Rebel Witch by Kristin Ciccarelli (Crimson Moth book 2)

 

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

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

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

“A WITCH...

Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER...

Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE...

When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.” - taken from Goodreads.

Two months have passed since the end of the first book.Without giving too much away, our characters must make some heart wrenching decisions that keep the story moving. This book was an incredible ending to this duology that has to be one of my favorite books of the year.

Visit Kristen Ciccarelli’s website.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

 

“Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I'm one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions...among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it's deadly.” - taken from Goodreads.

This book kept me guessing until the very end as to who the killer was and why. With a heavy splash of Mean Girls vibes and cutthroat competition, readers will be along for the ride even if they cannot completely relate to the story.  

Visit Alexa Donne’s website.

The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin (The Scarlet Veil book 2)

 

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

“Célie’s life is over. She took her final breath trying to save the people she loves—including the powerful and enigmatic vampire king, Michal, who refused to let her go. When Célie wakes, she cannot walk in the sun; she can hear her friends’ heartbeats and she craves their blood. Michal has cursed her to the eternal existence of a vampire.

But Célie isn’t the only dead roaming the earth. Her sister, Filippa, has returned as a shadow of her former self, and other revenants are rising from their graves intent on revenge. The fragile balance between life and death has broken, awakening an even darker force—and he is coming for Célie, ready to claim her as his Bride. With the fate of their world at stake, Célie and Michal must set aside their searing attraction to mend the veil and right the balance, once and for all.” - taken from Goodreads.

Even though this book is the last in the duology, the ending wraps up the five arc series beautifully. Without giving too much away, our characters are put through the wringer before the end. A definite read for fans of the previous books.