Renegades by Marissa Meyer (Renegades book 1)

“Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I have been holding off reading this book since it first came out. With the second book out, I decided to go ahead and give the audio version a listen and I'm glad I finally did. I will say that the story starts out extremely slow. With this being the first book in a new series, the world building and background stories of the two main characters takes several chapters to flesh out.

Nova Artino is an Anarchist, the bad guys, and the niece of Ace Anarchy, who was killed by Captain Chromium, the head of the Renegades, the good guys. Ace was the last remaining member of her family. Her parents and sister were killed by a rival villain gang as she hid hoping that the Renegades would come to save her. They didn't, but Uncle Alec/Ace did and took her in. Nova, aka Nightmare, became the youngest member of the Anarchists.

When Nova’s assassination attempt on Captain Chromium fails, nightmare becomes wanted by the Renegades. Nova's Anarchist family believes the best way to exact Revenge would be for Nova to compete in the Renegades trials as a renegade, Nova could glean inside information on how to bring them down. What she doesn't count on is finding new friends.

The most important thing Nova and readers will discover is what does it really mean to be a hero or a villain. As it turns out, there really isn't a clear-cut answer. And that last sentence is a game changer!

Book two, Archenemies, is now out.

Visit Marissa Meyer’s website.

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare (The Dark Artifices book 3, Shadowhunter Chronicles book 12)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read Lady Midnight and Lord of Shadows, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you. It will also help if you have read the previous books in the Shadowhunters’ world to avoid spoilers. 

“What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks. 

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Book three picks up immediately following bloodbath that occurred at the end of Lord of Shadows. Without giving away too many details, Julian and Emma are in a race against time to find a way to keep them from succumbing to the parabatai curse. All of our favorite Shadowhunter and Downworlder characters make an appearance. As this portion of the Dark Artifices trilogy comes to an end, the groundwork for the Wicked Powers trilogy, centered around Ty Blackthorn and Kit Herondale is laid out. Unfortunately, it will be several years before the trilogy will be in the hands of readers. The Last Hours trilogy, beginning with Chain of Gold, is expected to be published on November 19, 2019, will allow readers to step back in time to 1903 and will tell the stories of the next generation of Shadowhunters after Will, Tessa, and Jem, and introduces readers to the Blackthorn and Carstairs families. 

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.

Visit Shadowhunters.com

An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker

“When Lady Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn't the only secret he's been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission, and to take it one step further--kill the queen herself.

Katherine's opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is not just a play--it's a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.

The mastermind behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But the closer they grow, the more precarious their positions become. And soon they learn that star-crossed love, mistaken identity, and betrayal are far more dangerous off the stage than on.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really enjoyed this historical twist involving a murder plot centered around William Shakespeare's play, Twelfth Night. Our assassin, Katherine Arundell/Kit Alban, watched her father killed by the local sheriff during a raid on their house for being practicing Catholics during Elizabeth I’s reign. Protestantism was the official religion of England at the time. Escaping, she travels to London to meet up with one of her father's friends. Disguising herself as a boy, Kit becomes involved in an assassination plot for the queen to take place during a private showing of Twelfth Night.

Her plans become a bit derailed when she meets her co-star. Without going into too many details, this book was a great read. I loved the ending of the story. 

Visit Virginia Boecker’s website.

Defy the Worlds by Claudia Gray (Constellations book 2)

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

“An outcast from her home -- Shunned after a trip through the galaxy with Abel, the most advanced cybernetic man ever created, Noemi Vidal dreams of traveling through the stars one more time. And when a deadly plague arrives on Genesis, Noemi gets her chance. As the only soldier to have ever left the planet, it will be up to her to save its people...if only she wasn't flying straight into a trap.

A fugitive from his fate -- On the run to avoid his depraved creator's clutches, Abel believes he's said good-bye to Noemi for the last time. After all, the entire universe stands between them...or so he thinks. When word reaches him of Noemi's capture by the very person he's trying to escape, Abel knows he must go to her, no matter the cost.

