the captain of the capturing ship. He is torn between throwing her overboard and keeping safe from the pirates on board. As she finds ways to search the ship for the map, Riden gets more and more suspicious of her actions. And naturally, the beautiful daughter of a pirate queen is also irresistible. The closer she and Riden get, the more confused their feelings become. But what Riden doesn't know, is the Alosa is more than meets the eye. She may have more power over these pirates than they can ever know. I really liked this book. I love the strength and confidence of Alosa. I love that her father has trusted her with a secret mission. I love that she has an all female crew. And I love the secret she is keeping from everyone. This book was filled with action. intrigue, romance, and an strong female protagonist. I definitely will read the sequel and look forward to seeing what Alosa will do next. Happy reading my friends!

Guinevere Deception

 

Who can resist a Camelot legend tale? Not I. So when I saw that this one had a new twist, I knew I'd be hooked from page one. And I wasn't wrong. Guinevere is on her way to meet her new husband Arthur. But Guinevere isn't really Guinevere. The real Guinevere had died and Merlin has replaced her with a changeling. The new Guinevere had magic, which is outlawed in Camelot. She is being sent to protect Arthur and root out the underlying dissent rising against him. She has to be careful, if she is caught she will be sent out of Camelot and Arthur and all he has created will be at risk. Her mission is fraught with danger as she is drawn to the darkness in Mordred and the good in Arthur. Will he become more than just her husband in name only? Will she be able to fill the role of Queen while still rooting out the evil? Guinevere also finds herself being protected by the strange new knight- Lancelot. Lancelot is also trying to find a place in Camelot without revealing too much of their own past. This was an outstanding book. I loved the magical twist, the Merlin machinations and the revelation of this version of Lancelot. I already have the sequel waiting in my pile of Christmas vacation books. I love when a story that is tried and true is turned on it's head. And Kiersten White is an author I auto buy! Happy reading my friends!

Sisters of Sword and Song

 

Eva and Halcyon are sisters. Eva tends the family Olive grove. Halcyon is making her mark in the Queen's army. They are finally to be reunited, but Halcyon shows up early and on the run from her commander. She has accidently killed her commander's son, her best friend and partner. She has fled for her life. Eva tries to hide and protect her but Halcyon is captured and sentenced to hard labor. At her trial, Eva speaks out and takes on part of Halcyon's punishment- 5 years serving the commander's family. She meets Damon, the brother of the slain boy and rather than hate her, he sets out to help her clear her sister's name. She finds an ally amongst her would be enemies. Eva sets out to find a relic that can give her the magic to free her sister. But forces larger than her are at work to gather all the relics and give ultimate power to whomever finds them. The more she and Damon grow closer, the more the magic they seek evades them. And even if they do find who is behind the relic hunting, will Damon have enough magic to save Eva and his family? And was Halcyon just a pawn in a game far more deadly than any of them know? I absolutely loved this book. The twists and turns kept me reading long past the time I had. The sisters have an amazing bond and the message of forgiveness is a powerful one. Highly recommend this novel. Happy Reading my friends!

Dangerous Alliance

 

Lady Victoria Aston wants to live in a Jane Austen book. But not one of the ones with damsels in distress, the ones where the heroines take things in their own hands. When her sister's marriage falls apart, it is up to her to marry into some money- and if she can fall in love as well- that would be a bonus. Tom Sherborne is the boy next door, he was once Vicky's best friend until circumstances caused him to leave his adjoining estate. When he returns to his familial home, Vicky can only hope that they rekindle their friendship. Vicky sets out to court all the eligible men in her social circle at the same time someone is out to hurt her family. Tom seems to be on hand to rescue her even though she is trying to take care of herself. This is a delightful book. If you love the 1800s and all their societal pressures, you will love the way Vicky tries to overcome them. The characters are likable and fun and most can't be trusted. But the ones who can are charming and worthy of Vicky's attention. I read this one a while ago and am just catching up, but I am still enchanted by the plot. Happy reading my friends!

