A Sorrow Fierce and Falling by Jessica Cluess (Kingdom on Fire book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, A Shadow Bright and Burning, and A Poison Dark and Drowning, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“It’s time for war.

After suffering terrible losses, Henrietta and Lord Blackwood have led their warriors to Sorrow-Fell, a vast estate where only those invited by a Blackwood may enter–and the ideal place to plan a final assault against the Ancients.

It’s time for a wedding.

Henrietta nervously awaits her marriage to Blackwood, but when the ritual to become his bride reveals a dark secret, she realizes that Sorrow-Fell is not a safe haven; it’s a trap. Convincing the sorcerers of this, however, is not easy. So with Maria, the true chosen one, and Magnus, the young man who once stole her heart, at her side, Henrietta plots a dangerous journey straight into the enemy’s lair. Some will live. Some will die. All will be tested.

In this stunning conclusion to the Kingdom on Fire series, Henrietta must choose between the love from her past, the love from her present, and a love that could define her future. While battles rage, the fate of the kingdom rests on her decision: Will she fall or rise up to become the woman who saves the realm?

It’s time for Henrietta to make her stand” - taken from Goodreads.com

I almost didn’t finish reading this series but I’m glad that I changed my mind. It didn’t take me long to pick back up the storyline since the author did a great job recapping the previous books without dragging along the current plot. Several characters don’t make it to the end but they were totally necessary. The epilogue to the book was brilliantly written and provides an incredible end to Henrietta's story. 

Visit Jessica Cluess’ website.

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (Aurora Cycle book 1)

“The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm

A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates

A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder

An alien warrior with anger management issues

A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved these authors’ previous collaborations, The Illuminae Files, I so much that I couldn’t wait to dive right into their new series. Written in prose form, this story is told from seven different points of view. That sounds completely confusing but it’s not. Jay Kristoff describes this book as a cross between The Breakfast Club and Guardians of the Galaxy and he hit the nail on the head. Realized the shocking twist literally paragraphs just before it was revealed and that cliffhanger ending is seriously leaving me dying to get my hands on the next book. Once again, Kaufman and Kristoff have left me wanting to read more space opera books.

Book two is not yet titled.

Visit Amie Kaufman’s website.

Visit Jay Kristoff’s website.

Sadie by Courtney Summers

“A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Everyone was telling me that I needed to read this book so when I realized the audio version is performed with a full cast, I had to give it a try. Boy was I glad that I did. Sadie is told from two points of view, Sadie herself and radio personality West McCray, who is making a podcast of Sadie’s story. The audio version of Sadie includes full productions of West’s podcasts and they are incredible. This book was heartbreaking and kept me on the edge of my seat. For me, the story made a lasting impact.

Visit Courtney Summers’ website.

Mist, Metal, and Ash by Gwendolyn Clare (Ink, Iron, and Glass book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Ink, Iron, and Glass, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“In an alternate 19th-century Italy, Elsa has an incredible gift: she can craft new worlds with precise lines of script written in books. But political extremists have stolen the most dangerous book ever scribed―one that can rewrite the Earth itself.

Now Elsa must track down the friend who betrayed her and recover the book before its destructive power is unleashed. Can she handle the secrets she’ll uncover along the way―including the ones hiding in her own heart?” - taken from Goodreads.com

It didn’t take me long to get back into this story. Elsa and her new friends believe that Leo has betrayed them by returning to his father’s side. Unknowingly to them, Leo is trying to keep Elsa safe in the only way he knows how. A bit slow at times, the action picks up at the end. I can’t say that book two completely wraps up the story bust as of now, there is no word on whether there will be a third book.

Visit Gwendolyn Clare’s website.

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

“Having just been dumped by his girlfriend, British-born Hugo is still determined to take his last-hurrah-before-college train trip across the United States. One snag: the companion ticket is already booked under the name of his ex, Margaret Campbell. Nontransferable, no exceptions.

Enter the new Margaret C. (Mae for short), an aspiring filmmaker with big dreams. After finding Hugo's spare ticket offer online, she's convinced it's the perfect opportunity to expand her horizons.

When the two meet, the attraction is undeniable, and both find more than they bargained for. As Mae pushes Hugo to explore his dreams for his future, he'll encourage her to channel a new, vulnerable side of her art. But when life off the train threatens the bubble they've created for themselves, will they manage to keep their love on track?”- taken from Goodreads.com

This book made me so happy that I couldn't put it down once I got near the end. I loved Mae and Hugo’s story, especially their cross country train trip. Field Notes reminded me of my first Jennifer Smith book that I read, Ther Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Both books are very similar yet still fresh for me. Definitely one of this author’s better books for me.

Visit Jennifer E. Smith’s website.

Eden Conquered by Joelle Charbonneau (Dividing Eden book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Dividing Eden, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the series for you.

“The Trials of Virtuous Succession have ended. Prince Andreus is king—and Princess Carys is dead.

But even as he’s haunted by what he did to win the throne, Andreus discovers that his dream of ruling only brings new problems. The people love his twin even more in death than they did when she was alive. The Elders treat him as a figurehead. And worst of all, the winds of Eden are faltering. 

But despite what everyone believes, Carys is alive. Exiled to the wilderness, Carys struggles to control the powers that have broken free inside her. And as she grows stronger, so does her conviction that she must return to the Palace of Winds, face her twin and root out the treachery that began long before the first Trials started. 

The Kingdom of Eden is growing darker with each passing day. Brother and sister, former foes, must decide whether some betrayals cut too deep to be forgiven—and whether one will wear the crown or both will lose everything.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book picks up immediately following the ending of Dividing Eden. Andreus is now King of Eden and everyone believes his twin Carys is dead. Carys is actually on the run and as the days pass, her newly discovered powers grow. As both Andreus and Carys uncover the deception of everyone around them, the must learn who they can trust. With a shocking revelation and an ending I wasn’t expecting, this was a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Visit Joelle Charbonneau’s website.