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!