To Steal a Throne by Gabi Burton

“Her magic feeds on lies.

His magic could destroy her.

Mira Kyler runs the court of Virdei from the shadows. Ever since she helped her half-brother Luc cheat his way into the role of Virdei's leader, she's used her lie-powered magic to collect secrets from members of court, then used them as blackmail to keep her brother in power.

But when newcomer Kaidren Vale shows up and challenges Luc's leadership, he threatens the stability Mira has worked so hard for. Kaidren also has magic-magic that can detect the precise nature of someone else's power with a single touch. If Kaidren so much as brushes against her, everyone will discover that Mira is the one who's been manipulating the court for years.

As Kaidren and Luc compete in three deadly challenges called The Trials, Mira realizes that no matter who wins, she'll be stuck serving a mediocre man who doesn't deserve to be in charge. She's done hiding in the shadows. She wants power of her own.

To get it, she'll have to betray both her own brother and Kaidren-but the fiercer the competition gets, the more Mira realizes that the one boy who could destroy everything is the one boy she might not be able to resist.” - taken from Goodreads.

This book sucked me right in and didn’t let me go until the last page. Mira has always been overlooked by everyone because of her scandalous birth and second class citizenship. Except when it comes to her hidden magical talents that keep her brother as the leader of the realm. When an upstart newcomer decides to challenge her brother as leader, Mira decides that she no longer wants to be controlled by others. But soon feelings for Kaidren begin to get in her way. What happens at the ending will completely take the reader by surprise and will leave them waiting for more.

After that ending, there has to be a second book on the horizon.

Visit Gabi Burton’s website.

The Rebel and the Rose by Catherine Doyle (City of Fantome book 2)

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

“From a remote hilltop haven, far from the city of Fantome, Seraphine Marchant and her Order of Flames plot to eradicate shade magic with lightfire. But as Sera struggles to control her blooming powers, destiny calls her back to Fantome—and to the assassin who haunts her dreams.

Ransom Hale can’t get Sera out of his head. As their rivalry grows and he grapples with the responsibility of leading the Order of Daggers, he feels himself slipping further from who he wants to be. Is he doomed to a life in the shadows? Or can he forge another path?

Meanwhile, rebellion is stirring in the kingdom, and a dangerous prince grows in power. Forced to work together by order of the king, Sera and Ransom’s conflicted hearts are tested to their limits. And all the while, an ancient prophecy is unfolding that will change the fate of Valterre forever…” - taken from Goodreads.

OK, I went into this massive book of 500+ pages thinking that it would wrap up the story. Boy was I wrong. The action is never ending as the author brings our main characters together in the beginning while setting up for what should be an epic showdown to wrap up this series.

Book three is to be determined. UGH!

Visit Catherine Doyle’s website.

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom book 2)

 

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

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

“With the heat of a kiss, the walls between Alizeh, the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, and Kamran, the crown prince of the Ardunian empire, have crumbled. And so have both of their lives.

Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn throne, is destined to free her people from the half-lives they’ve been forced to live under human rule. When Kamran, the heir to the human throne, falls in love with her, he’s forced to question everything he’s been taught about Jinn.

Kamran’s grandfather lays dead at the hand of Cyrus, ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Tulan. Cyrus has stolen Alizeh away to his homeland and plans to marry her there, giving her everything she needs to become the Jinn queen—and when she assumes the throne he will have fulfilled his own bargain with the devil.

Alizeh wants nothing to do with Cyrus’s deal or the devil. But without a way to escape Tulan, and with the fulfillment of her own destiny tantalizingly close, she’ll have to decide whether she can set aside her emotions to become the queen her people need.

Kamran, meanwhile, is picking up the pieces in Ardunia. Facing betrayal at every turn, all he knows is that he must go to Tulan to avenge his grandfather. He can only hope that Alizeh will be waiting for him there—and that she hasn’t yet become the queen of Tulan.” - taken from Goodreads.