But capturing Noemi was only part of Burton Mansfield's master plan. In a race against time, Abel and Noemi will come together once more to discover a secret that could save the known worlds, or destroy them all.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Having separated from each other for what they thought was the last time, Noemi Vidal soon finds herself in a trap to lure Abel back to Earth. When the secrets of Burton Mansfield and Earth are exposed, it is up to Noemi and Abel to escape his clutches and stop the attack on Genesis. Unfortunately, this book ends in a serious cliffhanger that will leave fans eager for the final book in the trilogy.

The story will conclude with Defy the Fates out on April 2, 2019.

Visit Claudia Gray’s website.

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton (Rebel of the Sands book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

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

Check out Recaptains for a refresher on the first two books in the series.

“When gunslinging Amani Al'Hiza escaped her dead-end town, she never imagined she'd join a revolution, let alone lead one. But after the bloodthirsty Sultan of Miraji imprisoned the Rebel Prince Ahmed in the mythical city of Eremot, she doesn't have a choice. Armed with only her revolver, her wits, and her untameable Demdji powers, Amani must rally her skeleton crew of rebels for a rescue mission through the unforgiving desert to a place that, according to maps, doesn't exist. As she watches those she loves most lay their lives on the line against ghouls and enemy soldiers, Amani questions whether she can be the leader they need or if she is leading them all to their deaths.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Even though it has been 18 months since I've read the second book, it didn't take me long to fall back into Amani’s story. A list of characters and where they currently are at the beginning of the book helped me get back into the action. Lots of action, soul-searching, and the death of several characters will leave readers turning the pages to see if Amani and company succeed in their attempt to overthrow the Sulton. Ms. Hamilton provides a beautiful and satisfying if not a tear-jerking conclusion to her fans. 

Visit Alwyn Hamilton’s website.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass book 7)

SPOILER ALERT! This is the FINAL book in the series. Stop if you don’t want to ruin my favorite book series for you.

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

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher on the series.

“Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . .

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.

And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together, at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.” - taken from Goodreads.com

An amazing ending to my absolute favorite series. I discovered Throne of Glass as an arc about a month before it was published in the summer of 2012. I immediately fell in love with Celaena Sardothien and could not get her out of my mind. Luckily Ms. Maas was also beginning to end individually publish Celaena’s backstory that's found in The Assassin's Blade and I devoured each novella as it was published. For me, Kingdom of Ash was absolute perfection in how a series should end. At just under a thousand pages, I read the last 500 and under 24 hours. I was unable to put the book down. Sadly I'm going to miss Aelin and her friends. I still consider this to be my absolute favorite book series of all time. 

Visit Sarah J. Maas’ website.

Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine (The Great Library book 4)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first three books in the series, Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you. 

“To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. With the world catching fire, and words printed on paper the spark that lights rebellion, it falls to smugglers, thieves, and scholars to save a library thousands of years in the making...if they can stay alive long enough to outwit their enemies.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Finally, all of our beloved characters begin to converge on Alexandria to take down the Archivist and restore the Great Library to its former mission. Told from several points of view, readers will be both captivated and heartbroken by where the storyline goes.

The Great Library will conclude with book five, Sword and Pen, on July 9, 2019.

Visit Rachel Caine’s website.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins (Royals book 1)

“Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part-time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.” - taken from Goodreads.com

All that Daisy Winters is looking forward to is going to Key Con with her best friend over the summer. Her plans drastically change when her sister becomes engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland and Daisy becomes tabloid fodder when her boyfriend sells their prom photo and gives an interview. To keep Daisy’s image in line with the Royal family, she is forced to spend her summer in Scotland. Unfortunately, her hot throb future brother-in-law has other plans. In a hilarious and sarcastic filled book, Daisy sets out to prove that she is not one for all of the royal trappings. Or is she? 

Book two in the series, Her Royal Highness, is due out on May 7, 2019.

