Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare (The Lost Hours book 1, Shadowhunters book 13)

SPOILER POTENTIAL! This is the start of a new series in the Shadowhunter world but the adult characters in this book were the main characters in the Dark Artifices trilogy. Some background knowledge was also revealed in some of the short stories contained in The Bane Chronicles.

“Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.” - taken from Goodreads.com

The main characters in the beginning of this new trilogy are the children of the protagonist in The Infernal Devices trilogy. The Herondale, Carstairs, Fairchild, and Lightwoods are among the most well-known Shadowhunter families that appear. If you are hoping to get more Will and Tessa, you will but only in small snippets as their children and friends take over the main stage.

I thoroughly enjoyed going back into the Shadowhunter realm but this time in 1903 London. After a relatively peaceful time, demons have come back to attack in ways previously unknown. I adored every minute of this book but all of the twists, turns and shocking revelations up until the very end will leave readers desperately awaiting the next book. 

Book two, Chain of Iron, is expected in March of 2021.

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.
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Internment by Samira Ahmed

“Rebellions are built on hope.

Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.

With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the camp's Director and his guards.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Not sure what to say about this book. The content is super timely and could realistically happen. The beginning had me sucked in but the middle sort of fell flat for me. I found a few things that I thought seems a little far-fetched. I did push through to finish to see how the story ended but it felt a bit rushed to me without any real closure. 

Visit Samira Ahmed’s website.

Lucky Caller by Emma Mills

“When Nina decides to take a radio broadcasting class her senior year, she expects it to be a walk in the park. Instead, it’s a complete disaster.

The members of Nina's haphazardly formed radio team have approximately nothing in common. And to maximize the awkwardness her group includes Jamie, a childhood friend she'd hoped to basically avoid for the rest of her life.

The show is a mess, internet rumors threaten to bring the wrath of two fandoms down on their heads, and to top it all off Nina's family is on the brink of some major upheaval.

Everything feels like it's spiraling out of control―but maybe control is overrated?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Emma Mills has written another feel good out of touch friends to romance story that definitely has multiple bumps thrown Nina’s way. Definitely the brain break from an intense read that I needed.

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus (Bayview High book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, One of Us is Lying, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you. Lots of characters from the first book make appearances and play important roles in the new story.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first book.

“Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules.” - taken from Goodreads.com

A year has passed since Simon tried to frame the Bayview Four. Now someone wants to utilize Simon’s plans for their own unknown purpose. Bronwyn Rojas’ younger sister Maeve, who played an integral part in solving Simon’s death in the first book, is front and center this time around. Along with her ex-boyfriend, Knox Meyers and Phoebe Lawton. The trio soon finds themselves at the center of a truth or dare game that sweeps the student body at Bayview High.

I figured out part of the mystery towards the second half but those last couple of chapters and the ending left me floored.

Visit Karen M. McManus’ website.

Heart of Flames by Nicki Pau Preto (Crown of Feathers book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Crown of Feathers, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite stories for you.

“Veronyka, Tristan, and Sev must stop the advancing empire from destroying the Phoenix Riders in this fiery sequel to Crown of Feathers, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake calls “absolutely unforgettable!”

You are a daughter of queens.

The world is balanced on the edge of a knife, and war is almost certain between the empire and the Phoenix Riders.

Like Nefyra before you, your life will be a trial by fire.

Veronyka finally got her wish to join the Riders, but while she’s supposed to be in training, all she really wants to do is fly out to defend the villages of Pyra from the advancing empire. Tristan has been promoted to Master Rider, but he has very different ideas about the best way to protect their people than his father, the commander. Sev has been sent to spy on the empire, but maintaining his cover may force him to fight on the wrong side of the war. And Veronyka’s sister, Val, is determined to regain the empire she lost—even if it means inciting the war herself.

Such is your inheritance. A name. A legacy. An empire in ruin.

As tensions reach a boiling point, the characters all find themselves drawn together into a fight that will shape the course of the empire—and determine the future of the Phoenix Riders. Each must decide how far they’re willing to go—and what they’re willing to lose in the process.

I pray you are able to pass through the flames". - taken from Goodreads.com

Even at 640 pages, this story does not drag in the least. Secrets are revealed and alliances begin to form for what promises to be an explosive conclusion to this phenomenal series. Book two ends with several cliffhangers but once again I’m reminded why this series has become one of my absolute favorites!

Book three is expected to be published in 2021.

Visit Nicki Pau Preto’s website.