Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

“Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I listened to this book on audio and I loved it. Once I was nearing the end, i couldn’t stop listening as everything from the past came out. I loved the interactions between Libby and Jack and enjoyed seeing their relationship bloom. This was my first book by this author but it definitely will not be my last.

Visit Jennifer Niven’s website

Frostblood by Elly Blake (Frostblood Saga book 1)

“The reign of ice must ended.”

“Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon.

All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved this book! Just when you think you know what's going to happen, the plot will throw you for a loop. Don't want to give too much away. I'm just glad that I don't have to edit an entire year for the next book.

Book two in the Frostblood Saga, Fireblood, on September 12, 2017.

Visit Elly Blake’s website.

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken (Passenger book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in this duology, Passenger, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Please visit Book Series Recap if you need a refresher on Passenger.

“I’ve been orphaned by my time. The timeline has changed. My future is gone.”

“All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

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Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them. “ - taken from Goodreads.com

In this stunning conclusion to Passenger, Etta and Nicholas find themselves separated by time with no clear way to get back to one another. Etta’s world is turned upside when she meets someone unknown from her past who causes her to see her life in a different light. She also finds help from someone she never expected. Nicholas and Sophia struggle to work together for their own purposes. When Nicholas makes a deal for information from a powerful person, the price he has to pay is catastrophic.

Can Etta and Nicholas find their way back to one another? Who from Etta’s past comes to help her?  What price is Nicholas asked to pay? Will the Linden astrolab be found and can Cyrus Ironwood be stopped before the timeline is destroyed? What happens to all of our favorite travelers?

Visit Alexandra Bracken’s website.

Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini (Worldwalker trilogy book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Trial By Fire and  Fire Walker, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.

Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers―to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory lies at Lillian's side, what price will Lily be willing to pay?” - taken from Goodreads.com

In this thrilling conclusion to the Worldwalker trilogy, Lily and her friends find themselves in the West where everything they know changes. Taken by the Hive to Bower City, they find Grace, a powerful witch in charge who will stop at nothing short of world dominance. When Lily discovers the depth to Grace’s plans, she knows that she must join forces with Lillian without losing herself.

To what lengths has Grace gone to remain in control? Can the Woven be stopped? Does Lily forgive Rowan for abandoning the coven? Will Rowan ever find out the real reason why Lillian killed his father? Who lives and who dies?

Visit Josephine Angelini’s website.

This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston

“No one knows what happened that morning at River Point. Five boys went hunting. Four came back. The boys won’t say who fired the shot that killed their friend; the evidence shows it could have been any one of them.

Kate Marino’s senior year internship at the District Attorney’s Office isn’t exactly glamorous—more like an excuse to leave school early that looks good on college applications. Then the DA hands her boss, Mr. Stone, the biggest case her small town of Belle Terre has ever seen. The River Point Boys are all anyone can talk about. Despite their damning toxicology reports the morning of the accident, the DA wants the boys’ case swept under the rug. He owes his political office to their powerful families.

Kate won’t let that happen. Digging up secrets without revealing her own is a dangerous line to walk; Kate has her own reasons for seeking justice for Grant. As she and Stone investigate—the ageing prosecutor relying on Kate to see and hear what he cannot—she realizes that nothing about the case—or the boys—is what it seems. Grant wasn’t who she thought he was, and neither is Stone’s prime suspect. As Kate gets dangerously close to the truth, it becomes clear that the early morning accident might not have been an accident at all—and if Kate doesn’t uncover the true killer, more than one life could be on the line…including her own.” - taken from Goodreads.com

After you get over the fact that a high school senior had as much responsibility at the District Attorney's office as Kate, I loved the mystery. Wasn't expecting that big plot twist or who the killer was. Definitely glad I picked this one up.

Visit Ashley Elston’s website.

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill (Clash of Kingdoms book 1)

“Ever the Outcast. Ever the Brave.”

”Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Classic epic fantasy that reminded me a lot of Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Somewhat satisfying conclusion with the mystery still unresolved but those last two pages really set up the plot for book two. Visit Erin Summerill’s website.

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes (Falling Kingdoms book 5)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first four books in the series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“An epic clash between gods and mortals threatens to tear Mytica apart . . . and prove that not even the purest of love stands a chance against the strongest of magic.

MAGNUS and CLEO are forced to test the strength of their love when Gaius returns to Mytica claiming he's no longer the King of Blood but a changed man seeking redemption.

LUCIA, pregnant with the child of a Watcher, has escaped the clutches of the unhinged fire god. Her powers are dwindling as she goes forth to fulfill a prophecy that will keep her baby safe . . . but could mean her demise.

JONAS treks back to Mytica with a plan to overtake Amara, but fate takes hold when he runs into the beautiful Princess Lucia and joins her on her perilous journey.

AMARA has taken the Mytican throne, but with no way to unleash the water magic trapped within her stolen crystal, she'll never be able to seize glory and get sweet revenge.

And what kind of darkness will descend--and who will be safe--after Prince Ashur reveals the dangerous price he paid to cheat death?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Fans of this incredible series will be flipping the pages to see how the story develops for our favorite and hated citizens of Mytica. With a jaw-dropping and heart-stopping end, readers will be left wondering how the Falling Kingdoms series will end.

Visit Morgan Rhodes’ website.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

“Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.” - take from Goodreads.com

A cute collection of three short stories set at Christmas during a snowstorm that tie together at the end that take place in a small North Carolina town. Currently in development as a motion picture.