Dances of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson (Dance of Thieves book 1)

“A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty's resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I don't know why I didn't pick this book up sooner than I did. I loved Pearson's The Remnant Chronicles and her new series continues along the same path. One doesn't need to read the previous trilogy to understand the story but beloved characters and past history do play a part of the storyline.

Kazi is a strong girl with an undying sense of loyalty to her Queen. On a secret mission to track down a war criminal and bring him back to justice, Kazi soon finds herself in a completely unexpected situation. Jase's father has just died and named him patriarch of the family business. Struggling to keep his family’s control over Hell’s Mouth, Jase finds himself captured by a gang of labor hunters and chained to Kazi. They are able to escape but find themselves still shackled together at the ankle. Keeping secrets from one another, feelings develop between the two of them that throw both of their lives in turmoil.

A fantastic ending to a great new fantasy series that will leave fans begging for more. 

Book two, Vow of Thieves, comes out on August 6, 2019.

Visit Mary E. Pearson’s website.

Wildcard by Marie Lu (Warcross book 2)

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

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book.

“Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she's always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo's grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone's put a bounty on Emika's head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn't all that he seems--and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I don't think I have a read a Marie Lu book that I didn't love or the ending didn't to my soul apart. Wildcard was no exception. Once again shocked by how the storyline flowed, the very last page was extremely satisfying. My only question is trying to figure out who exactly Asher is. Don't name drop and leave me hanging. 

Visit Marie Lu’s website.

Nightblood by Elly Blake (Frostblood Saga book 3)

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

“Ruby's world has changed more than she ever could have imagined. She's in love with a powerful Frost King. She's the heir to the Fire Throne. And she may be a Nightblood--the spawn of a vengeful deity hellbent on releasing his wraithlike Minax from their prison. Once freed, these beasts will roam the earth, devouring every last person until he or she is nothing but an empty husk. But Ruby is able to control the Minax to a degree, and now she, her beloved Arcus, and her friend Kai must find a way to bring Frostbloods and Firebloods--sworn enemies--together to make a stand against a foe more deadly than any they've faced.

In this heart-pounding finale of Elly Blake's gorgeously written and action-packed Frostblood Saga, the fate of Frostbloods, Firebloods, and all of humanity is at stake.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I was pleasantly surprised by how this series ended. Arcus and Kai play major roles in helping Ruby to free the Minax from her body and defeat Eurus. With several twists and turns, jaw-dropping revelations and a satisfying ending, fans will not be let down. A great fantasy series for those fans of Sarah J. Maas and Victoria Aveyard.

Visit Elly Blake’s website.

Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

“Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book was probably one of the best I've read from this author lately. I wasn't really sure where all of the characters were going, I was surprised by the direction Kate Bailey's life took. Not immediately sure we reach boy's attention was focused, I think everyone was able to overcome what each perceived as inescapable obstacles. Kate really grew as a character who saw that there was more than one path available in her future. Casting old grudges aside and seeing other others problems more clearly, Kate's Awakening isn't overnight or sugar-coated. One of the best parts of the book is the open ending for the Raider to ponder the future of each of the characters you will grow to love.

Visit Kasie West’s website.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Dread Nation book 1)

“Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.” - taken from Goodreads.com

You know you have found an absolutely great book when the first paragraph begins “The day I came squealing and squalling into the world was the first time someone tried to kill me. I guess it should have been obvious to everyone right then that I wasn't going to have a normal life.” Jane McKeene is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy but quite liberal female white plantation owner in Kentucky. After the war between the states was derailed and the shamblers, aka zombies, started roaming the United States. The war shifted focus to one in which some people tried to get Society to go back to the way it was prior to the war were others we're trying to forge a new country.

