The Last Full Measure by Trent Reedy (Divided We Fall book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Divided We Fall and Burning Nation, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“Idaho, Idaho, land where freedom lovers go

Danny Wright started the Second American Civil War—and now he’s out of it, at last. The Feds have left his beloved home state of Idaho, and Danny and his friends JoBell, Becca, Cal, and Sweeney can live free of US dominance. But that new peace comes with considerable costs, from Danny’s disturbing flashbacks of the fighting, to the ongoing food and power shortages, to the Brotherhood of the White Eagle, whose promises of “security” look more like brutality.

From fertile plains to mountains tall, brothers, sisters one and all

Then Danny makes a shocking discovery about the Brotherhood’s final aims, and he joins a group of townspeople on a dangerous journey across a ravaged Idaho. As America collapses into war and chaos, they find a hidden place to build a society of their own. But is it right to stay safe when the world is cracking apart? Danny must work out his answers to the ultimate questions: what is worth living for, and fighting for, and dying for.

We will defend our liberty, Idaho, our lives for thee” - taken from Goodreads.com

In this thrilling conclusion to a war-torn story about the disintegration of the United States, Daniel Wright and his friends flee from the Brotherhood of the White Eagle. They soon realize that isolation isn’t an answer as everything they know crumbles down around them.

Who will survive or die in the end? What happens when not only the United States falls apart but the world erupts into World War III? Can Danny and his motley crew find a way to stop the Brotherhood? Does the United States rise up from the ashes? Will the world itself be saved? How will this story finally end? Visit Trent Reedy’s website.

Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, etc. (Books 1 - 10)

"Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.

So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.

But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.

Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices." - taken from Goodreads.com

Originally published as separate ebooks (that's how I read them), these stories are best enjoyed if read between City of Heavenly Fire and Lady Midnight. Spoilers do occur and background information is gained for Lady Midnight.

Visit Cassandra Clare's website.

Nemesis by Anna Banks (Nemesis book 1)

“She didn’t expect to fall in love - with her nemesis.”

“Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But Mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift may be able to save Tarik’s kingdom. But should she risk exposing herself and her growing feelings for her nemesis?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I wasn’t sure about this book in the first couple of chapters trying to figure out this new world that the author built but I am so glad I stuck with it. I loved Sepora and Tarik’s interactions and the build up of their relationship. The ending completely shocked me and sets up book two nicely. I also love how the titles relate to the story lines.

Book two, Ally, is due out in 2017.

Visit Anna Banks’ website.

Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson (Gold Seer trilogy book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Walk on Earth a Stranger, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

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

Check out Epic Reads if you need a recap on the first book.

“After a harrowing journey across the country, Leah Westfall and her friends have finally arrived in California and are ready to make their fortunes in the Gold Rush. Lee has a special advantage over the other new arrivals in California—she has the ability to sense gold, a secret known only by her handsome best friend Jefferson and her murdering uncle Hiram.

Lee and her friends have the chance to be the most prosperous settlers in California, but Hiram hasn’t given up trying to control Lee and her power. Sabotage and kidnapping are the least of what he’ll do to make sure Lee is his own. His mine is the deepest and darkest in the territory, and there Lee learns the full extent of her magical gift, the worst of her uncle, and the true strength of her friendships. To save everyone, she vows to destroy her uncle and the empire he is building—even at the cost of her own freedom.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Where book one was all about the journey across the country to California, book two has Lee and her surviving friends trying to take a claim and find gold. Uncle Hiram isn’t going to let her get away and will stop at nothing to control Lee and make his own fortune. Fast paced and full of action, our heroine finds out the true meaning of friendship and personal freedom.

How far will Uncle Hiram go to control Leah? Are sparks building between Leah and Jefferson? Can Leah and her friends hold onto their gold claims and make it rich? What happens when Leah is offered her one chance of escape?

Leah’s story will be concluded in 2017 with book three. Visit Rae Carson’s website.

The Darkest Magic by Morgan Rhodes (Spirit and Thieves book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Book of Spirit and Thieves, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“In the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes's highly acclaimed Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, danger looms and the mystery deepens as two warring evils vie for possession of one elusive, powerful book.

Modern-day Toronto: Sisters Crystal and Becca Hatcher are reunited after reclaiming the Bronze Codex and narrowly escaping death. They have no one to trust but each other, and the only thing keeping them safe is the book that sent Becca's spirit to Ancient Mytica--the same book that their enemies would kill them for.

Ancient Mytica: Maddox grapples to keep his newly discovered powers under control, while the ruthless goddess Valoria hunts him down.

Modern-day Toronto: Farrell embraces his dark side as he unwittingly falls further under the spell of Markus, the mastermind leader of the nefarious Hawkspear Society, who will stop at nothing to find Crys and Becca--and the remarkable book in their possession.’ - taken from Goodreads.com

Why did I wait so long to read this book! Picking up immediately where the first book left off, the action starts up immediately. More back story about Ancient Mytica, the two goddesses, and the legendary Eva and the Kindred are revealed. Hopefully, this information will come in handy for Crystal Storm. Meanwhile in modern-day Toronto, secrets about the Hatcher family begin to come to light as well as information about Markus King.

What is so special about Becca Hatcher? What secrets does the Bronze Codex hold and why does Markus want it? Why is Valoria hunting down Maddox? Can he and Barnabas find a way to stop her?

Book three in the series will be published in 2017.

Visit Morgan Rhodes’ website.