REVIEW: Red Queen (0.1, 0.2, 1, 2) by Victoria Aveyard

Cruel Crown is a short story prequel collection to Red Queen. In "Queen Song," readers get Coriane's story, King Tiberias' first wife.  Keeping a secret diary as the only means to keep her thoughts private, she shares her courtship with the king, birth of Prince Cal and the dangerous challenges accompanying her royal life--namely the jealousy of powerful 'whisper' Elara.

This story is pretty heartbreaking.  Coriane is a good person whose position in the royal family makes her vulnerable and all too alone. Readers already knew she has a terrible fate but "Queen Song" sheds light on Elara's wickedness and Silver power struggles.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"Steel Scars" also has a female protagonist but with a different perspective. Raised to be independent and strong, Diana Farley has been tasked with planting seeds of rebellion; however, the job is tougher than expected as she travels behind the scenes of black market smugglers, traders and extremists.  Readers get a glimpse into the rise of the Scarlet Guard as well as Farley's pending connection to Mare Barrow.

I didn't like this story as much. I find Farley difficult to connect with but I did enjoy the introduction of Shade Barrow and the set up for the other books in the series. I recommend reading this after Red Queen to garner a better handle of the rebellion.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Red Queen is the first in an exciting futuristic series which depicts a society torn between two social groups.  The Silvers are the upper echelon of society--the merchants, nobles and royalty--born with powerful abilities (i.e. metal manipulation, telepathy, elemental affinities) that have helped them oppress others. The Reds are akin to peasants, lacking abilities and generally doomed to live labor filled lives of poverty and forced conscription in the kingdom of Norta's ongoing war with other lands.

Seventeen year old Red, Mare Barrow is an accomplished pickpocket who suddenly finds herself working at the Silver Palace, surrounded by the very people she loathes. Mare discovers that despite her 'Red' blood, she possesses Silver super abilities--the power to call and control lightning. Seeing this as a threat, Mare is forced to live at the palace and hide in plain sight, masquerading as a long lost Silver and future princess/bride to Prince Maven, second in line to the throne.

I read this last year upon its publication and really liked it.  I completed an epic re-read to prepare for Glass Sword.  I have to say I loved this even more the second time. I picked up on the nuances explored by Aveyard.  The overall world building is fantastic as is the characterization.  Mare is compelling--likeable and vulnerable but snarky, independent and a multifaceted, kick butt female protagonist. I also like the host of secondary characters and the sophisticated plot building laced with deceit and some pretty jaw dropping revelations.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Building on the excruciating betrayal at the end of Red Queen, Mare Barrow is on the run following her botched execution and rescue by the Red Guard.  Life isn't going to get better any time soon. If throne usurper King Maven can't have her, no one will. Leaders of the Red Guard don't trust her abilities nor those of exiled Prince Cal. Events lead her and a group of allies on a mission to find Reds born with abilities, amassing an army to combat their oppressors.

The journey is dangerous with plenty of twists, lies, angst and heartbreaking loss. Mare continues to mature and make sacrifices for the greater good despite friction between those closest to her who believe her means go far beyond what is exceptable. Glass Sword is certainly a bit darker, especially the nail biting ending that will have readers literally screaming for the next book in the series.

Aveyard continues to entice readers with this unique read filled with action, romance and villainy that truly exhibits YA fiction at its best.  Recommended for science fiction and fantasy genre readers as well as those who want a dash of romance. Definitely appeal for both male and female readers, grades 9 and up.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @victoriaaveyard


#RedQueen #CruelCrown #GlassSword #VictoriaAveyard #YAlit #books #fantasy

REVIEW: Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole

Sweet Ruin is #16 in Cole's Immortals After Dark series - a super steamy urban fantasy world filled with all sorts of supernatural creatures (vampires, werewolves, demons, witches and Valkyries, oh my!)

Josephine Doe is a foundling having grown up in the human world. She isn't aware of her past memories or supernatural capabilities until a tragic event during her adolescence. Jo is utterly alone but learns to survive and hone some of her abilities with deadly precision; however, there is always an ache for meaningful connections and answers to her past. 

A threat to the Møriør brings Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm.  This thousands of years old deadly and sexy archer has been trained in the arts of seduction and assassination.  Tasked with killing the world's oldest Valkyrie, he is taken by surprise when he encounters a vampire-like immortal who entices and challenges him like no other.