This book was more about Alizeh and Cyrus. Now in Tulan with Cyrus, Alizeh is trying to figure out what kind of deal he has made with the devil. Meanwhile, Kamran is trying to find his new normal since the murder of his grandfather while trying to keep his crown. Lots of twists and turns take place as once again, this book ends in another cliffhanger.

Book three, All This Twisted Glory, is out now.

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.

Supernova by Marissa Meyer (Renegades book 3)

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

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

“All's fair in love and anarchy...

Nova and Adrian are struggling to keep their secret identities concealed while the battle rages on between their alter egos, their allies, and their greatest fears come to life. Secrets, lies, and betrayals are revealed as anarchy once again threatens to reclaim Gatlon City.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was an EPIC conclusion to this trilogy! Secret identities are revealed and long-standing mysteries are solved, to several shocking plot twists. By the end, Nova learns what it is to be a hero and a villain. But that epilogue! Come see me when you have this book because we need to talk. 

Visit Marissa Meyer’s website.

Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson (Dance of Thieves book 2)

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

“Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor's Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I wish I had the time to devour this book in one setting but dragging the story out was good for me too. Kazi and Jace's happily ever after is short-lived when they arrived back at Tor’s Watch to find it has been taken over by an unexpected enemy. Without spoiling the story too much, be aware the Kazi and Jace are apart for much of the book. The ending was fantastic and my favorite characters from The Remnant Chronicles make an appearance. A great ending to the series. 

Visit Mary E. Pearson’s website.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (Jessica book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Jessica’s Gide to Dating on the Dark Side, Stop! I don’t want to ruin a great series for you.

Princess Antanasia Dragomir Vladescu (Jessica Packwood) is trying to adjust to her new life in Romania. Not only is she now married to Lucius, but is trying to find her rightful place as the ruler of the combined vampire clans. At the upcoming vampire congress to be held later in the summer, “the most prominent Vladescus and Dragomirs gather from all over the world” in Romania. It is a week not only of business, but parties and socializing. The first congress was held after Lucius and Antanasia’s parents agreed to their marriage pact. Now they will gather to celebrate the peace their wedding has brought but to cast a vote of confidence to elevate Lucius and Antanasia from prince and princess to king and queen.

At a meeting with the Elders, Lucius’ uncle Claudiu makes some disparaging remarks about how Antanasia was not ready to rule the vampires and he could not accept a Dragomir as his sovereign. Lucius is furious with Claudiu who leaves and everyone watching knows it is far from over. Later, Antanasia waits for Lucius in her office. She dreams of stakes and betrayal and awakes to find Lucius asleep on top of their bed, still dressed in his clothes. A guard knocks on their bedroom door to deliver the news, Claudiu has been destroyed. They arrive to find everyone standing around the body in the entryway. Discussion about what happened is going on when Antanasia’s best friend Mindy enters.

Tensions run high in the castle once again when uncle Flaviu pushes Lucius in front of the Elders about how he is going to investigate Claudiu’s death. In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Antanasia speaks up and says that all the Elders need to show their stakes. Lucius sets a time but Antanasia quickly realizes that she has made a grave mistake. Later, Lucius takes Antanasia to the castle’s stake room and shows her his stake. She immediately recognizes the stench and knows it is covered in Claudiu’s blood. Lucius tells her he has no idea how it got there and someone is setting them up to take the ultimate fall.

With Lucius imprisoned for the murder of Claudiu, will Antanasia be able to rise up and rule the vampire clans as she needs to? Can Mindy’s presence in Romania hurt or help Antanasia” who really destroyed Claudiu Vladescu and why? Can Antanasia with the help of some friends find the true murderer before it is too late?

The wedding chapters of Jessica Packwood and Lucius Vladescu can be found on Beth Fantaskey’s web site at http://www.bethfantaskey.com/wedding/wedding-chapt1.html

Visit Beth Fantaskey's website.