How can a zombie book with a wickedly good twist on the American Civil War with a mystery thrown in be side-splitting hilarious? Jane's voice is outstanding as she relates not only her current situation but takes the reader through her backstory before she came to Miss Preston's. The first part of the book begins each chapter with an outtake from a letter Jane has written to her mother white the second half of the book has outtakes of letters that Jane's mother wrote to her. Each chapter's title begins with the words “In which I …”

Dread Nation is one of the best books I've read this year. With all the shot shocking revelations and twists and turns that come at the end, readers will be anxiously awaiting the next book in Jane's adventure.

Book two is expected sometime in 2019. Not soon enough for me.

Visit Justina Ireland’s website.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before series by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before - book 1

“What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once? 

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This trilogy has been on my TBR pile since the first book was published. I loved Jenny Han’s Summer trilogy and it remains one of my favorite series. With the Netflix movie adaption looming on the horizon, I decided that I needed to at least read the first book before watching. I knew that I would kick myself for not reading this sooner and I was right.

I adored Lara Jean Song Covey. The middle of three sisters, she and her older sister, Margot, act as mother figures for the youngest, Kitty, Their widowed father is a doctor and he supports his daughters. Not overly apparent in the book at first, but the Covey family lives in Charlottesville, VA. Lara Jean writes a letter to each of the boys she harbors a crush on to get over her feelings. She addresses each letter, seals it in an envelope, and places them in a hatbox, never to be mailed to their recipients. 

Mayhem strikes Lara Jean's life when someone mails letters in the hat box to the five boys she loved once in the past. One of the letters is mailed to her next door neighbor Josh, who was just dumped by Margot before she left for college in Scotland. To keep Josh from school every that she still has feelings for him, Lara Jean kisses Peter Kavinsky, one of the recipients of her letters.

When Laura Jane confesses to Peter why she kissed him, the two decide to fake a relationship to keep Josh in the dark as well as make Peter's ex-girlfriend jealous. As you can imagine, with the passage of time feelings begin to develop between the two.

Thank goodness the trilogy is complete because the endings of both books one and two do leave the reader hanging.

P.S. I Still Love You - book 2

“Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Always and Forever, Lara Jean - book 3

“Lara Jean is having the best senior year. And there’s still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad’s wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends

Life couldn’t be more perfect!

At least, that’s what Lara Jean thinks…until she gets some unexpected news.

Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans—but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Wasn't really sure where the story was going to go in the beginning but by the last pages, I was crying. Glad I got to read the entire series all at once.

Visit Jenny Han’s website.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (The Darkest Minds book 1)

The Darkest Minds book 1

“When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.” taken from Goodreads.com

This is one of those books that has been on my TBR list for the past five years. I knew that I wanted to start this series over the summer since book four as well as the movie is coming out later this summer. I picked this book up on a whim because I was without a new book when I just finished the last one but I had my phone with me. My question is, why did I wait so long to start this series? I was quickly sucked in.

The author was born and raised in Arizona but attended the College of William and Mary here in Virginia. I was fascinated by the fact that our main character Ruby is from Salem. I loved when Ruby and her companions traveled down I-81 from Harrisonburg to Roanoke before heading east, especially since it's in our backyard. I was mesmerized by Ruby's journey of self-discovery and attempting to overcome her fears about her psi ability. While the ending may be a be a bit cliched, of course, this is an older book so others probably used her idea, I still loved the book and I cannot wait to start the next book or to see the movie.

SPOILER ALERT! Stop! Don’t read any further if you don’t want the story ruined.

Never Fade book 2

“Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?” - taken from Goodreads.com

So much happened in this book after Liam and Ruby parted ways when she joined the League. New characters are introduced and old favorites are pulled back into Ruby story. Jaw-dropping revelations occur leaving readers waiting for the next book.

In the Afterlight book 3

“Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds. 

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Ruby is reeling from the events that occurred at the end of book 2. Without spoiling what turned out to be an incredible and satisfying ending, I'm glad that I finally picked the series up off my TBR pile, just in time for the movie.

Through the Dark books 1.5, 2.5 & 3.5

This collection contains three novellas: In Time, Sparks Rise, and Beyond the Night.