There are battles on multiple fronts as both Jo and Rune have to overcome years of violence and distrust if they are going to have any sort of relationship.  Both have to unravel some truths--Jo to learn her origins and reunite with her brother, Thaddeus and Rune discovering the sacrifices his mother made for his survival and how both he and Jo fit into the bigger pitcher with the Ascension looming ever closer.

Sweet Ruin is a solid entry in the series. I generally liked the couple even if their relationship missteps are frustrating at times. This is par for the course and to be expected for the paranormal romance formula. Jo does come across as rather immature which was sometimes irritating.  Overall, I 'ship' the couple and the story as well its larger connection to the series arc and lore.  The highlight for me was Nix in her adversarial and supporting role. I just love her wacky ways and remain hopeful that we'll finally get her book soon!

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @kresleycole




#sweetruin #KresleyCole #ImmortalsAfterDark #erotic #paranormalromance #review 

REVIEW: Bright Blade of Magic by Jennifer Estep

*Thank you to @Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: April 26, 2016

Lilah (Merriweather) Sterling is back in this exciting edition to the Black Blade series as she and her allies prepare to thrwart Draconian head of the family, Victor, in his plans to dominate the ruling families of Cloudburst Falls. Once a thief, always a thief. Lilah embarks on the ultimate heist--to snatch an arsenal of power laden black blades right from under Victor's nose.  She and her allies think they have the advantage until Victor makes his move.  It will take all of her cunning and skill to save not only herself but those she holds most dear.

Bright Blaze of Magic is an exciting third book which could wrap up the series but also leaves room for subsequent stories.  I really like Lilah and the supporting characters, Devon, Felix and Deah. When I reviewed Cold Burn of Magic and Dark Heart of Magic in 2015, I mentioned how much she reminds of of Gin Blaco from Estep's adult urban fantasy Elemental Assassin series. This continues to be the case, but I love it. She's funny, independent yet vulnerable and a kick butt female protagonist.

There's plenty of action, good story line progression and just enough romance balanced with thwarting the villain and finding some justice for past wrongs.  I think my favorite 'character' continues to be the tentacled lochness monster living beneath the toll bridge.  This is definitely the type of creature you'd like to have in your corner.

Overall, I recommend this for middle school readers and older who enjoy urban fantasy that has good pacing and interesting characters.  This is an exciting and engaging read. I'm content if this wraps up the series but would be please to learn that they'll eventually be more.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @Jennifer_Estep



#BlackBlade #BrightBlazeOfMagic #JenniferEstep #YAlit #urbanfantasy #books #teen

REVIEW: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Two worlds collide in Katie McGarry's second installment to the Thunder Road series.

Available March 29, 2016 from Harlequin Teen

Breanna Miller has always been known as the freakishly smart good girl.  She's determined to be less invisible during her senior year before fleeing Snowflake, Kentucky but she never considered being noticed would change her life in so many ways.

Thomas 'Razor' Turner is one of the more volitale young members of the Reign of Terror MC. Devilishly handsome, fiercely protective and intelligent, he's also haunted by the death of his mother and a slew of unanswered questions. 

Fate brings these two together.  Breanna's in need of a protector and she also might be the only person who can help Razor solve the puzzle of his mother's death. When an intensely intimate but rather innocent moment between the two is photographed, Breanna is blackmailed and seeks Razor's help but as these two spend more time together, their feelings grow.  Both 'walk the edge' between who they are and who they want to be.

I'm a huge Katie McGarry fan and Walk the Edge doesn't disappoint with action, suspense and memorable characters.  The novel is a the perfect blent of edgy, realistic fiction and romance but balances relevant real-life issue such as identity, grief, suicide, and social media threats to one's reputation. Definitely for ages 14 and up due to language, some violence and sexual situations.  I've already added Razor to my neverending book boyfriend list.  He's an intense, dangerous bad boy but loving, brave and protective of those he cares about.  Each of the main characters grows throughout the story and overall, I loved the reading experience!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Keep reading below for a brief Q & A from Katie and an exclusive excerpt!

Q:  What do you most want readers to know about Walk the Edge?

A : Walk the Edge is the story of the boy everyone sees, but nobody knows who is with the girl everybody knows but nobody sees. 

Q:  What is in store for the next book in the Thunder Road series?

A: I'm currently working on the third book of the Thunder Road series which will be Chevy and Violet's story. 

Q:  Can you tell readers a bit about the experience writing Walk the Edge? Was the process comparable to other books or different in any way?

A: Walk the Edge came surprisingly easy. Razor and Breanna are characters who are just meant to be together and their story flowed.