The Empire of Dreams

 Yet another happy bookshelf find! I threw this in my beach bag without much investigation. And come to find a companion book to one of my favorite series. Girl of Fire and Thorns was a great trilogy. This is the story of Red, the slave that Elisa bought and freed. It tells her story of how she came to be in Elisa’s family. The story starts with her adoption ceremony which doesn’t turn out the way they want it to. Red winds up in training to be a member of the Royal Guard, a place no girls have been. As she makes new friends, she uncovers a plot to overthrow the empress while she is away. Red can’t let anything happen to her adopted brother Rosario, the prince, so she begins to train the other boys in the guard. They are all sworn to protect the prince and they had also noticed some strange goings on. But are they all on the Prince’s side? This is a great book whether you have read the main series or not. Red is a tough, smart, loyal girls who takes on every challenge sent her way. She never makes excuses and always fights for her family. There are also a bevy of other characters that are deep and and interesting. I always love a story that will appeal to both boys and girls and this is definitely one of those. Back to the beach my friends-off to Belle and Beast and Paris for a fairy tale retelling! Happy reading my friends!

Bone Crier’s Moon

 Have you ever looked on your bookshelf and found you have two copies of a book? This is one of those.  books. And after reading it I understand why two  book boxes have sent it to me. The Bone Criers are meant to ferry the dead to the afterlife. They train their whole lives. They must collect the bones of three animals and take on those animal’s graces. Then as a final ritual, they must lure their soul mate to a bridge and kill them or they will both die. Ailesse is fearless and cannot wait to take her place next to her mother on the bridge of souls. Her best friend Sabine is not as eager. She doesn’t have the heart to kill an animal let alone a human. On the night of Ailesse’s ritual, Sabine is there to witness and support her friend. What they don’t know is that Bastien and his friends are waiting for them. His father was killed by a Bone Crier and he has been waiting to get his revenge. Ailesse thinks he is her amoure and when he kidnaps her, all hell breaks loose. Is he her true love? Will she be able to kill him when the time comes? Will he be able to exact his revenge? And what is her mother really up to? I really liked this book. It is filled with mythology, romance, misunderstanding and the dilemma- is killing ever right even if it means saving the world? I will absolutely be on the lookout for the final book, and keep wondering if there is one soulmate for each of us or do we create our own luck... happy reading my friends!

Blood and Honey

 Reid and Lou are on the run. Lou’s mother Morgane is out to kill her. Reid is fighting his own demons. He has found his mother and she is not what he expected or wanted. He has found out he is a witch. The very thing he has been fighting against his whole career. But he is also dealing with the fact that his wife is a powerful witch coming into a dreadful power that could consume her. As they try and devise a plan to stop Morgane’s reign of terror, Reid and Lou and their band of supernatural friends face deadly challenges and threats from all corners-some even from within their own trusted circle. This sequel to Serpent and Bone leaves more questions than answers for sure, as all good bridge books will do. There is tragic loss and big reveals. There is misunderstanding and forgiveness. There is adventure and romance. I enjoy this series and recommend it to lovers of this genre. It’s been a while since I posted- I let things get away fro me while trying to figure out distance teaching, but a week off and a sunny beach has remedied this. Happy reading my friends!

Incendiary

I am a subscriber to two young adult book box subscriptions. So every month I receive a box in the mail with a new book and some fun bookish things. That being said, I can't keep up with all the books. First world problem, I know! This month's book was Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova. It is about a time when those with magical abilities are being rounded up and used for their powers. Renata was kidnapped from her parents home as a child and brought to the palace. Her power is to be able to take the memories from people. The palace would then use the information for their gain. She can also turn them into Hollows- when there are no memories left in a person, they become a shell. A group called the Whispers kidnap her back and she finds that she does not have anyone who trusts her anywhere except Dez. When the Whispers find out about a weapon that can strip them of their power and free will, they must figure out a way to get it and destroy it. But they don't trust Renata and she doesn't trust them. When Dez is captured, Renata goes rogue and leads her own rescue mission. This does not help the trust issue. But the more she is at the palace- where she is determined to kill the Prince, for reasons I won't spoil, the more her memories start to play tricks on her, making it even harder for her to figure out who is on her side. And it won't be who she thinks. I really liked this story. It kept me interested and entertained and I hope the plot twist I think is coming comes. I've read a lot of books with the same themes and I'm a sucker for the fantasy genre. I don't think this was my favorite of these types, but I'm not mad at it. My summer is at an end and I'm about to embark on this distance learning thing, so send up a prayer for me and happy reading my friends.

