Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

“Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism!

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I’ve been wanting to read this graphic novel for quite some time so when the audio version went on sale, I decided to give it a try. Boy, am I glad that I did. I wasn’t sure how a graphic novel would translate into audio but with a full cast of characters, original music, and sound effects, the story of Nimona and Lord Blackheart comes to life. A highly enjoyable listen.

Visit Noelle Stevenson’s website.

Once A King by Erin Summerill (Clash of Kingdoms book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Ever the Hunted and Ever the Brave, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the series for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first two books in the series.

“Aodren: A lonely, young king, searching for a way to dismantle his father’s dark legacy.

Lirra: A girl with the power to control the wind, torn between duty and following her dreams

For twenty years, Channelers—women with a magical ability—have been persecuted in Malam by those without magic. Now King Aodren wants to end the bloody divide and unite his kingdom. But decades of hatred can’t be overcome by issuing decrees, and rumors of a deadly Channeler-made substance are only fueling people’s fears. Lirra has every reason to distrust Aodren. Yet when he asks for help to discover the truth behind the rumors, she can’t say no. With Lirra by his side, Aodren sees a way forward for his people. But can he rewrite the mistakes of the past before his enemies destroy the world he’s working so hard to rebuild?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This “third” book is a bit of a standalone yet still continues the story started in the previous two books. Although Britta is mentioned only once in passing, this is King Aodren and Lirra’s story about picking up the pieces and moving forward from their tragic pasts. I thoroughly enjoyed diving back into this world and seeing how these two would move forward. A great end to the story.

Visit Erin Summerill’s website.

The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston (Once Upon a Con book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! This is a companion story that takes place one year after Geekerella. While it’s not necessary to read the previous book first, I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the details for you. 

“The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I adored Geekerella and was excited to dive back into the series with the next book. Told a year later at ExcelsiCon, one month has passed since the premiere of the Starfield movie. This book’s story features Darien Freedman’s costar, Jessica Stone, aka Princess Amara. A spin on the Mark Twain story, The Prince and the Pauper, Jess switches places with her newfound doppelganger, Imogen Lovelace, during the Con. The hilarity that ensues is really about Jess and Mo discovering who they really are and being okay with it.

The third book in the series is expected in 2020, focusing on a new character set in a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Visit Ashley Poston’s website.

Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me book 5)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first four books in the Shatter Me series, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first four books in the series.

“Will Juliette’s broken heart make her vulnerable to the strengthening darkness within her?

Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.

Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.” - taken from Goodreads.com

After that vicious cliffhanger ending at the end of book four, I was totally excited to find out all of Juliette’s secrets. Told from Juliette, Warner, and Kenji’s POV, readers will be eager to discover all of the shocking reveals that begin the set up for the final book in the series, Imagine Me, to be published on March 3, 2020.

The next novella, Reveal Me, is expected to be published on October 8, 2019, will help to tide fans over.

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.

Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills

“For Sophie, small town life has never felt small. With her four best friends—loving, infuriating, and all she could ever ask for—she can weather any storm. But when Sophie’s beloved Acadia High School marching band is selected to march in the upcoming Rose Parade, it’s her job to get them all the way to LA. Her plan? To persuade country singer Megan Pleasant, their Midwestern town’s only claim to fame, to come back to Acadia to headline a fundraising festival.

The only problem is that Megan has very publicly sworn never to return.

What ensues is a journey filled with long-kept secrets, hidden heartbreaks, and revelations that could change everything—along with a possible fifth best friend: a new guy with a magnetic smile and secrets of his own.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I have enjoyed reading Emma Mills’ books since her first, First & Then, but this one blew me away. Readers will go in thinking that the book is just about getting a famous singer to return to her hometown but Sophie and her friends go through some heart-wrenching journeys to make it out on the other end. Lots of shocking revelations occur. Definitely, my favorite book of her’s so far.

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

“Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the author’s first book, One of Us is Lying, but her sophomore novel absolutely blew me away. Ellery Corcoran is a true crime fanatic in part to her mother’s twin sister’s disappearance during their senior year homecoming dance. With their mother now in rehab in California, Ellery and her twin Ezra move across the country to live with their Nana in Echo Ridge, a small town full of secrets. With multiple stories and layers of mysteries to be solved, readers will be gripping tightly to their books well after the last line is read.

Visit Karen M. McManus’s website.

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

“How do you kill a god?

As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.” - taken from Goodreads.com 

Once again, Ms. Levenseller crafts a flawed but preserving female heroine who stands up for what she believes in. In this standalone novel, Rasmira has everything going for her until the day she is betrayed and banished from her village. Set forth with what seems to be an impossible task, to kill an unrelenting god, Rasmira is determined to get back to her five sisters. Meeting two boys who were banished from a neighboring village, the three devise a plan to complete their tasks.

This was a book I quickly read to see how Rasmira and the boys fared. I can not wait to see what this author publishes next.

Visit Tricia Levenseller’s website.

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

"Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script." - taken from Goodreads.com

I literally devoured this book because I just couldn’t put it down. Lacey Barnes, a high school senior and actress, is on the set of her very first movie. Away from home and living with her single dad, he is bound and determined to keep Lacey grounded while she is on set. Enter Donovan Lake, the cute tutor that her dad hired to help Lacey with her school work. Neither wants to become involved with the other and here is where the magic takes place. While figuring out her feelings and trying to act on them, Lacey also realizes that someone is sabotaging the movie set. With Donovan and the help of both old and new friends, Lacey sets out to stop the perpetrator and keep her career on the right track.

A true slow burn romance, this latest Kasie West book is now one of my favorites from her. 

Visit Kasie West’s website.