________________________________Excerpt_______________________________

    Her face is white against her raven hair. Ghost white. I’d bet my left ball she hasn’t breathed since I spoke. Her hand is outstretched toward the busted cell on the ground, but her wide hazel eyes are cemented on me. I turn my head and I’m greeted by the amused faces of my brothers from the Reign of Terror who stand next to their bikes in the parking lot. They’ll be harassing me on this for weeks. Fuck me for trying to be chivalrous.

    “You okay?” It’s a variation of the question I asked a few seconds ago, but this one she seems to understand as her body trembles to life.

    “Um…” she stutters. We’ve been at the same schools since elementary age, otherwise I’d wonder if she was a foreign exchange student with limited English. “I only have twenty dollars.”

    The muscles in the back of my neck tense. “I’m not going to jack you for your money.”

    She quits breathing again.

    “Nice to know your current bank account status,” I bite. “But I asked you if you were okay.”

    Color returns to her cheeks as I pin her with my gaze. She accused me of trying to rob her. I know it, she knows it, and she’s now informed I’m not the asshole in this scenario.

    “Yes,” she finally answers. “I’m okay. I mean no…I mean…I broke my phone.”

    She did and that sucks for her.

    Her eyes flicker between me and the phone like she wants to retrieve it, yet she’s too paralyzed. Saving us from this torture, I swipe the pieces of the cell and lean against the wall.

    The distance between us relaxes her and that gulp of air was audible as she tucks herself tight in the corner farthest from me. This reaction isn’t new. I’ve seen it since I was a child whenever my father or anyone from the Terror entered a room full of civilians. To everyone outside of the club, we’re the evil motorcycle gang bent on blowing the house down.

    People and their hellish nightmare folklore involving us piss me off. I don’t know why I told the guys to give me a minute. I’m late for plans I made with Chevy and some girls, plus I’m on call in case the board chooses to meet sooner rather than later to discuss Detective Jake Barlow.

    But something about how this chick appeared alone and frightened messed me up. It reminded me…The thought stalls and the emotional speed bump causes a flash of pain in my chest. Screw it, her expression reminded me of Mom the last time I saw her—the night she died.

    My mom. I shake my head to expel her ghost. One visit from one bastard trying to use me and I’m being haunted by a past I can’t change. That’s what the detective was salivating over—to use me for info on the club. He’s one of too many who believes our club is the devil’s prodigy.

    What he doesn’t see is that we’re a family—the type of family that comes when called. Obviously not like this girl’s family.

    “Is it yes or no?” It’s damn difficult to shove the battery in now that the frame is bent.

    “Yes or no what?” her long black hair sweeps past her shoulders. She has the type of hair that would have to be pulled up if she rode on the back of my bike. Gotta admit, I like her hair, especially how it shines under the lights of the school’s overhang.

    “If you’re okay.” I survey the mostly empty area to prove a point. “If we leave, you’ll be alone, and I don’t care of that. There’s some real psychos out there.”

________________________________________________________________________________________

About Katie McGarry

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON,  BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Links:

Website: www.katielmcgarry.com

Twitter: @katiemcgarry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarry

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575371.Katie_McGarry?from_search=true

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/katielmcgarry/

Tumbler: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/katiemcgarryauthor

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katielmcgarry

________________________________________________________________________________

A big thanks to @katiemcgarry @HarlequinTeen and @InkSlingerPR

#WalkTheEdge #ThunderRoad #KatieMcGarry #YAlit #romance #realisticfiction #bikers #mystery #newadult

REVIEW: Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige

Magical protege Amy Gum is back in this third installment to Paige's Dorothy Must Die series.  She must do everything in her power to save Kansas, kill Dorothy and save the land of Oz from its evil foes.  However, nothing goes according to plan--stuck all but powerless in Kansas, Amy isn't quite as much of the witch-team as she expected. She has to make contact with her former life in order to find an important magical object that just might be the ticket back to Oz--too bad there is another villain poised to cause trouble.

I continue to adore this series. It is funny, well written and engaging in a face paced and creative spin on L. Frank Baum's classic. I admire Paige's ingenuity and ability to expand on aspects of the original fantasy series by adding modern flair for contemporary audiences. The overall characterization is fantastic.  Amy is funny and genuine but also multilayered enough to stay interesting as she shows vulnerability and a dark side.

My biggest disappointment is that I have to wait another whole year for a new book! Yellow Brick War ends with another great cliffhanger. I have an inkling that nothing is ever quite as it seems, especially with the Quadrant, Dorothy and the introduction of the Nome King.  I think he will prove to be an deliciously evil and manipulative foe but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of Dorothy or even Glinda.