Dear Martin

Next up on my quest is Dear Martin. This is also another one that probably won't work for my needs but what a great, timely story. It is the story of Justyce, an honor roll, college bound kid who is unjustly handcuffed and mistreated by the police. As he ponders what has happened to him, he writes letters to Martin Luther King Jr. asking for advice. Justyce must figure out if his "friends" and their attitudes, jokes and actions are really okay with him. He also must decide if he wants to go against his mother's wishes and date his white debate partner. While he questions all that is going on, a tragedy happens changing everything. This is the perfect book for what I am looking for, but the language and some sexual situations just won't play in my school. I will be handing this book to every kid who wants to read it- that is, if I get to hand any kid anything this year. So, loved the book, hate that the story is a reflection of what our society is going through right now. The letters to Martin are a highlight and ask some very deep, thought provoking questions. It is a must read. Happy reading my friends.

Harbor Me

I'm on a quest to diversify our reading list. This one sounded like it might be perfect. And it would have been if the characters had been a little bit older. That being said, for a younger group of kids this is a lovely book. It is about six kids in a special class who meet once a week to talk. They are each going through their own tough times. One has a father who is detained and deported, one is African American, one has ADD and one has a father in prison. Haley is telling the story of their time together, which she records so she can remember what everyone sounds like when they are no longer together. Each character tells their story and is safe in knowing that the six of them have created a safe harbor for each other. It is a poetic and poignant story that really hits home in our troubled times. It asks the question- Will you be a harbor for others? And while this won't work for my needs, I'm better for having read it. Happy reading my friends.

Kingdom of Back

How many girls do you think were held back from greatness just because they were girls? Marie Lu delves into this issue with an actual historical example. Meet Nannerl Mozart, the older sister of Wolfgang. Did you know she was just as talented as her younger brother? She toured all over Europe playing for royalty in every country. She wrote her own music- which was forbidden. Yet, no one has heard her name. This story shares the life of this talented woman. The Mozarts had a hidden fantasy world called the Kingdom of Back. Lu has turned it into a story of want and need. What would you do to not be forgotten? Nannerl must decide if she is willing to give up her brother to come into her own. Who would you sacrifice to become the one in the spotlight? While I loved learning about this talented young lady, I really did not care for the story. It was creepy- and don't get me wrong, I love a good creep- but it was not an enjoyable story. For me. As for you, my friends, you must decide on your own what catches your fancy. I wish we had some of her music today. Happy reading my friends.

The Shadow Wand

Book 3 of the Black Witch Chronicles most definitely takes a turn towards the dark. Elloren and Yvan have to separate to learn how to use their powers and everyone wants to get a hold of them. They are the prophecy that will take down a civilization. Elloren must find a way to harness her immense power as the Black Witch, but those who find out about her are determined to kill her. Or, in Vogel's case, use her to fulfill his own desire for power. The only one who she can turn to for help is her fastmate Lukas Grey. But she isn't sure she can trust him. As they go on the run together, and Elloren gets horrible news about Yvan, her feelings for Lukas grow. Which leads him to make a great sacrifice to help her get away. This is a great series in the spirit of Sarah Maas books- amazing characters each with their own impressive power, working to do what is right. I don't know how Forest will resolve the love triangle, but hearts will be broken no matter what happens I'm sure. I will say I missed Diana and Rafe and Wynter's voices in this book, but there were definitely some  new and interesting characters that kept my attention. I highly recommend this to any fantasy fan. Now, how long until the next one? The waiting game never ends. Happy reading my friends.