IN TIME 

Gabe's life has been devastated in the wake of the economic crash. The only option left for someone like him to escape his tragic past is to leave his small town behind and to attempt to become a skiptracer. This already almost-impossible task is made all the more difficult by his first "score,"a young girl who won't speak, but who changes his life in ways he could never imagine. 

SPARKS RISE 

Sam didn't think things could get worse at Thurmand rehabilitation camp. Then the Reds arrive. Everyone assumed the kids with firepower had been killed years ago. Instead they were taken away, brainwashed, and returned as terrifyingly effective guards. To her horror, Sam recognizes one of them: Lucas, the one spark of light in Sam's dark childhood. Lucas has a deadly secret--he beat the brutal training that turned his fellow Reds into mindless drones. When Sam defends herself against an attack by a vile PSF guard and faces a harrowing punishment, Lucas must risk everything to save her. 

BEYOND THE NIGHT 

The government-run "rehabilitation camps" have been shut down, but kids with Psi powers are anything but free. Sam would rather be on her own than put in the care of a foster family and given the "cure"--a dangerous procedure that unclaimed kids across the country are being forced to undergo. But there's more at stake than just her own safety. Sam once made someone a promise, and the time has come to fulfill it. Now that she's out of her camp, Mia only has one thought in her head: finding Lucas, her beloved older brother. - taken from Goodreads.com

Visit Alexandra Bracken’s website.Visit The Darkest Minds website.

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen book 4)

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

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first three books.

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

Check out Epic Reads if you need a recap of the series. 

“VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive. “ - taken from Goodreads.com

I'm not really sure what to say about the enormous ending to Mare Barrow’s story without giving anything away. The majority of the 657 pages are told from Mare’s point of view but Evangeline Samos and Iris Cygnet also provide glimpses into the story as well. By the middle of the book, both Calore brothers, Cal and Maven and their thoughts chime in. I enjoyed the story even though it took me a while to find time to read it. At first, I was disappointed by the lack of closure. After thinking about one particular scene, my questions about our characters have doubled.

Although Goodreads lists a forthcoming short story collection, no other information is given. True fans will be hoping that Aveyard will wrap up a few of the loose ends and maybe provide a couple of backstories.

Visit Victoria Aveyard’s website.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (The Folk of the Air book 1)

“Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I haven't picked up a Holly Black book since I finished The Curse Workers trilogy. I don't know why I didn't pick up/listen to The Cruel Prince sooner. This book is fantastic and I enjoyed it even more than Black’s Modern Faerie Tales, a series that I loved. Jude is a mortal living in the Fae world with her identical twin sister. They were brought to Fae with their half-sister, whose father is the Fae King’s General. He killed her parents in front of her because the two of them left Fae behind and took a few secrets along. 

All Jude wants is to be a member of Fae society. She is willing to do almost anything to be accepted. Jude makes an alliance but she quickly finds herself in a dangerous world of deceit where her life is on the line. Without giving away too much, the twists and turns of the ending set up the action for the second book, The Wicked King, due out January 8, 2019.

Visit Holly Black’s website.

Gone Rogue by Marissa Meyer (Wires and Nerves book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first books in the Lunar Chronicles, Stop! This graphic novel series takes place after the events in Winter and is the second volume in Iko’s adventures.

“Iko – an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder – has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This concluding volume of the graphic novel wrap-up of The Lunar Chronicles was satisfying for fans of the series. Charged with stopping Alpha Steele’s wolf - soldiers from their rampage on Earth, Iko and Kinney are forced to work together. Every beloved major and minor character from the books has their “happily ever after”. I would love to see in the future a possible novella detailing a certain wedding just as a check in on what everyone is up to. Hate to see these characters go.

Visit Marissa Meyer’s website.

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller (Daughter of the Pirate King book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Daughter of the Pirate King, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book.

"Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen." - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the Pirate King. It was a quick, witty, slow burn romance about a strong-willed female pirate. When I finally got my hands on the second book, I literally dived right in. Picking up immediately, this book was action packed and the steaks were higher as Alosa raced against her father to find the treasure of the sirens first. Levenseller delivered a heart-breaking but satisfying ending for fans.

Visit Tricia Levenseller’s website.

Ink, Iron, and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare (Ink, Iron, and Glass book 1)

“Can she write a world gone wrong?

A certain pen, a certain book, and a certain person can craft entirely new worlds through a branch of science called scriptology. Elsa comes from one such world that was written into creation by her mother—a noted scriptologist.

But when her home is attacked and her mother abducted, Elsa must cross into the real world and use her own scriptology gifts to find her. In an alternative 19th-century Italy, Elsa finds a secret society of pazzerellones—young people with a gift for mechanics, alchemy or scriptology—and meets Leo, a gorgeous mechanist with a smart mouth and a tragic past. She recruits the help of these fellow geniuses just as an assassin arrives on their doorstep.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Ink, Iron, and Glass is a unique steampunk story with an alternative history twist. Elsa lives in the “scripted” world of Veldana with her mother Jumi. Both mother and daughter are scriptologists, but they and the world they live in are scripted by a man named Montaigne. When Jumi is kidnapped, Elsa is forced to go to the real world to find her. There she finds that Montaigne is dead, his house is on fire, and the worldbook that contains Veldana is missing.

Elsa discovers a group of young adults who are gifted like herself, scriptologists machinists, or Alchemists, who helped her begin to search for her mother. With a rich world building plot, a slow-burning romance, and shocking reveals, fans will be initially heartbroken but clamoring for the next book in the series.

Book two, Mist, Metal, and Ash, is due out February 19, 2019.

Visit Gwendolyn Clare’s website.

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

“Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to make sense of the world.

KIT: I don’t know why I decide not to sit with Annie and Violet at lunch. It feels like no one here gets what I’m going through. How could they? I don’t even understand.

DAVID: In the 622 days I’ve attended Mapleview High, Kit Lowell is the first person to sit at my lunch table. I mean, I’ve never once sat with someone until now. “So your dad is dead,” I say to Kit, because this is a fact I’ve recently learned about her.

When an unlikely friendship is sparked between relatively popular Kit Lowell and socially isolated David Drucker, everyone is surprised, most of all Kit and David. Kit appreciates David’s blunt honesty—in fact, she finds it bizarrely refreshing. David welcomes Kit’s attention and her inquisitive nature. When she asks for his help figuring out the how and why of her dad’s tragic car accident, David is all in. But neither of them can predict what they’ll find. Can their friendship survive the truth?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I absolutely loved this book. Told in an alternating points-of-view between Kit and David, the narrators in the audio version really brought the anguish, anger, and excitement to life. The author's research into Asperger Syndrome made David's actions and personality come to life. Kit is dealing with the accidental death of her father and its impact on the lives of her and her mother was heartbreakingly portrayed. With a slow building, emotional climax, readers will be rooting for Kit and David. A worthwhile read for most everyone.

Visit Julie Buxbaum’s website.

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu (DC Icons book 2)

“Before he was Batman, he was Bruce Wayne. A reckless boy willing to break the rules for a girl who may be his worst enemy.

The Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and Bruce Wayne is next on their list.

One by one, the city's elites are being executed as their mansions' security systems turn against them, trapping them like prey. Meanwhile, Bruce is turning eighteen and about to inherit his family's fortune, not to mention the keys to Wayne Enterprises and all the tech gadgetry his heart could ever desire. But after a run-in with the police, he's forced to do community service at Arkham Asylum, the infamous prison that holds the city's most brutal criminals.

Madeleine Wallace is a brilliant killer . . . and Bruce's only hope.

