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.