We Speak in Storms

I'll be honest, I picked up this book because I like the cover. I briefly read the flap to see what it was about and so when I went to actually read it, it was not what I expected. A tornado hit Mercer, Illinois in 1961. It plowed through a drive in movie and took the lives of many of the teenagers who had been in attendance. Most families were touched in some way by the devastating loss. Now it is the anniversary of this event and another tornado touches down in the same place leaving behind 2 cars. But no people are found by either of the cars. Three teenagers witnessed the event. Breanna, recovering from a break up, Joshua, the invisible boy who has come out as gay, and Callie, who is watching her mother slowly die from cancer. Each of them have heard or seen something unexplainable since the tornado. Each of them need something to help them get through this hard time they are going through. The ghosts of Mercer show up to help each of them, leading them to heal, find acceptance or work through an impossible time. As the teenagers get helped, they also must help the ghosts to rest, leading them on journeys of healing. This was a very different read that I enjoyed. All the kids had relatable problems current to today and the messages they received were touching and relevant. I am glad I picked a book by it's cover. Happy reading my friends.

Aurora Burning

   My favorite author pair is at it again. In this sequel to Aurora Rising, the squad is back trying to save the galaxy from the Ra'haam who wish to take over every living creature. Their secret weapon, Auri, a girl lost in time, is trying to find a way to control her immense power. Tyler, Scarlet, Kai, Finian and Zila round out Squad 312, the misfits of Aurora Academy. Each has a special talent and a mission that they are finding out on the fly. After their adventures from book one, they are on the run from everyone and to top that off, Kai's sister is trying to find him. And she is not someone you would like to tangle with. As all that is going on, they are on the hunt for the weapon that can end the Ra'haam, the cost of which will be more than any of they will be willing to pay. But what is one life in the battle for a galaxy- an age old question made all the harder when it is one of your own who will pay that price. Kaufman and Kristoff really know how to tell the tales of space in an engaging and fast paced way. This is their 2nd series set in space, their first being one of my favorites- the Illuminae Files. So if you haven't checked any of these books out, now's the time. You're trapped inside, nothing to do but watch Netflix, pick up one of their books and the whole galaxy will be yours. Happy reading my friends.

One of Us is Next

This is the third Karen M. McManus books I have read and I must say I have yet to be disappointed. This one follows up on the characters from One of Us is Lying. The siblings of the Bayview four find themselves embroiled in another text scandal. There is a new game in town, Truth or Dare. If you are texted, you must complete a dare or a secret about you would be spread around the school. Phoebe is target number one and when she chooses to ignore the text, a secret about her sister is exposed causing a rift in there relationship. Maeve is the sister of Bronwyn. She and Knox had been a couple but it didn't work out so they remain good friends. But she also ignores the text and a secret may just ruin her friendship with her ex. When another Bayview student dies, fingers get pointed and a complex scheme is revealed. Even after confessions are made, the culprit may get away. And it certainly isn't who you think. These books are un put down able. The characters are interesting and real and the consequences or our social media age are plausible. If you want to catch the attention of a teen reader, these books will do it. Happy reading my friends.

There Will Come a Darkness

Darkness is coming. It is in the prophecies. When the signs align, beware of what will come. Five lives will collide and bring the darkness. Unless they can figure out a way to stop it. Ephyra who can kill with the grace of touch. She only wants to keep her sister alive. Hassan is the prince in hiding. He is looking for a way to get his people back from exile. Anton is on the run from his brother. His grace is so powerful many are looking for him. He just wants to be left alone. And if he can't be left alone, he wants to die. Jude is set to be the sworn protector of the prophet. All he has to do is find him. He wants his best friend by his side when it happens, but that might not be in the stars. Beru is waiting to die. She must rely on her sister to keep her from death. But that means someone must die for her to live. When the five find themselves intertwined, none knows what to do. Any false move could mean the darkness comes, setting their world back and bringing an end to the Graced. Each has motives that are counter to the others. Who will win, who will die and who will lose their way. I liked this book, things weren't what you thought would happen. Characters did not act in predictable ways. And there were many times they did the opposite of what you might expect. It won't be on my favorite list, but I didn't regret reading it. Happy reading my friends!