In Arkham, Bruce meets Madeleine, a brilliant girl with ties to the Nightwalkers. What is she hiding? And why will she speak only to Bruce? Madeleine is the mystery Bruce must unravel. But is he getting her to divulge her secrets, or is he feeding her the information she needs to bring Gotham City to its knees? Bruce will walk the dark line between trust and betrayal as the Nightwalkers circle closer.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Bruce Wayne, orphan, and heir to Wayne Industries, is about to turn eighteen and graduate from high school when he makes a rash decision. Fleeing a charity benefit that he is hosting, Bruce is driving his gift, an Aston Martin outfitted with the latest security features designed by his company. When he comes across a police scene where the suspect will escape, Bruce makes a split second decision to pursue, knowing only his car can keep up.

Even though Bruce helped the police apprehend the suspect, he finds himself in hot water. Sentenced to community service, he serves his hours cleaning at Arkham Asylum, Gotham City's Infamous prison that holds its most dangerous criminals. While on the intensive treatment floor, he meets Madeleine Wallace, a girl his age who has ties to the Nightwalkers, a group of criminals/murderers who drain the bank accounts of Gotham City's wealthy Elite before killing them. Intrigued by her, Bruce is the only person she will talk to.

Falling for the beautiful and mysterious Madeline, Bruce Wayne is determined to find out what she is hiding. But could Madeleine be playing on braces hurt while trying to pump information from him? What happens when she died bulges that Gotham City's newest billionaire is on the night Walkers list? And what happens when Bruce Wayne finds out that he has been played?

Unlike Wonder Woman: Warbringer, it's been a few years since I've seen Batman movie. I went in pretty blind about the story. A great addition to the DC icons series that I enjoyed. Book 3 in the series Catwoman - Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas is out on August 7, 2018.

Visit Marie Lu’s website.

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman (Arc of the Scythe book 2)

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

“Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the second novel of the chilling New York Times bestselling series from Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.

Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I held off reading/listening to Scythe for several months after it came out, but I was glad that I did. The wait for Thunderhead was only a couple of months off and the title of this book really foreshadowed the storyline. What wicked plot twists did the story man, aka Neal Schusterman himself weave. With the introduction of Grayson Tolliver, the reader is able to experience more aspects of society under the Thunderhead.

Citra is now Junior Scythe Anastasia under Scythe Marie Curie while Rowan is on the run as Scythe Lucifer. With enemies both known and a mystery, neither is safe from death. I will say no more so as not to spoil all the greatness that Thunderhead is. There were several  jaw dropping moments in the final chapters of the book. Our story ends in a definite cliffhanger.

Rowan and Citra’s story will conclude with book three, The Toll (more ominous foreshadowing) is expected in 2019.

Visit Neal Shusterman’s website.

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me book 4)

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

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

Check out Epic Reads if you need a recap of the series.

“Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?” - taken from Goodreads.com

Sixteen days have passed since the events in Ignite Me. Juliet killed Anderson and has named herself Supreme Commander. She is trying to come to grips with her new position and all of the responsibilities that come with it. She is anxiously waiting to see who will come forward to challenge, but so far no one has. Everyone seems to be playing along and it has Juliette on edge.

Juliette and Warner have been in a relationship just two days longer than Anderson's death. Juliette has never asked Warner about his past and he has never found the right time to talk with her. Honestly, he is afraid that exposing his past and the history of The Reestablishment will cause her to leave and he doesn't want to lose her love. Even though his father was cruel, Warner is still grief-stricken and struggling to come to grips that he now has two half-brothers.

When the first visitor from another continent arrives, Juliette is determined to handle everything on her own despite Castle’s pleas to include Warner. Warner stays out of it and Juliette handles things on her own. Castle realizes that Warner's father never told him the truth about Juliette. Secrets that Warner knew and lots more that he didn't are revealed to Juliette. Her world is turned upside down at the exact moment she doesn't need the upheaval.

What does Juliet learn about her past? What secrets did Warner keep from her? Will she find a way to get past his betrayal? Can she survive as a supreme commander? Why are the children of the other Supreme Commanders coming to Sector 45?

Book four is expected to be published in 2019.

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.