I highly recommend readers finish Dorothy Must Die Stories Volume 2 before picking up this third book.  Events that take place in those stories, especially "The Straw King" and "Ruler of Beasts", set the stage for Yellow Brick War and provide a bit more background about Dorothy's ruby slippers and the Nome King.

The audiobooks of this series are pretty fantastic as read by Devon Sorvari (@devonsorvari) is pretty fantastic. Great presence, character depth and standout charisma to make this story pop!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @daniellempaige


#YellowBrickWar #DorothyMustDie #audiobook #YAlit #teen #books #fairytale #magic #humor

REVIEW: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

The Immortal Heights is the final book in the Elemental trilogy. Everything has led to this, the final battle with the Bane.  Prince Titus has used his many resources to remain one step ahead of his foes, but he just might fail as the Bane issues a ultimatum: hand over elemental mage, Iolanthe, or watch as the entire realm is destroyed. Titus, Iolanthe, and their allies must work together if they are to save not only the realm but themselves. Breaking into a near impenetrable fortress is the least of their worries when new prophecies indicate greater impending doom.

This final book is pretty much a non-stop thrill ride.  It opens with Titus, Iolanthe and their allies knee deep in an action packed battle with Atlantis. The adventure doesn't let up as the characters evade enemies, craft strategy and navigate unforeseen events in their quest to end the Bane's tyranny. The Immortal Heights is an exciting and fantastic end to the series.  There were plenty of surprise twists that I didn't expect and will keep readers enchanted from start to finish.

I admire Thomas' writing and ability to create such an imaginative story which really is epic fantasy at its best but also mixes humor, romance, and friendship with the magical landscape.  It isn't easy for fantasy writers to carve their own unique space in a post-Harry Potter world; however, Thomas does so with finesse--paying homage to Rowling while building something new and exciting. The relationship between Titus and Iolanthe is admirable--sure there are ups and downs but it comes across as meaningful and respectful.  I particularly liked the epilogue and what it did for the characters and their futures.

Thank you to publisher Balzer + Bray for the review copy as part of my ROYAL membership with the SWON Libraries.

Final rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @sherrythomas



#TheImmortalHeights #YAlit #magic #epicfantasy #teen #ROYAL #books

REVIEW: Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. by Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review!*

Expected publication: April 19, 2016

Authors Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress explore the life of a teenage Hatter Madigan as he begins his training at the Millinery Academy.  Readers have grown to love Hatter throughout his role in the Looking Glass Wars series as well as graphic novels.  Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. delves into the first phase of his training. Hatter feels the pressures to live up to expectations set by his parents, his highly successful older brother, Dalton, and other new cadets.

A mystery unfolds as ghosts seem to be lurking in corridors and other cadets begin behaving strangely.  Hatter and a group of cadets must unlock the mystery of these ghostly characters and their connection to their new training device, the H.A.T.B.O.X. before it is too late!

I've been a fan of Beddor's for a while now starting with the discovery of The Looking Glass Wars.  I adored the trilogy and its imaginativeness.  Despite being hard to physically get a hold of, I also sing the praises of the Hatter M centric graphic novels (The Looking Glass Wars, Mad with Wonder, The Nature of Wonder, Zen of Wonder, Love of Wonder). Those who know me best aren't surprised that I'm a sucker of anything inspired by Alice in Wonderland.  Beddor's work is outstanding with unparalleled creativity and high visual appeal.  Kress is equally talented and if you haven't read her steampunk adventure The Friday Society, you are missing out!

This series debut is ideal for middle school readers or as an addition for fans of the other books. The story is fast paced and creative and adds just enough of Carroll's classic to delve into an exciting reimagining of the original. The Mad Hatter as a highly trained and lethal bodyguard/spy who wields his hat as a weapon by the power of imagination is just too cool! I love all the other Wonderland references as well as the hierarchy of the card suits and their specializations.

Despite the surface retelling, there is great depth in the themes which will hold appeal to multiple readers.  This is a coming of age story.  Hatter is searching for his own identity and creating his own story. Another key theme is bullying.  Wonderland sets up a class hierarchy with the 'elite' looking down upon others.  Hatter hasn't grown up with this thinking and surprised by other cadets' behavior has to adjust and decide how he will behave for himself. Ultimately, he allies himself with the underdogs and calls out those who do the bullying.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the authors: @frankbeddor @AdrienneKress


#HatterMadigan #LookingGlassWars #AliceInWonderland #YAlit #netgalley #teen #books