Chain of Gold

Just when you think you've read the end of the Shadowhunter series- a new one pops up. And just when you think you can ignore it, you find out Will Herondale is back. Yes, Will Herondale, the only Shadowhunter who is on your top ten fictional boy list. While that is what pulled me in, the story follows Will's kids, James and Lucy. The Shadowhunters have been in a period of peace. This generation has not had to face what their parents did so they are not battle trained. When demons begin to show up in the light of day, killing people, the kids must pick up where their parents have left off. James finds that he is slipping into a shadow world, being lured by someone who has a vested interest in him. After all, no one knows who Tessa's father was and it is rumored he is a high powered demon. Could it be him who is calling to James from the other realm? As this gang- Matthew, Christopher, Thomas and Cordelia included- try to solve the problem of the demons, they also face problems within the Shadowhunter community. Can Will and Tessa's kids take on the adult problems? Can Jem (the Silent Brother version) help them solve the issues? Will the kids be able to pick up where their parents left off? Can they live up to their parents' reputations? Or will the dark win out? All these questions will be answered... if you have one more in you. Happy reading my friends.

Crescent City

First this is NOT a book that will go on my 8th grade bookshelf. But Sarah Maas is one of my favorites and this is her first foray into adult novels. And I do mean adult. This is the story of Bryce Quinlan, half fae, half human living in a world with wolves, archangels, angels, demons, vampyrs and every other creature you can think of. Her father is the Autumn Kind of the Fae but will not claim her as she is half human. When someone or something kills her best friend, she is forced to team up with Hunt Athalar- the Shadow of Death. What comes after is too much to tell. If you are old enough to read her other series- wait a couple more for this one, If you are grown- well, you can never go wrong with Sarah Maas's characters. They draw you in and keep you captive. Which may not be a bad thing. Happy reading my ADULT friends!

All the Stars and Teeth

There was a lot of buzz about this book on social media. Pirates and princesses and mermaids galore. Throw in a little misused magic and you have a high seas adventure. Amore was born to lead her people. All she has to do is prove herself in front of the kingdom. It shouldn't be a problem,  she has been learning to control her magic all her life. But we wouldn't have a story if that were true, now would we? When it all goes wrong and she is thrown in jail waiting to be executed, a savior comes along with the promise to get her to safety. What choice does she have but to follow Bastian? Little does she know that he has ulterior motives to helping her. And what she finds on her adventures makes her question all her father has taught her. Why had he lied to her all her life? What will she have to sacrifice to save her people? Amora's tale is filled with the high seas, magic, sea monsters, a deadly mermaid and human monsters. She will have to use everything in her to get through it alive in time to save the kingdom. This was a good story. I really liked the character of Mira the mermaid. There were no damsels in distress in this book- something I always appreciate. Did I love it- no, not really, but I don't regret reading it. Happy quarantine reading my friends!

The Downstairs Girl

Jo Kuan is living in a time where being Chinese is not looked upon favorably. She works in a hat shop until she is fired by her racist boss. She gets a job as a ladies maid for the most disagreeable girl in town. She and her protector Old gin live in the basement of the house where the owner of the newspaper lives. She can hear their conversations and grows up listening in until she feels like they are her family. When she hears the paper is in trouble, she creates an advice column called Ask Miss Sweetie. Miss Sweetie has some progressive ideas about how people of different races and genders should be treated. The column saves the paper but sets the town talking- who is Miss Sweetie? Jo knows if they find out, she will be in major trouble. There are many other subplots to this delightful book. Jo is fierce and determined and the people around her make her stronger- either because they try to keep her down or try to build her up. Of course there is a little, sweet, love story, some dastardly deeds, and a race to save her family and herself. I loved this book. It was different then anything else I have read in a while. I love historical fiction and I highly recommend this gem of a book. Happy reading my friends- stay safe in these strange times.

The Beautiful

This novel brings back the vampire tale. Set in New Orleans, it tells the story of Celine, a girl who has fled Paris after killing a man. She finds herself living in the Ursine convent for girls with no where to go. Her skills as a dressmaker bring her to the attention of a group called La Cour de Lions. They are mysterious and dangerous. Celine also attracts the attention of the leader Sebastien Saint German. He is a legend in the city. She knows he's dangerous but she doesn't care. As girls start getting killed around her, Celine has to figure out if she can trust Sebastien when all signs point to RUN AWAY. The supernatural forces start to circle the wagons and a dangerous enemy returns to the city. Celine is right in the cross hairs. Should she run away from the city she comes to love? Or from the boy who could be the death of her. Or undeath of her. I didn't love this book. I loved the setting but none of the characters really caught my interest until the last few pages. Great cliffhanger and a good segue to the sequel. I wouldn't have read it unless it had ended as it did. So as for recommending, there are better books out there right now in my opinion, but if you have missed the vampire genre, give it a try. Happy reading my friends!

The 57 Bus

This is the true story of Sasha. They are a transgender teen who was set on fire on the bus ride home. It is also the true story of Richard. He is the teenager who set Sasha on fire. It is a story of misunderstanding and misinformation and mistakes. It is also the story of forgiveness and change. It will cause you to think about how we incarcerate juveniles and the messages we send about people who are not like us. It is about prejudice and hardship and growing through both. I highly recommend it to everyone. I couldn't put it down. I hope you feel the same. Happy reading my friends.

Serpent and Dove

I kept seeing this title in my Insta feed. So why not? It has all the makings of a page turner- witches fighting the church, a marriage of convenience, questionable parentage and motherly love. Of course none of those are cut and dried. Lou is on the run. Not only is she a witch, but she is being hunted by her own coven for nefarious purposes. Reid has been sworn to find and burn witches at the stake. He was brought up by the Archbishop so he has been taught to hate the witches. But circumstances being what they are, Reid and Lou wind up in a marriage that will save both of them from some extreme trouble. Lou must keep her true nature from Reid so he doesn't turn her and her friends in. Reid must learn to question his belief system when he finds Lou more than meets the eye. As the two of them join forces, they find out more about each other than they bargained for and it will turn both their lives upside down. I really liked the characters in this book, I was surprised how quickly the love story took hold, none of that will they or won't they. Of course, as the book unfolded, they are going to have plenty to get in the way of their romance. I think the students in my class will like this book. It has just enough of everything, but be aware there are some racy scenes and language, so not for a younger reader. That being said- two thumbs up. Happy reading my friends!

Iron Flower

The sequel to Black Witch did not disappoint. So if you haven't read that yet, stop now and proceed to the bookstore. (yes, they still exist) Elloren and her gang of oppressed friends are trying to fight the government that would like to see most of them dead. The wolves, the selkies, the icarals, the fae, you name it, the government want them dead. But Ren and her friends will not be going down without a fight. I mean, they have a dragon on their side for goodness sake. And maybe, just maybe, each of them is more than they appear. Especially the granddaughter of the Black Witch, who may just have a wand up her sleeve. As terrible things happen to her friends, she is fighting her growing attraction to Yvan as her aunt pushes her to wand fast to Lukas Grey. Nothing in Elloren's upbringing has prepared her for the events she faces, but she is becoming her own person, determined to save those she loves. I love this series, it has many adult themes but the underlying societal messages are relevant today. I liken it to a more adult and diverse Harry Potter world, where good fights evil and those who are not fitting societies norms find each other. What are you waiting for- get to the store and buy this series or stay on the couch and download it... Happy reading my friends.